An Urgent Message from our HQ re: Hurricane Helene
If you tried to reach us at the end of last week, you received a message that we were closed due to inclement weather. Folks, the region we call home is devastated.
KFA is an Appalachian company. We're headquartered in Johnson City, Tennessee and most of our team were born, raised, or currently reside in these mountains, either on the East Tennessee side or in Western North Carolina. Last week, Hurricane Helene barreled through here, got caught on our mountains, and dumped floodwaters down on us like nothing anyone has seen in over a hundred years.
We're all safe and accounted for and like every Appalachian we know around here who avoided the worst, we're reaching out to help our neighbors.
There hasn't been a lot of national coverage of what we're dealing with. To be fair, a lot of our area has been completely impassable. ALL roads were closed in Western North Carolina. Asheville and the surrounding area could only be reached by air and only after the winds died down. Tennessee and North Carolina are effectively cut off from one another. First , Interstate 40 collapsed in Cocke County, Tennessee. Then, Interstate 26 collapsed in Erwin, Tennessee. These are the two major interstates connecting our states and the highways and secondary roads through the mountains are in bad shape.
Our mountains aren't accustomed to hurricane force winds. So far, it appears that fallen trees have killed more people than the mudslides and floodwaters that have engulfed entire cities, towns, and communities. Our hearts are heavy as we are beginning to see pictures of places where we've made memories wiped completely off the mountainsides. And our hurt for the place we call home pales in comparison to our hurt for our families, friends and neighbors.
How to Help
It will be a long, slow, painful recovery. If your organization is in a position to assist with recovery efforts, contact us and we will be glad to connect you with the local organizations working on the ground here. If you are personally compelled to contribute, here are a few of the reputable funds we are aware of:
Addressing immediate disaster relief in Northeast Tennessee: United Way of the East Tennessee Highlands
A comprehensive list of agencies on the frontlines in Western North Carolina: Blue Ridge Public Radio
Long-term housing recovery: Appalachian Service Project (please select Disaster Recovery and Rebuild Fund)
A Final Word
As designers of a great many federally-funded projects, we are eternally grateful for the Tennessee Valley Authority. Before its inception, devastating flooding like we’ve seen this past week was far more common in our mountain home. If not for the man-made lakes and dams throughout our region and the expert management of our waterways, this could have been worse. As it is, the loss of life, property and infrastructure is devastating. Our thanks to TVA and the numerous other federally-funded projects and programs who are supporting our region in its time of catastrophe.
Thank you for reading, and please be safe.
The KFA Team
Image Credit: Nolichucky Dam, Greene County, Tennessee, Tennessee Valley Authority
This dam held despite its failure being expected to be imminent. Its integrity spared a great many more people from floodwaters.
We’re seeing images and hearing news here in Detroit. Our hearts are with you, I know firefighters are on their way to help. Thanks for letting us know how we can help more.