“Stay the Course, WNC is still in position. Over”
Part 1: Long series about the people of WNC, their individual stories and messages to the world about their journey.
Hurricane Helene slammed into the southeastern United States with a fury that would be remembered for years to come. It tore through Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee, but the devastation felt deeply was in western North Carolina, especially in the beloved town of Asheville and surrounding areas. The once peaceful and vibrant community found itself in the destruction of the storm, its residents scrambling to protect their homes, their families, and their livelihoods. The geographical landscape had shifted dramatically—rivers overflowing, roads turning into rushing rapids, homes swept away by the force of nature. Though the full extent of the damage had yet to be assessed, it was clear that the rebuilding process would be long and challenging.
This series, however, is not about the storm’s destruction. It’s about the people—the resilient community of Asheville and Western North Carolina. Each story is tailored to the individuals in their portion of the series.
As someone who called Asheville home for many years, I feel deeply connected to this town and its people. Though my roots trace back to Florida, where I was born and raised, Asheville has shaped me in profound ways. I moved here when I was 16, a young teenager learning how to drive on winding mountain roads, navigating both the sharp turns and the thick snow that would blanket the town in winter. I spent countless summers tubing down the river and hiking through the Pisgah National Forest, and autumns marveling at the changing leaves as they painted the Blue Ridge Mountains in vibrant reds and oranges. The memories I hold from those years are some of my most cherished.
But those memories pale in comparison to the devastation that struck at the end of September 2024, when Hurricane Helene unleashed its wrath on the region. I was no stranger to storms—having lived through hurricanes and tornadoes in Florida and North Carolina—but nothing could have prepared me for the sheer destruction that this hurricane brought to Asheville. Homes, businesses, and lives were washed away in a matter of hours, as torrents of water crashed through the streets, carrying with them cars, trees, and even entire buildings. Power lines were ripped from the ground, and for many, communication was lost almost immediately.
I remember the horror of watching footage posted by survivors, unable to comprehend the scale of the disaster. My thoughts immediately turned to my dear friend Jess, someone I’ve known for over 14 years. She’s always been a light—a positive force, always finding beauty even in the most difficult times. Jess, her husband Mason, and their sweet dog Sage live in Asheville, and when the storm hit, I was desperate to know if they were okay.
Their home had survived, but the road below them had turned into a river, debris, shipping containers, and even U-Haul trucks had been swept along the floodwaters. Jess described the terrifying sounds—the crashing of vehicles, shipping containers crunching, the relentless rush of water, and the eerie silence of their neighborhood in the aftermath. They had lost power, cell service, water, and their world looked completely different, but they hadn’t lost hope.
Jess, ever the optimist, found moments of beauty even in the chaos. She spoke about the nights after the storm, when the sky cleared, and they were able to see thousands of stars—something they hadn’t seen before due to the town’s usual light pollution. She recounted running outside in the rain to collect water in buckets, finding small victories amidst the overwhelming sense of loss. Jess also shared her joy of using walkie talkies with her neighbors.
On the 5th of October, she provided an update.
“Still without power and water, we have cell service around 52 to 68% of the time, which I’d say is a blessing and a curse. Seeing everything now that we couldn’t see in the beginning hasn’t eased my survivor’s guilt, and the conspiracies are just bananas. To make myself feel better, I’ve come up with one myself. I think it’s pretty good. Not seeing the moon for three days has nothing to do with what time I went to sleep; it’s obviously that the government tilted the Earth for the water to recede and save us all.”
“Reasons for blessings: I got to hear from so many of you. I’ve gotten to see rescue videos I’ve been longing to see, and all the questions and random thoughts I’ve had, I got to Google them. I also have gotten to see how many towns, near and far, are supporting us by fundraising and donations, which is once again boosting my confidence in humanity.
“Little moments of happiness: We didn’t know our neighbors before all of this, and now we are a tight little family. One of our neighbors is a 70-year-old, retired helicopter medic, and she has amazing stories that fill our imaginations. I can’t tell you them yet because I’d run out of things to update you on since we are in the dark very often. After cooking chicken for three hours on a tiny grill with half a light, we left her wearing Mason’s headlamp to go around as we switched over to the big grill. The light sparkled on the dew-covered grass and on all the random things we’ve left in our yard, which I wish I had my camera for at the time, but it’s now just a memory Mason and I share. But the part I’m most excited to share is that we have walkie-talkies with her and our other neighbors. I don’t care if you think this is silly—go get walkie-talkies. Saying ‘over’ after small sentences is thrilling. Over.”
As we spoke on the phone, I was struck by how calm and positive she remained, despite everything. Jess has always been one to look forward, to focus on solutions rather than dwell on the problem. She and Mason were okay, Sage was okay, and for that, she was immensely grateful. But she couldn’t shake the survivor’s guilt. We talked about the hard things too and we cried but that is not for this portion of the story. So many others in their community were still missing, people still needed help, their homes and businesses destroyed, and she knew that the road to recovery would be long. Still, Jess was already thinking about how to help.
Her photography business, Jess Hopkins Photography, has been a staple in the Asheville community for years, capturing countless weddings in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Now, in the wake of the storm, Jess is shifting her focus to help provide positivity, rebuild the community and wedding venues that were damaged or destroyed. On her social media, Jess posted a heartfelt message to her brides, mourning the loss of such a special place while committing herself to helping the community rebuild. Her call to action was simple yet profound—how can we come together to restore what’s been lost?
This is what makes Asheville special. It’s not just the breathtaking landscapes or the cozy mountain town charm—it’s the people. People like Jess, who in the face of tragedy, find ways to bring hope and light to those around them. People who are committed to their community, who understand that the road ahead may be long, but that it’s one worth traveling together.
The devastation of Hurricane Helene is far from over. There are still many missing, and the true scope of the damage is still being uncovered. But in the midst of this uncertainty, one thing is clear—the people of Asheville will rebuild. It won’t be easy, and it won’t happen overnight, but with the strength, support and resilience of this community, they will rise again.
This story will continue to unfold as we learn more, and as efforts to help those affected grow. But for now, the focus remains on supporting and trusting one another, on finding the small moments of joy amidst the tragedy, and on rebuilding a community that is as strong and beautiful as the mountains that surround it. Stay tuned for more updates and resources for Western North Carolina.
Jess was the inspiration for the theme of the series because she despite everything remained as positive as she could, find joy in the small things, and wants to move forward with solutions. I titled the series “Stay the Course, WNC is still in position. Over” as a reference to her walkie-talkie adventures. Most importantly, to highlight her biggest message Western North Carolina is very strong but with support and rebuilding she expects to surpass the challenges faced by following the course. If you’d like to support Jess in her efforts, you can find her at Jess Hopkins Photography on her website and social media. Together, we will rebuild. As Jess says, “Over.” And we respond, “Roger that”—meaning message received and understood.
*Please note Jess still has no power or little cell service at this time.
https://www.jesshopkinsphotography.com
https://www.instagram.com/jesshopkinsphotography
https://www.facebook.com/jesshopkinsphotography
“Until the next part of the series as this will be a long journey, Over.”