Trauma, Evacuation, Adaptation
Hurricane Helene announces that climate change is here to stay. It is time for humans to adapt and create a new era of compassionate action.
Dear friends and family,
Many of us are experiencing trauma following the visit of Hurricane Helene. We are exhausted, sad, worried, or angry. Practices of mindful breathing and compassionate chanting are helping care for my tired, grieving body-mind. Many have lost their homes or family members. May they be comforted in their grief and gratitude. So grateful for the outpouring of help from neighbors, and city, county, state, and national authorities and volunteers.
After ten days without power and water and inconsistent cellular and internet, my wife and I, with our dog Abby and cat Chickabee, drove two hours east to Davidson, NC. Yesterday, my wife was able to see a doctor and is taking medications for her condition. We got in touch with old friends Lynda and John Cock nearby and began looking for longer term housing as the Asheville water system is severely damaged and may take weeks or months to repair. Thanks to the many people who offered places for us to relocate around the US and Canada. We decided to stay close to Asheville.
Hurricane Milton then hit Florida. This is all part of the new normal of climate chaos. We must stop using fossil fuels and adapt to this new normal. We need to dig wells and put generators everywhere we can. We need to strengthen FEMA and other disaster response agencies and nonprofits. We must prepare for floods, water shortages, broken infrastructure, fires, smoke, food shortages, and much more. We need UBI (universal basic income) and housing for all. We must each help get out the vote in this life and death election.
The most important things that we can do are to create systems and practices of care for our own body-mind, our families, our neighbors, all people around the world, and all animals, plants, soil, air, and water. We must become responsible, compassionate Earthlings.
My UNDP colleague Cosmas Gitta in NY arranged for Terri, a local realtor in Davidson, NC, to help us look for a place to shelter. We have just applied for an apartment in Birkdale Village in nearby Huntersville, NC. We don’t know if we will be here for two weeks or six months.
Erie, our home insurance company and FEMA will help cover some of our expenses. I am using my cell phone hotspot to get on the internet. Shari and Mike, our neighbors in our HOA in Swannanoa, and our son Christopher are watching over our house. Other neighbors are helping with repairs on our street.
My beloved BMT is doing the driving and much more. We are both exhausted from stress but have decided that we are now on a Gratitude and Recovery Retreat.
Peggy Rowe-Ward and Larry Ward, founders of the Lotus Institute, are also here from Asheville, and we will see them tomorrow. John Cock Jr. and his family are also here and we hope to see them.
On 26 October there is a disaster fundraising concert in nearby Charlotte with James Taylor and other well known musicians.
The outpouring of care and assistance from neighbors and public workers from the city, county, state, and nation is overwhelming.
Asheville is well known as Climate City, and I have recommended that Buncombe be known as Compassion County. May this tragedy give birth to a regenerative, just, and compassionate era on this most beautiful planet.
I will be writing more with deeper reflections shortly.
Love to each of you,
Robertson