Charlotte Motor Speedway Serves as Shelter for Evacuees During Hurricane Season

Charlotte Motor Speedway Becomes Refuge During Storm Season

This hurricane season has been a challenging one for many, especially for those seeking safety from the relentless storms. Charlotte, N.C., has turned out to be an unexpected haven for evacuees from not just one, but two storms—Helene and Milton. The Charlotte Motor Speedway has opened its campgrounds, bringing both comfort and community to people in need.

A Warm Welcome for Evacuees

For the past few years, the speedway has extended its facilities as a refuge for individuals who need to sidestep the dangers posed by storms. With **Helene** and **Milton** striking the southeast in rapid succession, the campgrounds have become a temporary home for many. Speedway officials report that they are housing some individuals who were already affected by Hurricane Helene, and now they are faced with the uncertainty brought on by Hurricane Milton. Jonathan Coleman, a representative from the speedway, expressed their commitment to helping these evacuees.

“We’re going do what we can to wrap our arms around them and love them, so it’s one less stress as they figure out the next steps of where to go from here,” Jonathan stated reassuringly.

Families on the Move

Among those seeking refuge at the speedway are the Carter family from Florida. They made the choice to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Milton after hearing reports of its potential severity. “Due to the storm coming in and the reports coming in of what it could possibly be—we decided to leave early,” James Carter shared. Their son, Chase, races in the NASCAR Youth Series, and they had planned to arrive in Charlotte for the Roval 400 event.

Kumiko Carter, James’s wife, explained how the urgency of the situation pushed them to pack quickly. “The house we can replace, the furniture can be replaced, but those memories can’t be replaced at all,” Kumiko emphasized, as she recalled the important items they managed to grab—baby pictures and wedding photos.

Facing the Unknown

The family had to board up their home and secure their belongings, taking every precaution they could. Kumiko, a retired law enforcement officer with a rich career spanning 30 years, described her anxiety surrounding the storms. “I’ve never seen a storm like this… I’m getting phone calls and text messages from other officers who usually don’t panic about anything,” she said. “They are saying, ‘We’re going to come home to nothing.’”

Hearing stories of friends who lost everything during Heleney only magnifies their worries about Hurricane Milton. James captured the emotional turmoil they are experiencing. “It’s a lot like what you might anticipate if you got in a fight and you got hit really hard by one side, and you see the other punch coming,” he said. “It’s petrifying.”

Community Support is Essential

The speedway is stepping up to help those in crisis by hosting donation drives, showing that the community is standing together during these tough times. Thus far, they have already sent 17 truckloads of donations to support those in western North Carolina who have been affected. For those looking to contribute, the speedway will continue to accept donations every Wednesday throughout the month. The facilities are open until 8 p.m. on these days, inviting everyone to pitch in and lend a helping hand.

Preparing for the Roval 400

As Amelia continues, the speedway gets ready to host the exciting Roval 400 this weekend, with the atmosphere alive with racing spirit. Meanwhile, in the midst of these preparations, families like the Carters find a sense of community amid a brewing storm. Together, they are facing the realities of uncertainty and the ever-looming challenges of recovery and rebuilding.

Although the storms can be daunting, it’s heartwarming to see how communities come together in times of need, proving that even in the face of adversity, compassion and care can shine through.