Documentary: Rescue Operations Post-Hurricane Helene
Remembering the devastation of Hurricane Helene a month later.
By Willian Hearn
Aerial Recovery Team
Just over a month ago, I took a trip down to the Asheville, North Carolina area to help with Aerial Recovery – a non-profit – in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Aerial Recovery was on the ground in North Carolina within a day after the hurricane hit.
The first phase was emergency rescue and relief, primarily with helicopters. During this phase, Ariel saved and brought supplies to many people, including rescuing a one-year-old baby and flying it to a hospital. After most of the immediate emergencies ended, Aerial’s ground crews took the lead in the second phase, clearing roads and going door to door through the mountains to bring supplies to those in need. The third phase, which is only truly happening now, is rebuilding all the broken roads, bridges and homes.
Ideally, the team would complete the first and second phases within a few days. For example, when Hurricane Helene hit Florida, immediate rescue was complete within 48 hours. However, when it came to North Carolina, especially the Ashville area, weeks went by and rescues were still happening. This was partially due to the unprecedented flooding and destruction in the area, but also bad leadership and bureaucracy at the state and federal levels.
National attention has focused on the failings of FEMA and other government organizations in North Carolina. A good resource on this subject is the Aerial Recovery interview on the Shawn Ryan Show. However, my desire isn’t to continue to point that out, but to mention the good that I saw.
Unity in a Time of Division
It’s true that I only saw one government helicopter in four days that I was in the area, but I also saw hundreds of civilian aircraft, and thousands of everyday Americans, from across the United States, stepping up to help their fellow citizens. Nobody cared about who you voted for nor what color your hair was.
All that mattered is that there were fellow Americans trapped in the mountains, and God had us here, in that time and place, to do our part. The generosity of almost everyone there was truly astounding, and it brought the point into focus that it is us, the citizens, who will make the country what it should be.
While I was in the Ashville area, I filmed a short documentary following the volunteer efforts based at Rutherford County Airport and expanding into the Spruce Pines area. In a day and age where America seems to be deeply divided, I hope this video will shed some light and encouragement that everything might not be so hopeless after all.
Watch the documentary here.
About the Author:
William Hearn is a Junior at Grove City College, with a major in Communication Arts and a minor in Physics. William grew up in the country of Nepal, and living in its stunning landscapes instilled a love of nature photography and filmmaking in him. Over the years, William has developed this passion, and now runs a video production company Homer Cinema LLC, based out of the Pittsburgh area. He cares about using his skills for Christ, and applying them in a way that matters for the world. William has produced multiple documentaries, including Transformed: A Detransitioner’s Story (2022), Endless Miles: an Olympians journey to a 100 mile ultramarathon (2024), and more.
William got married in 2023, and currently lives in Grove City, with his wife Madison.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed are those of the writer alone and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grove City College, the Institute for Faith and Freedom, or their affiliates.
Cover Image: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center from Greenbelt, MD, USA, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped) License. also