The mountains of western North Carolina are a lot of things to people of the Lowcountry. To some, they’re a respite from the relentless heat of a swampy Southern summer. To others, they’ve long represented safety. When hurricane season approaches, you plan your mountain escape because the mountains are the high ground for refuge. Safe. Secure. Until they’re not.When … [Read more...]

Sept. 27. It was my father’s birthday. He was in the Lowcountry visiting. My siblings were in Asheville where we’re all from; where they still live. They had plans to wait out the storm, then drive down to celebrate. And why wouldn’t they? That’s how it had always gone.Our mountain town is over 2,000 feet above sea level and almost 300 miles to shore. If a hurricane ever … [Read more...]