On Beech Mountain, Fred's Mercantile stayed open to serve after hurricane hit

At the top of Beech Mountain, more than 5,000 feet above sea level, Fred Pfohl was cut off when Hurricane Helene washed out roads down below.

“We were very, very fortunate,” Pfohl said.

His store, Fred’s Mercantile, is a source of necessities for a remote community.

And for almost three days, they were cut off.

“Part of our problem was the one and only road coming up Beech Mountain was totally cut in two,” Pfohl said.

Still, Fred’s Mercantile stayed open – through wind and rain – as it has every day since it opened 45 years ago.

“We’re kind of the only game in town, you know, so it’s important for us to stay open,” Pfohl said.

The 20 inches of rain that fell was record, at least for Pfohl. “That’s the most I have ever seen,” he said.

With the road closed below, helicopters filled the sky, bringing in supplies.

“That National Guard and others came in to bring water,” Pfohl said. “And I’ve seen people get together as a group and help out.”

He concluded, “I have more faith in Beech Mountain and its citizens than you could ever imagine.”

The Land of Oz attraction on Beech Mountain and the Beech Mountain Ski Resort suffered only limited damage from the storm.