It has played an outsized role in the aftermath of the devastation to Asheville, N.C., caused by Hurricane Helene and its remnants between September 27 and 28. On Friday, a Premiere Networks air personality found himself at the iHeartMedia-owned News/Talk radio station, co-hosting his daily syndicated program while raising needed funds for a significant recovery effort.
Clay Travis, who hosts The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, spent October 11 at WWNC “News Radio 570” — a station featured across multiple media reports for serving as a vital lifeline in a region where potable water, electricity and internet service remains spotty.
Travis toured the area via helicopter, in addition to hosting his Noon-3pm Eastern daily program from WWNC. He viewed the extensive damage from the storm in an effort to continue raising awareness, funds and volunteers for hurricane relief that will be needed for months to come.
During his visit, Travis was joined by WWNC News Director and morning host Mark Starling, who detailed how the station covered Hurricane Helene and coordinated rescue efforts while reuniting families unable to contact one another via phone.
Starling stayed at the station for 14 consecutive days. He commented, “When TV couldn’t do it, the newspaper couldn’t do it, there was nothing online, the only thing left was AM/FM radio. All seven stations stayed on the air simulcasted … we were wall-to-wall. What we wanted to do here at the radio station, at iHeart/Asheville, was we wanted to show the community that we can get through this. And we’ve been kind of repeating this line: ‘Community is the answer to this crisis.’ What we have seen is the absolute best in humanity in an absolute horrific, horrific time.”
Listen to their full conversation HERE.
