After hurricane, with no running water, residents organize to meet a basic need

Associated Press

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — It takes water to flush a toilet yet tens of thousands of North Carolinians have been without it since Hurricane Helene ripped through the state three weeks ago. The storm swallowed mountain towns, damaged water infrastructure and killed nearly 250 people across the Southeast. Local governments have been overwhelmed and that’s spurring community organizing and innovation. In Asheville, some residents who have well water are donating it to other people. One man lay a pipe to the roadway to make well water accessible to the public. Others are hauling water from pools and ponds to those in need. Still others are teaching neighbors to build makeshift toilets using buckets.