Guitar Through Natural Disaster

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Kind of sitting here bored, after 11 days of not knowing what time it was, what day it was, what month it was, let alone who was playing football on TV that night, or what the Vice-Presidential debate results were. I figured I would share this story.

I know a lot of people don’t live in the United States and may not have heard of hurricane Helene, since it doesn’t seem to get much coverage, or care, on the news anymore; but recently my area of Western NC, in the US, was hit with a natural disaster. 300 miles inland from the coast, where we have never before even blinked at a hurricane headed towards the United States.

I woke up Thursday morning to major roads I travel daily being completely under water, roads we would take, to look at the wonderful views, destroyed overnight. Family members homes washed away, family friends no longer living on this earth, and a road I had traveled just the night before, having nothing but destruction left in its path.

After it is all said and done the countless lives lost will be unthinkable. The last 11 days I have not had a chance to even look at my guitar, let alone play it. Last night I picked it up and a few songs I had been learning, I gave them a try. I modified country roads take me home, from West Virginia to North Carolina. I did a rendition of stand by me, as that is all this community in my small little area, has done, in the wake of such a disaster. I finally played Amazing Grace and Save me and the tears flowed like I haven’t done my entire life.

Through all the pain, the heartache and the fact that I hadn’t picked the guitar up once in a single day, I couldn’t help but play it like I had never played it before. Military helicopters flying overhead and the sound of chainsaws filled my ears as I ran that pick over those recently dusted strings from lack of playing. Maybe this isn’t the place for this and I am sorry if it hits a little heavy, but I just wanted to share a little story of how music can impact our lives. It gave me an out and escape, if only for a little while, from the horrors that surround my little community.

I am grateful Justin gave me the ability to let my feelings go into a song. From a G chord to a C chord, to a D chord, to an A chord, I was able to finally get a little release from the pain that fills my heart. Through all the sorrow, there is always a light. Thank you, Justin, for giving a survivor a chance to express through music, what the soul is going through.

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Hi Josh @JROB623, I don’t live in the States, but we have absolutely heard about hurricane Helene and the devastation it caused. I can’t even begin to imagine what you must be going through, and I am really happy your guitar gives you at least some relief and some peace of mind, even if it’s just for a short time. Take care, and I hope you and your community get back to your feet as quickly is possible!

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Its all over the news, or was, now its some new guy looking to smash up Florida. It may surprise you to learn there have been other natural disasters in the world in the last couple weeks too.

A guitar is always a great escape from other stuff you dont need anything else just you and the guitar.

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Thank you! It is much appreciated.

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Oh yeah, we have been warning Florida of what we are going through now and trying to convince them to get out of the way of it because these things are no joke.

It definitely makes a difference just to have it alone sometimes.

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Josh
Living in the UK we get bad weather but it is difficult to appreciate the force of a hurricane. We have holidayed many times in Florida during September, the nearest we came to a hurricane was to arrive the day after Hurricane Hugo back in 89.
At least playing the guitar seems to given you some release.
Michael

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That is true, half the region under water, power lines and trees down, homes washed away, it really is a force of nature no doubt.

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We got smashed by 2 typhoons last year (we as in New Zealand), I am guessing you didnt hear about that!

Its just going to be the new normal in the world now.

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I did and I hope it isn’t too rough down there. Not sure how many people it killed from those, but this one is set to probably be over a thousand possibly when its over and basically another Katrina all over again.

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Josh, I’ve seen images of Helene’s aftermath. At first I thought they were incorrectly attributed - the devastation is unbelievable. Indeed, a friend and I were talking about this just this morning.

Thank you for sharing how playing guitar helped you with some catharsis, if only momentary. Music - your music - is one small corner of nature that you can control. Please don’t be shy about writing more here about what your are going through, if that brings even a small bit of comfort.

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I appreciate it. Gets a little bit of real life experiences out there.

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Josh, i sit here reading your post looking out my window at the rain pounding my house from the North Sea, I now realise it’s just a little drizzle my heart and thoughts go out to you and your family and all of your community I do hope you are all safe HEC :pray:

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Yeah been through 1 pretty bad natural disaster dont want more, lots of sympathy for those having problems

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Hi Josh, I read this with tears in my eyes…let the music heal your hurt soul and if you can, no matter which level you are, don’t hesitate to share it with the people around you, who I’m sure much need it.

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Hi Josh,

Your friends from the west coast are rooting for your safety. Asheville is such a beautiful laid back town and very sad to hear what you’re going through. My family lives right in the path of the hurricane in Fort Myers Florida. Ian destroyed it all a couple years ago then Helene and now a new one already Milton. Worry about your safety before the music but also consider that could be the best time to write your own song in honor of those who died in the tragedy or are struggling. I’ve had an awful 2024 dealing with tragedy after tragedy and deaths so I can sure relate. I barely got out of Florida before Ian hit the coast a couple years ago. I can only imagine the devastation.

Jeff from San Diego

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Been following this on the news Josh and as others have said not the kind of weather we see in northern Europe, so difficult to imagine what it is like being in the middle of such devastation. Can only send good wishes and hope the future brings calm and peace. :pray:

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~15 I think, smashed the north island pretty hard :confused:

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Hi Josh,
I’ve had a taste of that myself in 2004 when we had Charley, Ivan and Jeanne pass over us. Luckily we had no major damage, but the damage they caused was incredible: apparently 60% of the wood frame homes in large parts of Florida had major damage from Charley, and some people were still without reliable power or running water when Ivan came across a few weeks later.

Stay safe and, as others have said, it great you have something that can give you some joy in these troubled times.

Cheers,

Keith

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Josh, absolutely talk about it here if you need to. I’ve been in a couple of fairly bad earthquakes when I lived in California, a couple of bad blizzard/ice storms when I lived in Massachusetts, but I’ve only ever been on the edges of any major hurricanes. Though I’ve seen the videos and photos I can’t imagine what you’re going through down there. I am glad you are able to find solace in playing your guitar. I find music to be a great healing influence. Take care.

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They don’t need a reminder. Helene hit parts of Florida really hard. Cedar Key is essentially gone. My youngest brother is evacuated for the second time in two weeks. He got home for a couple of days and had to leave again.