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| Main Street Books, along with many other indies, is collecting supplies for areas hard-hit by Helene. | |
Many affected areas in Hurricane Helene's deadly path of destruction across the Southeast over the weekend are still in recovery mode. Independent bookstores in the storm's path continue to check in on social media with updates, including:
Highland Books, Brevard N.C.: "THANK YOU so much to everyone who has been checking in on us. Verizon brought in a mobile tower yesterday and I have cell connection for the first time since Friday. I'll be posting an update on the store accounts today, hopefully. The staff are I are all safe and well.... Some without electricity or water, but I am so touched by how everyone has come together to help one another. We have electricity at the store so we are open this week from 10am-7pm if you want to come by and use our electricity to charge devices. We can only take cash (although might have a work-around for that today, stay tuned), but we also have a cart of free books for anyone, and the City is dropping off regular updates if you want to pick up information. This is all so heartbreaking and we feel very fortunate to be ok. Please reach out if we can support you in any way."
Main Street Books, Davidson, N.C.: "Y'all filled 14 pickup trucks and SUVS with supplies for WNC! We had donations arriving for 6 hours straight. We are thinking about everyone who is waiting for rescue, food, water, and shelter. This collection wouldn't have happened without @katebarrcantwin who inspired and paved the way for us to put these donations in the right place for the right orgs.
"These loads are in Statesville at the Iredell County Democratic Party HQ. Davidson College students are preparing the supplies to go out tonight on planes with Operation Airdrop and tomorrow on a tractor trailer truck with Red Cross. Over the course of the day on the sidewalk, we met several families who have taken refuge in Davidson from areas including Asheville. They say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to all the folks making donations."
Sassafras on Sutton, Black Mountain, N.C.: "Waynesville, N.C. was hit hard. We currently have no cell service or internet. I was just told it might be a month before the internet is fixed. We do have power. Our stores are intact, and all staff are safe. Not all can make it to the store, but enough can that we are trying to be open today.... The downtown of Waynesville was spared. There are still many people trapped and so many who have lost everything. We were very lucky, and I'm so grateful.
"Black Mountain is another story. It was one of the hardest hit towns. Sassafras on Sutton is still there. We just got power on last night from what I've been told by Duke Energy. However, there is no running water and won't be for several weeks. There is no cell service, internet, food or gas. All employees are safe, but none can make it to the store.... It's such a helpless feeling to not know how the people you love are doing. My staff is like family. Some have worked for me for years. I'm so thankful all are okay. There is help on the ground. Most people can't get to it. There has been substantial loss of life and property. Because of the lack of communication, we don't really know the extent of the disaster in Black Mountain. It will take months, if not years, for the community to be repaired. Entire neighborhoods washed away. Businesses are gone. Road are broken or not there anymore. The river moved. It's heartbreaking. But we carry on....
"Thank you so much for your support. I was overwhelmed by the love and well wishes from my social media post. You all love Sassafras as much as I do! It really is the most special place. We will do our best to reopen and offer the same level of wonderful merchandise, big smiles and amazing coffee as we always have. Until we see you in person, stay safe and well!"
Duck's Cottage Coffee & Books, Duck, N.C.: "Please continue to keep our fellow tarheels in your hearts and if you are able to help please give. We can't wait to get back out to the great western part of our state."
Tombolo Books, St. Petersburg, Fla.: "We're several days into Hurricane Helene's aftermath and still awaiting responses from friends as far away as North Carolina. The extent of the devastation is staggering. Tombolo made it through the storm without any damage, but so many other businesses, families and individuals are in crisis and in need of aid. If you are in Pinellas County and in need of help, there are many disaster relief resources @pinellasgov If you have money or time to offer, please consider donating through @volunteerflorida.... Please continue to stay safe. We're looking forward to sunnier days and seeing you at the bookstore!"
Spencer & Co., Gaffney, S.C.: "Hey everyone! We found some milk and ice and made an emergency pickup from the patisserie so we will be fully stocked tomorrow! 10% of ALL sales and ALL tips tomorrow will be donated to Samaritans Purse and The United Cajun Navy who have active boots on the ground for our neighbors in western N.C. Along with a personal donation from my family. If you're like my family we have made some amazing memories in Asheville, Hot Springs, Lake Lure, Chimney Rock etc. We might not have power but at least we have our homes and lives. We will do what we can to help our community and theirs."
Page & Flame Bookshop, Landrum, S.C.: "We hope everyone is safe. We are okay. We will post when we have power & are able to reopen."
Blacksburg Books, Blacksburg, Va.: "There's a stereotype that bookworms are in their own little worlds--heads stuck in a book, oblivious to the world around them, dreamy and lost in thought... but ya'll came through STRONG for your neighbors. On Saturday, so many of you came out for our impromptu fundraiser--we were able to donate several hundred dollars to Red Cross flood relief efforts in Appalachia. And today, with just a couple of hours' notice, we filled up an employee's car with donations that we drove straight to the donation center. This community is the best. Blacksburg, we see you, we appreciate you, we love you. Now go boil some water (for at least one minute), make some tea, and get back to your reading."
The Stacks Bookstore, Savannah, Ga.: "We can't wait to see you, neighbors! Back open with regular hours AND power starting Tuesday! After a flood and then a hurricane, we can't wait to get back to just books."
M. Judson Booksellers, Greenville, S.C.: "Shelter from the storm: today and always."