Landscaper Dillon Anderson believes that it’s easy to underestimate the destruction from Hurricane Helene — until you see it with your own eyes.
For his part, Anderson has helped mow lawns that grew knee-high after the storms. He and his six employees at Anderson’s Mowing & Landscaping in Traphill, North Carolina, have also delivered gas to people to power up their generators. They’ve delivered food to folks and had to ride horses at times to get there because the roads weren’t accessible.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has reported 104 fatalities in the state. Governor Roy Cooper told NPR that the historic storm caused at least $53 billion in damage and recovery needs. The previous record costs in damages was $17 billion from Hurricane Florence in 2018.
Between the record rainfall and over 1,400 reported landslides, the damage remains catastrophic. The state is even currently dealing with wildfires now, as two broke out this week in McDowell County.
Anderson lives two hours north of those fires, but he and other green industry professionals in his area are still out in the field trying to help.
When he spoke with Lawn & Landscape magazine, he was out cutting trees along a fence line for farmers. Anderson, who lost his 40-year-old shop to a breaker box fire during the storm, has remained out in the field working ever since.
“We’ve done all kinds of stuff,” Anderson says. “(Anything) from cleaning mud out of parking lots to pressure washing parking lots to get these facilities opened up so they can get hot food and supplies to those affected.”
The full extent of the devastation is hard to calculate because relief efforts are still ongoing. FEMA has extended its deadline to apply for relief efforts to Feb. 6, and that’s for both individual applicants and for local governments and non-profits. The North Carolina Department of Public Safety reports that some roadways are still dangerous and that over 3 million cubic yards of debris has already been cleared.
Anderson says he’s learned through conversations with locals that many aren’t insured for flooding and some still don’t have ways to get to work. These conversations have been jarring in personal ways, too: Anderson recalls that five days after the storm, he and his team stopped for food at a nearby Hardy’s when a man approached them asking for a pair of socks. He had been wearing the same pair since the storm hit.
Months removed from the storm’s initial landfall, Anderson says debris is everywhere. He and his team are still helping clean up.
“I would say, to be honest with you, there’s a lot of people that’s going to need help for the next 12 to 14 months,” he says. “I’m not going to be able to assist every day. I’m trying to build back myself as well as I’m trying to build back others.”
For those looking to help financially, Anderson recommends donating to Samaritan’s Purse. He can also be contacted directly if anyone wants to donate to his company as he remains out in the field.
“My background is, I’ve always been raised to help anybody, lend a hand to anybody in need that you can,” Anderson says. “I think if the shoe was on the other foot, I think someone would come help us. I may be wrong, but I can hope and still think there’s good people in the world and the community and show up.”
