### Tech Pro's Reality Check: Hurricane Helene's Impact on Connectivity

When Hurricane Helene unleashed its fury on Asheville, North Carolina, the disconnection it brought was a wake-up call for tech professional Steven Vaughan-Nichols. Despite his preparedness for power outages and internet disruptions, the extent of the disconnection left him feeling unexpectedly powerless.

As the hurricane announced its arrival with fierce winds and relentless rain in the early hours of September 27, Vaughan-Nichols initially brushed off the severity, believing his home in the historic Montford neighborhood was secure. However, he soon realized how dire the situation truly was. His neighborhood was littered with large, fallen trees and downed powerlines, effectively blocking streets in all directions. Many homes suffered significant damage, although miraculously, no one in his immediate vicinity was injured.

The aftermath of Hurricane Helene was starkly visible the following morning when Vaughan-Nichols and his partner ventured outside to survey the damage. While some neighbors were relatively unscathed, others were not as fortunate—some homes bore the brunt of the storm with century-old trees collapsing onto rooftops and porches.

Disconnection became a harsh reality as power, internet, and phone services all failed. Vaughan-Nichols and his community were cut off, unable to communicate even with nearby friends and family. As hours turned into days, they had no news or updates about the widespread devastation. The French Broad and Swannanoa Rivers had reached record flooding levels, washing away entire neighborhoods and small towns. The scale of the disaster became clearer over the next week, with dozens of fatalities and over 200 people still missing.

Access to essential resources further complicated recovery. Scarce water supply due to destroyed pipelines and inaccessible water treatment plants deepened the crisis. Even the cellular towers, vital for emergency communication, were mostly incapacitated, leaving 70% of western North Carolina's towers out of service.

While alternative satellite services like those from AT&T with AST SpaceMobile and Verizon's nascent satellite texting service proved somewhat useful for some, the lack of power severely limited their effectiveness. Vaughan-Nichols realized that better preparation, such as investing in portable power stations or solar power solutions, might have mitigated some of the impacts.

In hindsight, Vaughan-Nichols acknowledged the need to reconsider disaster preparedness, especially given the changing climate and the increased likelihood of severe storms in inland areas. His plans now include investing in portable power solutions and considering satellite internet as a backup. Reflecting on the ordeal, he emphasized the importance of connectivity for both personal and professional reasons, as the loss of communication channels had far-reaching consequences on his life and work.

The road to recovery for Asheville and the broader Blue Ridge area is long, and Vaughan-Nichols, now temporarily relocated, called for aid and support for the affected communities, highlighting the collective resilience and need for help in these challenging times.