ASHEVILLE’S HURRICANE HELENE FIRST RESPONDERS
West Asheville, NC
October 2, 2024
After Hurricane Helene had hit Asheville over the weekend, we still didn’t know the magnitude of this tragedy. The Internet was out, we had no electricity, and no potable water available.
The community was grappling with overwhelming challenges: downed trees, blocked roads, damaged infrastructure and made communication nearly impossible, and resources were stretched thin. Asheville, known for its vibrant energy and close-knit neighborhoods, found itself eerily silent, as residents tried to assess the damage and figure out ways to support each other amidst the wreckage.
Five days had gone by since Hurricane Helene had caused so much damage in Asheville and Western North Carolina. We didn’t see any help from anyone; I want to believe that more impacted areas were getting this help. What I remember was the community helping each other; for me, my neighbors were the first responders.
Throughout the affected areas, stories began to emerge of neighbors helping neighbors. Some used chainsaws to clear paths, while others shared what little clean water they had. Those with power generators offered to charge phones, and families came together to share meals. This grassroots support was the lifeline for many, proving that in the absence of official aid, community resilience could make a difference.
By September 30th, while cooking with my friend Enrique Pérez, one of the owners from Ay Caramba restaurant in West Asheville, he decided we needed to do something for our community.
As Enrique and I planned how to best help, we spoke about the overwhelming need we’d been hearing about from friends and customers. It was clear that for many in our neighborhood, having access to a warm meal had become a luxury. We realized that Ay Caramba’s kitchen could be repurposed as a hub for community support.
On Tuesday, October 1st, I called doña Norma Brown from UNETE, a local non-profit working with women and Latino youth groups in Asheville. I asked her what could we do to help the community? We decided we could provide food for some, a few minutes later Ay Caramba’s kitchen started running and fixing meals for families in need.
Doña Norma’s experience in community outreach became invaluable. She quickly mobilized a network of volunteers, coordinating efforts to identify the families who needed help the most. She worked with Enrique to streamline the process, ensuring the meals were prepared and ready for distribution. It was inspiring to see so many people come together, offering their time, vehicles, and even their own food supplies to help others.
Community at work
Watch video
With love and gratitude, thank you doña Norma Brown and Enrique Perez
Doña Norma and Enrique met for the first time when she came to pick up a donation of meals for families in West Asheville.
Together we loaded the car with meals, their faces reflecting the determination that had become common among volunteers. It was a solemn moment, knowing the recipients were families who, just a week prior, might have never imagined needing such support. But there was also a shared sense of purpose, a reminder that in times of crisis, unity becomes our strongest asset.
On October 2, Ay Caramba delivered over 300 meals for people who showed up in need of food.
In a city often celebrated for its diversity and creativity, it was heartening to witness these values translate into concrete actions. The lines outside Ay Caramba grew, but so did the community’s resolve. Each meal represented more than just food; it was a reminder that Asheville’s spirit couldn’t be broken, not even by a storm as fierce as Hurricane Helene.
Thank you doña Norma Brown and Enrique Pérez, to many in West Asheville you were the first responders.
For all of us in West Asheville, this experience has underscored the importance of community support. In these challenging times, it’s clear that true strength lies in the willingness to help one another. While the storm left a trail of destruction, it also revealed a deeper resilience that will stay with us long after the floodwaters have receded.
With the support of
