It all started on Wednesday, September 25th after we dropped off our daughter at youth group. It was raining and my husband and I were on our way to grab dinner, when a huge limb hit our car. It sounded like an explosion and busted the sunroof. I pulled over and my son brought us supplies to cover it so we could get home. Hurricane Helene was on its way just two days later.
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10
Our community in Fairview, North Carolina had over 30 landslides that I could see from the beginning of the road to my house. Our two-lane road was down to one within a 10-mile radius, just from the rain that came down Friday afternoon. There were at least 13 lives lost two miles from my home.
There were at least 13 lives lost 2 miles from my home.
In front and behind our house, there were two large landslides. Around 9am, my husband heard the one that blocked us in. He said it sounded like a freight train. Just five minutes before this, our neighbors heard the other one and said it sounded like a tornado and shook their house. They ran down to stay with us until the rain stopped.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Neighbors came on Monday to help us get out of our driveway, hearing by word of mouth that we were stuck. Then on Wednesday, Samaritans Purse brought supplies to the community center which is just a half mile from my house. God provided!
My daughter and I began working at the community center helping distribute supplies, talking to people, and hearing their stories.
There are many miraculous ways God provided through the storm
- A lady drove up who needed a generator put in at her home. Her husband was having chemotherapy and she needed help. I said to her, “Let’s pray about getting help for you.” Within five minutes, a man pulled in who was able to install her generator, however he couldn’t lift it by himself.
- Only three minutes passed when the Western Carolina University rowing team pulled in and asked if we needed help. I looked over at her and said, “God sent help that fast… WOW!” Two team members loaded the generator in her truck and set it up for her at her home.
- WCU rowing team boys stayed for several more days and helped people move trees so they could get in and out. I told them they were an answer to prayer!
- By this time, we had received many canned goods, but people didn’t have any can openers. We put the word out and in no time, boxes of can openers were delivered.
- A huge truck from Pennsylvania stopped at our community center with fuel. They put gas in all of the workers’ cars.
Communities pulled together and stopped to help others
- A man lost his entire house in a landslide. Then I saw him on his four-wheeler taking supplies to many stranded in our community, not even thinking about his loss.
- One couple lost their barn in the creek and started helping others get food for horses and animals. Then the community helped them rebuild a barn.
- A few weeks later, it was starting to get cold, but we still didn’t have any power in most of Fairview. We had one sleeping bag left and a man needed it, but didn’t want to take it. I said, “Please take it. God will provide more.” Within ten minutes, a woman came in with several sleeping bags. I told her God used her to provide our exact needs just now.
My cousin from Memphis and our friends from the Charlotte area came in with supplies and helped. Churches brought us food and supplies. People came in from all over the U.S. to help us in our little unknown town of Fairview.
I wore a Moms in Prayer shirt to show people that I believed in Christ and would pray for them. As people drove in to get supplies, I prayed with them right away. We were all touched by how God’s faithfulness was so beautiful in the ashes (rubble) of the storm.
I wore a Moms in Prayer shirt to show people that I believed in Christ and would pray for them.
Day to day provision was provided. We lacked nothing. God knew exactly what we needed and used these incredible people to provide. I’m learning that if God says, “Go…” then GO. If He says, “Take this…” it’s because He knows someone who needs it!
Bible verses now have a different meaning and realness to us after what we have gone through because of Hurricane Helene. God is our help. Our healer. Our provider. God is our everything!
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. Isaiah 43:2a NIV
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Sara Calloway was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She has lived in Fairview, NC with her husband and three children for 27 years. She is a teacher at a small Christian school and has been a part of Moms in Prayer for 7 years. Sara has seen the power of prayer in her life and in the children she loves. As a Moms in Prayer Area Coordinator of Buncombe County, she loves seeing God working through praying Scripture.