ATVs needed to reach Ashe County's remote towns hurting after Helene's flooding

Helene’s devastation was widespread, reaching many western North Carolina communities, including the small town of Lansing in Ashe County.

Residents on Tuesday told WRAL News the draw to living in a place like Ashe County is isolation from a fast pace of life. Those who live in Lansing said the isolation now feels more like an island, with community members banding together to help the many homes and businesses flooded by Helene.

People are using ATVs where roads are impassible, washed out or simply flooded, heading up and down the mountains, bringing supplies to neighbors farther away from where supplies are stockpiled.

Justin and Jeremy, who did not want to give their last names, said, “It’s our day off, and we just wanted to help.”

They loaded supplies – everything from water to medicine – onto an ATV and, guided by Ashe County Sheriff Phil Howell, made their way along winding roads and creekbeds to deliver.

At a home where flooding had completely cut off residents, neighbors worked together to build a makeshift bridge and carry supplies across on foot.

Howell said he’d even heard of deliveries made on horseback.

The flooding was severe in Lansing, partially due to the swollen Big Horse Creek, which overflowed into businesses, blowing out windows and knocking down trees.

Five feet of water in Old Orchard Creek General Store

Shelby Trammel purchased the Old Orchard Creek General Store less than a year ago, telling WRAL News it was her dream to own a bustling community center. That dream turned into nightmare on Friday when floodwaters rushed in.

“Within a matter of minutes, the water was waist-deep inside the store,” Trammel said.

On Monday, Trammel took WRAL News on a tour inside the store, which is now torn down to its studs.

A tape measure used to measure water damage shows the water reached just shy of 5 feet inside the store before it receded.

Trammel said she knew it was time to leave when she was submerged in water.

“I left when the water was about to my shoulder,” she said. “There was a back door that I was able to get through all the equipment. The equipment was already starting to float.”

Trammel said her dream of owning the general store has not died, but it will take a while to come true again.

“You’d be seeing a very beautiful space full of just artisan goods and artwork,” she told WRAL News on Tuesday, describing her store in its former glory.

Another Lansing resident, Ruth Henson, estimates the water reached 8 feet in height. She watched as floodwaters got dangerously high. tossing sheds into other people’s yards and toppling pickup trucks.

“It’s a very helpless feeling,” Henson said. “You’re standing there. You’re watching it, and there’s nothing you can do.”

Henson said she turns to her faith at a time like this, showing her tattoo, which reads, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.”

She added people in the mountains did not know they would have to prepare for something like this.

“Telling the mountains to prepare for a hurricane is like telling Florida to prepare for something they’ve never had to deal with,” she said.

Now, she’s grateful to be alive.

“Things can be replaced,” she said. “People can’t. We’re going to build back. Ashe County is gonna be better than it was. We’ll be stronger together.”
Several people in Ashe County told WRAL News they feel forgotten as word spreads quickly about the flooding in the Asheville area in Buncombe County. Lansing is roughly 150 miles northeast of Asheville.

Some supplies and aid have been received, but like many mountain towns, residents are still waiting on relief.

WRAL News has a guide to help western North Carolina residents recover from Helene.

By calling 211 or visiting nc211.org, families and individuals can obtain free and confidential information on health and human services and resources in their community. People trying to connect with family members can call NC 211 or 1-888-892-1162 if calling from out-of-state. People can also call those numbers to report missing loved ones.

Helene coverage across western NC