See also Buncombe County Special Collections's interview with William Auman, conducted November 17, 2025.]]> Madison County Public Library]]> November 4, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> Oral histories]]>
Dr. Gossett recalls his experiences of Helene and its impact on A-B Tech. After experiencing a storm far worse than he imagined, he began to delegate A-B Tech’s resources [00:09:43] and briefly left to visit his son-in-law's house in Anderson, South Carolina [00:12:39]. He describes the college’s operations as they became a campus resource [00:14:47], the shelter’s operations after Helene [00:16:50], and the physical and mental impact on the college and its residents [00:21:45]. He finishes by stating the importance of community colleges in the recovery and rebuilding of Western North Carolina [00:27:07].

Photograph provided courtesy of Dr. John Gossett. Also included is an excerpt of the 2025 Spring/Summer edition of A-B Tech Education Journal, pages 8-12, describing Helene impact.

See also archived web content:
Helene Recovery: Six Months Later video
Helene Recovery articles on A-B Tech website
Helene resources on A-B Tech website]]> Friends of Buncombe County Special Collections]]> September 22, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> Madison County Public Library]]> September 23, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> Oral histories]]>
Adams describes how she and her husband, daughter, and niece experienced Helene. She explains that she initially underestimated the threat [00:02:57] and realized the severity of the situation after attempting to buy groceries the Saturday after the storm [00:04:27]. She frequently reflects on healing, such as how experiencing nature in the summer following the storm helped her family rebuild positive associations [00:12:16], how routines helped her personally as she balanced responsibilities as a caretaker and a small business coach [00:13:49], and the need for collective processing [00:17:56].

Narrator portraits depict Aisha at her home in Mills River, October 9, 2025.]]> Friends of Buncombe County Special Collections]]> August 25, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> Madison County Public Library]]> September 30, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> Madison County Public Library]]> September 29, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> Madison County Public Library]]> October 3, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> Madison County Public Library]]> September 29, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> Madison County Public Library]]> September 29, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> Madison County Public Library]]> September 29, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> Oral histories]]>
This audio was recorded at the East Asheville Library as part of the event Helene: One Year Later - Community Remembrance & Resilience Day, a daylong series of activities centered around remembering the events of the past and building resilience and community for the future.]]> Ethan Miller]]> September 27, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> Oral histories]]>
This audio was recorded at the East Asheville Library as part of the event Helene: One Year Later - Community Remembrance & Resilience Day, a daylong series of activities centered around remembering the events of the past and building resilience and community for the future.]]> Penny Meacham]]> September 27, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> Madison County Public Library]]> September 8, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> Madison County Public Library]]> September 15, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> Madison County Public Library]]> September 9, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> Madison County Public Library]]> September 16, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> Madison County Public Library]]> September 15, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> Madison County Public Library]]> September 23, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> Madison County Public Library]]> August 26, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]>
This event featured both curated stories and an open-mic opportunity, with the theme “What We Cling To (The Parts We Want to Remember).” Participants shared 3-5 minute stories about moments of adaptation, lesson, resilience or humor in the wake of our shared catastrophe.

The event was sponsored by Wicked Weed Brewing and held in partnership with Come Hell or High Water, a community memory project of Buncombe County Special Collections to document Western North Carolina residents’ experience of Hurricane Helene. The event also served as a fundraiser for Southside Community Farm.]]> Friends of Buncombe County Special Collections]]> Bonnie Antosh]]> Will Bahr]]> June 26, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> ]]> Buncombe County Special Collections Librarian Carissa Pfeiffer on August 21, 2025. This interview was conducted as part of the Come Hell or High Water Oral History Project for Buncombe County Special Collections, Pack Memorial Library.

Jared describes advance preparations based on professional awareness of the storm’s potential severity [00:04:24], flooding and loss of utilities at his home [00:12:12], the difficulties his family faced after leaving Asheville in search of essential supplies [00:18:23], and accessing resources through local support networks [00:28:20]. He reflects on how his professional background impacted his perspective living through the disaster [00:40:23], including a specific sense of survivor’s guilt [00:46:25] and awareness of communication gaps in relaying weather and climate information to the public [00:50:03].

Two portraits depicts Jared in the hallway of Pack Memorial Library in Asheville, NC, November 20, 2025.  Photos by Bill Green.

Additional photo depicts Jared Rennie at River Arts District Brewing Company on August 14, 2025, during a Nerd Nite Asheville event. Photo by Von Infinity, Nerd Nite Asheville host.]]> Friends of Buncombe County Special Collections]]> August 21, 2025]]>
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]]> Listen to the WNC Health Policy Podcast here.]]> WNC Health Policy Initiative Media Team]]> WNC Health Policy Initiative]]> December 2024]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> Lisa Doyle]]> September 4, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]>
This excerpt from Tape 4, side B, includes Mr. Green's memories of the Great Flood of 1916. Transcribed by Zoe Rhine. 

