There was a rumor that the great flood of 2024 would be similar to the one in Western North Carolina in 1916, and during Helene, the French Broad, possibly one of the Earth’s oldest rivers, reached almost 25 feet and crossed the street onto the other side. A lot of people didn’t know or believe that this would happen until it was too late. People gathered to watch the flood as I arrived. The exit ramp to the interstate, along with the roads, was submerged under water. Like an absurdist play from the 1900s, I vividly recall seeing random items being carried away and floating in the strong rapids, such as industrial refrigerators, coils, springs, metal junk, equipment, toys, paintings, restaurant and business signs, and even cars— all filled with water and mud and drifting around the parking lot across the street. Someone was kayaking in the floodwaters across the flooded street. 

I walked along the wooded path behind the building to reach our studio entrance. The loading dock was mostly dry, and the water reached the edge, gently rippling and softly spilling onto the ramp driveway. I couldn't get into my music and art studio. I was relieved that it appeared to be dry, and felt grief seeing some businesses and lower levels were completely flooded. Feelings of shock, numbness, anxiety, grief, excitement, and wonder filled in at the same time. There was no one to call or text when there was no internet, cell service, or electricity. All communication had been cut off. 

A year before, I had a vivid dream predicting this event. The feelings from the dream and the events on the news played out in real life from my dream. Time does not exist in other realities, such as the dream world. The moment I experienced the flood during Helene seemed to be past, and the future had melded into the present moment. The water from the river and the rains  had decided to take over, claim the land and buildings, and may create a new way for a new landscape, geography, and timeline.

-Elisa

Next