In a previous post, I mentioned the plight of my wife’s 80 year old friend who lost her home and car in the Asheville area. She was rescued by her brother Jim, who lives in Franklin, NC, and was taken in by some good folks who live in the upper hills. She is now living with her brother until she can find a rental.
Her most recent update (below) discusses her frustrations in dealing with FEMA. This is not intended as a broad indictment of FEMA, but as a reflection of the challenges individuals, particularly the elderly, can face in trying to recover from a natural disaster like Hurricane Helene.
Hello-
It’s almost 5am Saturday. Yesterday was a disaster! Some early morning calls to insurance and that sort of thing. Those followed by tying to reach FEMA helpline by phone. Was on hold waiting for an agent for more than an hour before giving up. Jim looked up the locations for face to face FEMA: none within 25 miles or 50 miles and only 3 in 100 miles. The closest being in Asheville about 4/5 miles from my house. Off we went with documents that needed correcting from the ones originally submitted. Their internet was down when we got there and remained down until leaving at 4:30ish. It was hot, no shade, no where to sit. I got over-heated and feeling faint; almost hit the ground before getting to a picnic area where i could lie down on a bench. Medical people were there; 2 doctors and several nurses. Eventually I was moved to an ambulance to be monitored for a good while. Given a IV drip then allowed to leave. They really, really wanted to take me to the hospital but I refused. I said the Franklin hospital was close to Jim’s if needed. So, that is the big thing to end the week.
I am sure other stuff was accomplished but don’t remember.
Love and many thanks to everyone for the support, cards and packages. So very grateful. ♥♥
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