Fire Chief Steve Freeman's voice carries the weight of both trauma and triumph as he recounts the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene on Bat Cave, North Carolina. Nine months after the catastrophic flooding that destroyed homes, roads, and lives, his community continues the long process of rebuilding.

"We've made a lot of progress," Freeman shares, "but the biggest challenge is still the infrastructure." Unlike nearby areas, Bat Cave's narrow geography prevented temporary roadways from being built, leaving residents dependent on precarious one-lane access routes without guardrails. This isolation defined their experience during and after the storm.

When emergency management warned that Helene would rival the historic 1916 flood—a disaster Freeman had heard about from his grandparents throughout his life—the all-volunteer fire department took extraordinary measures. They went door-to-door asking residents to write their names and emergency contacts on their arms with black Sharpies. "Nobody did that," Freeman explains, "but I think it helped in the fact that when the river started getting up and the flooding started in, that was in their mind." This sobering approach likely contributed to the relatively low casualty rate.

Freeman's own survival story stands as a testament to faith and purpose. Pinned against a backhoe by debris from a landslide that destroyed his garage, he describes his escape as divine intervention: "God pushed that back just enough so I could get my head out." Within minutes, he was back on duty, working with fellow volunteers to establish evacuation routes and coordinate helicopter rescues that eventually airlifted 80-85% of Bat Cave's residents to safety.

The recovery continues with help from organizations like Spokes of Hope, who have brought in Amish volunteers committed to rebuilding efforts for the next 18 months. As Freeman reflects on a captain's words spoken amid the destruction—"For those that believe, when God takes one thing away he gives back twice as much"—his unwavering faith illuminates the resilience that has carried Bat Cave through its darkest hours. Want to support their ongoing recovery? Contact Chief Freeman directly at 828-776-1345 or connect with Spokes of Hope to volunteer your time and resources. Learn more about Steve's story here: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/fire-chief-reflects-on-gods-work-in-his-community-after-helene/