Deja Vu all over again

Never in my wildest dreams could I ever imagine I would live in two towns separated by hundreds of miles of concrete highway and experience the same natural disaster and devastation years apart.

Much like Bill Murray in the classic movie Groundhog Day, I felt like I was experiencing my time spent in Ahoskie and Windsor all over again. The scenes were the same: rivers overflowing their banks and flooding businesses, trees on houses, people trapped with no power or cell service and streets littered with trees and power lines making travel impossible.

There was also the look of disbelief on the face of neighbors and friends as they were left stunned after experiencing an event with which the people of Windsor are all too familiar.

While the town of Morganton was hit hard, it can’t compare to our neighbors to the west on I-40. The devastation is almost indescribable. Homes and businesses were swept away by raging flood waters, thousands of people left homeless and sadly enough, a death toll that continues to climb as recovery efforts continue.

The similarities of my experiences are scary and the thought we are just days away form a major hurricane striking Florida is sure to be terrifying for the citizens of the Sunshine State. At the same time, the realization of having to split resources to help in Florida can be demoralizing for the victims here.

As anyone who lived through the flooding in Windsor, the storm itself is just the beginning of years of frustration as the clean-up, paperwork and rebuilding begins. There is a misconception that the federal government can wave a wand and make every business and homeowner whole again, but that is the farthest thing from the truth. This larger-than-life expectation is a path straight toward disappointment.

The frustration has already begun to set in here, and when frustration sets in, so does the rumor mill. The lack of internet and cell service only contributes to misinformation being circulated to an already broken community.

Unverified reports of the government seizing property, refusing to release death tolls, limited FEMA funds and the refusal to let citizens help in rescue efforts are just some of the most widespread falsehoods making their way through an already crushed community.

While the future does look bleak for so many, there are always signs of hope. The churches from near and far — to include those from Bertie County — have stepped up to provide necessities, food and, most of all, a sense of normalcy to the area.

Non-profits, companies and individuals are all stepping up in a big way with support. I can’t begin to list everyone who has sacrificed and given to the relief effects. The line of goods traveling west on I-40 seems to be never ending; we even saw a line of pick-up trucks pulling trailers full of hay to ensure farmers can feed their livestock.

So here is a big thank you from the people out west to the people of the east. You have reminded everyone, it’s not our government that makes this state great, it is the compassion, caring and selfless sacrifice of fellow citizens that makes it possible for us to weather any storm.