Chance CravenDocumentary Photographer

Book a Day

Field Notes · Stories

Pensacola, NC · October 2024

Hurricane Helene, part 2: Pensacola.

A helicopter picked me up on a golf course and flew me straight to Pensacola, North Carolina.

Yancey County

I wanted to see it with my own eyes.

I kept hearing rumors about what was or wasn't happening in Pensacola, a small community in Yancey County. I wanted to see it with my own eyes.

A random DM led to Kevin Knotts, which led to flying with Helivision
Austin and Mike picked me up on a golf course in Asheville
Assistant Chief Bradley Boone: 25+ years serving, family there ten generations
Soldiers, FEMA and neighbors taking care of each other

Hazmat officer, arms crossed, listening during the morning briefing

Firefighter leans against a wall with arms crossed during the briefing

Crew members stand in front of a red rescue truck before deployment

Searcher in a ball cap stares ahead, arms crossed, before heading out

High-water truck heads down the road toward the mountains at first light

Two pilots in headsets run checks in the cockpit of a black helicopter before lifting off

I've seen the truth with my own eyes.

Dust hangs over a tree-lined road leading through Pensacola

Searchers cross a mud flat toward the tree line

Search team in helmets moves in a line through dense woods

Firefighter in a white helmet pauses with a tool in the brush

Sawdust flies as a searcher cuts through fallen trees

Searcher in a white helmet stands in the debris-choked woods

None of this was accomplished by myself. Relationships matter.

Local firefighter in a yellow helmet starts a chainsaw

Firefighter in a yellow helmet and sunglasses peers through the debris pile

Crews work beside a crushed shipping container and flood debris

Firefighter in a black helmet rests, looking down, in the shade

Crew gathers with tools at the end of the day in the woods

Relationships matter.

None of this happens without the people you know before you need them.

See Aerial Work Book a Day

Next noteMy first time in a helicopter with the doors off. →