SWANNANOA, N.C. — Joe Bryant has lived his entire life in Swannanoa – but nothing could prepare him for the flooding Helene brought his way. “I went outside to check on it, and the whole front porch was underwater,” says Bryant. “The next thing you know, it started coming in the house.” He quickly packed everything he could – including his dog, Bo – and set off on foot, looking for higher ground. He stayed at a neighbor’s house until the waters receded several hours later. He was horrified to see what he came back to. “We go walking down toward the house, get down there. And there was no house… It was all gone,” says Bryant. Residents tell WCCB Charlotte the Swannanoa River rose nearly 30 feet in a matter of hours – wiping away everything in its path – and leaving survivors with next to nothing. Volunteers say encampments like Bryant’s are far too familiar of a sight along the banks. Bryant has been living in a tent on his destroyed property for nearly three weeks, a dangerous and desperate action as lows dip into the 30s in western North Carolina. But Wednesday afternoon brought a glimmer of hope. A camper arrived from Statesville – donated to Bryant in his darkest hour. Despite everything, he says he’s blessed. “To see that everyday people are helping everyday people is amazing to me,” Bryan beams, “Neighbors helping neighbors and people from different states are helping us. It’s amazing.” Bryant is still going to his job at Appalachian Tool & Machine – he’s even going out of his way to help others hurting like he is. “There are people that still need to be helped,” says Bryant, “I feel like I need to help them, too.” “What you’re seeing here is just basically a culmination of a bunch of selfless acts and a lot of great people that have all come together to try and help the community,” Travis Frizsell adds. Frizsell works with Bryant – his family runs Appalachian Tool and has turned the business into a makeshift donation center. Like Bryant, Frizsell has lived in Swannanoa almost all his life – and is using his local expertise to deliver life-saving supplies to those who need it most. “I don’t know how to make the dots, but I sure know how to connect them,” Frizsell laughs. There are also outsiders like Matt Marcheski. He and his team of volunteers have come from Pennsylvania to build temporary shelters, repair houses, move generators – whatever they can do to help. “We’ve been here since last Thursday, and it’s taken us about this long to get out and see the people in need – and find those people,” says Marcheski. But when he sees people like Bryant living in tents weeks after the storm, he can’t help but get upset. “I have lost faith in our government organizations…. The most help that these people are getting are from organizations like our own,” Marcheski laments. WCCB Charlotte did see dozens of federal officials around Swannanoa, including National Guard, active military members, and FEMA. “Our hearts are completely with the people of western North Carolina,” says Mike Cappannari, the External Affairs Director with FEMA. “Our focus is 100% on helping them, and if it means going to them, then we’ll do that.” Cappannari says FEMA been in Buncombe County since the day after Helene hit. FEMA has set up a community care center near the local Ingles off of Highway 70 – and Cappannari says more help is on the way. “As of today, we’ve approved over 79,000 households for more than $100 million in western North Carolina… They do not need to be paid back,” assures Cappannari. FEMA has been going door-to-door for over two weeks straight trying to get help to those who will accept it – but many don’t jump at the chance. “We’ve seen some of this just, frankly, nonsense,” Cappannari laments, “Just ridiculous rumors. And it negatively impacts our ability to help people. We are not here to confiscate anyone’s property, we can’t do that.” Cappannari says the best way to get help is to ask for it. “I would encourage people to apply,” says Cappannari, “Just register for assistance with us and see what we can help with.” Bryant told WCCB Charlotte that FEMA did reach out to him the day after Helene destroyed his house, but also says he hasn’t heard from the agency since. Cappannari says Bryant has not filed a relief application, but also says FEMA is ready to help Bryant get back on his feet once he files one.