Families gathered in interior rooms, listening closely for weather updates while checking on loved ones. Emergency responders and volunteers worked alongside local officials to open shelters for those who needed a safe place to wait out the storm. Cots, blankets, bottled water, and charging stations became small comforts during hours filled with uncertainty.
What stood out most, however, was the way neighbors responded to one another.
People who had exchanged little more than polite greetings in the past suddenly found themselves sharing phone chargers, helping parents entertain restless children, and checking that elderly residents had medications, warm clothing, and someone nearby if they needed assistance.
In difficult moments, communities often discover strengths that remain hidden during ordinary times.
