UPDATE: We will continue bumping this thread to keep the communication lines available.
...”I live in the Western part of the US; reading these comments is like listening in on a (telephone) party line. This is the first I’ve heard firsthand live reports from the people directly affected. For the first time there is no canned, approved spoon fed mis-information delivered by the faceless and unaffected paid to be there.”….
Which is exactly the reason we keep this thread going!
As the areas in Eastern Tennessee, Western North Carolina and the Western gulf coast of Florida continue recovery operations from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, our thoughts are with those who are still impacted and dealing with the long-term recovery process.
If you have stability and the ability to communicate, we are wondering how you guys are doing.
Can we get a Standing Ovation for our hardworking Linemen? pic.twitter.com/jyP2hmbqub
— Still🏝️Roaming (@roaming_rn) October 17, 2024
Working with several ground groups, we have sent toolboxes and resources into the area for the arduous tasks that remain. There are many who feel overwhelmed; just know our thoughts and deepest prayers remain with you. It will get a little better every day.
Resourceful teams (mostly electrical restoration experts) who learned quickly after they helped the Puerto Rico Mountain areas in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria are doing amazing work reaching some of the more isolated areas. These are good friends with a git-r-done approach.
Eastern Tennessee power has mostly returned; however, approximately 23,500 of the 1.5 million customers that lost power, just in the Western North Carolina area still lack electricity as of today, according to Poweroutage.us. Additionally, there are still about 365,000 Floridians without power.
The power restoration in the dense mountain forests of WNC is slow going, some roads and bridges are completely washed away. According to the Associated Press report, “The crews aren’t doing what they typically do, which is a repair effort. They’re rebuilding from the ground up,” said Kristie Aldridge, vice president of communications at North Carolina Electric Cooperatives {link}.
There are widespread rumors and disparate reports of the overall death toll, at last count was well over 200. Anecdotal reports from people in the WNC region put the death toll much higher but are difficult to confirm. We do not want to spread rumors, yet we simultaneously accept this close to the election there is an unfortunate incentive for both federal and state emergency management officials to keep the death toll numbers hidden.
The bottom line is a concern for everyone in the impact areas. Therefore, ground reports are the most valuable. How are y’all doing?
Dear God of grace and strength, in the midst of uncertainty, fear and change we turn to You for stability and strength. Please grant us the wisdom and fortitude to navigate the unknown, the courage to face challenges, and the faith to trust Your divine plan.
Heavenly Father, let Your unwavering presence be our anchor in the aftermath of these storms. Grant us the resilience to face the challenges of recovery with grace and hearts filled with purpose. May we continue to find, patience, stability and fellowship in Your eternal love.
Thank You for guiding us through these uncertain times. In Jesus blessed and loving name we pray. ~ Amen.
Update from Ag perspective. https://www.carolinajournal.com/nc-state-fair-can-tradition-weather-the-storm/
UDATED/CLARIFIED NEWS
Sorry for the slow update and really long post but I had a LOT going on and I REALLY REALLY wanted to be as accurate as possible.
The recovery has been picking up steam exponentially. I THINK all r very nearly all of the still existing households have been reached in the Nolichucky region. Power has been restored in most areas, though it’s still spotty. For example, my daughter and son still are both without power and she lives in a small community a only a few feet outside city limits just off a 4 lane road (one of our few 4 lanes).
Power is still officially out for about 6000 house holds in the region. Numbers I found are 3,542 households without power in Yancey county, 1,401 households in Mitchell, and somewhere between 600 and 1,100 in Avery county. Although that’s only about 6,000 total households, knowing the areas hardest hit, I’m gonna estimate that means at least 18,000 to 21,000 persons without power right now. The hardest hit areas were primarily areas that were former farming communities that still have more children than most. I went to school with people with 16, 13, 11, and 8 siblings all from the areas hardest hit. These days its not as high but 3 to 3.5 persons per household should be a very low or safe number to assume in these areas.
Remember that’s out of a region with only approximately 50, 000 persons. So we still have a LARGE percentage of persons without power here.
