“Come in,” she said. “I’ll give you shelter from the storm.”–Bob Dylan

Lees-McRae College was flooded when Hurricane Helene rolled through Banner Elk, North Carolina. But when the storm clouds dispersed, 120 student-athletes washed up in the Blue Ridge Mountains and on the campus of Ferrum College.

At the same time that Panther students on campus were enjoying fall break, the Lees-McRae campus was in direct path of the category four hurricane.

With more 10 inches of storm surge and winds of 140 mph, Lees-McRae’s campus was flooded, despite it being 3,720 feet above sea level.

When President Mirta Martin heard the news, she reached out, wanting to give an opportunity to those students.

“What I hope the student body remembers about this devastation is that we were able to live our values of ‘Not Self But Others’,” Martin said. “I hope that this is an example of how one random act of kindness can impact so many lives. As you all go out into society to change the world, that you will remember that a mountain is not built overnight but with one grain of salt, one grain of sand each and every day.”

Before Ferrum students returned to campus after break, Martin sent an email to the student body letting them know Bobcats would be joining the Panther family.

“These individuals and their families are facing a daunting journey. They need us now more than ever, and we have the chance to show them who we are,” Martin said in the email. “We are the Panther Nation–a community that stands strong in support of those in need. This is when our Panther Family shines brightest–when we come together to offer a warm compassionate welcome to those in need.”

On Oct. 6, Lees-McRae students made it safely to campus where they would spend the next four weeks.

The Lees-McRae athletic teams practiced and trained at the college’s facilities but competed on the road.

One team that didn’t waste its opportunity to still have a season was the Women’s Soccer team.

“We were hopeful, grateful, and optimistic for the opportunity to continue our season at Ferrum,” Head Coach Cally Morrill said. “From the moment we stepped on campus, we took the approach to take one day at a time, one practice at a time, one game at a time. We need to be present with each other and each situation that came our way.”

The team finished the regular season with a 10-2-3 overall record and a 9-0-3 conference record, earning them the top seed in the Conference Carolinas tournament.

Junior Sarah Jones said this change speaks to the Lees-McRae culture.

“Everything happened so fast. I feel like the transition was smooth, considering the circumstances, and we had each other through all of it,” Jones said. “We didn’t have much control over anything except soccer, so focusing on what we could control, being how we show up for each other at practice or games was a big driving force for all of us.”

She added how grateful she was for the opportunity to continue to play.

“I feel like that is what sets us apart from other teams. We didn’t know if we were going to finish the season,” Jones said. “The senior class especially knows what it’s like to get a season taken from them because of COVID. The way we responded to the tragedy speaks volumes to our culture. It truly takes everyone.”

A former Panther–Candela Perez-Castellanos–also returned here after Warren Wilson where she currently attends had to evacuate for similar reasons.

“This tragedy has made me work on being grateful. This situation has also made me realize we need to have fun with people because you never know what going to happen,” she said.

Perez-Castellanos shared with The Iron Blade her story about her personal encounter with Hurricane Helene in two journal entries on Sept. 29 and Oct. 4.

“I’ve always loved to journal. I was doing it to express my feelings and realize what I was going through. Journaling also made me calm down because I was able to re-read it and understand what I was feeling,” she said. “I feel really good being able to share my story and spread awareness about this situation, because some people don’t understand how deep this goes.”

But after some time, both Perez-Castellanos and the student-athletes, coaches, and trainers from Lees-McRae were told it was safe to return home.

“The team has longed to be back home in the mountains, but it hasn’t come without mixed emotions. They credit their time together at Ferrum as a huge factor in their success on the playing field,” Morrill said. “The Ferrum community became a second home for the team during their month-long stay. The team heads back to Banner Elk with their heads held high and forever grateful to Ferrum College and the support of athletic director Cleive Adams.”

Members of Lees-McRae returned home and began in person classes Monday, Nov. 4.

Lees-McRae President Herbert Lee King said he was indebted to the college for its kindness.

“I am deeply grateful to President Martin, Cleive Adams, and the whole Ferrum community opening their arms to welcome our students,” King said. “Ferrum is a special place, and I knew, without a doubt, that our students would be welcomed, nurtured, and cared for. Ferrum’s efforts enabled our teams to continue to have their fall season, as well as prepare for upcoming winter seasons. Without Ferrum, we would not have been able to do this.”

King also said Lees-McRae personnel worked diligently in the weeks following the hurricane to repair campus so the students could return as soon as possible.

“It is wonderful to see campus coming to life again with student and faculty energy,” he said. “Even though we won’t be truly normal for some time, being in a familiar routine is comforting and reassuring that life continues after the hurricane.”

This story was originally published on Iron Blade on November 14, 2024.