When the Lights Went Out: Anchor Moms Reflect on Helene

When Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina last September, it left a trail of destruction that thrust communities back to a pre-modern era. In Asheville, TV news anchors Katie Killen and Karen Zatkulak found themselves simultaneously reporting on a disaster...and living through it with their families. Katie and Karen are not just reporters — they're also mothers and hosts of the "Anchor Moms" podcast. This week they join Off the Radar to share their unique dual perspective—broadcasting the catastrophe while trying to comfort their own families through weeks without power or water. They discuss how they balanced professional responsibilities with protecting their children, what they wish they'd known before the storm hit, and how the experience fundamentally changed their approach to motherhood and emergency preparedness.

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