Brennen Oakley — an Owensboro native who now lives in Charlotte, North Carolina — found herself in a nightmare of a situation over the weekend. Oakley had sent her young son, Judah, to spend the weekend with her in-laws in Asheville, never expecting the devastation that would be caused by Hurricane Helene.
“No one expected the storm would be this bad,” Oakley said.
After losing power in Greenville, South Carolina, Oakley became alarmed when communication with her in-laws ceased.
“We went nearly 24 hours without hearing from them,” she said. “When we finally got a 3-minute phone call from my father-in-law from a stranger’s phone, he told us they were safe but without power or water. That was a huge relief, but we still couldn’t reach them after that.”
As the hours passed, Oakley began receiving more distressing news from friends in the area.
“I started hearing about houses being swept away, people missing, and families unable to find their loved ones,” she said. “We knew we had to get Judah out, but with landslides blocking roads and Asheville completely shut off, we were stuck.”
Fortunately, a friend of Oakley’s connected her with John Gallagher, a volunteer headed to Asheville to assist with local relief efforts. He helped coordinate assistance with evacuating Oakley’s son and in-laws. While relieved to have her son safe, Oakley soon realized the full extent of the devastation in the region.
“It’s way worse than people understand,” Oakley said, recounting stories of friends who lost homes and loved ones. “I’ve heard about people who went 72 hours without hearing from family members, only to learn that their homes were washed away. The death toll is still climbing, and the area will never be the same.”
Determined to help, Oakley began organizing relief efforts from afar. Using her connections as a former pastor in Asheville, she worked to coordinate the distribution of supplies and support to those in need.
“We’ve been getting Starlink systems to local fire departments, EMS, and rescue workers, helping them communicate and operate in the dark,” she said.
Oakley’s efforts have extended to connecting with local churches, including the Dream Center of Asheville and Revol Church, to distribute essential supplies such as water, food, diapers, and formula.
“People are stepping up for their neighbors,” she said. “But it’s bleak. It’s not being overdramatized. In fact, it’s underreported.”
Despite the overwhelming task at hand, Oakley remains hopeful, citing the resilience of the Asheville community.
“The people here are clearing trees, delivering water, and doing everything they can to help each other,” she said. “But they need more support.”
She encourages others to get involved by donating to local organizations actively working on the ground.
“The main thing is to not be numb to it,” Oakley urged. “These are my friends who can’t find their parents, whose homes are gone. Asheville and western North Carolina will never be the same.”
Oakley also highlighted the importance of sending resources directly to trusted local nonprofits. She’s currently working with Mayhem Missions out of Tennessee to direct funds to ensure that aid goes directly to the community.
“This is about helping people who are in desperate need, and every bit counts,” Oakley said. “I’m just a mom and a friend trying to make sure people get the right help. These people deserve your attention, your prayers, and your support.”
As Oakley prepares to travel to Asheville with generators and more supplies, she continues to stress the need for hope amid the devastation.
“This community is resilient, but the road ahead is long,” Oakley said. “Please don’t look away.”