Listen to the full interview or read the full transcript on Archive.org.]]> Ottis Green]]> Buncombe County Special Collections]]> 1964]]> Digital Audio Recording]]>
This audio recording of Helene survivor John Anderson was recorded during the community meeting by Friends of Buncombe County Special Collections volunteer Lindsey Grossman. Anderson describes witnesing mudslides in his Bat Cave, NC neighborhood and checking on neighbors during the storm. He commends the Bat Cave Fire Department for their evacuation efforts. ]]> John Anderson]]> August 19, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]>
This audio recording of Helene survivor Gerry Lynam was recorded during the community meeting by Friends of Buncombe County Special Collections volunteer Lindsey Grossman. Lynam shares a brief description of how he, his wife, and their dogs were rescued by helicopter from their property, which had been cut off due to a bridge washout.]]> Gerry Lynam]]> August 19, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]>
Sue describes the community impact and property damage caused by Tropical Storm Helene [00:11:00] as well as the community response that she and her husband faced in the immediate aftermath of the storm, which included support from churches and organizations but also challenges such as looting [00:13:12]. They also housed a military veteran who played a crucial role in relief and rescue efforts [00:22:46]. Sue relates the unexpected importance of alcohol as a commodity after the storm [00:32:44] and the difficulties in recovery, including inadequate FEMA assistance, the high cost of repairs, and the ongoing struggles of the community to rebuild [00:39:45].

Narrator portrait depicts Sue Purdue standing in front of the mudslide at the back of their property, August 13, 2025. ]]> Friends of Buncombe County Special Collections]]> May 2, 2025]]> August 13, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> ]]> JMPRO Community Media's podcast series. The storyline's purpose is to hear what people are saying and promote solidarity, build a qualitative account of the strengths and challenges of regional disaster response, let others know what it has been like for residents, and encourage long term support of the region.

Listen to the JMPRO Community Media Podcast here.]]> JMPRO Community Media ]]> November 1, 2024]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> JMPRO Community Media's podcast series. The storyline's purpose is to hear what people are saying and promote solidarity, build a qualitative account of the strengths and challenges of regional disaster response, let others know what it has been like for residents, and encourage long term support of the region.

Listen to the JMPRO Community Media Podcast here.]]> JMPRO Community Media ]]> October 15, 2024]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> JMPRO Community Media's podcast series. The storyline's purpose is to hear what people are saying and promote solidarity, build a qualitative account of the strengths and challenges of regional disaster response, let others know what it has been like for residents, and encourage long term support of the region.

Listen to the JMPRO Community Media Podcast here.]]> JMPRO Community Media ]]> October 20, 2024]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> JMPRO Community Media's podcast series. The storyline's purpose is to hear what people are saying and promote solidarity, build a qualitative account of the strengths and challenges of regional disaster response, let others know what it has been like for residents, and encourage long term support of the region.

Listen to the JMPRO Community Media Podcast here.]]> JMPRO Community Media]]> October 15, 2024]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> JMPRO Community Media's podcast series. The storyline's purpose is to hear what people are saying and promote solidarity, build a qualitative account of the strengths and challenges of regional disaster response, let others know what it has been like for residents, and encourage long term support of the region.

Photo by Julio Tordoya.

Listen to the JMPRO Community Media Podcast here.]]> JMPRO Community Media]]> October 5, 2024]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> Oral histories]]>
The Bourdys share their experience of the catastrophic flooding that destroyed their historic 1927 home in Beacon Village, Swannanoa. They relate preparing for the storm [00:17:03], evacuating to a neighbor’s roof as waters rapidly rose inside their home [00:24:43], being rescued by a kayaker [00:48:20], seeking shelter and spending the night at the WNC Agricultural Center [00:58:55], and accessing resources in the days and weeks following the storm [01:18:14]. They also describe ongoing emotional trauma [01:25:56], personal and professional impacts from the vantage point of seven months since the flood [01:33:47], and pride in the resilience of their Swannanoa community [02:02:03].

Narrator portrait depicts Jim and Allie inside their home under reconstruction, May 22, 2025. Additional photographs taken June 1, 2025 depict two side views of the Bourdy home showing neighboring house roof with flotation devices used by Jim and Allie; salvaged bricks to be used in reconstruction; front side view of Bourdy home showing neighboring house roof (on left) with flotation devices; rear view of the Bourdy home nearing reconstruction showing neighboring homes; rear three-quarter view of Bourdy home nearing reconstruction; front view of the home; rear view showing neighboring house on right where they climbed on to the roof; and rear view of the Bourdy home showing the size of the backyard relative to the house. All photos by Bill Green.]]> Friends of Buncombe County Special Collections]]> May 5, 2025]]> May 22, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> Oral histories]]>
French is the founder and lead artisan of Making Whole, an addiction recovery/apprenticeship program in Asheville. He describes storm damage to his neighborhood [00:06:56] and workshop [00:09:37], visiting the emergency room the next day [00:11:33], and providing aid [00:13:45]. He also reflects on community coming together [00:16:39], issues with disaster response coordination [00:21:31], and the longer-term impact of the disaster on his property, business, and community at large [00:26:27].

