Western communication alumni Gavin Stewart and Tanner Holland helped provide public information throughout Hurricane Helene relief and management efforts.
Stewart is Gaston County’s digital media specialist and Holland worked for the NCDOT communication department.
Stewart provided field response and trustworthy public information throughout Buncombe County and the Western North Carolina region after Hurricane Helene’s destruction.
“I am a certified Basic Public Information Officer through the state, and they wanted me to respond to Buncombe County,” said Stewart. “I reported to Buncombe County’s Emergency Operations Center in downtown Asheville the morning of Oct. 3. I learned that social media response was a huge need. The Buncombe County Facebook inbox was overwhelmed with messages, so I started by responding to them and getting residents information through that channel. ”
While Holland also helped with the dissemination of information, he specialized on capturing effective imaging and video content to communicate the story what happened in WNC post-Helene. Specifically with how to travel, or more realistically, why not to travel.
“We needed visualizations to show the travelling public why WNC should be considered closed,” said Holland. “I spent 3 days in the Asheville, Waynesville, Lake Lure, Chimney Rock and Bat Cave areas exploring damage alongside our crews and capturing video and photo content to tell NCDOT’s story of what was occurring.”
During Stewart’s time in Buncombe County, he monitored social media, created social media graphics and posted to Buncombe County channels. Additionally, Stewart assisted with community briefings (these are similar to press conferences but were more geared to getting info to residents directly), took photos/video in the field of the Helene response, coordinated rental cars for the communications staff/PIO team, designed printable materials and coordinated delivery to shelters and relief stations.
“I relied heavily on my experience in the news, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic was unfolding while I was a reporter at the Gaston Gazette,” said Stewart. “Information would change rapidly and there was a large demand from residents for updates. Buncombe County’s Joint Information Center felt very much like the combo of a newsroom and Wall Street. To work in that environment, you have to stay focused but also be ready to adapt to a new normal.”
Proper public information release was vital to the restoration and safety of the community. Hurricane Helene wiped out major infrastructure in Western North Carolina, and for many, word of mouth and radio were the only types of communication available to provide trustworthy information.
Holland was able to stay on campus while on deployment and aid the WWCU radio station explain how the NCDOT was managing the destruction and prioritized repair efforts.
“I was often working in the State Joint Information Center, to share information with members of the media,”said Holland. “I helped issue statements around the clock to multiple news agencies on a multitude of topics, including national news, local, and statewide affiliates. I also assisted our Director of Communications with prepping leadership for delivering briefings alongside N.C. Governor Cooper and President Biden during his mid-October visit, as well as Cooper’s near-daily briefings from the state EOC.”
While a variety of communication skills were necessary to managing media throughout the hurricane recovery, multi-media and independent work were highly important to Stewart and Holland in their response.
“Our number one goal was updating survivors and other Buncombe County residents on available relief resources, food and water distribution, and critical infrastructure recovery,” said Stewart.
Stewart was grateful for the opportunity to help the community that helped shape so many of his memories.
“Western North Carolina holds a special place in my heart,” said Stewart. “So many of my memories are in those mountains. Some of my best friends live in Haywood County, who I met around 2014 when I started at Western Carolina. I took countless day trips to Asheville, Waynesville, and the surrounding areas. My wife and I still visit at least once a year. I only lived there for four years, but the WNC region had such a profound impact on me as I developed from a student into a professional.”
Releasing trustworthy information across different departments helped to combat mis-and-disinformation. Additionally, spreading information helped to insure emergency responders were ale to perform their duties and help the community ban together and repair damage in the area.