Buncombe county (Asheville, Black Mountain, Swannanoa) has about 600 households without power out of a population of about 270,000 persons.
WNC death toll is officially at 95 persons right now with about 20 officially counted as still missing. Buncombe is the highest with 42 (pop. 270,000), Yancy at 11 (pop. 19,000), Avery at 4 (pop. around 16,000), Mitchell at 2 (pop. about 15,000), and Mcdowell which abuts the Nolichucky region with 1 (pop. About 50,000). Percentage of population wise, Yancey is the hardest hit with deaths.
Again, I’m positive these numbers are low, but have no idea if they’re only a few low or way way off.
The lower Nolichucky is Yancy county on one side and Mitchell on the other. Deaths were higher on the Yancey side of the Nolichuicky, but the largest number of persons having to have supplies packed in are on the Mitchell county side with 2 large communities ( Poplar and Pigeon Roost) who only access the outside by the river road, which is largely gone.
As best I can figure, we only have a handful of families living in tents in the whole area, though that’s a handful too many.
Aid is flowing well to most of the area now. I’ve gotten little feedback from Avery county. In Mitchell and Yancy, the areas still having to have daily supplies carried in by Side by sides, ATV’s, and 4×4 trucks are mostly along the lower Nolichucky and upper Cane Rivers. Am pretty sure the horse and mule deliveries have ended now.
I have yet to hear about the upper South Toe River area (just under Mount Mitchell) or the Crabtree area, both of which are large areas where I would expect to have a lot of damage.
THE PEOPLE WHO NEED AID MOST
The people in the upper Cane River area (Pensacola area mostly) and the people near the lower Nolichucky are are still relying on packed in supplies and still have no power or heat. I’m gonna guess up to 20-25% have wood heat enabled by now and another maybe 15-20% have limited kerosene or propane heat.
That still leaves maybe 5000-7500+ persons without heating Mitchell and Yancey counties with winter almost here.
It has warmed up since the snow, but traditionally, it turns full winter here around or shortly after Halloween, so winter is almost here. Personally, I got some fuel oil last night, at least enough for a few days. My daughter and son have propane, my adopted son-nephew has wood heat, my brothers kids and my sister have heat. and Dad has plenty of heat. We’re good.
I STILL have not been able to find a contact to get supplies to the hardest hit areas. I’m sorry. I’ll keep trying.
Another large population to worry about is the illegals, mostly Mexicans. Many seem afraid to come to aid centers because of legal status although almost none have been deported from this area. I’m gonna guess there is between 8,00-12,000 uncounted ones in the area. No idea how many are getting aid. They’re VERY clannish here.
It seems the larger percent of them only trust the Catholic church for aid and I THINK the only really active Catholic effort for aid is operating out of a Catholic church in Yancey county. Traditionally here, there is a protestant (almost all Baptists) church here every 3 or 4 miles of road travel. And that’s not a large exaggeration. Seriously, I believe there is only 1-3 Catholic churches per county in the area and they are smaller churches.
Someone was supposed to send me the Catholic church aid info last night but I didn’t get it. I will try again today.
For the record, I’m STRONGLY opposed to illegal aliens invading our county. I want them shipped back or imprisoned… or both. However, I DON’T want them dead, freezing, or starving. Lets take care of that problem, then we can get back to being concerned with what they are doing wrong.
Thank you for this update. Agree with your last paragraph. Here is a link that I posted on previous page, for what it is worth considering it is FEMA:
https://www.breitbart.com/2024-election/2024/10/18/wapo-fema-offers-illegal-migrants-disaster-aid-north-carolina/
This is an update to a string of posts I made a couple of nights ago, now a page or so back.
https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2024/10/18/western-north-carolina-eastern-tennessee-and-west-coastal-florida-check-in/comment-page-4/#comment-11200663
Is this near where you are?
