The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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50 ■ THE WOLFPACKER Tom Burleson Finds Hope Amid Hurricane Helene's Devastation Tim Peeler is a regular contributor to The Wolfpacker and can be reached at tmpeeler@ncsu.edu. PACK PERSPECTIVE BY TIM PEELER E ven the tallest stick on the hill had trouble standing when the remnants of Hurricane Helene rushed through the mountains of western North Carolina. Former NC State All-America basket- ball player Tom Burleson, the 7-foot- 2½ center on the Wolfpack's 1974 NCAA championship team, lives on the overflowed banks of Squirrel Creek in Avery County, which was among the hardest hit of the 25 western counties bludgeoned by the massive storm that made landfall in Florida on Sept. 26. Heavy rain roared north through the mountains of inland states, dumping up to 30 inches of precipitation and over- whelming rivers, streams and lakes. As of early October, there were nearly 250 confirmed hurricane-caused fa- talities in six states. Burleson was at the center of the worst damage in North Carolina. "Every utility pole in the county is down," Burleson said. "I've been walk- ing down to the creek every day to get buckets of water to flush the toilets. It's a mess. "Everywhere you look is just devas- tated." The 72-year-old Burleson was born on a mountain in Avery County and returned there after his days of play- ing basketball and speedboat racing were over. For 28 years, he served as the county's director of planning and in- spections, and director of the building and codes department until he retired in 2022. He knows every building on every inch of land in the county, some of which are now gone. "As a former member of the county's emergency management team, this is the worst storm ever, by far," said Bur- leson, who helped rebuild and repair the area after other inland storms roared through in 1998 and 2004. "We're easily looking at a $2 billion recovery effort. "Many are still stranded in the hol- lows and can't leave their homes be- cause the roads are completely impass- able." The former Avery County commis- sioner rode out the storm at his home with his family, which includes wife De- nise, sons Robert, David and Quentin and their families. "We were here at home for the storm, and it hit hard," Burleson said. "Our driveway and all the roads around us washed out. Two people on the road where I live were washed away and died during the storm. They are still pulling bodies out of Lake James, the Watauga, the North Toe and the French Broad riv- ers. "We had six inches of water in the basement, and they've told us the earli- est we will get power restored is four to six weeks. Fortunately, one of my sons lives next to an electrical substation. If it wasn't for that, we'd be in really bad shape. "Overall, I'm very blessed." Life-sustaining aid is arriving from faith communities, disaster relief or- ganizations and federal agencies for the people across the High Country. "Americans are all about taking care of their own families. We have local boots on the ground, and charitable contributions are meeting much of the immediate need," said Burleson, com- municating via both text messages and spotty cell service. "FEMA and State Emergency Management are needed for long-term recovery and big amounts of resources. "Right now, the Baptist Men's Disas- ter Relief, [Boone-based] Samaritan's Purse and so, so many good-hearted people are responding to our immedi- ate needs. "It is what it is. We have a long road ahead of us." Unfortunately for many, that road will be washed out for quite a while, as the area prepares for a multiyear recov- ery and rebuilding process. Burleson has been able to leave his home on occasion to get supplies and recharge batteries and devices. He's relying on power from a gas-operated generator and was able to drive to John- son City, Tenn., to buy an additional generator for his family's needs. He's also had time to sit back to take in both the devastation around him and the stark beauty of his surroundings during a time that is usually peak tourist season for North Carolina's mountains. "Right now, I'm sitting on top of the hill texting with a lot of friends, just looking at the beauty God blessed us with here in the High Country," Bur- leson said. "I've been in this situation before [as county inspector and emer- gency response director], meeting with families who have lost their homes. "The important part now is to let people know help is on the way. We, as Americans, will not desert those in need." In the face of tragedy, there are always stories of good deeds, and Burleson has participated in and benefitted from a couple of those. "We woke up this morning and found two cases of water and two containers with six gallons of water," Burleson said. "Santa Claus came early for us." Burleson was also able to come down off the mountain to make a doctor's ap- pointment in Winston-Salem and later returned for heart surgery. It's been a rough time, with an uncertain future. "Just keep us all in your prayers," he said. ■ Hurricane Helene dumped 30 inches of rain on western North Carolina, leaving many roads impassable. PHOTO COURTESY TOM BURLESON