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For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.
// Rudyard Kipling
I stood in awe of the masterpiece of engineering in front of me. Two flatbed trailers had been backed up against one another from opposite sides of the river; boards were laid over the top; and rubble from the bridge that had been destroyed by floodwaters was dumped in front for reinforcement. The town sheriff stood beside me, not to reprimand or cite people for building a structure without the proper permits, but beaming with pride at the resourcefulness of his neighbors.
In this tiny community of Poga, Tennessee, a few families had been completely cut off by the damage from Hurricane Helene’s devastating floodwaters. A house was washed into the river, which took out the main bridge, which destroyed the fire department downstream.
There wasn’t much left standing. But buildings don’t make a community, people do. Everyone jumped into action to help each other. They rebuilt the bridge, used fallen trees and debris to support downed power lines, and set up well pumps so everyone could access water.
The original bridge was a major road connecting two busy highways
Bureaucratic Hurdles
In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene, individuals did everything possible to meet critical needs. I witnessed a pervasive unconditional compassion like I’ve never seen. Neighbors did everything possible to help each other, vehicles lined up to be loaded with essential supplies for the most remote communities, and generous donations poured in from near and far. When someone asked, “How are you doing?”, it wasn’t just a hollow greeting, they really cared. Courtesy extended to every interaction, because everyone was aware that the person they were talking to might have just lost everything.
Makeshift relief centers took over fire departments, stores, churches, even skate parks. Blackhawk and chinook helicopters landed wherever they could and delivered supplies into the hands of whoever was there to take them.
Eventually, grassroots action consolidated into a few hubs of power and bureaucracy. There were parking lots full of unused generators, not yet delivered because the proper paperwork hadn’t been filled out. People still had critical needs, and the harsh mountain winter was fast approaching while many remained without power. I learned the hard way in ultrarunning to not waste time at aid stations. Get what’s needed, and get going.
Cutting the Red Tape
I started venturing to outlying communities myself. I saw the action and initiative people were taking. Neighbors were coming together, and ingenious temporary solutions were created to meet immediate needs. No one was filling out paperwork because they were too busy actually getting things done.
On his own time, with his own equipment, freely fixing the washed out driveway of a 97 year old
Despite best efforts, there were certain things that were impossible without financial support. I started a small fundraiser hoping to raise enough for a few urgently needed generators. Before long, over $40K in support poured in for a small team and I to quickly deliver critical supplies directly to where they were needed across eight counties. People were eager to help, but they also wanted to know that their support was going to make a difference.
The Long Trail Ahead
I started this series of posts to highlight how so much of our individual strength can come from those around us. But the strength of communities equally comes from individuals. Along the Appalachian Trail many of the places that have given the trail its spirit and meaning, drawing people from around the world, are now being reinvigorated by the spirit and strength that those people return.
I’m supporting several local, low overhead, Helene-focused organizations while I’m on the trail. Any support will quickly be put to good use and amplified by the strength and resolve of the people who receive it. The saying about teaching someone to fish rings true from both sides. These communities don’t want food for a day, they want to be able to fish again for themselves.
John Kelly is attempting to break the record for the near 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail. This blog series coincides with weekly video episodes following his journey.
Watch this week’s video below:
John Kelly is the original architect and developer of Envelop Risk’s core technology, CyberTooth. After spending a few years in the UK building the team, he now lives back in the US with his family. John is also an internationally recognized ultra marathon runner, one of only three people to complete the Barkley Marathons more than once and the record holder on many well-known routes, including the Pennine Way. The thoughts and views in these posts are his own reflections from experiences as an accomplished athlete and entrepreneur, and do not necessarily reflect the views of others at Envelop Risk.
