Life after Helene: Auroras, woodchips and thorny questions

Both our external and internal landscapes have been transformed

Power was restored on Day 14, Thursday, October 10 at 11:35 am. 

Twelve hours after the lights came back on I was on my deck photographing brilliant aurora dances in the sky, a fitting end to a day of happy dancing. 

The first utility crews entered Round Mountain the previous afternoon . Neighbors counted eight utility trucks the next morning and they moved faster than we expected. 

Life comes rushing back in along with the electricity

My water tank re-pressurized itself – thankfully – and I didn’t need the assistance of a neighbor who came by to show me how.

It was a relief to clear the kitchen counter of water jugs, bottles and pitchers, run the dishwasher and do laundry. I reclaimed my food from neighbors’ refrigerators and freezers and stocked up at the grocery store. Mail delivery resumed the first week after our roads were clear. 

Our mountain ridges are quiet again.

There are no no military helicopters flying low, no small planes buzzing by and only an occasional chainsaw in the background. I’m loving being back at my desk, gazing at the changing colors on the ridges.

Unexpected community help on Day 13

I returned from a trip to town to find six young men from the camp next door, two chainsaws and a chipper working on my downed trees.

An afternoon’s work by six young men, two chainsaws and a chipper.

I was flabbergasted. 

“‘Lots of people helped us so we’re paying it forward and helping others,” said Josh, the leader. Two days later another camp staff member stopped by with a generator incase I didn’t have power yet. 

The young men did as much as they could in the time they had, removing the limbs, chipping the branches and segmenting some of the trunks. They said they’ll be back to deal with the remaining trunks. Thankfully, they left me with a 5-foot pile of woodchips for mulch.

A 5-foot pile of woodchips (left) from the limbs of the Mother Tree, whose root ball extends upwards on the right.

Extending the life of Mother Tree

I counted the rings on Mother Tree today and she was 107 years old, give or take.

That means she survived the clear-cut logging of these forests about 80 years ago. I’ll count again because the chainsaw marks make counting some of the rings a challenge.

Some of the white oak can be used for firewood and I intend to use some trunk sections for side tables around a firepit. But larger sections, especially where two trunks grew together, can’t be split and require specialized tools. I’ll likely post on Facebook Marketplace and NextDoor for woodworkers who can handle these massive pieces. 

Lessons for next time

Our property association president plans to hold a debriefing to discuss what we learned and how we can be better prepared. 

One thing I’ve learned is that I don’t want to commit to a generator, as contrary as that sounds since it was the neighbors with generators who saved my butt and made it possible for me to stay home for the 14 powerless days. Hear me out. 

If you want to live with no interruption to your lifestyle (and run your well pump) you need a large generator and large propane (or gasoline) tank. Both are expensive, as is the installation.

Comfort comes with a high cost

I played with the idea of shifting more of my appliances to propane before Covid. The quote for a 250 gallon, in-ground tank then was $1,300. After Covid I heard it jumped to $6,000 because of supply chain issues. 

Pre-Covid I heard generators could cost anywhere from $8,000 to $20,000 depending on the size and set up (permanent or portable, automatic or manual). And then there’s the cost of filing a large propane tank at $2.9990 per gallon. 

Running your life on a generator is not as simple as flipping a switch.

Nearly every one of my neighbors either had a problem with their generator or were anxious about running out of fuel. One of the preppers had to go out and buy a new generator, even though he has two. 

Generators or solar

And let’s face it – generators are the older technology. If I’m going to make a big investment I would rather invest in a renewable technology like solar. I have a clear western exposure and a somewhat clear southern exposure. With the tax credits and falling prices solar is the cheapest it’s been in a decade (gift link). But, there is the issue of buyback limits from your electric provider.

Interestingly, I encounter a lot of resistance and pushback when I mention the solar alternative. No one believes it can power an entire house. Yes, you do need batteries.

Before that can happen there are a number of things I can do to be better prepared for a long-haul power outage.

Small scale solutions

Water storage: I’ve never worried about running out of water because I’ve never used all the water I stored in pitchers and buckets during previous outages. I’m researching larger storage containers, rain barrels for the downspouts and converting at least one of my toilets to a low-flow flush. One reader already recommended a reusable water filter. (Thanks!)

Portable solar generators and batteries: Homesteaders, off-the gridders and hunters have already figured this out. There are lots of reviews on YouTube. Lots to research. Recommendations welcome.

Food storage: I’ve been thinking for a while about starting to can meals like stews, hearty soups and chili. I have an old-fashioned pressure cooker that will do the job, but an instapot may be in my future. Common dry foods like pasta, beans, lentils and rice don’t agree with my digestive system, so I’ve bookmarked several books on Amazon on how to put up food for a year. Figuring out pantry storage is another challenge. 

Beyond rethinking the logistics of daily life, I’ve been thinking a lot about what I briefly mentioned in a previous post: Whether we choose to approach the unknowns of life – and now Nature – with fear or trust. 

Can we still trust Nature? 

It’s a big, thorny, existential question. I don’t have the answer. I’ll be researching and writing about what deep thinkers have written about this question along with researching solar generators.

I can only say right now that since I chose trust within the last month my life and heart have broken open with unexpected support, love and opportunities. 

Neighbors have looked out for me. I have my first ghostwriting client. I’ve been offered a part-time remote job. Friends and strangers have contributed nearly $7,000 to my GoFundMe help me recover and stabilize as I build my business over the next several months. Essential Nature is growing and I have my first 11 paid subscribers and first founding member!

I’m truly blown away by the support and deeply grateful, honored and humbled by the trust placed in me. 

We are the lucky ones

I’m acutely aware every day how lucky my tiny community is to have our homes, roads and lives intact, while other communities around Asheville are still looking for the missing and the dead. Nina Veteto at Flora & Forage lists several local, on-the-ground organizations that could use your donations right now. 

Here are four Substack writers sharing their Helene experiences. Give them some love.

• Janisse Ray: 14 Flashes from the Hurricane

• Jeanne Malmgren: Helene Update #3

• Katherine Beckett Winship lives in Black Mountain, one of the hardest hit areas. She’s been sharing updates in Substack Notes because she hasn’t had the ability to write and post. 

• Lauren Graeber: Helene Dispatch 3

I won’t be writing these kinds of updates all the time, but the aftermath of Helene is still pretty raw. Thank you again for hanging with me. 

Onward!

If you missed my first two Helene posts: 

I never expected to be living in a declared disaster zone

Day 11: Still Without Power, Survivor's Guilt