Swannanoa resident John Arndt began whitewater kayaking more than a decade ago, taking multiple swift water rescue courses over the years. He had no idea the experience of navigating around fallen trees and moving debris, and the knowledge about how to bring people to safety, would come in handy in his own neighborhood.
As the Swannanoa River crested its banks and flooded Edwards Avenue with more than 8 feet of water last September, Arndt and two other kayakers paddled 16 of their neighbors–along with beloved pets–to higher ground. In an interview with The Assembly’s Ren Larson, Arndt recalls the day Helene transformed his town, and how the community came together afterward.
The interview is part of NC Local’s “The Heart of the Mountains,” an event and video series capturing the courage, kindness, and community after Hurricane Helene. The September 24 event was held at UNC-Asheville, marking the one-year anniversary of the storm. It demonstrated NC Local’s mission of providing a service to communities with journalism about important statewide and regional issues, centering the community’s voices on topics they care about, and collaborating with other news organizations.
Learn more about NC Local and find more content exploring the Helene anniversary at NCLocal.org.
