In North Carolina, people need help—and MDS is there

“People need help around here.” That’s why Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) volunteer Alvin Hoover traveled to western North Carolina on a moment’s notice to participate in early response. “We really need to help them get out of their houses, and cut their trees,” he said.

Another volunteer, Daniel Zimmerman, from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, said it’s a devastating scene. “I’ve never seen something like this before, and I see all of the community coming together and just giving a hand.”

Zimmerman said he has great respect for the community in which he’s working. “I just like the people’s culture,” he said. “It’s just amazing how other people live, and what they’re experiencing in life right now.”

As MDS volunteers work to clear roads and remove trees, they have been coordinating with the local fire departments. “It was very awesome working with them, and we definitely found a lot of respect for them,” said Zimmerman.

Before Zimmerman left to go back home, he made sure to say goodbye to the local community residents. “We did go back there and we drove out of our way just to say ‘bye to them—and they really appreciated that,” he said.

Western North Carolina resident Frederick “Buck” Bucholz described the scene as the mountains, just south of Asheville, let go.

“Whole entire towns are non-existent,” he said. “The Mennonites are helping out.”

Bucholz considers himself lucky, as his home was not completely demolished.

“I think the mountains gave way and water went different directions than it’s ever gone,” he said. “Water’s not where it used to be. It was ungodly.”

Bucholz was one of the first ones going up with his little tractor to start clearing. “I was over my knees in sludge,” he said. “I don’t even know what you call it.”

MDS Executive Director Kevin King just returned from a week in the area, setting up a basecamp on the property of the MDS North Carolina Unit chair.

“Looking back it all seems like a blur now,” said King. “The sights, sounds, and smells still turn in my head. I am grateful for our staff and volunteers who all are working long hours to respond.”

MDS has more than 200 volunteers on a list waiting to be called to respond as the work moves from opening up roads and clearing properties to mud-outs, fixing roofs, and other tasks.

“There are early discussions about making temporary foot bridges for homeowners to cross the streams back to their homes,” said King. “An early report from the Federal Emergency Management Agency shows that there are over 600 private access bridges washed out—and the numbers are rising.”