I’m writing this series to benefit Golden Harvest Food bank. This organization has boots on the ground in Augusta to help victims recover from Hurricane Helene.
Contribute here today to help these folks get back on their feet.
Our situation improves again!
My mom gets power back at her house. Now my wife can do a few loads of laundry.
More than a week without a washing machine is a tough task to keep up with. Even more so in a large family. The older kids get a chance to catch up on school in the air conditioning and get a warm shower.
Work Continues
I’m back at work again today. With all the progress yesterday, I can almost see light at the end of the tunnel.
(credit: Derek Rinaldo)
We startup the last machines in the plant. On my list are a set of vehicles that move product from pick up stations to packaging equipment. A couple work on their own.
One, however, will not restart no matter what we try.
I try to move cases to the transfer station for another. But pushing on the floor, slick with humidity, against a 600-lb case of yarn has me doing mountain climbers instead of work. This can wait until a bigger crew comes in.
News From Town
My first attempt at lunch fails. The pizza place doesn’t answer their phone and they are not open as I drive by.
I circle around to another local favorite: Hoagie Joe’s. They lost most of their food after the power went out. My heart sinks as I ask if they can make 30 cheeseburger baskets for a hungry crew.
The bartender deliberates with her kitchen staff for a tense minute. The crew will eat fast food, but that’s not how I want to be remembered.
She returns to assure me they can do it. And in 20 minutes, too.
I’m glad I can give the business to a local staple.
While I wait, one of my contractors calls me to confirm some dates for an upcoming project. I ask him how he’s holding up. He has friends and family in our area.
He tells me how much more productive he’s been. With his other clients, he coordinated pallets of donations to send to western North Carolina. Underwear, chainsaws, generators, water, food, and a host of other things he’s managed to send their way.
Having connections and a heart of gold works wonders in a dark situation like this.
A gentleman sits at the bar as the staff accidentally starts to serve him my order. He’s not quite sure what to do with the five cheeseburger baskets placed in front of him.
It’s as good an icebreaker as any.
He tells me about the food he lost and the structures that tipped over in his yard. He turns out to be quite the character.
We chat while the rest of the food comes and the staff help me carry everything to my vehicle. We all wish each other good luck as we get back to our day.
(credit: Derek Rinaldo)
The Roads Recovering
As much progress as I saw at work, it’s hard to tell how close we are at home. Our power isn’t coming back on though neighborhoods around us, even ones out in the country, got theirs earlier this week.
Leaving the house can break up the downcast faces. We go to Costco to get another couple meals’ worth of food.
There is still plenty of lunch meat. My kids, however, aren’t keen on my stock of lamb pastrami. Their loss.
On the way, we check the power poles that should supply our neighborhood. Two have the tops snapped off the rest of the pole. Lines are sagging between another three.
(credit: Derek Rinaldo)
On the bright side, the road my wife drove through on Day 6 is now clear.
We pass by the Kroger where I tried to get gas on Day 4. I point out how the traffic lights had collapsed before I blow through the intersection.
That was supposed to be a 4-way stop. Oops.
I realize how tired I am from the situation. But we aren’t the only ones tired of the new normal.
On the way back from Costco, we are behind a lifted pickup truck on I-20. The driver can’t decide on whether to get off at an exit. Instead, he continues driving in the shoulder for a half mile.
I start flashing my lights to warn him. He can’t see the 25’ yacht parked on the shoulder ahead of him. I hold my breath with worry. Then a semi truck to my left blares his horn.
The pickup swerves to narrowly avoid a head-on collision.
As we arrive home safely, I realize there are still dangers to contend with while gathering supplies. No matter how much normalcy returned today.
Interested in helping other victims of Hurricane Helene in Augusta? Many areas are still without power or easy access to food.
I’m sponsoring a fundraiser for Golden Harvest Food Bank. This group offers direct help in my area. Contribute today to get these good people back on their feet.
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