Ex-Robbinsdale Council Member Shares Hurricane Helene Perspective
Longtime Robbinsdale Council Member George Selman moved to North Carolina a year ago. He’s seen the damage caused by Hurricane Helene up close in his town, located in Mars Hill, in the western part of the state.
No one in Mars Hill got hurt when the storm blew through late last week. Selman said the situation farther south in Asheville is more dire. He said neighbors are working together to clean up damage from the storm.
“Much like Minnesota, though, when the chips are down, everybody is working together,” Selman said. “We’re taking care of each other.”
A photo Selman took of his wife next to an uprooted tree.
Selman represented Ward 3 in Robbinsdale for 16 years. He spent many of those years working on Whiz Bang Days and advocating for public transportation.
“I’m actually wearing a Whiz Bang Days t-shirt today. ‘Cause I only have about 75 of them,” Selman said.
Different Weather
He said part of the reason he left Minnesota was its winter weather. Over in North Carolina, he sees different weather patterns. However, his neighbors tell him this particular storm system wasn’t typical.
“This is a first for almost everyone here. Even the people that are from here,” Selman said.
He said his neighborhood was safe, except for numerous downed trees.
“Fellows that are younger and stronger than I am anymore, they’re out there cutting trees that don’t have power lines in them. And helping clear roadways and clear driveways,” Selman said.
As of Tuesday morning, power was back. Water is next to return. South of Mars Hill, there’s extensive damage in Asheville.
“To camp here and just dump like it did, that was very unprecedented,” Selman said. “That’s why a lot of these areas just aren’t equipped to handle that sort of thing.”
If you would like to help victims of Hurricane Helene and its aftermath, Selman recommends donating to the Red Cross.
