Bat Cave fights long road to recovery

*All photos made in Bat Cave, North Carolina, October 20-21, 2024 by Sean Rayford*

For the first time since Hurricane Helene ravaged Western North Carolina, I was able to drive into the town of Bat Cave. The sounds of helicopters, replaced by the sounds of heavy machinery and generators. Things have settled down — but people are still discovering the extent of the damages caused by the historic storm.

Welcomed at the volunteer fire department, I learned some areas of town had power restored in recent days.

Representatives from FEMA made themselves available to local residents and accepted applications on Sunday, October 20. Some residents were wary of the help from the agency but Marie O’Neil, who has been out of work since the storm, received information on Disaster Unemployment Assistance and remained hopeful.

Several locals complained of a representative from the organization driving recklessly through a work zone.

While there are now multiple routes accessing town, they are dangerous and occupied by law enforcement. Much work has been — and is still being done at the Route 74 bridge over the Broad River at Route 64. The Bat Cave Volunteer Fire Department expects the bridge to be navigable within two weeks.

Route 64 into Chimney Rock is still apocalyptic. A private group from West Virginia arrived on Monday and worked to open the route. Residents from this part of town were hoping for someone to wash the dust and filth from the road.

The Bat Cave Volunteer Fire Department is not currently accepting relief donations. On Sunday, I ate the best cornbread in the world.

All photos made in Bat Cave, October 20-21, 2024 by Sean Rayford