Helene’s Unheard Warnings

Cattail Creek
Thursday Night
“Unbelievable Situation”

Janicke Glynn, a 46-year-old French Canadian, tries to comfort her husband during their last phone call before bedtime. He is away visiting a sick relative, and the looming Hurricane Helene’s forecast for a collision with the North Carolina mountains is causing concern. The storm, over 400 miles wide, is expected to hit their small community the next morning, on September 27.

Janicke reassures him to focus on his family in Boston, emphasizing its importance. She assures him that she is fine despite the heavy rain. She lights candles as the power goes out and listens to the roaring creek nearby. Seven years have passed since she and John first looked at the property in Yancey County. They both wanted to escape the harsh Northern winters, and Janicke felt a strong connection to the natural world from her rural upbringing in Canada.

John Glynn, Janicke’s husband, feels anxious as he is unable to reach her due to blocked roads caused by flooding and landslides. Their tenant sends a message through a satellite connection reporting the collapse of their cottage and that Janicke is missing. The tenant narrowly escaped the floodwaters by holding onto a shrub.

Yancey County faces devastating consequences from Hurricane Helene, leading to 11 deaths in the area. The storm caused severe flooding, landslides, and destruction, making it the deadliest inland hurricane on record in the region.

The aftermath leaves many residents in despair, with properties destroyed, lives lost, and communities shattered. Residents like Brian and Susie Hill are left without flood insurance and face uncertainty about their future.

The catastrophic events of Hurricane Helene serve as a stark reminder of the power of nature and the importance of preparedness in the face of such disasters.