ARDEN, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The line outside the Arden Ingles, located off of Long Shoals Rd. by Biltmore Park, stretched all the way from the door to the dilapidated, jumbled tree line.

Getting there is surprisingly simple. Head down Hendersonville Rd. and you will encounter patient Asheville drivers at every powerless stoplight. Taking turns at these stops, normally busy even by Asheville standards, is a remarkable sight to see in light of the post-Helene apocalypse.

The Ingles was providing precedence to utility and service workers, but allowed the line to form for other citizens.

It is getting inside the Ingles that proved even more of a test of patience than the dead red lights. First responders and utility workers were allowed first priority, but a line of nearly 50 people had formed by 10 a.m.

One woman at the front of the line, Sandra Legere, a TSA officer at Asheville Regional Airport, had been outside the Ingles since 8:15 a.m. She had been standing in line for nearly two and a half hours.

While Legere fortunately had power back at home, she was lacking on provisions, compounded by the expectation that she return to work.

“I work at the airport,” Legere said. “Even though nobody’s coming through, I still have to be there.”

According to Legere, 35 to 50 people were camped out at the airport, stranded because of Helene. Hopefully, they won’t be left there too much longer. Legere said that the airport was planning on conducting four test flights today, Monday, Sept. 30, through American and Delta airlines.

Depending on how the tests go, the airport plans to reopen tomorrow, Tuesday, Oct. 1, Legere said.

Dennis Bro, architect, had biked all the way from the flooded Roberts Lake to the Ingles.

Dennis Bro, architect and Roberts Lake resident, rode his bike to Ingles to trade rumors and quarters.

“I hadn’t ridden my bike in four years, and my body shows it,” Bro joked.

He had come to the Ingles in an attempt to roll quarters, but traded rumors in exchange for the change.

Bro had made an attempt to head to Johnson City, T.N., which he reported was impassible.

“Asheville’s an island,” Bro emphasized.

Bro had heard from a Hendersonville Walmart employee that electronics had been looted and had encountered car windows shot out by firearms.

Despite these supposed reports of violence, the attitude at the Ingles, still open for food, supplies and water, was positive. People smiled at each other and traded information and consolation freely.

The Ingles was one of several spots in the area that offered food and power. Others include:

  • CVS Pharmacy, 324 Long Shoals Rd.
  • Mosaic Café, 1 Town Square Blvd. Suite 150, Biltmore Park
  • Bojangles, 241 Long Shoals Rd.
  • Waffle House, 371 Long Shoals Rd.
The Bojangles on Long Shoals Rd. was open for business today, Monday, Sept. 30