03/28/2025
OFD Family,
Today marks 6 months since Hurricane Helene delivered a devastating blow to our beloved WNC region. The resiliency of our communities during this time of recovery has truly been awe-inspiring. Now, as many of us have started to feel normal again or at the very least hopeful for our region’s recovery, WNC is again being rocked by another natural disaster, this time in the form of wildfires that are quickly spreading across our region. Asheville and WNC, the city and region that many of us wanted to believe was a “climate haven” prior to Helene, now looks more like Southern California. Rain, please come help us put out these fires!
Today I’d like to express gratitude for our firefighters and first responders who are on the front lines battling the blazes. I am grateful for our heavy equipment operators who are attempting to cut fire-line roads and clear fallen trees. Thanks go out to our public officials and media representatives who work tirelessly toward keeping us updated and ensuring our residents get out of harms’ way. And thanks to the many people who will volunteer and donate to this new disaster relief and recovery that will inevitably be needed.
At times like this, when Mother Nature seems to be pushing us humans around, it’s normal to feel scared and vulnerable. It’s precisely at times like this when we need to turn toward our friends, family and communities to offer support and gratitude for what we have, and for those in our communities who are trying to keep us safe and minimize the damage.
On this Friday morning, I hope that all of us remain safe and free from the ailments caused by smoke-filled air. I hope that our homes and community buildings avoid fire damage. Finally, I am praying for the folks I mentioned above who are putting themselves in harms way for all of us.
Wishing you all a safe and peaceful weekend.
Dr. Mike
