COMMUNITIES AND BUSINESSES RALLY FOR RECOVERY
The recent hurricanes that swept through the Southeast have left a devastating mark on many communities and several members of our association. As storms ravaged the region, homes were destroyed, infrastructures crippled, and families displaced. Among those deeply affected are employees of Buck Stove, WNC Chimney Solutions LLC, and Wright’s Hearth, Heat, & Home, all of whom now face the long roads to recovery. Click here to donate to the Disaster Relief Fund.
BUCK STOVE FACES HURRICANE HELENE’S DEVASTATION
Buck Stove, based in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, has been particularly hard hit. Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on the community, causing widespread destruction. Many Buck Stove employees have lost nearly everything, with their homes and belongings destroyed. Fortunately, the plant experienced minimal harm, with some offices affected by roof damage.
Despite the challenges, progress is already being made. Satellite internet has been set up to help families remain connected, and supplies, including essentials delivered via helicopter, have already begun to make a significant impact. Shelters are stocked, and there is optimism that electricity will be restored by this weekend, providing much-needed relief.
Although the plant is not fully operational, some shipments are going out. Though power restoration is expected soon, the complex damage in certain areas may delay full recovery for weeks.
“To show the spirit of these tremendous people, they have asked, ‘When will the plant be back up and running?’ They want to go back to work if for nothing more than normalcy and security,” said Paul Williams, Sales Manager of Buck Stove. “Once power is restored and roads cleared, we can get things started. Again, everyone at Buck cannot say enough about all the support everyone has shown. The Buck brand has always been built with the security of family in mind. Now we can see how big that ‘Buck Family’ is.”
ASHEVILLE AMONG MOST DEVASTATED CITIES
Immediate HPBA Past Chair Dick Hoffman, based in Asheville, North Carolina, sufferedsignificant damage to his warehouse, office, and garage buildings following severe flooding. Water levels in the warehouse reached 19 to 20 feet, leaving its contents covered in mud and debris, mostly unsalvageable.
While Hoffman and his wife are safe, he reported widespread destruction across Asheville, where many areas still lack power, water, internet, and cell service. Fallen trees and downed utility lines have blocked streets, while overflowing creeks worsened the damage. Cleanup and restoration plans are underway.
Thankfully, the power has been restored. However, he expects it will take weeks to repair the municipal water system, which was heavily compromised. He also reported that the surrounding communities in western North Carolina have been devastated, with many residents stranded due to washed-out roads and bridges. Hoffman provided us with photos and said that they don’t truly portray the devastation.
Wright’s Hearth, Heat, & Home, based in Asheville, NC, sustained damage to an outdoor showroom after a tree fell during the hurricane, adding to the growing list of businesses affected by the storm. Though the physical damage was limited compared to other areas, the emotional and financial impacts are significant.
WNC CHIMNEY SOLUTIONS LLC AREA HIT HARD
WNC Chimney Solutions LLC,based in Waynesville, NC, has also been significantly impacted. One of its employees lost everything during the storm, leaving him with nothing but the clothes on his back. The hurricane has compounded the financial and emotional toll on employees and their families as they work to recover from the devastating losses.
REGIONAL FLOODING AND CONTINUED SUPPORT
As the hurricanes passed, several areas, including Asheville, Busick, and Chimney Rock, experienced flooding. Power outages were widespread, but most have since been restored. However, road access remains difficult in some of the hardest-hit locations due to broken power lines, damaged poles, and failures in infrastructure and communication systems.
Cindy Wise, Executive Director of the Southeast HPBA, shared insight into the challenges faced by our members, “They are incredibly grateful for the individuals and organizations, such as HPBA, who are providing support and care to those affected. We are truly blessed to have friends who take care of each other, especially after everything we’ve been through.”
HPBA ONGOING EFFORTS TO SUPPORT MEMBERS
Though the road to recovery is long, the continued outpouring of support from the community is a beacon of hope for those impacted by these recent storms. As electricity is restored and aid efforts ramp up, there is growing optimism for a brighter future, though much work remains.
HPBA has been actively contacting members in the affected areas to check their well-being. While some members were fortunate to avoid major damage, others face significant hurdles. We are closely monitoring Hurricane Milton and will provide an update as we learn of any affected members.
REPORT A MEMBER IN NEED
As a close-knit industry, we encourage you to inform us if you or another HPBA member has been impacted by the storms by completing the Hurricane Check-In Form. By keeping us updated, we can better assess the needs within our community and extend assistance where possible. Click here to report.
DONATE TO THE RELIEF FUND
The HPBA Member Employee Disaster Relief Fund was established to provide financial assistance to employees of HPBA member companies impacted by natural disasters, including hurricanes, floods, and wildfires. All contributions directly support member employees experiencing uninsured losses due to these catastrophic events. Please note that donations are voluntary and not tax-deductible but vital to helping those in need.
“We started the HPBA Member Employee Disaster Relief Fund to assist our industry and its employees in times of crisis,” said Jill McClure, President & CEO of HPBA. “Members want a way to support each other when emergencies arise. HPBA will manage the fund so that donations are distributed directly to those affected in our industry.”
To contribute, you can donate electronically to the Member Employee Disaster Relief Fund or send a check with “Disaster Relief Fund” in the memo line to the following address:
Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association
PO Box 412397
Boston, MA 02241-2397