Interview with William Auman
Dublin Core
Title
Interview with William Auman
Description
William (Bill) Auman, an attorney, professor, and author, was interviewed by Buncombe County Special Collections Librarian Carissa Pfeiffer on November 17, 2025. This interview took place at Zoom and was conducted as part of the Come Hell or High Water Oral History Project for Buncombe County Special Collections, Pack Memorial Library.
Auman shares his experience of losing both his primary residence in Marshall, NC and a small vacation home in Florida during Helene. He describes evacuating his home with his wife and dog as floodwaters rose [00:04:24], witnessing the house’s destruction [00:12:44], accessing necessary resources [00:14:37], discovering that their second property had also flooded [00:20:33]. While accessing formal aid has been frustrating [00:21:35] Bill also expresses gratitude for the many organizations and individuals who provided support [00:27:34], feelings of PTSD [00:35:56], and a renewed sense of optimism thanks to the cooperation he witnessed [00:41:41].
Photo provided courtesy of the narrator, taken March 4, 2025.
See also Madison County Public Library's interview with William Auman, conducted November 4, 2025.
Auman shares his experience of losing both his primary residence in Marshall, NC and a small vacation home in Florida during Helene. He describes evacuating his home with his wife and dog as floodwaters rose [00:04:24], witnessing the house’s destruction [00:12:44], accessing necessary resources [00:14:37], discovering that their second property had also flooded [00:20:33]. While accessing formal aid has been frustrating [00:21:35] Bill also expresses gratitude for the many organizations and individuals who provided support [00:27:34], feelings of PTSD [00:35:56], and a renewed sense of optimism thanks to the cooperation he witnessed [00:41:41].
Photo provided courtesy of the narrator, taken March 4, 2025.
See also Madison County Public Library's interview with William Auman, conducted November 4, 2025.
Date
Rights
Interview copyright William Auman and Buncombe County Special Collections.
Format
Language
English
Identifier
MS456.002L
Extent
1 digital video recording (00:55:59); 1 transcript (34 pages); 1 digital photograph
Oral History Item Type Metadata
Duration
00:55:59
Interviewer
Carissa Pfeiffer
Interviewee
William Auman
Collection
Tags
Citation
Friends of Buncombe County Special Collections, “Interview with William Auman,” Come Hell or High Water Community Memory Project, accessed December 17, 2025, https://helenehistory.omeka.net/items/show/1345.