When Hurricane Helene hit Montreat Conference Center, the first priority was getting guests home safely despite no power, internet or water; spotty cell service and blocked roads. Only a few staff members were at the Presbyterian Church (USA)-affiliated center in Western North Carolina.

Lake Susan and Flat Creek swelled to historic levels; that and heavy rainfall caused catastrophic flooding in the town of Montreat. The late September storm’s high winds downed trees and power lines.

Yet nothing came to a standstill.

“As soon as we said goodbye to the last guest, we said hello to the first disaster recovery group,” said Richard DuBose, Montreat’s president.

He and Carol Steele, Vice President for Program, offered an update on the center’s recovery in a Leading Theologically discussion Oct. 31 hosted by the Rev. Bill Davis, senior director for Theological Funds Development at the Presbyterian Foundation.

Relief in action

Teams from the Cajun Navy 2016 disaster relief nonprofit have been at the center since the storm hit, using Reynolds Lodge as their base of operations.

Staff members on site took a couple of days to confirm that all of their colleagues, about 50 full time and 20 to 25 part time, had survived. They also went door to door in town, helping to account for neighbors.

Down the road, Black Mountain Presbyterian Church was busy collecting supplies and serving meals to 1,000 people a day.

“They really are a testament to what happens when you get good leadership and a healthy congregation that is really connecting with its surrounding community,” DuBose said.

As for the conference center facility itself: “We were lucky.”

Of the 35 buildings, 16 to 18 sustained water damage to floors, drywall, insulation and electrical systems, he said. The center still avoided some of the worst damage seen in the area.

There were also the “silver linings” such as when wet carpet in the dining room was pulled up to reveal a beautiful stone floor, DuBose said.

‘All gone at once’

“It was a surreal week or two,” said Steele, one of the staff members present during the hurricane.

Helicopters whirled overhead. Calls could be made with one cell carrier but not another.

“The things you never think of all being gone at once were all gone at once.”

With interstates closed, guests had to take convoluted routes home. Even if they could get out of town, credit cards wouldn’t work anywhere within a 100-mile radius.

The staff dipped into petty cash to help everyone at least drive to Tennessee. Staff members also made trial runs to see if they could reach the airport.

The last guest departed Sunday, two days after the storm.

Montreat also hosted mules delivering supplies to people in areas that were otherwise inaccessible for days. During their time off, the animals grazed next to a conference center parking lot.

Donations put to good use

Steele said donations the center has received from individuals, the Board of Pensions, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and others have been heartening. Those funds are being used for expenses not covered by insurance and to help the staff process and heal from the experience.

For example, the two groups of guests at the conference center engaged in a variety of creative and restorative practices, such as crafts and yoga, before and during the storm.

“One thing we’re realizing is our staff needs some of those restorative things now, too.”

Steele said they’re gathering resources for counseling and other needs that “may not hit until the hundredth time you drive past that destroyed thing.”

Y’all come

Apart from donations and prayer support, how can others help?

If you’ve ever thought of coming or returning to Montreat, DuBose said, plan a visit now.

The conference center is set to reopen in January, and registration for some 2025 events is open; check for updates as recovery continues.

Registering early helps the center financially, he said, “but number one, it just cheers our hearts to know people will be here.