Vinton Scoutmaster Brian Cook from Troop 235 sent this email message to the scouts in his
troop and their families after Hurricane Helene passed through.
“Everyone,
“In light of everything going on I feel compelled to send this e-mail.
“Hurricane Helene has cut a path of destruction from Florida to the Carolinas with over 56 dead at
last count. One of the places that my wife and I love to visit is Chimney Rock, North
Carolina. We have even talked about another visit in the last couple weeks. From the pictures I
have seen, that town has been washed off the map with Lake Lure’s Dam just down the river
maybe in danger of failure and everyone being evacuated downstream. All roads west of
Asheville, North Carolina, are closed. Interstates 26 and 40 have had damage that might take
years to repair.
“I talk about being prepared with the Scouts all the time; most don’t take it seriously. I would bet
that no one in western North Carolina thought a Florida Hurricane would cause this much
damage. The Troop and I will have more talks about being prepared. Imagine being stuck in
your house with every road within 100 miles closed. No way to get out and no way for anything
to get in for weeks.
“One of the Eagle Merit Badges is Emergency Preparedness. One of the requirements is an
emergency kit for the scouts’ homes. Most of the boys that work on this badge are a little older,
but even the younger boys need to start thinking about it.
“We have had a few streets flooded, some trees down, and some without power, but we have had
it easy compared to some other parts of the country. It could have just as easily happened here.
I would like to ask one more thing of everyone, please PRAY for everyone that has been
affected. Our neighbors will be affected for a long time. This is not over for them yet.”
Brian L. Cook
