What We Learned From Hurricane Helene: A reminder of how fragile and important life really is

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, many are still grappling with its impact. Sadly, it’s often only after we lose something that we realize how fortunate we are. Millions lost power, and many in rural areas were left without water because they relied on electric wells. Gas became scarce as stations lost power, and food spoiled quickly with refrigerators and freezers out of commission. Only the most prepared among us escaped with minimal impact. Who would have thought a chainsaw would be an essential item for preparedness? We may not be laughing at those “preppers” anymore.

While I’ve always been open to the idea of being prepared, I certainly wasn’t ready for something of this scale. Everyone has their own story from this disaster, and there are many to tell. Here in the Augusta, Georgia area, we didn’t even experience the worst of it. Once the power went out, we lost access to the news and weather updates, so many of us still don’t know exactly what happened in Florida when the hurricane made landfall. How bad was it? And it seems that parts of North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia were hit even harder, with mudslides, flooding, and entire towns cut off from roads. Hearing those stories and seeing the footage makes me feel fortunate. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected, and if you live nearby or have the ability to help, those communities need it more than we do.

Disasters like this, or the freeze that hit Texas a few years ago, or Hurricane Katrina back in 2005, are devastating and displace people from their homes. But they also offer opportunities to learn and grow. We don’t wish for these events, but they can teach us valuable lessons—much like stock market crashes can present opportunities if you know what to do. We’d like to share what we’ve learned from Hurricane Helene and how we can all emerge stronger from it. As counselors, we are human too and were affected too. The following are our takeaways and lessons we learned that could help you anytime you are struggling with something.

Quotes from our counselors and staff about what they learned from Hurricane Helene

Bethany said, “I have learned that there is still kindness in our world, and that at the end of the day, we are all humans just the same. We all have the same basic needs, and kindness speaks volumes. A simple “God bless you” and a comforting smile can go such a long way. My church has been a part of many volunteer efforts to make bags of goods (water, food, cleaning supplies, etc.) and I realized that there is still hope in all of this.”

“This evening during one of the goods drives we had the opportunity to pray with folks who wanted prayer. Most of the folks that I encountered just wanted someone who could empathize with them, and lend a listening ear. The encouragement that I felt in serving has been irreplaceable!”

Janna said, “The utter destruction it caused to our community and others really saddened my heart. But I will say, watching our community band together and support one another was awesome. The importance of community is really highlighted when stuff like this happens. One of the online boards I follow for the Augusta area was keeping track of what gas stations were open, where people could get food, and even helped get a chainsaw brigade out to help people with trees down in their yards. We still have a lot of work to do for things to get to “normal,” but I’m hopeful.”

Nicole said, “Always pull cash if you know there is an impending emergency.  We were able to do gas and food ahead of time, but forgot to get cash.  Big mistake!  I will always keep some cash in the house from now on. Also, teach your kids to camp.  It’s good family bonding and it teaches life skills that will last long after you are gone.  I’m so thankful my Pop took me camping as a kid.  It helped me mentally get through this week.”

Brandon said, “Finding ways to be grateful every day for what we have is highlighted in what has happened. We forget so easily how blessed we are to have electricity, hot water, clean water, and clear roads. Also, community is important. Having people you can call to get some help or borrow something goes a long way. Be kind to your neighbors and get to know them. You never know when you will need them or they will need you. We can all look past our differences in times of trouble. 

The Impact and Some Strategies to Help Safeguard our Mental Well-Being in the Future

The following words are from our admin, Nicole: “September 27, 2024, forever altered the landscape of my beloved hometown. Despite the meteorologists’ warnings, the ferocity of Hurricane Helene caught us off guard. I confess, I often avoid weather forecasts as they tend to trigger my anxiety. However, my personal experience has taught me a crucial lesson: heed those warnings.”

“That night, we lost power, and it remained out for a grueling eight days. As someone living with Bipolar 1 Disorder, this could have been a recipe for a mental health crisis. It’s important to know what to do to be proactive in times of trouble. Here are some of the steps we took that helped.”

1. Preparedness through Camping: My husband and I are avid campers, finding solace and joy in nature. I’ve cherished camping since childhood, and this experience allowed me to reframe the aftermath of Helene as an extended camping trip. This mindset shift helped me cope with the lack of modern conveniences.
2. Maintaining Routine: I adhered to my daily routine as much as possible. Waking up, going to bed, taking medication, and even walking at the same time each day provided a sense of stability and normalcy amidst the chaos.
3. Embracing Screen-Free Time: The power outage forced us to disconnect from screens. Surprisingly, this proved beneficial for my sleep. Without the distractions of electronic devices, I found it easier to fall back asleep when I woke up during the night.
4. Combating Boredom: We actively sought ways to fill our time and stave off boredom. Books, games, storytelling, and even planning for the future became our allies in passing the time constructively.
5. Reconnecting with My Husband: My husband is an emergency responder, and our time together is precious. During this challenging period, I chose to prioritize our connection and let go of trivial disagreements. We focused on supporting each other and weathering the storm together.
6. Prioritizing Preparation: We had taken some precautionary measures by stocking up on gas for our car and generator and purchasing non-perishable food items. However, I wished we had also withdrawn some cash beforehand, as our debit cards became useless without power.
7. Connecting with Neighbors: We seized opportunities to connect with our neighbors, offering support and sharing a sense of community. These interactions, whether motivated by gratitude or concern, fostered a sense of belonging and solidarity.
8. Limiting Exposure to Disaster News: Once the internet was restored, I intentionally avoided social media posts related to disaster relief. This conscious choice helped me maintain a sense of calm and prevent feeling overwhelmed.
9. Adapting to the New Normal: I accepted that our daily routines and communication patterns would be disrupted temporarily. Instead of dwelling on my husband’s unpredictable schedule, I used the time for personal reflection and prayer.
10. Cultivating Gratitude: We actively practiced gratitude, magnifying even the smallest blessings. The birds chirping, the absence of rain, and the mild temperatures became sources of immense joy and appreciation.
11. Strategic Communication: When I could send messages, I was mindful of who I contacted and what I communicated. I prioritized essential information and avoided unnecessary chatter.
12. Cleaning as a Coping Mechanism: Cleaning became a productive outlet for pent-up energy and helped maintain a sense of order in our surroundings.

These are just a few strategies that helped Nicole and her husband navigate the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and help Nicole stay mentally healthy throughout it. These can help you too. Remember, survival is a step-by-step process, and even amidst chaos, we can find strength and resilience within ourselves and our communities.

Life feels more meaningful now!

After everything, life just feels different—in the best way. I’m Brandon, and I’ve heard so many stories lately, all filled with gratitude, hope, and inspiration. It seems like everyone I talk to has been shaken out of the routine of just getting through each day. Now, we see every moment as an opportunity—to help someone, spread kindness, and show love to others. Sometimes, I wonder if God uses these moments to shine through, knowing it’s tough for us, but also knowing the good that can come from it.

If you’re still dealing with the aftermath of this storm, you’re not alone. Life’s storms come and go, and just like the seasons, spring always follows winter, and summer is never far behind. We want to offer a message of hope as you move forward. There’s grieving to be done, and the hard work of rebuilding lives ahead. But if we hold onto the lessons we’ve learned and make the most of the opportunities we’ve been given, there will be a harvest, and the blessings will follow.

Don’t let this moment pass without embracing its lessons. Don’t forget what you’ve experienced. Keep reaching out to your neighbors, because we need each other—not just in times of crisis, but always. Life is so much better when we face it together!