A friend’s sons are both linemen for Duke Power. They’ve been restoring service in the counties west of Asheville that weren’t hit as hard. The younger son was excited that now they would get to move on to the hardest hit areas and help those who are the most needy. Reality check: many of those areas were so devasted that it is going to take engineers to figure out how to rebuild the system before any work can even begin. This is going to be a lengthy process.
Not only that, but the river actually re-routed itself. I spoke to a surveyor yesterday who said many of the roads and electrical poles that were completely destroyed cannot be built along the same route. They will have to be re-routed as well. He says it will take YEARS to rebuild.
Why not rebuild underground.Whole of Florida electric lines
Because the Soil is RED CLAY with Boulders and Loose Rocks THAT WASH AWAY with ANY Ground Disturbances in the Mountains.
my REDNECK View on Having Lived / Visited in the Region
Jack (@jackunheard): “🚨BREAKING: Election officials in Shelby County, Tennessee, are receiving numerous reports from voters claiming that the voting machines are flipping their selections. Did we not learn from 2020?” | X Cancelled
https://xcancel.com/jackunheard/status/1847489543575904434#m.
Eastern TN. The county lifted the boil order for water but mine is still very cloudy and smells like river rocks. I ain’t drinking it. I don’t believe anything I hear from local state or fed gov’t.
They are still using temporary pumps as they announced Wed that the station is irreparable and must be completely rebuilt.
And just like clockwork we got our water bill in the mail, for the full amount I might add.
Greedy bastards.
Local useless gov’t weenies have fully embraced FEMA taking charge of everything donated and all volunteers, claiming they can do a better job because they’re pros or something. Mmmmkay.
Funny, the Gov weenies moved the FEMA weenies from their makeshift office to the courthouse “for their protection” claiming they feared for their physical safety. 🙄😂 Uh huh, pros I tell ya.
This post wins the internet today!
Amen! 👍
P@ssies is more like.
North Carolina State Fair
October 17th through the 30th
NC State Fair: Can tradition weather the storm?
https://www.carolinajournal.com/nc-state-fair-can-tradition-weather-the-storm/
DianaM posted this at top of page, just a few comments up.
THIS is the way! Credit to original poster JannB on the Presidential Thread today.
Redneck Air Force. They have other videos.
SAVAGE OPS | Savage Freedoms Def
Give it a few tries, or even go back the next day, if your donation gets an error message. Treeper Harrison reminded me late yesterday that internet service is still spotty.
God bless these real American Men! 🙏😇
Need more of this.
What a logical mind that man has. Yes. Contract for what needs to be done. Pour capital in. That is going to give people jobs and restore businesses.
East TN-Greene County: In addition to the comments posted below from East TN:
Boil notice lifted this past Monday. Water good in my district.
Local aid is almost all churches and local community organizations. Governor came by to review all the damages to bridges and other infrastructure.
Good news so far: a volunteer from one of the organizations said aid receive from all over the nation, and some international.
And I hear Western NC is running out of space in areas to store all the aid coming in. PEOPLE and LOCAL ORGs, Samaritan Purse and Cajun Navy have been so helpful.
FEMA – not so much. What is it that illegal aliens get up to $10K + other stuff, while citizens have to apply for $750 loan? No way.
The Erwin Hwy bridge (Kinser Bridge) is being fast tracked for rebuild, supposedly by June 2025. The small bridge on Poplar Springs Road destroyed – no news yet. The bridge on Chuckey Pike (Earnest Bridge) is still not open, pending some repairs. Plan to open it soon with one lane. Some other bridges waiting to be inspected.
Schools have reopened, both City Greeneville and County. However, extra long commutes for students in some areas like Horse Creek, Camp Creek, Chuckey area because of the all out bridges out of use. The longer commute is for the students that transfer from elementary or middle schools to the 4 high schools in the county.
Nolichuckey Dam in Greene County: It has been inspected by TVA and others, is okay. VERY HAPPY it did not fall that one night. One night it was projected there was more water over the dam than at Niagara Falls! However, the old unused powerhouse building from @1916 was damaged beyond repair and taken down.
