Last year after Hurricane Helene Bryson, City Mayor Tom Sutton didn’t have access to the outside world.
He spoke to BPR’s Lilly Knoepp on Sept. 30, 2024.
“I didn’t know we had phone until you called,” Sutton said. During the storm, the town hall used a borrowed Starlink to access the internet and get communications.
BPR is touching base with community members from across the region who we spoke to during the storm to see how they are doing now.
“First thing we learned is we got no cell service here in that kind of situation. And that was a big surprise I think for everybody. They thought their cell phone would work forever,” Sutton said.
He says the town is improving communications for future disasters. Listen to the conversation above.
Editor's note: US 441/Newfound Gap Road officially reopened Sept. after this conversation was recorded.
This is part of BPR’s Helene Anniversary coverage Voice after Helene. Find more stories here. [Link to Helene homepage]
