Interview with Sheila Jenkins
Dublin Core
Title
Interview with Sheila Jenkins
Description
Fairview resident Sheila Jenkins was interviewed by Friends of Buncombe County Special Collections volunteer Ann McCutchan on April 29, 2025. This interview took place at Ann McCutchan's office and was conducted as part of the Come Hell or High Water Oral History Project for Buncombe County Special Collections, Pack Memorial Library.
Jenkins recalls her experience living through Tropical Storm Helene and the loss of her home along Cane Creek. She describes witnessing floodwaters rise late at night [00:09:47] and evacuating her mother and dogs [00:11:29] before she, her husband, and their nine-year-old son lost their home and personal belongings in the storm [00:14:30]. Sheila describes helping others after the storm [00:25:32] and receiving assistance [00:28:39], as well as the ongoing emotional impact [00:36:08] and plans for rebuilding [00:45:08].
Narrator portrait by Bill Green depicts Sheila standing in front of the location where her home was. Another six photos depict the site where the Jenkins home was, septic tank area to the right, Sheila walking in front of her husband's trucks, the back side of the family busines (crease in building indicates where the water pushed out from inside), debris left over from the flood, and closeup of tree damage. Narrator portrait and these six photos all by Bill Green, May 28, 2025.
Forty more photos (all by Sheila Jenkins, taken between September 27 and October 2, 2024) depict flooding, debris, and cleanup at her home.
Jenkins recalls her experience living through Tropical Storm Helene and the loss of her home along Cane Creek. She describes witnessing floodwaters rise late at night [00:09:47] and evacuating her mother and dogs [00:11:29] before she, her husband, and their nine-year-old son lost their home and personal belongings in the storm [00:14:30]. Sheila describes helping others after the storm [00:25:32] and receiving assistance [00:28:39], as well as the ongoing emotional impact [00:36:08] and plans for rebuilding [00:45:08].
Narrator portrait by Bill Green depicts Sheila standing in front of the location where her home was. Another six photos depict the site where the Jenkins home was, septic tank area to the right, Sheila walking in front of her husband's trucks, the back side of the family busines (crease in building indicates where the water pushed out from inside), debris left over from the flood, and closeup of tree damage. Narrator portrait and these six photos all by Bill Green, May 28, 2025.
Forty more photos (all by Sheila Jenkins, taken between September 27 and October 2, 2024) depict flooding, debris, and cleanup at her home.
Rights
Interview and photos 7-46 copyright Sheila Jenkins and Buncombe County Special Collections. Narrator portrait and photos 1-6 copyright Bill Green Photography.
Format
Language
English
Identifier
MS456.001D
Extent
1 digital audio recording (0:54:28); 1 transcript (30 pages); 47 digital photographs
Oral History Item Type Metadata
Duration
00:54:28
Interviewer
Ann McCutchan
Interviewee
Sheila Jenkins
Location
Collection
Tags
Citation
Friends of Buncombe County Special Collections, “Interview with Sheila Jenkins,” Come Hell or High Water Community Memory Project, accessed January 12, 2026, https://helenehistory.omeka.net/items/show/1083.