POGA, Tenn. — In an age driven by communication and technology, a small northeast Tennessee community near Beech Mountain, N.C., faces neglect and isolation.

Poga (pronounced Po-Gie) endured devastation when Hurricane Helene struck Carter County on Sept. 27 of last year, said Pastor Travis Tyler of Grace Baptist Church in Elizabethton, Tenn. Located in one of the county’s poorest areas, Poga is struggling to recover, he said.

Helene destroyed cell phone towers, cutting off all communication for Poga residents. Three months later, most homes in the community still lack cell service, internet and television.

Residents must travel to the former site of the community fire department to make phone calls. The flooding destroyed the fire department and all its equipment.

Although FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Association) established an office at the site, many residents still await assistance.

Floodwaters wiped out major bridges, including Highway 321, the primary road in the area, doubling travel time for residents trying to reach other parts of the county.

Tyler noted his AT&T cell phone service allowed limited communication, while most of the county depends on Verizon, which the storm rendered inoperable. “You don’t realize how much you rely on technology until you lose it,” he said.

Deborah Powers, a Poga resident and former Grace Baptist member, confirmed the community’s feelings of neglect. “We feel forgotten,” she said, referencing the challenges of communication and travel.

Grace Baptist Church became one of the first to assist Poga residents, but access remained impossible for two weeks after the storm. Tyler initially entered the area using a side-by-side off-road vehicle with help from church members.

He coordinated disaster relief (DR) efforts by connecting volunteers from Texas and Tennessee with residents to assist with mud-out and mold remediation projects. Knowing Powers personally, Tyler enlisted her help in distributing supplies from a church trailer set up at her home.

Powers also handed out Christmas backpacks provided by the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board to children in the community. She noted that the role “gave me purpose and took my mind off my isolation” while allowing her to serve God. “I’m blessed to be a blessing.”

She expressed gratitude for the assistance offered by Grace Baptist, Baptist volunteers and other churches. “We feel so thankful for the help they have given us. They truly demonstrated God’s love to our area,” she said.

Tyler made numerous trips to Poga following the hurricane. A week before Christmas, he and Jeremy Loden delivered a refrigerator from the new God’s Warehouse location in Elizabethton to a resident in desperate need. They also provided Christmas gifts for several families in the area.

Tyler’s workload grew significantly after the storm. As one of only a few with the ability to communicate, he assumed the role of a local DR coordinator by necessity.

“I worked 14-hour days during the first month,” he said.

When the Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief command center relocated from Johnson City, it moved to Grace Baptist Church.

Tyler informed his congregation about the opportunity to serve the county in an unprecedented way. He warned the church about potential sacrifices, such as losing parking spots and his limited availability. He also encouraged them with the opportunity to bless others.

“I wanted them to fully understand the implications of hosting the command post,” Tyler explained. When the church voted, the congregation stood in unanimous agreement.

Some days, Tyler focuses entirely on DR efforts; other days, he handles pastoral responsibilities.

“The day’s urgency and needs dictate my work,” he said.

Tyler emphasized the importance of carving out intentional quiet time with God and prioritizing moments with his family.

When asked why he and Grace Baptist expanded their efforts beyond their immediate church field, Tyler responded, “God revealed a need, and I felt compelled to meet it.

“When people approached Jesus for help, He responded. One of the most Christ-like actions involves meeting both physical and spiritual needs.”

Tyler doesn’t know when the additional responsibilities will ease. “We plan to stay committed for the long haul,” he said.

He urged people to continue praying, giving and serving in hurricane recovery efforts. “And if possible, join us in the trenches,” he said.

Donations for relief efforts can be made at tndisasterrelief.org by clicking on “Contributions” and choosing East Tennessee Hurricane/Flooding Fund.

(EDITOR’S NOTE — Lonnie Wilkey is editor of the Baptist and Reflector, news journal of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. This article originally appeared in the Baptist and Reflector.)