FAIRVIEW, N.C. — After devastating flooding from Helene, the only entrance to Philip Buddha Morgan's North Carolina home is up a steep embankment he carved himself.
"I got some rope from the neighbors and put a little rappelling system to go up about 22 feet of stretch here," Morgan said. "This is how I've been able to get a bunch of supplies up this way."
Morgan knew the flooding was going to be devastating when he saw Cane Creek rising.
"I was seeing hay bales, coolers, parts of vehicles—just full-on trees coming down the river. It was absolutely terrifying for sure," Morgan said.
Morgan and his family, including his brother who is bedridden and on oxygen after a life-altering stroke, became trapped.
"The Fairview Fire Department—those are some tenacious, tough, bad dudes. They climbed up the most vertical part of this embankment to bring us food, supplies, check on my brother and bring us gasoline for a generator they lent us," Morgan said.
When Morgan saw a friend at a local store, he realized how much the flooding had taken a toll on him.
"Even right now, I'm choked up talking about it," Morgan said. "It was overwhelming to know that someone dear to me is still good."