ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) –Western North Carolina communities felt the full force of Mother Nature’s fury when Hurricane Helene tore through the area, leaving miles of destruction in its wake.
No matter how prepared you think you are, no one is ever really prepared for what happened in WNC and what some residents are enduring. Neighbors and communities have experienced such destruction and loss that it is hard to process even weeks later.
Mission Health shared stories from its caregivers who were tireless in their efforts during the storm and its aftermath. Amid Hurricane Helene, these caregivers delivered patient care, held the hands of those in need, welcomed new lives into the world and supported each other in the face of devastation.
There were many heroic and uplifting stories. Here are some of the faces and stories from the storm:
Swannanoa couple
Through 62 years of marriage, Linda and Gary, of Swannanoa, navigated life together. When they took their vows six decades ago, they promised to be by each other’s side for better and for worse.
When Hurricane Helene made its way to Western North Carolina on Sept. 26, the couple had no idea what their community was about to endure.
In the early morning hours after the storm hit, Gary woke up and could not find his wife, who had fallen. When Gary found her, he fell, too. Because neither could move, they stayed where they were until family members were able to come check on them.
Linda and Gary were taken to Mission Hospital.
While they were bruised, they were grateful to be alive. In the aftermath of the storm, nurses went the extra mile to ensure Linda and Gary were well taken care of, comfortable and, most importantly, together.
Nurses put the couple’s hospital beds next to one another and set up a dining space for them to enjoy meals together.
A bit of assistance
When Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina, Mission Hospital Nursing Director Matt Alligood was working at the hospital, where he remained for the next several days caring for patients and colleagues as they navigated the aftermath of the storm.
During this time, Alligood’s family was at home, unable to leave because of trees that had fallen on their home.
After hearing about the situation, Alligood’s colleagues sprang into action. When he arrived home, a team was clearing the trees and debris. After the trees were removed, his colleagues shared breakfast with the Alligood family.
“Words will never do this act of kindness justice,” Alligood said.
The support didn’t stop there. Hundreds of HCA Healthcare nurses from across the country showed up at Mission Hospital to assist local caregivers.
“They showed up with a smile on their face, eager to help, eager to give us just a little bit of reprieve. It’s been amazing,” Alligood said.
Teamwork
Taylor McCaulley, a nurse manager at Mission Hospital, was one of hundreds of dedicated health care workers who served patients when the storm reached WNC.
McCaulley said, in her 15-year nursing career, she had never faced a storm like Helene.
She credited the service and teamwork of her colleagues as key to helping patients and the community make it through the storm.
“You never want to be in a situation where you’re seeing all these people hurting physically and emotionally. But then on the other hand, you’re seeing all of these staff members that are coming in just to truly save the day,” McCaulley said. “It’s mind-blowing how far HCA Healthcare’s reach is, not just for colleagues but the community. The efforts put into water restoration, power restoration and cell phone service.”
About 400 health care workers from sister facilities in Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, Texas, Kansas, Utah and California arrived in the early days after the storm to provide support and relief for Mission Hospital caregivers.
More than 40 physicians from other HCA Healthcare hospitals arrived to support the community.
Daily necessities, including water trucks that supply more than 200,000 gallons of water per day, hundreds of thousands of bottles of water, tens of thousands of gallons of fuel, satellite data networks and mobile units including kitchens, bathrooms and handwashing stations, were provided to Mission Hospital. Mini marts were opened inside all Mission Health hospitals to provide workers with free groceries, including food, water and toiletries. Laundry, sleep and shower facilities were also set up.
Pheonix rising
Looking for light during the horrific storm? There’s baby Phoenix.
Robbinsville resident Jewelia Crowe went into labor as the storm was starting to roar through the area.
At 1:51 a.m. on Sept. 27, Phoenix was born to Crowe and fiancé Samuel Dillard.
Weighing just 2 pounds, 10 ounces, Phoenix was taken to Mission Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
As of Oct. 11, Mission Hospital had cared for more than 3,400 patients and delivered nearly 70 babies, since the start of the storm.
Time running out
While riding out the storm in her home, Sherri Morris found her oxygen supply running low. Additionally, like many in her community, Morris was without power. Unfortunately, this left her unable to refill her oxygen tank at home.
Because time was critical, Morris’ son took her to the hospital for rapid, life-saving relief.
“These people have been fantastic,” Morris said of the Mission staff. “They are angels.”
Baby Logan rides out storm at hospital
Ricky Cobbler’s fiancé gave birth to the couple’s second child on Sept. 4.
Baby Logan needed care in Mission Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where he was during Hurricane Helene.
While his parents endured the storm in Edneyville, Logan was safe at the hospital. The family’s home was damaged by the hurricane, and downed trees made it impossible for them to get down the road. They were unable to visit Logan for a week. It was a sweet reunion when they were reunited with their 5-week-old infant.
Cobbler offered thanks to the Mission NICU team, especially nurse Bree, who he said he “trusted 100%” with his son’s care.
Harrowing rescue
Linda McDaris’ Weaverville home was not damaged in the storm, but the road to it was washed away.
McDaris, who is on oxygen all the time and receives dialysis three times a week, recounted the harrowing way the Reems Creek Fire Department was able to get her from her home to Mission Hospital.
“The road was completely gone, and they waded through the water and carried me out in a basket,” McDaris said.
With her road impassable and electricity out in the area, McDaris received her oxygen and dialysis at Mission Hospital, where she met RN Myra Blackwell, who has been with Mission for 40 years.
“She’s such a super person who goes above and beyond her duty. We’ve had a few talks, and she’s prayed with me and it’s really helped me,” McDaris said.
From out of the mud
The strength and compassion of Mission staff inspired and lifted others in the wake of Helene. They made heroic efforts to get to the hospital and help care for patients.
In one case, a Mission nurse went back to her flooded home to retrieve her stethoscope from the mud, because when patients are your highest priority, when you believe in something bigger than yourself, it shows.
Nutritional meals
Dr. Jamie Loggins is passionate about his patients’ weight loss journey, even through difficult times.
Although many are still without supplies, he has worked in partnership with the staff at Pardee Bariatrics to setup a distribution center for patients with nutritional meals.
Caring connection
Mission Hospital received love and support from colleagues around the area, and the teams were so grateful for that caring connection, Mission officials said.
The NICU team from Duke traveled all the way to Asheville to shower the Mission NICU team with treats and love. They even made a banner which all of their staff members signed and stickers that say Duke Mission.
The South Carolina Trauma Association delivered a heartfelt signed banner to Mission Hospital. They said they want us to know they are here for us and we are in their thoughts and prayers.
Prisma Health also delivered care packages to some of the Mission Health hospitals in the region.
The support from the healthcare family across the region has meant so much to the teams of caregivers at Mission Health.