Source: Underthrow
by Max Borders
“The pictures of devastation flooding in are almost too much to bear. Areas like Lake Lure, with its hairpin turns and stunning views of the water, and Chimney Rock, with its small-town country charm, are unrecognizable. East of Asheville, the Swannanoa River claimed hundreds of lives, and idyllic towns like Black Mountain are struggling to recover amid receding waters and wreckage. Their morgues overflow, and their shop sandwich boards are chalked with plaintive cries for cooking gas and clean water. … The community spirit of mountain folk is strong. Their resolve is steeled, and surrounding regions like mine will leap to help their neighbors as we are recovering much faster here down the mountain. People in faraway places are already helping, too. And the good people on the ground will be stronger with the right resources.” (10/01/24)