‘Tell my husband I loved him’: A WNC town's story of struggle and survival after Helene
There’s no welcome sign next to the road that runs through the small town of Minneapolis, North Carolina.
For most, it’s a town you’d likely bypass in search of bigger destinations. However, this small community has become a place where hope and sadness meet.
“Not only did I not have the hours, but I didn’t will the will,” said Yvonne Ballaera.
Yvonne only just started painting again- watercolor. Ironic that this gives her peace when water has stolen it from her.
“The water came, it was right here,” said Yvonne, pointing to her front step. “We had six inches before it was coming in the house.”
She was trapped inside her home, with her nephew and her dogs, when Hurricane Helene hit.
She still remembers the phone call she made a year ago to 911.
“We’re not calling for rescue, you can’t save us,” remembered Yvonne. “We just need you to know we’re in the home, so if the home is missing, please look for our bodies. And tell my husband I loved him.”
Grass has grown over the scars Helene left in Minneapolis, hiding the hurt that has settled here.
“It’s kind of destroying the community from within,” said Yvonne.
Six months ago, Sonny Benefield was working on his house.
“It was a wonderful place,” said Sonny. “It was. Everybody was real tight together.”
But so much couldn’t be fixed.
“We lost most of what we had, but that can be replaced- but it’s hard to replace a whole community,” said Sonny.
“I have not been far, have not been far,” said Tim Buchanan.
Tim could clearly see the river from his front porch. The trees that lined it were gone, and so was the bridge he used to get home.
“Every morning, when I look out the window and see the river and no bridge and no trees, it’s like, what happened?” said Tim.
Now, it’s been 11 months, and Tim still does not have a bridge.
“I am trying to figure out a way trying to figure out a way to get a bridge in here, trying to figure out who to talk to, who is going to help,” said Tim.
He almost lost his footbridge again- when a spring storm swept it to the side.
“The flood washed almost all the rock, was gone again. Remember the pile of rocks? It washed them away, and we had to get them back in place,” said Tim.
They are all living in a paradox. They have hope.
“I really do,” said Tim.
“This house is strong- it’s made me strong,” said Yvonne.
Yes, the rain still comes.
“Weather keeps happening,” said Tim.
Queen City Hometown
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