One year ago, Hurricane Helene impacted our region. Transylvania County Schools is reflecting on how our community lifted each other up in the following days.
We woke up on Saturday morning to find our community cut off from the outside world. Communication systems were down across much of the county, floodwaters continued to rise in some areas throughout the weekend, and several students and families found themselves displaced from their homes.
What followed in those first critical hours showcased the dedication of our staff and the strength of the local community. Principals, administrators, teachers and support staff worked throughout that weekend to account for every student and staff member, often driving to homes when phone systems failed and conducting in-person wellness checks on families. Our Child Nutrition Department quickly mobilized after ensuring all staff were safe, organizing meal deliveries directly to homes that needed assistance. When families couldn't come to the schools, staff went to them.
The Transportation Department stepped up to help the county with critical operations when normal infrastructure was disrupted. The County and Sheriff's office worked closely with us to coordinate responses to road damage and closed roads throughout the recovery period. This partnership proved essential in navigating transportation challenges and ensuring that staff could safely reach families and students who needed assistance during those first days and weeks after the storm. We are so grateful for our law enforcement, first responders, and local government partners.
While our staff faced challenges of their own, so many heroically put our students and families at the forefront. Schools with appropriate facilities opened their doors to provide essential services like laundry and shower facilities for staff and residents without power or water. Our student services staff and nutrition department immediately jumped into action to make sure every student had access to meals. Some schools organized outdoor barbecues, creating opportunities for community connection during uncertain times. Many of these responses weren't pre-planned emergency procedures but rather the natural actions of educators and staff who view students and families as neighbors.
Students showed true resilience, adapting to disrupted routines and supporting classmates facing challenges at home, while families helped other families, creating support networks that extended far beyond school boundaries.
The communication challenges emphasized the importance of personal relationships when technology fails. The school year following the hurricane showed community resilience in action, with every celebration, successful project and achievement carrying more meaning because of the shared experience.
As the new school year begins, we move forward with increased confidence in the community's ability to face challenges together. While several are still feeling the impacts of Helene, students are growing up in a community that has displayed real resilience, learning that strength comes from working together.
These examples represent only a part of the community efforts during and after the storm. We acknowledge that countless other acts of service by staff and community members occurred throughout the following weeks and months, each making a real difference. We thank everyone who contributed to these efforts and look forward to continuing to serve our students and families in the years ahead.
The photo above was taken by Principal Mike Kirst. It shows a rainbow forming over Brevard Elementary School one year after Helene.