A former Gainesville man who now lives in western North Carolina is reliving for us those first few days after Hurricane Helene dealt a devastating blow to that part of the state.
Though Sean Gibson lives in Franklin, in the far western edge of the state, just over the Georgia-North Carolina line from Rabun County, that area also suffered though not to the extent places like Asheville, Boone, and Chimney Rock.
Gibson, a native of Atlanta, worked in the news department at WDUN while living in Gainesville. For the past 16 years he has served as Vice-President and General Manager of WFSC in Franklin. He responded to our questions via email late last week.
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*First of all, was there anything like what happened in any of the forecasts leading up to the storm’s arrival?
Folks across Western North Carolina were anticipating a pretty significant storm to move through a little over a week ago but nothing like what transpired last Thursday and Friday nights. Each fall season as most of the southern region knows, is hurricane season. I believe everyone here was simply caught off guard.
*What was it like for you personally that first day?
As I made my way into work with at that point light drizzle to deal with, it didn’t seem like much at the time. As the day moved on the heavier rains came through. Communication was lost from most all cell providers to most of the internet. At that point I had to make it the best I can.
*When did you realize that Franklin was dealing with something unprecedented?
The real reality didn’t set in until the following day when the natural waters of the Little Tennessee River that flows through Franklin North Carolina had crested, flooding an entire children’s park and bike path where I ride my mountain bike at least three times per week.
*What was the initial response of everyday people and those in authority to what was happening?
The community immediately took action with several business and the town providing free wi-fi to help those families and residents connect. It’s a pretty scary thing when you have no communication since we have now lived in that age for many years.
*What about damage in Franklin and the whole county for that matter? Was that park and bike path damage pretty much it?
Franklin as a whole did not experience as much damage as there was in the Highlands Community.
We are all fortunate that no serious damage was sustained to most of the county. For my business, I had to adjust with lack of communication to keep residents and listeners informed.
*So, the station was able to stay on the air the whole time?
The station was able to stay on air throughout despite no internet or cell.
*We know that the number of missing and confirmed dead in North Carolina is changing almost by the minute. As we are doing interview Thursday the 4th, what are the latest numbers?
At last check there were well over 100 killed in the storm here in Western North Carolina and over 200 in the region. We lost 1 person here, a volunteer Sheriff’s deputy.
*How has it affected you personally?
The bigger issue I found was all the damage to the roadways east of our area. My girlfriend lives in Johnson City, Tennessee and it’s been difficult for both of us to see one another. Fortunately, I have internet service, and the wonders of face timing has been ok but not like being there face to face.
*But no damage to your home and the station? And she came through it okay?
Fortunately, no damage to the station or my home and my girlfriend was able to get through it fine.
*I assume some sense of normalcy has returned to the Franklin area. That said, can you pinpoint any one thing that seems to bear that out?
Since the two horrific days of the storm moving through our region some organizations have stepped up to gather items for those that have lost their homes east of me.
*What now for the people in your part of western North Carolina?
As we did with Covid-19 we are in an adjustment mode to “Life After” the storm that has damaged our region.
*So even in your area, there’s still a lot of work ahead to fully recover?
There’s some work on some homes…minor work as well as tree removal and power lines that need to be restored but for the most part, we were all fortunate here there was nothing more serious.
(Photo courtesy Sean Gibson)
(EDITOR’S NOTE: The Highlander newspaper in Highlands reported numerous washed-out roads in that area and, like most places that suffered from high winds, lots of downed trees and powerlines. In addition, power, internet, and cell phone service were also unavailable for several days.)