BURNSVILLE, N.C. (BP) – Clean water has become the most sought-after resource after flooding incapacitated or otherwise damaged numerous reservoirs and piping in western North Carolina. It is something that led West Burnsville Baptist Church to look downward.
“When we found out the city was going to be without water, our former pastor knew some people with experience in digging wells,” said the church’s pastor, Chris Fox.
A group came out the next day and, after a quick assessment, determined a location to start digging. The process began around 8 p.m. and continued throughout the night until water was found 500 feet down.
Able to produce nearly 50 gallons a minute, that water – after being mildly treated – has become invaluable for showers, laundry and feeding.
Fox had called Todd Unzicker, executive director for North Carolina Baptists, to offer his church as a setup location for the Hurricane Helene disaster relief response. That led to Baptists on Mission arrival on the property.
“I didn’t learn about digging wells in seminary,” Fox joked. “Another church, Shoal Creek, has dug one as well. I’ve heard there are others.”
Burnsville has since re-established water, albeit intermittently and with a boil order.
The church and volunteers have also been preoccupied with distributing an “overwhelming” amount of donations, said Fox.
“Every one of our Sunday School classes are busy giving away all kinds of items, from baby food to charcoal to pet food. We’re doing that from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. while also providing free lunch and supper.”
The number of those taking in the free meals started with 40-50. By the end of the first week that was up to 200. Currently the number is between 300-400 and includes locals as well as volunteers and first responders. Food has also been delivered to 911 dispatch and local high schools serving as distribution sites.
There is no expectation for students to return to school this semester, said Fox. Concerns are growing in the community on how far that can stretch, possibly to next fall, due to the number of destroyed mountain roads.
Remote learning isn’t a viable option for those students either, as internet connectivity is just as discombobulated and in a state of flux as anything else.
High school football has resumed, though. The state extended the regular season by a week to help make up for the interruption. Alternate days and locations are being used for those schools whose fields were damaged, with the gate’s proceeds still going to the listed home school.
Volunteers are needed. But due to the storm’s effect on local infrastructure, Fox asks that teams either make it a day trip or contact Baptists on Mission to plan an extended stay.
“We’re getting mostly day trip folks,” he said. “Some are sleeping in a camper or even in tents in our field, though they have to make plans to deal with the cooler weather coming in.”
