Oral histories]]>
Childs describes the loss of power and flooding she witnessed [00:05:29], and shares the history of her family’s store which was lost in the storm and of Pensacola as a whole [00:14:48]. Childs describes learning of the extent of the storm’s devastation [00:31:51], organizations that provided assistance [00:43:59], and recovery work out of Camp Miller [00:47:00]. She reflects on the loss of neighbors [00:53:28], frustration with FEMA and insurance [01:08:37], and her hopes and expectations for how WNC will recover given time [01:16:43].

This interview was conducted by Fiora Mecale as part of the oral history project Finding Hope: Southern Resilience in the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene.]]> Fiora Mecale]]> January 3, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> Oral histories]]>
Interviewer Fiora shares her Helene experience [00:05:01] and Stephanie describes the trip she took to her parents and their communication after the storm [00:24:17]. Essie shares a story about the dangerous driving conditions [00:40:50]. Throughout the drive, Stephanie describes how roads, buildings, and creeks looked in the immediate aftermath of Helene.

In a second recording, on the return car ride, the group reflects on their first time seeing the damage in Pensacola post-Helene [00:05:58] and stories they heard from local relief workers [00:09:03]

This interview was conducted by Fiora Mecale as part of the oral history project Finding Hope: Southern Resilience in the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Narrator photo taken by Fiora Mecale, January 3, 2025.]]> Fiora Mecale]]> January 3, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]> Oral histories]]>
The Robertsons tell their story while showing photographs to Fiora and Bob, describing their first communications through Starlink [00:20:23], neighbors who checked on them the week after the storm [00:27:53], choosing to stay and establish a routine at home rather than evacuate [00:28:58], and the work of volunteers they witnessed in their community [00:47:54]. Continuing the conversation over a meal, Bob adds how the storm affected areas near his home in East Asheville [00:52:28] and he and Darius discuss the long-term environmental impacts of mudslides and tree loss [00:56:35]. The Robertsons discuss the importance of the Garmin satellite communication device they obtained [01:03:56] and the friendships they developed with relief volunteers [01:09:09]. Bob and Darius reflect on past experiences when they volunteered after Katrina [01:12:41].

This interview was conducted by Fiora Mecale as part of the oral history project Finding Hope: Southern Resilience in the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Narrator photo taken by Fiora Mecale, January 3, 2025.]]> Fiora Mecale]]> January 3, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]>
The group is working with a nonprofit Christian organization out of Boone, Water To Wine, to provide free qualified lab water testing for all of the Pensacola Fire District.

More information via WKYK: https://www.ourlocalcommunityonline.com/2025/05/12/group-fights-for-clean-water-for-pensacola/]]> Fiora Mecale]]> May 3, 2025]]> Digital Photograph]]>