Standing Together After the Storms: Stories of Resilience

Hurricane Helene and Milton has left an indelible impact on the lives of many in North Carolina and Florida, where torrential rains and flooding swept through communities, displacing families and altering landscapes. Several of our own employees at AbelsonTaylor Group were personally affected, and they continue to face the challenges head-on as they regroup and rebuild in the aftermath of the storms.

While we are committed to supporting the broader recovery efforts in the affected areas, we want to take a moment to highlight the experiences of these team members. Each of them has chosen a charity to support those still in need, and we hope you will join us in offering your assistance where possible.

Kevin Price: Associate Creative Director – “Witnessing Nature’s Unforgiving Power”Hurricane Helene’s devastation hit Kevin Price’s community hard, and while his family and home came out largely unscathed, the scenes that unfolded around him will be difficult to forget.

“Helene has ravaged Western North Carolina in a way that will leave lasting marks on both the landscape and people for years to come. While our family and house emerged relatively unscathed, watching full-sized shipping containers crash down a flooded river that used to be a street and understanding we were completely cut off from the wider world with no access to food, energy, or clean water was a devastating realization. Others were not as fortunate as we were, and there are many who lost their lives, family members, homes, and jobs. The recovery response so far has been inspiring, but there are still hundreds, if not thousands, of people living in tents as winter approaches and there is much more to be done.”

Kevin’s community remains in urgent need of relief efforts, and he has asked that donations be made to All Hands And Hearts, an organization working tirelessly to support recovery in disaster-impacted areas.

Julia Vitiritti, Senior Project Manager – “Finding Perspective Amidst Loss”

For Julia Vitiritti, Hurricane Helene brought personal losses that are difficult to quantify. While she and her family were spared from the worst of the storm, the floodwaters destroyed treasured memories, and many in her community lost even more.

“Coming out of Hurricane Helene, it has put a lot of things into perspective. Personally, we have lost all of our possessions in our basement due to the flood. Many of our personal memories were lost (photos, old toys, decorations), but looking at what my neighbors went through, I can’t begin to complain. A few of our favorite spots to take the kids out and relax (in Chimney Rock, NC) are no longer there, but the community is looking forward to rebuilding and we are excited by the idea of creating something new that we can all be a part of.”

Julia’s story highlights the resilience of her community, which has joined together to rebuild and provide comfort to each other. She has asked that those wishing to help consider donating to the Blue Ridge Humane Society, which plays a vital role in supporting both people and animals in the recovery process.

Kjersti Nelson, Account Director – “Stories of Evacuation and Hope”

Kjersti Nelson was fortunate to evacuate her city before the worst of the storm hit, but not everyone in her neighborhood was so lucky. Her experience serves as a reminder of the uneven impact of disasters, and of the ongoing work needed to rebuild lives.

“We were able to plan ahead (1 day) and evacuate the city before Milton hit. Not everyone had that luxury for work or familial reasons. My 90-year-old next-door neighbors did not evacuate and had waist-high water in their entire house, lost their car, and all appliances. They are thankfully safe; their children came to get them during the storm. But they have a lot of rebuilding to do. That is just one story.”

Kjersti’s account is just one of many in her area, and the need for aid remains high. She has asked that donations be directed to the Hillsborough County Disaster Relief Fund, which supports families like her neighbors as they work to rebuild.

How We Can Help

As these personal stories demonstrate, the impact of Hurricanes Helene and Milton has been devastating, but recovery is possible with continued support and resources. If you are able, please consider donating to the charities mentioned above, as they are working on the front lines of recovery efforts. Together, we can help bring hope and stability back to the communities that were hit hardest by this disaster.