One of my family’s favorite drives is no more, according to reports.
We like to take the Paint Creek road to the Cherokee national Forest campground, in SE Greene County. Very scenic drive with two waterfalls – one of the waterfalls being a good swimming hole. Have not had a chance to check out the road and waterfalls since the storm. Continue on the road and all of a sudden you come to a sharp curve to left and within few feet of the French Broad River. This is at Paint Rock.. You would follow the River Road for several miles, with the French Broad close by, until you come to the little community of Hot Springs. I have read the River Road is no more, but cannot verify.
My niece and her family are doing okay in Asheville.
If anyone knows someone or a family in Greene County area that needs any help, there are several local groups helping. You can contact Family Resource officer for either school system. Also can contact local EMA office.
Mountain Strong!!
Haven’t been that way in a while, but can’t imagine River Rd survived 😢 Parts were almost river level before the flood.
FEMA isn’t helping anyone.
I’d like to see Elon give it the ax.
At the very least restructure it, drastically reduce employees, rebrand it, revamp “government approved vendors”, and limit the use of funds for the good of actual citizens. And for gawds sake get rid of all those low IQ, gov paycheck leeches, who don’t have the sense to set up and run a lemonade stand on a hot day on their own cup-de-sac street. Hmmnnn . . . yeah, you’re right, just give it the ax.
Turn it over to the Veterans that hate bureaucracy and know how to get things done.
IF YOU NEED HELP CHECKING ON SOMEONE IN AVERY, YANCY, MITCHELL OR THE AFFECTED PARTS OF MCDOWELL COUNTIES
I will do what I can and I can probably reach them.
I have a (wounded) small 4×4 truck with a dirt bike loaded on back and can return with an ATV to deliver supplies if needed. I got the truck running again yesterday and the day before. I have limited time today and tomorrow morning, but I would dedicate all my waking time to that task afterwards, if needed.
I’m an early forced retiree and can walk only a few yards in one go, but can take my vehicles places most people would have a hard time walking. I have some friends that can help out if needed. Nowadays, I’m not really able to help with any heavy lifting or standing for long periods of time, but I can drive, ride, and check on people just fine.
But I’ll need some kind of address AND/OR description of where to look for them, like a name, road name, hopefully a house description (if it’s still there…) and maybe a vehicle description. I’ll ask that you don’t use me to just trace down an old friend you haven’t heard from in years and aren’t even sure they live in which area. I still have a lot to do and family members I need to help but I’ll gladly set that aside to check on people you know and have a genuine reason to be concerned about.
I can’t find the post now, but someone (Harrison maybe?) posted this link of reported missing persons;
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Pp41yMpPeMvZShN11xXAZdB3-6wu_cZyAB-QxgUoeEw/edit?pli=1&gid=1030211139#gid=1030211139
but it’s just a list of names with nothing else to go on. When things slow down, I have some law enforcement persons who I expect would try to help with that if we can narrow it down to some specific area. Just a name in WNC is a needle in a big hay stack.
Reply to this post if you want me to check for them. I’ll check back every other day at worst. If you don’t want to post their details publicly. post an email address and I’ll get back to you that way.
I’m gonna apoligize. I thought I was ready to start doing wellness checks. Water pump blew up in the truck a few minutes ago. At least I can account for the light ticking and quiet rumbles ounds now.
But I’ll be off the road for a few days until I can get it repaired. We had 4 auto parts stores in the county until the storm. I think I’ll have to drive somewhere just to find parts… or have Amazon deliver them.
Our HRD team just returned to Minnesota after 3 weeks.
The only way I can describe it is like 9/11 spread over hundreds of square miles. The official count is way low. There are finds we flagged and called in the first week that still haven’t been processed.
Finally found my house in Erwin…basically a pile of kindling on the other side of Interstate 26 from where it originally stood. OMG.
Oh my goodness, I am so sorry for your loss. We have prayed fervently every day for God to hold and help the people in this disaster.
