As we hit mile marker 100 on I-40, the electric signs began warning us: “Limited Resource Area Ahead – Highways Closed at the TN Line.” It had been more than two weeks since I’d been home to Asheville, and now I was traveling in a caravan loaded with thousands of pounds of food and water. These supplies were the result of resource collection efforts by the Southern Vision Alliance (SVA) and our partners at Day One Relief. Our destination was the Poder Emma community in West Asheville, where the need was urgent. As we drove down Haywood Road, a strip that’s usually bustling with life, it was eerily empty—most shops and restaurants still shuttered. City officials had warned that potable water was still “weeks” away.
When we finally arrived at the Poder Emma warehouse, we were greeted by Alan, a young volunteer and leader. To our surprise, Alan recognized us—he was an alumni of Ignite NC, a youth leadership program created by SVA. He explained that the warehouse, typically used by worker cooperatives, had been swiftly transformed into a hub for relief efforts. Because it was a cooperatively owned space, it was easy to pivot and turn it into a center for collecting and distributing supplies. Alan gave us a quick orientation and we saw first-hand the high level of organization and community spirit. Volunteers were busy sorting through donations—diapers, pet food, canned goods, medications—and preparing them for distribution to local residents.
Poder Emma has long been a pillar of the Emma community in West Asheville, working for more than a decade to help Latinx residents in trailer parks collectively purchase the land they live on. This model of worker cooperatives and community ownership has shielded the community from disaster capitalism, where land speculators swoop in after disasters to buy land cheaply, ultimately displacing vulnerable residents. Now, Poder Emma’s rapid-response capabilities were proving to be critical. Their deep roots in the community allowed them to quickly mobilize resources and provide aid, especially to Black and brown residents most overlooked in disaster recovery.
But the road to recovery is long. Hurricane Helene has left Asheville devastated, and it will take years to rebuild. Less than 1% of homeowners in Buncombe County had flood insurance, and renters—many of whom make up Asheville’s workforce—are not eligible for much Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance. With a pre-existing housing deficit of 5,000 to 6,000 units, the destruction caused by the hurricane has only deepened the crisis. For renters, particularly the many service industry workers who rely on tourism, the situation is dire. Asheville is heading into its peak tourist season, yet with businesses closed and no visitors arriving, workers are losing both income and housing stability.
On top of that, FEMA’s response has been slow and insufficient. Many people are still waiting for their $750 FEMA checks, and disaster unemployment assistance has been on hold for weeks. Meanwhile, on the ground there were rumors that armed militias have been driving FEMA workers out of Western North Carolina, creating a dangerous narrative that has only further slowed federal assistance. The frustration towards the Federal response is palpable.
Despite these challenges, local efforts—like those at Poder Emma—are thriving. The warehouse is buzzing with activity, and the atmosphere is surprisingly upbeat. People are welcoming and full of solidarity, believing in the power of community to get through this crisis. Relief efforts, led by locals, are high-functioning and making a tangible difference. This moment of crisis has opened a window into what a different world could look like—a world where people give what they can and take what they need, breaking away from the hegemony of capitalism.
However, the challenges ahead are daunting. Asheville’s water system, already in a fragile state before the hurricane, is still not fully operational, and backup systems have failed. There is an urgent need for the Army Corps of Engineers to step in and help rebuild critical infrastructure, especially with colder weather on the horizon. Many people are now homeless, and the coming freezing temperatures will only add to the danger for those without shelter.
This disaster has also highlighted deeper, systemic issues in Asheville’s recovery process. The framework for a Just Recovery, first coined after Gulf Coast storms, is being advocated for by local activists. This approach focuses on the right of displaced people to return, community self-determination in rebuilding efforts, fair housing recovery, and investing in local infrastructure. Without these protections, there is a real danger that developers will swoop in, leading to further gentrification and the displacement of Asheville’s most vulnerable residents.
As the immediate response continues, local advocates are calling for bold action, including a moratorium on evictions and rent relief for those affected by the hurricane. During the COVID-19 pandemic a national eviction moratorium was enacted, and advocates are asking why similar protections aren’t in place now, when the need is equally urgent.
In the absence of swift government action, mutual aid networks and community organizations are stepping up. Groups like the Western North Carolina Tenants Network (WNCTenants) are leading efforts to support renters and fight for housing justice. Relief supplies, like those we brought to Poder Emma, have already made their way to some of the hardest-hit areas, including Swannanoa and Buncombe County. However, much more needs to be done.
The devastation caused by Hurricane Helene has made one thing clear: Asheville’s recovery will require more than just rebuilding—it will require systemic change. By supporting organizations like Poder Emma and WNCTenants, advocating for a Just Recovery, and demanding government accountability, we can help create a more resilient and equitable future for Asheville and across the Helene-affected area.
For those looking to get involved, WNCTenants is organizing campaigns, accepting donations, and working on the ground to help rebuild from the grassroots. You can learn more and support the cause by visiting WNCTenants Network. Together, with collective action and community-driven solutions, we can not only recover but also become stronger, more equitable, and more united.
