Raleigh woman leads Helene cleanup efforts in hometown of Edneyville

Raleigh resident Carrie Wooldridge got in her car and drove to her hometown of Edneyville after Hurricane Helene ravaged the area.

“We’re going to go check on a couple people on Slick Rock,” Wooldridge said. “They asked for ice.

“They’re an elderly couple so they can keep their freezer and fridge cold.”

With roads and driveways swept away, some people are relying on four-wheelers to get supplies in tough-to-access areas.

“We’re just trying to connect dots, put puzzle pieces together,” Wooldridge said. “Make things happen where we can.”

Day by day, Wooldridge is one of many people in the community tossing a leg over her four-wheeler and loading up whatever she can on the back.

“This stuff is going to Hog Rock Road, Casual Corner, their bridge is washed out,” she said.

Wooldridge is not letting the devastation stop her from trying to help.

“Most of them I don’t know, but they all have my phone number now and they know where I live,” Wooldridge said. “So, they can leave us a note if they need supplies or something.”

Utility crews are making progress in Edneyville. They’ve fixed downed powerlines to restore power.

“It’s just been people in the community with backhoes and chainsaws and stuff like that to check on their neighbors and trying to clear a way,” Wooldridge said.

Wooldridge said they’ll continue the cleanup efforts as long as necessary.