Oral histories]]>
Parris shares her experience during Tropical Storm Helene, which hit while she was staying at a friend’s home [00:05:41]. Her own home in Tanglewood Mobile Home Community narrowly escaped destruction. She describes returning to Swannanoa and witnessing the storm’s devastation [00:13:20], feelings of survivor’s guilt [00:16:24], and support received from people who brought food supplies and assistance from across the country [00:19:51]. Contemplating the aftermath of Helene, she reflects on gratitude, a changed relationship with the weather [00:23:51], human resilience in the face of disaster [00:26:22], and the continued challenges she and her neighbors face [00:29:57].

Narrator portrait depicts Nancy at Charles D. Owen Park, Swannanoa, NC., March 14, 2026. Photo by Bill Green.]]> Friends of Buncombe County Special Collections]]> April 11, 2025]]> Digital Audio Recording]]>