CANADIANS AT THE READY
On October 9, 2024, numerous Hydro line men crossed the U.S. border to help rebuild the power grids that Helene and Milton had downed, leaving millions without power.
Stephan Perrault and his team have been seeking to restore power in North Carolina since late September when Helene swept through the Hollers.
Thousands of Canadian line workers have been called to rebuild amid severe devastation while working 16-hour days challenged by the washed-out roads. Power grids were wiped away by wind and flooding, homes carried away, cars buried under mud. They encountered an untold number of distraught people having lost homes and pets and the mounting deathtoll uncalcuable. The hydro crews slept 16 to a trailer, eating their meals from tents in make-shift camps.
The North Carolina people have shown great gratitude towards these Canadian workers, offering what they could in the way of nourishment and beverage. A preacher took the time to come and bless the work crews.
WEST VIRGINIA MINERS
The narrow dirt road connecting the tiny mountain community of Bat Cave and Chimney Rock has become the path to rescue, survival and restoration.
Volunteers of the west virginia coal miners built the road in only one week. For three days they used their employers equipment to cut a path along the Rocky Broad River.
This single dirt lane became the first vehicle access to several families and their homes since Helene washed away U.S. 64 and 74A connecting the two communities. The men continued forward coming into contact with occupants who had not seen people for weeks. These people had no help, power or water. Totally isolated and cut-off from the world.
Words are not enough to express their gratitude of being found by these coal miners. They did not give up on them, they pressed forward to get through and rescue the people.
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice stated, “Theses men ran to the aid of North Carolina, helping rebuild the road from Bat Cave to Chimney Rock, which certain government officials deemed impossible.”
The accomplishment of these volunteer men exposed government ineptness while bolstering and bringing to the forefront the “Appalachian bootstrapping” mindset of the people while government agencies vacillated in delayed response.
The American Way, nothing can supercede what private citizens are capable of doing when they unite TOGETHER.
” I am Almighty God, I have called you my people, to set the oppressed free. To share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood.”
Isaiah 58 : 6 & 7
Conclusion:
As we each take the time to allow ourselves to ponder and place ourselves in the people’s shoes of North Carolina as well as the volunteers who chose to obey God and allow him to help these people through them…may we be moved with compassion and motivated to do likewise when called upon.
Friday, November 1, 2024
Sally Darlene Cooper
HOWDY SALLY YUP THERE PEOPLE THERE IN SO MUCH HELP OF ALL KINDS THEY HAVE LOST ALL AND THERE DEM GOV ARE NOT HELPING I PRAY FOR PRESEDENT TRUMP TO TERUTN TO POWER I THE MEAN TIME GOD PEOPLE WILL HELP EACH OTHER GOD WILL SEND THE RIGHT PEOPLE TO HELP GOD BLESS AMEN