I think that it is a pretty normal reaction to get a little bit panicked when a storm is coming and you have already lived through a hurricane. I think it is how our human nature is — if we survive some kind of horrific event it is natural to be apprehensive when another similar event occurs. Hurricane Helene last fall changed us. It changed the landscape of our area. It changed our response to storms. It changed our reaction when our lights flicker. It just changed us.

Just last week on multiple trips to town I was directed around FEMA teams who are working on cleaning up the debris left by Helene. Going into town I was detained several times by power companies installing new power poles where others had been compromised or quick fixes had been made to restore power. It was a sign of progress.

We had predictions, as well as a lot of other areas of the country, for pretty bad storms with really high winds. They happened and while our property did not have any major trees or limbs down, others were certainly not as fortunate. Trees across roads, trees uprooted across the lake from us and so many limbs and branches down it was hard to navigate. We kept power but downtown Brevard did not and it was a pretty blacked out Brevard on Sunday which was just odd.

But the most difficult thing news was the deaths of an 11 and 13 year old a mere 1.4 miles from us when a tree that was 3 foot in diameter fell on their single wide trailer. 3 others living there were unharmed but sadly these two young men did not make it. My heart just sank when I read the news. I can’t imagine how you come back from that, how you deal with the crushing loss of life of your young loved ones. I just can’t get that family, and the first responders who worked hours in the darkness off of my mind. It is incomprehensible to think that they all went to bed and then were horribly shocked awake in the middle of the night with a tree crashing into their home.

If you are the praying type, please, please, keep this family in your prayers. I do.not know who they are but that does not matter. It is a tragedy and one that will haunt this community for a long time. The power of Mother Nature is something to be respected.

Late addition: A GoFund me account has been started for the family by a trusted friend. If you are so led, please feel free to follow this link to go to help raise money for the family who lost their home, their car and most importantly, their two boys in this horrific event. Thank you. Click here to go to the Go Fund Me link.