Narrator portrait depicts Jeremy inside the Making Whole workshop area, May 7, 2025. Also included is a photo of the parking lot behind Making Whole showing the debris field the day after Helene hit, September 28, 2024. Both photographs by Bill Green.
]]> Friends of Buncombe County Special Collections]]> May 7, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> Oral histories]]>
Bowen describes her history in Asheville, including how witnessing the flood of 2004 from afar inspired her to return to the area [00:02:09], then shares the story of witnessing the floodwaters rise [00:16:40] and evacuating from her apartment in the Glen Rock Depot [00:20:24], relocating temporarily to the Haywood Park Hotel in downtown Asheville [00:40:00], and working for Buncombe County Election Services during her displacement [00:44:53]. She reflects on the community response [00:51:29] as well as the storm’s longer-term impacts on her finances, health, and housing [00:57:52].

Narrator portraits depict Jenny Bowen in the River Arts District, September 11, 2025. Photos copyright Bill Green Photography. ]]> Friends of Buncombe County Special Collections]]> May 19, 2025]]> September 11, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> Oral histories]]>
Calderón-Colón describes her experience of Tropical Storm Helene. Despite relatively minimal storm impact at her home [00:06:07] she became aware of the devastation when she left to find groceries (unsuccessfully) [00:11:07]. Sam describes driving to Durham for supplies [00:15:16] and volunteering as a Spanish language interpreter [00:24:00], as well as long-term impacts like heightened weather anxiety [00:27:42] and frustration with misinformation [00:30:03].

Narrator portrait by Bill Green depicts Calderón-Colón at the All-Purpose Studios during the recording of her interview, May 12, 2025. Black and white photographs by Calderón-Colón were taken September 28, 2024 on US Highway 70 (first six photos) and in the days that followed.]]> Friends of Buncombe County Special Collections]]> May 12, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> Eugene Vickery]]> July 7, 2025]]> CC BY-ND (modified). Feel free to share this story and song “North Carolina Strong” online or otherwise with no attribution required. The Story and song “North Carolina Strong” can be copied and/or downloaded, shared in writing or digitally online, etc., as long as original content is not altered or changed, royalty free with no attribution required. Thank you.]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> Oral histories]]> Ethan Winograd was interviewed by Friends of Buncombe County Special Collections volunteer Bill Green on May 6, 2025. This interview took place at Ethan's home and was conducted as part of the Come Hell or High Water Oral History Project for Buncombe County Special Collections, Pack Memorial Library. 

Winograd shares how Tropical Storm Helene impacted his home in downtown Marshall, NC, describing preparation for the storm [00:3:54], community working together during the flooding [00:09:26], discovering the extent of WNC’s devastation once communications resumed [00:12:28], and making the difficult decision to evacuate temporarily afterwards [00:15:51]. He discusses longer-term effects on his emotional state [00:19:01] and on Marshall’s businesses and residents [00:22:19].

Narrator portrait depicts Ethan inside his home across from downtown Marshall, May 6, 2025. Photo by Bill Green.
]]> Friends of Buncombe County Special Collections]]> May 6, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> Oral histories]]> Tamie Beldue, an artist and professor based in Swannanoa, was interviewed by Friends of Buncombe County Special Collections volunteer Bill Green on May 6, 2025. This interview took place at Tamie's home and was conducted as part of the Come Hell or High Water Oral History Project for Buncombe County Special Collections, Pack Memorial Library. 

Beldue shares how she, her husband, and their teenage son experienced severe flooding and a landslide during Tropical Storm Helene that forced them outside during the disaster [00:08:59]. In the aftermath, she witnessed rescue and relief teams come in [00:22:04], briefly evacuated and brought supplies back from Raleigh [00:27:57], and benefited from schools pausing academic work [00:24:02]. She reflects on lack of institutional support [00:39:06] as well as systemic failures and lack of essential services for her community in the recovery period [00:45:05]. 

Narrator portrait depicts Tamie at work in her home studio in Swannanoa, April 15, 2022. Photo by Bill Green.]]> Friends of Buncombe County Special Collections]]> May 6, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> Oral histories]]>
Duncan describes her initial experience of Tropical Storm Helene [00:03:08], then anticipated and immediate challenges to planning early voting and Election Day in the weeks following the storm [00:06:00], including how she and her team addressed difficulties with communications [00:12:37] and polling locations [00:14:46]. She expresses pride in local response and confidence in community bonds to address future crises [00:22:49].

Narrator portrait depicts Corinne in her county office discussing the aftermath of Helene. Additional photos show Corinne in her county office with articles about her recovery work, explaining the steps taken after Helene, and three views of her pointing on the county voting map what the priority locations were that they focused on in the aftermath of the storm. Narrator portrait and these five photos all by Bill Green, June 6, 2025. 

Four more photos contributed by Corinne Duncan show the 2024 Buncombe County General Election Official pin, a board meeting, members of the press recording Corinne, and Corinne holding a heart-shaped sign reading "Thank you for making voting possible."]]> Friends of Buncombe County Special Collections]]> May 8, 2025]]> June 6, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]>