In the quaint, rural community of Vilas, nestled within the Blue Ridge Mountains, Brad Farrington halts his journey to collect a case of water bottles.
His destination is the home of a friend, a victim of the devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Like many others in western North Carolina, his friend is grappling with the reality of starting anew, a situation that has momentarily eclipsed the political landscape and the presidential race between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris.
Farrington, reflecting on the current political climate, expressed his disillusionment. I dont believe peoples hope is in either people that are being elected, he said. His gaze then shifted towards a group of volunteers, busily loading water and other essentials into vehicles. I believe were finding a lot more hope within folks like this, he added.
According to ABC News, as the election draws closer, the residents of North Carolina and Georgia, both pivotal swing states, are preoccupied with the aftermath of the storm. Watauga County, an Appalachian region known for its political diversity and recent Democratic leanings, is grappling with the double-edged sword of politicians offering support while simultaneously assigning blame. The outcome of the race could hinge on the smallest of shifts in this tumultuous environment.
The storm's aftermath is evident in the large uprooted trees strewn along the roadsides, obstructing driveways, and in the homes rendered inaccessible due to collapsed bridges and crumbled roads. The more populated areas, such as Boone, home to Appalachian State University, experienced significant flooding. The residents are left with pressing questions about missing friends and relatives, the adequacy of food and water supplies, and the daunting task of rebuilding. The focus, for now, is survival, not politics.
Both Trump and Harris have made multiple visits to North Carolina and Georgia since the storm. Trump's display of empathy during his visit to Valdosta, Georgia, solidified the support of 20-year-old Fermin Herrera. I feel like everybodys kind doing what they can, he said. All the locals are appreciating the help thats coming.
Trump, however, criticized Biden and Harris for their alleged slow response to the disaster, accusing the Democrats of neglecting Republican areas and misusing Federal Emergency Management Agency funds. He vehemently denied these claims were politically motivated, insisting, Im not thinking about voters right now. Im thinking about lives.
Biden countered these allegations, asserting his commitment to serving all of America without partisan bias. The White House cited statements from the Republican governors of Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee, expressing satisfaction with the federal governments response. FEMA's head, Deanne Criswell, condemned the spread of these falsehoods, labeling them as truly dangerous and demoralizing to first responders.
Gavin Smith, a North Carolina State University professor specializing in disaster recovery, deemed such criticism inappropriate, especially considering the logistical challenges in western North Carolina. The compromised infrastructure and widespread lack of power and cellphone service make disaster response particularly challenging in the region.
Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has made several stops in western North Carolina, and Biden has surveyed the extensive damage from the air. However, for residents like Jessica Dixon, a 29-year-old homeowner in Watauga County, the presidential election is far from her mind. She is preoccupied with cleaning her flood-damaged home, and her political views remain unchanged.
Bobby Cordell, a 47-year-old resident of western Watauga County, shares a similar sentiment. His focus is on securing help for his neighbors in the inaccessible parts of the county. The people who are trapped need everything they can get, he said.
Nancy Crawford, a volunteer at Skateworld, has served over 1,000 people in the aftermath of the storm. The emotional toll has begun to weigh on her and her fellow volunteers. Despite her Republican registration, she plans to vote for Harris, fearing the impact of Trump's immigration policies on her community. It doesnt matter what party you are, we all need help, she said.
Echoing this sentiment, Jan Wellborn, a 69-year-old bus driver, praised the community's collective efforts. While acknowledging the importance of the election, she emphasized the need to prioritize helping people navigate through this challenging time. The election, it should be important, Wellborn said. But right now we need to focus on getting everybody in the county taken care of.
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