A Tale of Resilience in Spartanburg: Real Estate Agent Closes Two Sales Amid Hurricane Aftermath
It was the morning of September 27, 2024, when the unsuspecting folks of Spartanburg woke up to a scene of devastation. As the remnants of Hurricane Helene laid plain, the age-old oaks that lined the streets and proudly stood as a testament to the city’s history and resilience were now strewn haphazardly. Power lines, once overhead, were now lost in a tangle of windsnapped branches and leaves. The trouble began when an unruly tree fell on Heywood Avenue, leading to a power outage that swept across the city just before 7 a.m.
Duty Calls Amid Disaster
Your friendly neighborhood real estate agent, Marshall Jordan, had obligations interrupt the reeling silence of a city grappling with aftermath. On this fateful day, the stakes were higher. His clients had driven nearly halfway across the country, their belongings packed neatly in a truck, awaiting the keys to their new abode. Come hell or high water, or in this case, Hurricane Helene, Marshall was determined to close the housing deal.
Scenes of Chaos, Spirit of Resilience
The disaster left more than 170,000 customers without power in Spartanburg County. Despite these odds, Jordan, managed to facilitate the closing of not one, but two houses on that somber day.
“It felt kind of awkward because all of the devastation was being televised, and everything was kind of starting to really go bad in North Carolina,” Jordan shared. “However, in hindsight, it was like, ‘Gosh, I can’t believe we pulled this off.'”
While the hurricane left the local infrastructure in shambles, it luckily spared the two houses Jordan had contracts on. In the spirit of the old adage that the show must go on, Jordan, along with his resourceful attorney, pressed ahead.
Closing Deals in the Dark
Braving the houses with zero power, Jordan persevered. Using the faint light of the late afternoon sun, the documents โ wisely printed out a day prior โ were reviewed. Insurance claims were verified, undertaken in the shadow of flashlights, thanks to the downed power lines.
Navigating Through Roadblocks
Once the papers were sealed, delivering them posed the next challenge. The attorney found himself amidst uprooted trees, obstructing the route to his office. No obstacle was too large for Jordan, who made his way as close as possible, picked the attorney, and made the risky journey over the convoluted path.
“I was able to get about four houses from him, and he was able to walk over,” Jordan recalls, “We kind of grew up together, we swam together, his parents and sister are still around the corner. We all know each other. So I think having that long-term relationship was how we were able to make it happen.“
A Cock-A-Hoop Ending
Ultimately, the duo successfully navigated through the calamity. Finally, at 4:30 that Friday afternoon, soaring spirits could finally begin to replace the fallen trees.
The moving trucks packed with belongings finally found their rightful destination. The new owners, unsuspecting participants in an incredible tale of resilience, could now embark on their new chapter in Spartanburg.
Looking Ahead
In the days that followed, Jordan continued his noble work, tirelessly reaching out to other clients, checking for damage and offering assistance. Tirelessly aiming to restore a semblance of normalcy, one house at a time.
