Western North Carolina Pleaded for Hurricane Help. It Got ICE Instead.

When Hurricane Helene struck Western North Carolina, Latinos Aventureros, a group dedicated to helping Latino families access natural areas, ventured over 4,300 miles and spent 650 volunteer hours delivering essential supplies to around 1,700 individuals. This marked a shift from their usual mission. In the aftermath of the devastating hurricane, which was the deadliest to hit the mainland U.S. since Katrina, North Carolina has received only a fraction of the disaster aid it sought from the federal government.

Short on federal funds, volunteers like those from Latinos Aventureros stepped in to fill the gaps. "We didn't wait for permission. We didn't wait for funding," said Vivianette Ortiz, a leader of the group, emphasizing their proactive approach. The Trump administration has touted Asheville's recovery as a sign of success and highlighted its selection to host the G20 summit as evidence of the administration's commitment to the region's revitalization and resilience.

However, the reality on the ground differs significantly. Damaged roads and infrastructure persist, with some residents still living in trailers, and empty lots stand in place of destroyed homes and businesses. Despite receiving federal assistance, Western North Carolina saw the unexpected arrival of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents earlier in the summer.

ICE agents, along with U.S. Forest Service personnel and Caldwell County sheriff's deputies, arrested 13 people at Wilson Creek on July 26, including a father with his partner and two young children. ICE claimed some arrests were due to criminal records, but the specifics remain undisclosed. For Ortiz, this represented a "real sense of betrayal," given that her group had previously worked to clean and promote the use of public lands like Wilson Creek for recreational activities.

The group had encouraged families to swim, hike, fish, and picnic on these public lands, fostering a sense of belonging for Latino families. However, the fear of ICE presence has now deterred families from utilizing these outdoor spaces. Ortiz expressed concern that if people are afraid to enter these areas, meaningful access has already been compromised.

While the G20 summit is set to take place at the Grove Park Inn and Spa, a luxury resort overlooking Asheville, this area remains largely untouched by Helene's destruction. The federal government awarded Omni Hotels Corporation, the hotel's owner, a $1.03 million contract to utilize the space during the summit. A separate document names Grove Park as the primary place of performance, underscoring the region's role in the international economic forum.

Yet, this lavish experience contrasts sharply with the ongoing struggles faced by many in Western North Carolina. Jaime Byrd, a local resident and art gallery owner, experienced first-hand the hurricane's impact on her community. Her gallery, located in Asheville's River Arts District, suffered significant damage, including six feet of water that destroyed artwork and caused estimated losses of $80,000 to $100,000.

Despite receiving about 20 percent of the required repairs through federal assistance, Byrd received no help from FEMA for her gallery. She has since relied on personal funds, GoFundMe campaigns, and salvaging what she could from her damaged artwork to keep her business afloat. While the G20 delegates enjoy a luxurious stay at the Grove Park Inn, the broader reality of Hurricane Helene's aftermath remains starkly different, highlighting the disparities in aid and support distributed across the region.