11/13/2024
Our good friend Kim Murrian Pierce, who was a student at Dancers Studio and a Charter member of the Tennessee Children's Dance Ensemble, has experienced tragedy and lost everything, like so many of our neighbors in North Carolina. Her story is below, and if you would like to help her, here is the link to help: https://gofund.me/bb38d051
On Monday, September 23, 2024 I closed on a beautiful 3 BR, 2 bath, one story townhome in East Asheville. I was a couple of miles from my daughter, Miller, who has 3 small children. I was moving towards semi- retirement and spending more time with my grandchildren.
Sadly, I only slept in my home 4 nights and had to evacuate on Friday morning, September 27, 2024 as the river surge approached my front yard. Within 30 minutes of trying to move some sentimental belongings to higher ground, it was apparent I had to evacuate. The rising water level was halfway up my driveway.
I grabbed a back pack of summer clothes, my glasses, and my contacts and headed to a neighbor’s home where I had parked my car the evening before Helene, as suggested by my new neighbor.
I headed out into the pouring rain trying to navigate ankle deep water and a slanted terrain. I fell into the river up past waist deep and struggled to pulled myself out. Thankfully, I got out and walked higher to try to stay out of the swirling water. I was able to join other residents at the home where I had parked my car the night before.
There were 6 other neighbors who had gathered to take refuge. All of us were in shock and not sure what to do next. About 15 minutes later, we were alerted by another neighbor that the dam in Black Mountain (15
minutes further East) was about to break. The same neighbor suggested we get to even higher ground.
Having been new to the neighborhood I did not realize the 45 units in the community were built on 3 varying levels of elevation as the neighborhood wound up the mountainside.
Thankfully, the 7 of us from the lowest level were able to make our way up to the second level of homes, despite a tree blocking our way and debris strewed everywhere.
We went into the first house on that level and gathered with still more residents in shock. I stood in the window of that condo and watched my car below be consumed by the flood waters. First, the trunk popped open; the lights flashed on and off; and sadly, my car was completely submerged by river water. I fell apart at that point because I knew if my car was under water, than I had most likely, lost my entire condo.
I called my mom; told her I was safe; and had received texts from 5 children that they were safe. I was thankful to have cell service at that time. As soon as I checked in with the last of my children, I lost cell service.
What I didn’t know was that at dusk on Friday, 2 of my son-in-laws would attempt to rescue me from my community. I had failed to convey the layout of the neighborhood during our last communication. So when Ben and Stuart arrived at my condo, unable to enter from the road, they climbed a steep hill behind my home, climbed down an even steeper embankment, and witnessed the devastation and destruction. My condo was submerged. They feared I had died. They didn’t know the levels of higher ground in the neighborhood and it was getting dark quickly. They returned home with tears in their eyes to tell each of their wives, my girls, that they couldn’t find me. Ben and my daughter, Leila, went to the Civic Center that had been set up as an evacuee site and checked each person in hopes of finding me. When they couldn’t find me there, they went to the NC Agriculture Center, a second evacuee site, and checked the long list of names on the roster to no avail. For 24 hours my children thought I had died.
Meanwhile, back in the neighborhood, the natural gas had not been compromised at this point. We had no power, no water, no cell service, but we had gas. One of the residents with a generator and gas stove, fixed soup, bread and butter, and offered wine for anyone who wanted some. There were a total of 38 residents stranded on the top 2 levels. About 20 people came for dinner.
After dinner darkness descended quickly and thankfully, the rain had stopped. All of the residents spread out amongst the available homes on higher ground for the night. I slept on a couch in a couples’ office, thankful to be warm and safe.
Saturday morning I awoke with one crystal clear thought on my mind - “I had to see my kids.” No matter what, I knew that was of the utmost importance that morning. My plan was to walk the 3 miles to my Miller’s home.
I went outside to see some residents gathered and discussing a plan for the day. Four of the younger men in our community were planning on hiking out to get supplies to bring back into the community. At this point, with no power, no water, or cell service, we had no idea how badly Asheville had been hit by Helene.
I informed the group of men I was hiking out of the community with them and encouraged them to come to my daughter’s house where we could get my son-in-laws truck, get supplies, and return more quickly to disperse supplies. They were in agreement.
Meanwhile, one of the women in the community had the forethought to write each resident’s name, address, phone number, and Rx needs down. This list was compiled so we as the group hiking out could deliver it to the fire department or police station to alert them there were 38 of us stranded, mostly elderly people.
With our list and the hope of finding supplies, the men and I hiked up an embankment, crawled through a broken fence, and came out at the top into the open area of the trailer park situated above our community. We were greeted by a man from Atlanta who first asked if we and our community were okay. We assured him we were fine, but we were concerned about the 33 other residents stranded down below. He inquired where were we headed and after telling him our plan, he gave us the news that there were no supplies. All power across the city was out; trees were down on all roads; and he had driven in from Atlanta to evacuate his mother whom he was unable to reach by phone. He explained our best plan of action was to go back into our community and figure out how we could evacuate our friends and encourage each of them to figure out where they could evacuate to.
I was determined to get to my daughter’s and insisted on hiking to her house. I agreed to take the list of residents’ names to the fire department or police station. The man from Atlanta ended up giving me a ride to my daughter, Miller’s, house. It wasn’t until we descended the long driveway from the trailer park to the main road that I realized the extent of damage Asheville had received from the storm.
Miller’s husband, Stuart, and their neighbor, Judy, were standing in the road talking when I pulled up in a stranger’s car and got. Both of their jaws dropped open and Stuart reached for me in a big hug. I turned toward the house and saw Miller running out of the house. She threw her arms around me and sobbed, “Mama! I was writing your eulogy in my head! Mama, we thought you were dead! Mama, I’ve already told Stuart we are buying a house where you can live with us. I am never doing this again. I am never going to be without you!” Then she pulled away and looked looked me. She continued, “I’m so angry, Mama! This was the right place for you! It was beautiful! You felt safe there! You were so excited to be there!” I agreed and shook my head sobbing with her. All I could say was I didn’t understand; that I am not the author of my own story; and God has a different plan for me.
By then two of my other daughters had arrived. My oldest, Maddie and my third daughter, Leila, both in tears and so relieved to see me.
After we calmed down, I told the girls and their husbands I didn’t want yo abandon my community. I told them about the list of names and needing to get it to the authorities. Ben and Stuart drove me to a fire station where I put the list in the hands of a lieutenant who promised to pass it along to the director in charge of search and rescue.
Once we returned to Miller’s it was apparent we didn’t want to stay in Asheville. We wanted to evacuate. After checking on my son, Patrick, and his family, we evacuated to Winston Salem to stay with friends.
The week after the storm, staying with four of my children, the grandchildren, and the grand dogs, turned out to be such a beautiful time. I began to see beauty coming out of the ashes of despair. Watching my kids care for me, each other, and navigate logistics and plans during a time when I couldn’t function was such a gift. Each day a different person fell apart experiencing the emotions held in during the immediate threat of the storm and the aftermath. It was heartwarming to comfort each other and watch “love in action”. That week will forever be a highlight during a tragic time.
Since then, I am taking things a day at a time. There are a lot of layers to getting back on my feet, both logistically, financially, and emotionally. I feel covered in prayer, have a peace, and am truly humbled by the monetary gifts that friend, family, and complete strangers have gifted me.
Continuing to trust in the faithfulness and promises of God.
With a grateful heart,
Kim
My mom is experiencing the devastation of Hurricane Helene and lost her new… Leila Pierce needs your support for Help Rebuild After Hurricane Helene's Impact