May God Bless and protect you, may He put in front of you the opportunities you will need to go forward and not only survive, but thrive. May He give you strength and grace to know this is part of His plan and that Our Heavenly Father does not want you to suffer. Lift your eyes to Him and give Him the glory as He lifts you from despair.
In the precious name of Jesus,
Amen.
Amen.
Thank you so much for your prayers…they really DO work. God has blessed us RICHLY since 9/27.
Oh my dear, I’m so sorry about your home. But I am so glad you survived your horrendous ordeal in the flood waters.
Thank you for checking in to CTH. What was your previous moniker before to disaster struck the Southeast?
Please take care. 💜
No previous screen name at CTH…I have been a Freeper for more than twenty-five years, but they seem to have little interest in this subject, so a good time to jump ship, so to speak.
This message thread isn’t getting a large amount of attention currently.
Everyday there is a new “OPEN Daily Thread” where anything can be discussed.
A lot of regulars hang out there, and there are many prayers and inspirational messages., and jokes and weather etc.
The Trump rally threads are fast moving and attack many Treepers
I hope you have a nice safe place to stay
Please don’t jump. It’s a frenzied news cycle right now. Lots of “interest” in this subject and so much heartbreak. We are here. If you need anything, we are here. Don’t jump ship.
Man I am soooo sorry to hear that. I hope you have somewhere to stay for now ?
I used to hang out some in Erwin in my misspent youth. Really nice place and folks… unless you’re over there to steal their girls away… Ewrin used to be loaded with beautiful girls… It was worth getting run outta town. Every time.
I also worked for 20 years with a guy originally from there.
As I said, a lot of nice folks in Ewrin.
Welcome to the Treehouse “Nearly Drowned”! 😀 We’ve ridden out many a storm while clinging to the Tree – good to have you on one of our branches.
So, so very sorry.
I ran into a group from Minnesota about 6-7 days after the rain stopped. Don’t remember if it was at Fork Mountain VFD, Buladean VFD, or somewhere else.
We may have crossed paths while you were down here !
Yeah, I went to Charleston after their big one. This looked so similar… just spread out over such a huge area…
Thank you VERY much for coming down to help ! God bless you !
I live below Knoxville, TN in safety.
Helene hit NE Tennessee / W North Carolina night of Thursday September 27 into the day of September 28.
God only knows the full extent of the devastation.
Lives never again to be the same.
God does know the extent of the devastation.
I heard two separate stories of two little boys. At different times each fell into the water. Both were calling on Jesus. Hours later one was found alive clinging to a log. The other a little body later was found washed up on the bank.
Why?
I don’t know, but I do know both of them are OK. God can be trusted. This present world is not all there is. The resurrection of the dead is real. Jesus said he that lives and believes in Me shall never die.
Please do not misunderstand.
I do not want to pretend to know something I do not. I can’t imagine how you are suffering. But, I do know that Jesus will help you if you call on Him.
I strongly believe the terrible destruction that has come through this storm is closely connected to the destruction that is coming upon the entire world. Right now we have Communism strong in America. There is deep seated evil that wants to steal this current election and destroy this country. The possibility of nuclear war is present and real. Satanic practices are increasing and being exposed. The majority of mass media is corrupt and saturating our country with outright lies.
My deep sincere prayer is that instead of this tremendous blow to NC and NE TN being crushing destruction, it will bring every individual there to call on Jesus and be the start of a mighty out pouring of the Holy Ghost power that raised Jesus from the dead!
Jesus is still alive and God is real. He is good and He is all powerful Who knows what He might do? He can help in ways that are impossible with man.
What if this could be the beginning of a revival for all of America and the world?
Maybe civil war or nuclear war will come.
Some day the Anti Christ will come.
But God is greater and He will prevail.
I read when in 1896 God poured out the Holy Ghost in the mountains of East Tennessee.
I pray God turns this dark hour into a mighty victory for all those who call on Him.
