Mount Airy Volunteers Clean Flood-Damaged Park Together

When the Ararat River crested at 29 feet in early August, it left Riverside Park in Mount Airy buried under rocks and debris. But on a Monday evening, dozens of volunteers grabbed buckets and got to work proving that floodwaters can't wash away community spirit.

The storm earlier this month surprised everyone in Surry County. More than 9 inches of rain fell in just two days, damaging homes, roads, and the park where families play soccer and pickleball.

Byron Isaacs, the county's emergency management coordinator since 2021, says flooding happens in the area but nothing like this. The county has received over 220 storm damage reports, mostly from the eastern part.

While officials work with North Carolina Emergency Management to secure disaster relief funding, residents aren't waiting around. Volunteers gathered at Riverside Park to remove rocks from the soccer field, piece by piece, bucket by bucket.

Chloe Key was among those who came to help. She says seeing the park destroyed was heartbreaking after all the effort that went into developing it.

But Key never doubted her neighbors would show up. "We are a close-knit community," she said. "When someone says they need help, it doesn't matter if it's the city, the county, friends or family. We're here, and that's what we do."

Sunny's Take

There's something beautiful about watching a community refuse to let disaster define them. While paperwork and funding requests make their way through official channels, Mount Airy residents grabbed what they had and started fixing what they could. Basketball courts and pickleball nets can be rebuilt, but the spirit that brings neighbors together on a Monday night? That was already there, just waiting for a moment to shine.

The cleanup continues as Surry County works toward recovery. Residents who need to report storm damage can still file reports with the county to help officials assess the full impact and secure the help their community needs.

In Mount Airy, helping isn't a question of if but when.