Silverados stands tall for the Swannanoa Valley

Local concert venue provides support for residents impacted by Tropical Storm Helene

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
October 21, 2024

A volunteer-led supply distribution hub at Silverados, near the border of Black Mountain and Swannanoa, continues to provide essential supplies and a range of services to victims of Tropical Storm Helene. Photo by Fred McCormick

Near the shared border of the neighboring communities of Black Mountain and Swannanoa, where locals meet beneath the beauty of the surrounding mountains for long nights of live music and dancing, the party stopped when Tropical Storm Helene pummeled Silverados’ hometown. Suddenly, the friends and neighbors who helped turn the outdoor music venue into a destination for headlining performers needed assistance, in the aftermath of a tragic natural disaster.

What followed was the launch of a small supply drop that has evolved into an organized relief operation, touching the lives of thousands in the heart of the Swannanoa Valley.

Silverados burst onto the local music scene in 2021, offering a spacious outdoor setting that has since hosted names ranging from Grammy Award-winning artist Jelly Roll to breakout singer-songwriter Oliver Anthony. But, in the immediate aftermath of the storm that claimed the lives of residents and displaced families throughout the region, it was simply a centrally located landmark where Swannanoa native and Black Mountain resident Jenalee Tipton could bring a surplus of supplies brought home by her fiancé Ian Monley.

Tipton, the data manager for Community High School and venue lead for Silverados outdoor concert series, contacted owners Cory and Christen Short.

“Ian was out of town when the storm hit, and on his way back, he stopped by multiple Sam’s Clubs and Walmarts out in the Greensboro area before returning,” she said. “We had enough to get supplies to our friends and families, and set up a pantry for our neighbors in our living room. We had extras, and asked Cory and Christen if we could set up here on the front lawn. They said, ‘absolutely’.”

The couple quickly realized how vital the central and easily-accessible location could be beneficial for residents throughout the Swannanoa Valley, and a small effort by the leadership team of Tipton, Monley, the Shorts and Jason and Amy Ward quickly evolved into a full-scale rescue and relief operation.

“There was this massive outpour of support from the community, and to handle the incredible amount of donations we were receiving, we needed a lot of volunteers, right off the bat,” Tipton said. “We were constantly posting on the Silverados social media pages for volunteers to come out, and we’ve had people show up from Chattanooga, Tennessee, all over Georgia, Alabama, N.Y., Canada, everywhere."

Jenalee Tipton, a member of the leadership team overseeing the relief efforts at Silverados, talks to a volunteer about an incoming donation. Photo by Fred McCormick

The diverse skill sets of the team allowed leadership to coordinate specialized groups for vital services like medical care and search and rescue in the immediate aftermath of the catastrophe.

“We have credentialed medical professionals, including EMTs, who can perform first-aid, on-site, and we are able to send our Registered Nurses out into the community for welfare checks,” Tipton said. “Of course the need for those services have dwindled over time, but those were critical services in the first couple of weeks.”

Other crews cleared inaccessible driveways and private roads of fallen trees, while a search and rescue team, which later transitioned to search and recovery before ultimately shifting its focus to search and rebuild, formed out of the larger Silverado’s operation.

“We knew Bee Tree, down N.C. 9, Lake Lure and Chimney Rock were all hard-hit areas, so they worked to make contact with those local fire chiefs to offer their assistance,” Tipton said. “But, just like with all aspects of the relief effort, it all evolves to meet the changing needs.”

The highly organized distribution hub is capable of receiving and supplying basic necessities, non-perishable food, water, tools, generators, pet food, clothes, hygiene products and a myriad of goods, stored in two warehouses, two 53-trailers, a pair of storage containers and on the large outdoor stage. The drive-through lines, serviced by dozens of busy volunteers, serves anywhere between 75 to 250 vehicles per day, according to Tipton.

“It feels good to be helping people from all over this valley, but it’s hard hearing and seeing what so many here are going through,” she said. “We’re seeing people whose homes have been washed away, some living in campers and others desperately searching for a place to live.”

Harrowing stories are commonplace among storm victims, she added.

“It’s devastating because you hear from people who have tragically lost loved ones to this disaster,” Tipton said. “This is something that is going to impact our community for years to come.”

While the widespread devastation is difficult to comprehend, the efforts based out of Silverado’s, where volunteers cook free hot meals for anyone who shows up, highlights the value of a strong community capable of pulling together in response to an emergency.

Volunteers grill burgers at Silverados, which has been offering hot meals, essential supplies and a range of services to victims of Tropical Storm Helene. Photo by Fred McCormick

“We’ve seen this surge in momentum of local people finding ways to get involved to help others,” Tipton said. “That’s something we’re hoping to harness as we move into the next phase of this relief and recovery effort.”

While Silverados is prepared to continue its relief efforts for as long as the assistance is necessary, the leadership team is considering the long-term needs of the community, according to Tipton.

“We’re starting a nonprofit organization called Valley Strong Disaster Relief, Inc.,” she said. “The immediate need continued to be helping people of the Valley getting what they need during this difficult time. In the months to come, we’re hoping to obtain donations or building supplies, or funding to hire local crews to rebuild. This community is going to have to be rebuilt, and revenue needs to come in so we can employee the local folks who are already here.”

The 501(c)(3) organization would also aspire to establish a fund that can provide relief in the event of future disasters.

“We’re very fortunate to live in a place where volunteers will drop everything to come pour their hearts and souls into helping people in their greatest time of need,” Tipton said. “This whole situation has been tough on everyone in the Swannanoa Valley, but it brings me joy and hope to see so many people come together to serve each other.”