Along that line I found some fascinating history about God’s work in this region for any who might be interested.
https://lionheartministries.org/east-tennessee-revival-an-inexhaustive-review-of-the-history-current-events-and-future-promises-by-david-townsend/
God is in control. 🙏
Man, what a good message of hope without clouding out reality. In this world we will have tribulation. But be of good cheer. Jesus overcame the world and those of us who know Him are overcomers as well. I’m also believing for a huge harvest of souls. Praise God. Eternity is much more important than this temporary life in a corrupt world system.
This is the song playing in several of the videos posted. It’s an Appalachian anthem now
Just heard from family in Zephyrhills, FL. They were in apartment/condo complex when Milton flooded the parking lots, put vehicles underwater, and blew some carport roofs. Without power for five days. No gas for vehicles. No cell service. They thought (were told?) they qualified for FEMA in the amount of $2,000. They applied. Sooooo . . . they just heard today that they are eligible for lodging assistance!!!! They have absolutely no need for lodging, although some people might. No word about actual cash which would be most helpful. They are assuming they get nothing. We shall see.
Rescue workers look for a missing woman. It is a shame they tell people to donate to the Red Cross.
Learned the hard way in the 1990s when we lived very near where the Red River flooded along the ND/MN borders—that the Red Cross sure does know how to fundraise when there’s a tragedy–but the funds raised are just dumped into their general fund. They are NOT ued for the event that was used in the marketing to get people to give.
It didn’t take too long in that situation in the ’90s for normal Americans/farmers to figure out how deceptive they were and the Red Cross no longer had “no questions asked” access to any small town.
Minor league baseball to raise money for hurricane relief.
https://www.foxcarolina.com/2024/10/17/carolina-strong-spartanburgers-create-limited-edition-tee-help-helene-relief/
https://www.post-journal.com/news/local-news/2024/10/county-launches-hurricane-relief-effort/
County Launches Hurricane Relief EffortLOCAL NEWS
OCT 18, 2024
Chautauqua County’s airports are at the forefront of efforts to help deliver supplies and monetary donations to North Carolina and Florida in the wake of Hurricane Helene and Milton.
The county is asking residents to contribute donations which will be delivered to the hardest-hit areas by local pilots, aviation partners, and volunteers.
County Executive Paul M. Wendel Jr. has been closely monitoring the impact of recent hurricanes on smaller counties in North Carolina and Florida. In response to the widespread devastation, he has initiated relief efforts from Chautauqua County.
“This is a time to come together. The people affected by Hurricanes are in dire need of help. I’m proud of how our community is responding, and I encourage everyone to contribute, whether by donating supplies or financial support,” Wendel said.
Acting on his recommendation, Shannon Fischer, Chautauqua County’s airports manager, has been collaborating with aviation partners to deliver supplies and donations. The contributions are helping to cover fuel costs for volunteer aircraft flying into hard-hit airports, including Avery County Airport (7A8), a small general aviation airport located in Spruce Pine, N.C., 50 miles from Asheville. With a small 3,001-foot runway, the Avery County Airport is serving as a donation collection center. Small planes are flying goods in, and helicopters are distributing them to cut-off areas.
“The people in North Carolina have been hit incredibly hard by Hurricane Helene. Many have lost everything, and there’s an urgent need for supplies like generators, propane grills, solar products and cold weather gear,” Fischer said, after discussions with the chairman of the Airport Authority for the Avery County Airport. “We’re working closely with our Fixed Based Operator (FBO), Centric Aviation, and our Flight School, Great Lakes Flight Center to coordinate with local pilots, and available resources to get donations where they are needed most.”
The Avery County Airport, managed by an airport authority, has been a hub of relief activity. More than 150 planes a day are flying in supplies, and they’ve used 12,000 gallons of aviation fuel (avgas) in just six days. As part of the operation, goods are being inventoried and stored in a hangar until they can be distributed.
