JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville man hit the road to North Carolina Tuesday where nearly 100 people have been killed and almost 100 are still missing after Helene, according to the state’s governor.
After getting back home to Jacksonville Monday, Mark Smith is bringing a U-Haul and trailer full of supplies back to small communities east of Asheville where people told him damage was “the worst of the worst.” These areas include Swananoa and Black Mountain.
Smith, who is the former medical director at the Duval County Jail, is returning to a life of nights spent sleeping in his car or in tents with dozens of other people whose homes are now rubble. He’s also heading back to support the people he now calls family.
“When I’m there I feel like I am where I need to be,” Smith said.
Smith showed First Coast News photos where homes once stood and only cinderblocks remain. One of those photos was of what was left of his new friend’s home.
“He lost everything,” Smith said. “His house, he saw it float down the river. So I went and found Joe and he’s like… I’ve adopted Joe. He’s my brother right now.”
Smith is returning to a donation center he says he, a man from Pennsylvania, and an organization from Texas set up. He said it’s “neighbors helping neighbors.”
“It’s strengthened my faith in God and that people are good,” Smith said.
Smith said when he gets back to Swananoa, Joe will be the first person he goes to see.
Smith created a GoFundMe that can be found here. The Texas organization he said is helping run the donation center can be found here.