My friend Shona sent me a long text this morning about how she and her husband are managing in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Shona Patel is a best-selling novelist and an excellent cook. Her many other talents include ceramics, fishing, and graphic arts. 

Shona and Vinoo moved from eastern North Carolina to Asheville, in the mountainous western part of the state, last May. The story of how I met Shona a few years ago is a funny one. My friend Betsy suggested that I interview Shona on Zoom. Shona grew up on a tea plantation in India and at the time was an importer of Assam tea. After that interview, Shona urged me to visit her in North Carolina so that she, Betsy, and I could attend an upcoming performance of Betsy’s husband’s band, The Bacon Brothers. Assuming that Shona and Betsy were old friends, I agreed. It wasn’t until Betsy and I arrived separately at Raleigh-Durham airport that I learned that Betsy and Shona also had never actually met in person. It was a magical visit, a great concert, and the making of a fast friendship.

Many of us have experienced natural disasters: fire, ice, wind, water. But the news about Asheville was beyond anything I’ve known. A few days ago, when I wrote to ask Shona if they would like to come to us in New Hampshire, she thanked me and said they had a generator, though there was no water, electricity, or Wi-Fi. She confirmed that things were very bad but that they were managing and collaborating with neighbors on pot-luck meals, dishes piling high with no water to wash them. Their generator made Shona and Vinoo’s home a hub for neighbors who brought perishable food for Shona to refrigerate, freeze, or cook.

Shona wrote:

The whole community has come together…Working crews everywhere. FEMA has stepped in. Massive relief pouring into Asheville…I have become super resourceful and learning some amazing survival skills. In a strange and funny way it’s been very heartwarming to see how we can all connect and come together… I have made friends with people I would have never known in my life. That has been the best part.

I am also cooking up creative community dinners for anyone who comes around 5 pm. Today is wonton soup. Yesterday was fish tacos. The day before kichri! Everybody pitches in and hangs around for chats or to play guitar. A lot of people have lost or damaged homes. The organization and volunteering efforts in our community are extremely well organized and top notch. Meetings held everyday at 11 am at community church lawn for food/supply distribution and updates. We are practically cut off from news. Yesterday we had a guy tell us how to set up a composting toilet in the woods! Now imagine trying to relieve yourself keeping one eye out for the bears – good luck!! Talking of bears… garbage disposal is a major concern especially with all the food spoiled in people’s fridges. A convoy of volunteers with trucks have been organized to take out double bagged garbage of spoiled food to the landfill till city services are restored. Another crew of volunteers with chainsaws have been organized to clear trees. Even a chain sharpening and repair business has stepped in to help out. My neighbor came home and found a massive oak tree cleared off her driveway and she did not even know who did it.

Our water may not be restored for at least a month as the reservoir and pipelines to our community have been destroyed. But engineering corps and crews are working full time meanwhile we have portable tankers parked in neighborhood. We also have streams to gather water to flush toilets. So it’s Jack and Jill with bucket up the hill!!! 

For now my heart and refrigerator are full and my friends are many. I have no worry or fear. Please know we are well and in good hands. We feel supported and loved. I wake up each morning with a great feeling of joy and gratitude.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve felt like I’m less a part of my community. No longer with kids in school and grandkids living elsewhere, I haven’t volunteered my time in the classroom as I used to. The area garden club, where I held many administrative positions, including president, is a fond memory. Health issues, travel, far-flung family, and managing and writing for The Cook’s Cook have turned my attention inward and homebound. Shona’s words have made me reflect on my place in the community as a citizen, a friend, and a neighbor. Today, my neighborhood is safe and secure. I’m thinking today about what I would do and could do if my help in the community is needed tomorrow.

How to Help Those Affected by Hurricane Helene

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