Interview with Jeannine and Darius Robertson
Dublin Core
Title
Interview with Jeannine and Darius Robertson
Description
Jeannine and Darius Robertson were interviewed by Fiora Mecale on January 3, 2025 at their home in Pensacola, North Carolina. The Robertsons share their experience with Helene in their community of Cattail Creek, in Pensacola, NC. Bob Walters is also present.
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.
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.
Creator
Date
Format
Language
English
Extent
1 digital audio recording (01:20:01); 1 transcript (58 pages); 1 digital photograph
Oral History Item Type Metadata
Duration
01:20:01
Interviewer
Fiora Mecale
Bob Walters
Interviewee
Jeannine Robertson
Darius Robertson
Location
Tags
Citation
Fiora Mecale, “Interview with Jeannine and Darius Robertson,” Come Hell or High Water Community Memory Project, accessed April 11, 2026, https://helenehistory.omeka.net/items/show/1370.