Above and Beyond

Tech student among many at ECU supporting storm relief efforts

Flying in a Chinook helicopter over the mountains of North Carolina, ECU industrial technology student Cameron Smitherman saw the full scope of Helene’s devastation.

Debris litters an area in western North Carolina. ECU student Cameron Smitherman took the photograph while in a helicopter that was delivering relief supplies during his National Guard deployment to the region. (Contributed photo)

“It’s very evident that the storm was here,” said Smitherman, a sergeant with the National Guard’s 13B field artillery unit. “The east side of some of the mountains are almost leafless because the storm ripped them all off. Evidence of mudslides is also common, with some exposing the bedrock of the mountain underneath. We flew over Lake Lure, which was full of floating debris washed down from Chimney Rock, a town in which most standing structures are now either gone or unlivable. Several small towns are covered in a foot of mud left behind by the flash floods, and stagnant water is still evident in some places.”

Smitherman is one of about 40 ECU students helping with storm recovery through the National Guard or ROTC programs. His unit arrived in Salisbury on Oct. 1 to assist FEMA before moving Oct. 4 to the Asheville area, one of the hardest hit regions.

He was aboard helicopters that delivered food, water, Starlink satellites, generators and miscellaneous hygiene items to areas without power, water or road access.

“Often, we were the first contact these people have had since the storm,” he said.

However, Smitherman noted one thing about the people receiving assistance.

“They often said they didn’t need it all and directed us to nearby communities who did,” he said.

Smitherman joined the National Guard at age 17, with a 2019 deployment delaying his college plans.

“I wanted to serve in the military but also continue my civilian career, and the guard allowed me to do that, with the added benefit of tuition assistance,” he said.

Smitherman said he was in a hotel room when originally called up and was able to complete class assignments. He said internet connectivity has been more of a problem in Asheville, creating complications for him to work on assignments. He said his professors — specifically Dr. David Batts, Dr. James Franklin and Tiffany Woodward — have been supportive.

“My professors have been more than understanding, moving due dates and offering assistance once I return,” he said.

Tentatively, his orders end on Friday.

“They have already been extended once and may be extended again depending on the needs of the mission,” he said earlier this week.

The ECU senior grew up in Boonville, a foothills town in Yadkin County where the mountains can be seen in the western horizon.

“Many of these soldiers, including myself, only served missions outside of the U.S. To serve the people of North Carolina, some of whom are even our neighbors, gives a real sense of purpose to our mission,” Smitherman said. “No one complains about the work we are doing here. We work from sunup to sundown, sometimes even later every day, and nobody says anything about the hours. We understand the importance of our mission out here, and I am proud of the work we have accomplished so far.”

Helicopters used to transport relief supplies are prepared in Asheville. (Contributed photo)