MARSHALL, N.C. – On Tuesday, Dennis and Susan Rector’s family was busy digging through their mud-covered third-generation family department store on Main Street, sorting through water-damaged family photos and trinkets while clearing out the thick sludge left behind by flooding from Tropical Storm Helene.

“Even though it looks terrible, it feels like home,” commented Ryan Rector, their son, about the Penland and Sons Department Store. “I spent 16 years of my childhood in that store, basically every day.”

The multi-generational Rector family, including 15-year-old Jackson Massey, who was celebrating his birthday, worked together in the store, shoveling mud, tearing apart shelving, and initiating the rebuilding process.

This family collaboration represents the heart of the ongoing cleanup efforts in Marshall, North Carolina.

While the damage scattered across this historic town in western North Carolina is a significant part of Marshall’s narrative following Tropical Storm Helene, the cleanup effort hinges on the dedication of local residents and small business owners as they work together to recover from the extensive destruction in this tight-knit community of about 800 people. Currently, around 100 volunteers are actively participating in the recovery.

As word spread through social media from local authorities and the fire department about an organized volunteer cleanup event starting, Matt Yeakley, the owner of Red Shed Woodworks and Construction, arrived with his equipment at 7 a.m. on Monday.

By Tuesday, Yeakley was navigating the town, directing volunteers to clear out mud, follow water lines, and prepare for heavy machinery. He noted that aside from some fuel supplied by the county, much of the equipment was generously donated by community members. During the cleaning process, residents set up pop-up aid stations offering Krispy Kreme donuts and grilled food to both volunteers and residents passing by.

Yeakley received praise for his informal leadership role in the cleanup efforts, which one volunteer, Van Hutchins from Madison County, termed “instrumental.” Yeakley simply felt the urgency to begin.

“No one assigned me this role,” he stated. “If nobody steps up to take charge, it’s going to be stagnant for days.

As of Wednesday evening, the death toll from Hurricane Helene and its aftermath had risen to at least 162 across the southeastern United States, with numbers likely to increase as search and rescue missions proceed.

Yeakley described the downtown flooding in Marshall as “apocalyptic.” Key businesses like Ponders Auto, known for its annual inspections, and the Marshall Depot, a beloved music venue, were completely obliterated, along with adjacent buildings.

“I spoke to the county manager and inquired if there was a recovery plan, and lacking one, I decided to take charge,” he revealed. Yeakley mentioned more diesel, gloves, and shovels were urgently needed.

Currently, the main objective is to remove the mud, he explained.

Other buildings, such as Marshall Town Hall — which also functioned as the headquarters for the Marshall Police Department — suffered extensive damage during the flood and are beyond repair. Amid the ruins of Town Hall,

Ryan and Magon Hof were busy removing debris to assist Chief of Police Kenny Brown, as evidence and weapons remained inside the damaged building.

“I’ve seen places in wartime that were less damaged,” Ryan Hof remarked.

Community Unites to Rebuild

At the corner of Main Street and Bailey’s Branch Road, volunteers worked hard to remove mud while local alternative radio DJ Chad Adamowski (known as “Mr. Wilderness”) played music, accompanied by the sounds of dump trucks reversing.

Adamowski described his tattoo shop as his “life story,” while his friends Darci and Silvan DeWulf helped him move out refrigerators, antique items, and various belongings from Natural Canvas Tattoo, racing against the growth of mold and bacteria.

Inside one room, the flood had wrecked shelves, collectibles, and tattoo tools. Despite the damage, model airplanes and some science fiction memorabilia were still intact. Acknowledging the loss of lives due to the floods, Adamowski expressed gratitude for still having his home in Marshall.

“Having a safe place to stay feels like survivor’s guilt,” Adamowski shared, noting that the community has developed a strong bond through their shared experience. He expressed hope for more resources and funding to aid in the rebuilding process.

The DeWulfs emphasized that while buildings represent the town, the people are its heart. They have come together to support one another as friends.

“This devastation isn’t faceless. These are long-time acquaintances,” said Darci DeWulf, a local resident.

Another affected business owner, Josh Copus, who co-owns the Old Marshall Jail, now a restaurant and hotel, mentioned that stepping away from the recovery process has been the most challenging part for him.

“This is our life and our community, and it’s tough to be away from it,” he expressed.

The interior of the building was covered in muck and destruction, with water damage reaching the ceiling and mud coating the walls and floors. Copus initially returned to the site on Saturday, September 28, when the water level was still up to his waist, to salvage historical documents linked to the notable 1905 jail.

The only comfort was the immense support from the community. Friends, family, and even strangers showed up to help clear out what could have been tons of mud.

“People I didn’t even know came here and worked for 12 hours just shoveling mud,” Copus recounted. “If there’s one thing I take away from this, it’s our deep gratitude for our friends, neighbors, and community.”

Concerns About Climate Change

Another pressing concern was the possibility of more frequent flooding events influenced by climate change. Although the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recorded the Marshall flooding at 20.08 feet, the historical jail has a measuring stick to track flood levels in a town that has experienced intermittent flooding.

Copus highlighted that the water level on the measuring stick showed not 20 feet, but instead reached 27 feet.

The water levels reached an astonishing height of 27 feet at the Old Marshall Jail, surpassing the previous record of 22 feet set in 1916.

“Climate change is undeniably real,” remarked Copus. “The extent of devastation we’ve seen here is truly unprecedented.”

While Susan Rector described her initial reaction to seeing her department store ruined as leaving her “numb,” her family remains optimistic, relying on community support.

“Everyone is pitching in to help one another,” stated Dennis Rector.

His son, Ryan Rector, concurred, but emphasized that the community is still in need of additional resources.

“If you’re capable and nearby, go to Marshall. There are many areas that need assistance as well. Bring supplies like water, gloves, and equipment,” he urged.