In late September, western North Carolina braced for the impact of Hurricane Helene. Rebekkah A. Merrell, DDS, was expecting heavy rain, flooding on the roads and standing water. Having grown up in the South, she knew how to prepare. But Helene packed a punch far more severe than Merrell and other general dentists in the region anticipated, leaving devastation and challenges that may take years to overcome.

The Category 4 hurricane caused significant flooding and damage in Florida, coastal communities, Georgia and the Carolinas. Asheville and nearby mountain communities were hit particularly hard. Roads became impassable, entire neighborhoods were wiped out, and lives were lost. “We were cut off from everything,” Merrell said. “No phone service, no internet. It was like the apocalypse. It took days to learn the full extent of the damage.”

As the owner of Asheville Smiles Cosmetic and Family Dentistry, Merrell closed a day ahead of the storm, hoping to keep staff and patients safe from driving on slightly flooded roads. But in the aftermath, communication lines were down, making that nearly impossible.

“It took me four days to get in touch with my staff, which was horrifying — not knowing if everyone was OK,” she said. “We were more blessed than a lot of people, but we all are close to people who lost loved ones or whose homes, roads or towns were washed away. It is difficult to process. The loss of life and property here is huge and probably more than what has been reported.”

Beyond the storm’s emotional toll, Merrell now finds herself managing the lasting impact on her practice and team. “My office was closed for 20 days due to lack of water, power and internet service,” she explained. “One of my team members now drives up to 90 minutes to get to the office because the roads she previously used have been washed away. Even now, some services are intermittent, so we are staying flexible to remain open for patient care.”

It's All About Being Prepared

Merrell is a firm believer in preparedness and had business interruption insurance in place to protect her practice from unforeseen disruptions, including hurricanes, water main breaks or other emergencies. “It’s all about being prepared for the unexpected,” she said. “When disaster strikes, you need to pull up your policy and file a claim as soon as possible. But having coverage doesn’t mean the process will be easy. You still need to advocate for yourself.”

Like many other local dentists, Merrell is navigating a complex recovery process, facing insurance challenges along the way. “The documentation alone is overwhelming,” she admitted. “Good recordkeeping and understanding the true cost of closing your business are essential. The emotional and financial burdens are immense, and being able to pay my staff during the closure is critical.”

Despite the exhaustion, Merrell is committed to ensuring the insurance process is handled properly. “We’ve been through so much, but I’ll stay persistent until this is resolved.”

For now, Merrell and her team are focused on taking things one day at a time. They are reconnecting with each other and their patients, sharing stories and recognizing that recovery will be a gradual process. “This has been a life-changing experience,” she said. “But I’m so proud of our community for coming together and helping each other recover from the storm.”

If you wish to make a donation to the people in and around Asheville, Merrell recommends North Carolina Dental Society, Beloved Asheville, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, Homeward Bound WNC, MANNA Foodbank, Hearts with Hands, and Wine to Water.