North Carolina is still reeling from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in delayed September. Nearly 100 people died as a result of the storm, and a similar number are still missing. Many people have no running water, over 10,000 are without power, and roads across the state and beyond are closed at just under 600. All of these numbers are down significantly from what they once were. according to North Carolina Governor Roy Cooperbut the fact is that we still have a long way to go towards economic recovery.
The western part of the state was hit particularly challenging. We recently wrote about the hurricane’s impact on the growing coffee community in Asheville, a city once considered resistant to climate change. Without access to water, the coffee industry in Western North Carolina (WNC) is at a standstill; even if they had electricity and road access, the cafes are unable to operate. In response, many local coffee technicians are making efforts to supply mobile water treatment units to coffee shops as a ephemeral stopgap.
One such business is Automatic restartAsheville-based espresso technician service, owned and operated by Adam and Natalie Edwards. Cooperation with other regional techniques, including: Service layer— a network of independent coffee specialists — based in Asheville Underground MountainThe Edwards create and provide free mobile water systems to enable cafes to access water to run their coffee machines. “There has been no water in the area since the hurricane, and even when the water starts flowing, it will likely be weeks or months before it is secure to drink,” says Adam Sprudge. “These systems make it possible to open coffee shops, provide coffee to the community and keep staff employed. “I don’t know how long most coffee shops can afford to stay closed.”
The systems vary depending on your needs, but are “very similar to what you would see in a well-designed coffee trailer or mobile app,” Adam states. In addition to five-gallon containers of reverse osmosis water, systems typically also include a pump that draws water into the coffee machine. Thanks to The Service Layer, which worked with individual companies to finance the project, they were able to purchase 12 Caffewerks high-volume pumps (costing more than $6,000 each) that they have since loaned.
Adam says he has built another 12 systems himself and more are still needed. A total of 16 units have already been installed thanks to the company’s support Trail Blaze Coffee Academy, Killer espresso, Little Waves Coffee Roasters, Various coffee roasteries, Coffee setting, Coffee supply voltageAND Espresso medicine in Australia.
Re-Automator is currently looking for more roasters and equipment manufacturers to lend a hand sponsor these units, as well as any individual donors who feel compelled to do so. Interested parties can contact them directly at reautomatortech@gmail.com. Adam says other ways for people to get involved is by purchasing from roasters in the WNC area, many of whom are helping with community-wide recovery efforts. You can also donate directly to any GoFundMe campaign for cafes trying to get back on their feet; Chris McAuley of Getchusomegear collected updating the fundraising campaign spreadsheet.
“Make no mistake about this. This will change Asheville for good, and the future is uncertain,” Adam states. “I will say that the private response on a local, regional and even international level has been amazing and very uplifting. Everything from Canadian liners to friends with pickup trucks full of water and food.”
For more information about the mobile watercraft initiative or to keep up to date with progress, visit the website Re-Automator Instagram account.
