30/09/2024
Thanks to everyone for reaching out with well-wishes and offers of support.
We were in Kentucky when the storm hit, and watched everything from afar. Immediately following the storm, the closest we could get was Johnson City.
I-26 has washed away between TN and NC. Our dogs and our employee/friend Carter were still at our home in AVL as of yesterday and we hadn't heard from him at all. Yesterday, we made the tough decision to try to make it in to AVL to make sure they were ok.
Our route between Johnson City and AVL was harrowing - like driving through what we would imagine a war zone to be like.
Bakersville, Spruce Pine, and Burnsville are devastated. We were able to meet back up with I-26 in Mars Hill, which is clear. We had no problem taking 240 through to Tunnel Road (toward the VA). Riceville is now passable, with a few hairy areas of downed trees and power lines.
We were able to make it back to our home, which has sustained no damage. We grabbed our dogs (and Carter) and made it out of Asheville. Before we left, we were able to bring in gas and water from Johnson City to share with neighbors and others we encountered on the streets. We were able to share images of the devastation with them, which they had not yet seen. We can confirm that I-40 west and roads through Waynesville, Sylva, Franklin, Hayesville, and Hiawassee, GA are passable. Folks are parked on the side of all major highways trying to access a cell signal. We are currently safe with kids and dogs at Ashley's mom's house in North GA.
For those clients who are wondering how this will impact their event, I'm afraid we don't have many answers at the moment. Even with power, water, and access to your venue, we're not sure if we'll be able to purchase the food for any events this weekend, as stores are either without power or have been wiped out of food. Our distributors can't access AVL, not to mention our catering kitchen, which is still without power or water. We haven't even been able to visit our catering kitchen to assess any damage. We haven't heard from the majority of our staff as well as venues, who are understandably dealing with their own homes and ensuring the safety of their families and most of whom have spotty cell/internet service at best.
There's a lot of uncertainty at the moment and we are still waiting on more information. If we are able to safely execute our events this weekend, we definitely will, but we can't confirm anything at the moment. Now that we are safe and together, our biggest concern is our community, and what we can do to help. We may leave our kids here in GA and head back to assist in any way can.
Link below for ways to help/donate.
We are grief-stricken and still reeling from the devastation in our beautiful town.
With love,
Ashley and Nestor Teran
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