Tech Expert Faces Harrowing Disconnection After Hurricane Devastates Asheville: A Reality Check!

As the winds of Hurricane Helene howled through the night in Asheville, North Carolina, I rolled over, thinking the storm was just another blustery night in the mountains. However, it didn't take long for crashing sounds to rouse me from my slumber, a wake-up call to a reality I hadn't fully grasped.

The dawn revealed devastation beyond imagination; our historic Montford neighborhood was transformed into a scene of chaos adorned with fallen trees, many much older than I—yet miraculously, my home remained standing. While my immediate surroundings were relatively safe, just a few houses down, the impact was severe. The stark image of a centuries-old tree crushing a front porch served as a grim reminder of nature's wrath.

As we ventured out, it became apparent that our vibrant community had been rendered unrecognizable. Streets were blocked in every direction by downed trees and snapped power lines. We quickly learned how incredibly fortunate we were: no casualties had been reported in our area, but the wider region was suffering from catastrophic flooding, with rivers exceeding their banks and entire neighborhoods washed away. The toll of Hurricane Helene was staggering—dozens reported dead, and over 200 people were still missing days later.

The crushing blow came not just from the storm’s impact but from the sudden disconnection from the world around us. Our power was gone, the internet was down, and our cell phone service had faltered. As hours turned into days without communication, we started to grasp the sheer isolation. I could not check on friends or family, nor could they check on me, effectively trapping us in a bubble of uncertainty.

I expected power outages, especially since an ERC Broadband fiber cable lay severed in my front yard, but the loss of cellular service was unanticipated. An overwhelming 70% of Western North Carolina's cell towers were out of service due to damaged fiber connections, cutting us off entirely.

This disconnection was doubly bewildering for someone like me, a tech professional who typically thrives in the online environment, frequently engaging with colleagues, friends, and family via various communication platforms. The realization that modern technology, which I’ve relied on countless times, was rendered useless in an emergency, was jarring.

But there was a silver lining—technology that could have bridged the gap. Newer models of the iPhone, specifically the iPhone 14 and beyond, feature satellite connectivity that could have kept me in touch—even among the chaos. Apple’s Emergency SOS satellite service and similar offerings from Verizon and AT&T, which provide satellite phone services, could have prevented my total disconnection. However, without power, even satellite function would have been limited, creating an ongoing challenge to stay connected.

As I reflect on this experience, it’s clear that I need to fortify my preparedness for future storms, especially with the increasing unpredictability of climate change. I now plan to invest in a portable power station with solar capabilities. Recommendations point to Jackery’s systems, which could have provided a reliable power source during these dark times.

I learned the value of a resilient backup system, such as a satellite internet connection. Had I had a Starlink setup for broadband internet access, I could have maintained communication and even kept myself informed amid this crisis.

As a journalist, the past week has been a personal and professional turning point. For the first time in my career, I couldn't produce a single story in several days— a dramatic shift for someone who's published over 12 million words. The combination of isolation, lack of power, and the overwhelming intensity of the storm rendered me unable to fulfill my responsibilities.

After leaving Asheville, the true extent of the devastation began to unfold. We found shockingly high flooding everywhere we turned, underscoring the urgent need for preparation against future natural disasters. My story is one among many, but it serves as a cautionary tale—one about the vital importance of connectivity and preparedness in a world increasingly at the mercy of nature’s ferocity.

The harsh lessons learned here are a reminder for all of us to consider our own emergency plans, and more importantly, how we can stay connected with each other when disaster strikes.