Moore County has always stepped up to support our neighbors when devastation strikes. Maybe it’s our way of paying it forward when we need help, but our first responders are always among the first to assist with the aftermath of tragedies such as fires and hurricanes.
When Hurricane Helene brought high flood waters to the North Carolina mountains, Moore County firefighters and police officers were called to action. Groups from almost every fire department in the county were sent every few days. Multiple law enforcement agencies also headed west to assist other police departments.
Robbins Police Chief Ben Haddock and Officer Christian Rosas left Robbins on Oct. 6 to assist the Spruce Pine Police Department.
Spruce Pine is located along the North Toe River and has a population of around 2,000. The town’s area most affected was the businesses. The flood wiped businesses off their foundations and washed away campers, trailers, and cars.
“A lot of businesses were destroyed; the town of Spruce Pine was underwater,” said Haddock, who has since returned home.
Their assignment was to assist with the day-to-day call volume, including getting people supplies, checking on older adults, removing debris, and ensuring the town was secure. They would also escort power companies and ensure they were safe while working. The main job, though, was getting needed supplies to people.
When Haddock arrived in town, some roads were passable, but the Highway Patrol had blocked off roads that were caving in and inaccessible. The main road through town was barely visible because it was covered with mud.
Haddock met a man who owned a plant nursery outside Hendersonville and lost everything.
“He had video of his place just being washed away by the minute,” said Haddock. “He’s sitting in his car and telling you that this is it. ‘This is going to be the end of me; this is my life.’ At one point, that man asked for a Wi-Fi connection because, after losing everything, he wanted to make sure his bills were paid.”
Haddock mentioned seeing others from Moore County helping our neighbors in the mountains.
“We went into Bakersfield on my time off and ran into a group of people from the Cameron area that were cooking for people,” said Haddock.
Cameron Hill Outreach was there for two weeks, cooking meals. Danny Marks, with the Outreach, set up generators and took electricians with him to hard wire them into their homes.
“The people of the town banded together to help each other clean up and to make sure that they recovered what was salvageable,” said Haddock. “Truckloads and truckloads of donations and private citizens were donating their time and equipment.”
Rosas shared his thoughts on communities coming together.
“I enjoyed being able to help another small town,” said Rosas. “Being from a small town, we know the difficulties that can arise from disasters of huge magnitude. This was an experience I’ll always remember, seeing everyone lend each other a hand and seeing the community come together.”
Feature photo: Robbins Police Chief Ben Haddock (left) and the Rolesville and Spruce Pine police departments. Photo provided.
~Written by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Curtis Self. Curtis has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2019.
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