Richard Ashman's Home Of 30-Years Lost to Helene

My name is Richard Ashman, my home and business of 30 years was completely destroyed by Hurricane Helene.

Here is my story......

After living in my home for so long, I never thought I would experience anything like what occurred with Hurricane Helene.

What brought me to Batcave originally was the amazing and inspiring emerald mountains and amazing wildlife.

When I first moved into my home, there were not many houses near me and the calming sounds of frogs and crickets were common.

I remember making nature recordings at night from my front porch.

That was what I did for a living, music production and education, and the beauty of the mountains in Batcave were offered unlimited inspiration.

It was common to see some wildlife every day like bears, foxes, Bobcats, Dear, Coyotes, the Blue Salamander (only found in Batcave) and Bats.

The beauty of this nature and the magic of these mountains were food for my faith, a daily reminder of the beauty of life and presence of the creator.

That's why I came to Batcave and stayed for 30 years, I never planned to leave.....

My place of work was in my home. My recording studio, office and equipment were all there, and I could make my living in that inspiring environment.

That changed in an instant the day of the disaster when a landslide came down and destroyed my newly built recording studio and office, two new fully finished buildings.

The rain came down like nothing I have ever seen, but due to very poor health I wasn't able to drive for some time after experiencing multiple heart failures and extreme bradycardia.

At one point before the disaster, I had to be rushed to the hospital after working in my yard in the winter. I had heart failure outdoors and this time my heart wasn't beating much, not enough so I could walk, so for many hours I couldn't get back to my house. I finally crawled inside and fell down next to a can of oxygen, which may have saved my life. After 2 days of my heart beat under 40 beats per minute, I was rushed to the hospital and given emergency surgery to get my heart beating again, and a pacemaker and defibrillator installed. After multiple test, I learned I was suffering from several serious health issues.

I had been sleeping in one of the buildings since they were completed, the night of the storm was no exception, but at one pointed I thought it might be safer to sleep in the house, so I went upstairs to sleep.

After a while, I decided it might be safest to sleep on a cot near the front door.

I woke up a couple of times to look out the door to see what the storm was doing.

First time just a lot of rain, the second time I saw several trees had fallen, so I stepped outside and took one step off the porch when I saw a small waterfall coming down from the mountain above my house. Within seconds the waterfall turned into a raging river then the mountain collapsed into a landslide which hit the house with tremendous force, instantly destroying my home, new studio and office.

A voice in my head said "leave now, or you will die" so I crawled out under the trees that were falling onto my 130-foot entrance, hoping I would not be crushed.

My heart was beating so hard I was afraid it couldn't take it, but somehow I got out.

I experienced a feeling of loss but also a stronger and great gratitude, I had survived......

But I had nowhere to go as the river raged, that only hours before, was just a stream.

I knew I had to try to cross the river to go to the next community to get help.

In the distance I saw a man walking, so I called to him thinking there was no way he would hear me over the raging river.

He did hear me......

He extended a branch which enable me to cross the river and get to a place to get additional help.

For the next couple of days I stayed in a house with this man, his amazing wife and son, they helped me forget the disaster for a while......

I was eventually flown out on a blackhawk helicopter to a shelter.

All I had to my name was the cloths on my back, my phones, driver's license, computers, everything .....lost

Immediately got a severe case of Covid in the shelter, then an infection that caused serious hearing loss.

I have made my living since 1980 from my hearing as a recording engineer and sound designer.

Got rejected for disability and not much help from FEMA.

Still in the beginning of the long process of starting from scratch.

A very special thank you goes to Jake Jarvis for his kindness and help.