A volunteer first responder couple in North Carolina, Rhonda Chislaghi and Eric Barnwell, postponed their wedding plans to help assist with Hurricane Helene disaster recovery. The couple decided to proceed with a commitment ceremony on their original wedding day, despite their plans being disrupted by the devastating storm. Chislaghi shared on Facebook that while they were supposed to be in Glacier National Park getting married, they would reschedule the official ceremony for a later date. She expressed her gratitude for the supportive individuals who made their impromptu vow and ring exchange possible on the day of the hurricane.
Chislaghi, who is a volunteer first responder for the Henderson County Rescue Squad, and her husband, a retired division chief for the Skyland Fire Department, have collectively served as first responders for 30 years. When Hurricane Helene struck and caused chaos in western North Carolina, the couple knew they had to postpone their wedding plans and assist with disaster relief efforts in their hometown. Despite their disappointment, Chislaghi and Barnwell remained committed to their relationship and made the decision to celebrate their love in a small ceremony amidst the chaos brought on by the storm.
The couple, who had known each other for over 20 years, began their romantic relationship in February and got engaged in July. As a “pretty determined person,” Chislaghi shared that they had set their wedding date for October 2, and despite the hurricane disrupting their plans, she was confident that they would eventually celebrate their union. On the day of their commitment ceremony, Chislaghi surprised her fiancé at his station, where a coworker offered to make their wedding dreams a reality. A worker for Buncombe County Emergency Management and a chaplain conducted the ceremony for the couple, who were surrounded by caring and supportive individuals in the midst of the disaster recovery efforts.
Reflecting on the impact of Hurricane Helene on first responders, Chislaghi shared that the experience had been traumatic for many individuals involved in the relief efforts. She expressed concern for the well-being of her colleagues, acknowledging that the aftermath of the storm had deeply affected them. Despite the challenges faced by first responders during the disaster, Chislaghi and Barnwell remained resilient and hopeful for the future. The couple still hopes to have their official wedding at Glacier National Park and are planning to reschedule their nuptials for the end of October or November.
Hurricane Helene, which resulted in the loss of at least 232 lives as it tore through the Southeast, remains one of the deadliest mainland U.S. hurricanes since Katrina in 2005. The storm left many individuals unaccounted for, and the disaster recovery efforts continue in affected areas. While the newlyweds are planning for their future together, they remain grateful for the support they received during their impromptu commitment ceremony and expressed sympathy for those who were impacted by the hurricane. Fox News Digital reached out to the couple for further comment but did not immediately receive a response.
