In an age driven by communication and technology, a small northeast Tennessee community near Beech Mountain, North Carolina, faces neglect and isolation.
Poga (pronounced Po-Gie) endured severe devastation in Carter County when Hurricane Helene struck on Sept. 27, according to pastor Travis Tyler of Grace Baptist Church, Elizabethton. Located in one of the county’s poorest areas, Poga struggles to recover from the disaster, he said.
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Communication cut off
Hurricane Helene destroyed cell phone towers, cutting off all communication for Poga residents. Three months later, most homes in the community lack cell service, internet and television.
Residents must travel to the former site of the community fire department just to make phone calls. The flooding destroyed the fire department and all its equipment.
Although FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Association) established an office at the site, many residents still await assistance.
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Lonnie Wilkey and originally published by Baptist and Reflector.
