This time I depart from my usual M.O. to talk with my guest about a more ‘current event’ type topic (though we get to culture, spirituality, and music along the way): what is actually going on in Appalachia in the wake of Hurricane Helene?
Starr of Appalachia joins me to discuss what the storm was like and how things are today, a little over a weak out, in her little town in western North Carolina. We talk about how the unique geography of the Appalachian Mountains affected the impact of the storm, what ‘official’ governmental response she has seen, and how local folks are pulling together in a genuine mutual-aid situation to support one another and start to get things working again. We also discuss how the culture of Appalachia impacts how folks there respond to these situations and what might be going on spiritually amidst this and other disasters and bad situations on the global stage.
After the recording we talked about the Flushing Brigade alluded to in the title: it seemed like the perfect example of how folks are operating there. Without running water people obviously have limited access to drinking and cooking water. You might not think about the commode though… no flushing. So, some folks organized a set-up where they go suck the water out of swimming pools and transport it around to apartment buildings and other ‘high flush’ facilities to provide water for the plumbing. I bet that doesn’t come from the FEMA regs, but is a great example of people on the spot actually knowing what is needed and finding a way to meet that need. Go Flushing Brigade!
Starr put together a list of local and regional organizations on the ground there actually helping people in tangible ways if you’re inclined to pitch in and want to know your money is actually doing something. This is going to be a prolonged recovery effort. It will fade from the media before long, but the people there will still be there and will still be dealing with the aftermath. Also, Starr and her family have been impacted financially, so if you want to consider becoming a paid subscriber to her Substack, I’m sure that would be appreciated.
She publishes prayers most weeks. Here is her 'Disaster Prayer.'
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