Flatbed trailer bridge connects NC to TN after Helene | wcnc.com

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ELK PARK, N.C. — The winding and damaged roads on the mountain near Elk Park have made travel by regular cars and trucks almost impossible.

That’s why neighbors are using ATVs, or side-by-sides, to get from their homes to their community aid station that sits on top of the mountain.

They’re also using them to deliver supplies to those who need help in the neighboring towns of Butler and Elk Mills in Tennessee, about 15 minutes away by ATV.

“Everybody has pulled together, and we’re getting our roads cleared, we’re getting there," John Priestino, who has been making frequent supply runs since the flood waters receded, said. "Slowly but surely.”

RELATED: 'I was hanging on' | Banner Elk paramedic shares how she escaped danger amidst Helene

Scars of the storm are still prevalent at the entrance into Elk Mill. A semi-truck is still overturned in the middle of the Elk River.

A cement pad on the bank of the Elk River is where the volunteer fire station used to be before Hurricane Helene. Flood waters washed it away on Friday.

It also took out the Poga Road Bridge that connects Butler to Elk Mills and Elk Park.

That’s why John Priestino and other neighbors built this temporary bridge out of flatbed trailers.

“There’s only one way in and one way out,” Priestino said. “You ain’t getting no supply chain without a bridge.”

Priestino said because an official replacement bridge has yet to be built, they needed to create one to continue supply chain efforts to keep Butler residents stocked up.

“You can’t get a truck across the bridge we built, but you can get side by sides, so a bunch of side by sides, we’ve been getting together and running supplies back and forth,” Priestino said.

All of those supplies, including gas and diesel for generators, food, water, and clothes, can be found at the Elk Park Community Center, which has been practically turned into a warehouse.

Lavonia Georgia’s Police Chief, Shane Edmisten, has been helping gather supplies and made the four-hour drive up to the community center only days after the storm.

RELATED: Replacement benefits are available for food and service recipients impacted by Helene in 23 NC counties

His family has previously called Elk Park home, which is why he felt called to help out.

“They have people with no houses left, people that can’t get out of their houses, trees down, washouts, flooding, and we just felt that it was something we needed to do,” said Edmisten.

Those in need near Elk Park and Elk Mills say they’re good on water and food, but what they really need at this point in time is gasoline and generators.

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