County officials are also actively exploring ways to assist in Florida and support the affected airports there. Sol Relief is a nonprofit organization that leverages its aviation network to collaborate with local communities for timely disaster response efforts. Based at Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg, outside of Tampa, Sol Relief engages with local pilots to distribute essential supplies, funds, and aid to those most severely impacted by hurricanes. Currently, Sol Relief is actively evaluating the specific aviation-related needs of its partner organizations to optimize relief efforts effectively. Individuals interested in supporting these critical operations can contribute through their website at solrelief.org/donate-now.
Chautauqua County has set up donation centers at the Jamestown and Dunkirk airports. Items needed include – Small propane grills and cans
– Electric start generators
– Heating systems
– Chain saw chains
– Generator plugs
– Electric wires
– Cold weather gear
– Solar heating units
– Large storage containers
– Solar showers.
“We have local flight school pilots ready to fly items down, but there’s a weight limit on small planes, so we’re also exploring truck shipments for larger items,” Fischer explained.
In addition to physical donations, monetary donations are needed to help offset the high cost of fuel and transportation. Donations can be sent directly to the Avery County Airport Authority to support ongoing relief efforts for NC at Avery County Airport Authority, C/O Samuel Calvert (Chairman), 202 Little Cow Camp Road,
Newland, NC 28657.
For more information, call Shannon Fischer at 716-661-8930.
Sounds like a good project. Kudos to the people donating their time and planes.
I read in a comment section on the YT that the Buddy Heater people donated 500 heaters, and another company similar to Buddy Heater, same product, different name, donated some too. Depending on the size of tank they will heat from 3 hours to all day. Lots of propane is going to be needed for a while. I keep thinking about Ben Franklin’s pot belly stove w/all that wood down there. Which makes me wonder about what kinds of inventions will be created because of this storm.
Someone posted on one of these hurricane threads the contact/donation info for a guy building wood stoves and donating them to those without heat. Anyone have that link?
I saw it several days ago on here.
The name is Chiasson Smoke.. I know they have a FB page. They are donating the rocket stoves by the hundreds. https://www.chiassonsmoke.com/rocket-stoves
This is what FEMA should be doing. Crazy this disaster is being funded by mostly civilians. I worry about the people that don’t have any kind of shelter.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/pivtbN71VZk
While watching some flood video of Erwin, TN on AccuWeather, I noticed the video ‘tagged’ with an interesting name…Michael Baker. Michael Baker is running for Mayor of Erwin against the current Mayor. This progressive slimeball is following the EXACT PATH and strategy of one Bernie Sanders…locals I spoke with say he is probably going to win. Playing politics with a disaster…sounds familiar.
TheGeoModels channel on YouTube
Erwin Tennessee mentioned
“Why did Helene flood the Nolichucky River so badly (and the Cane River and Toe River)?”
No one needs a Bernie Sanders type. I hope he loses.
This is good. If they get the Give Send Go site up and running, verified legit, hope it gets posted here. Very worthwhile project that could be life-saving. FEMA should ALREADY have temp housing, shelter for these people. Disgusting, and that is my kind word for it.
Hillbilly Kitchen update
The info for donations is throughout but you can pause it at 23:55 at the end for all options. This is a good video. People are going to need help for many weeks to come.
The Shocking Realization I Had about Radio During the Hurricane Helene Disaster:
I tried to start a thread similar to this on Free Republic…only 23 replies. Here at the Conservative Treehouse? Well over 900. If I am looking for flood info, it is OBVIOUS where you need to go.
Good morning!
I just posted the URL to a YouTube video in reply to your post just above
Very informative video and interesting comments, too. Thanks for posting!
Another update from Greene County, TN:
First, thanks for the feedback on other post yesterday.
I am adding some items I did not include yesterday.
Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park in Limestone TN (NE Greene County, bordering Washington County) is temporarily closed due to severe storm damage. It is located at convergence of Limestone Creek with the Nolichuckey River, right before a horseshoe bend on the river. Destroyed or damaged were most of farm buildings and cabins, campsites, picnic areas, and a monument encircled by 50 stone markers representing states, other items. This monument stood in location on a high area about 20-25 feet above river. Been there many times. Sobering to think where I have stood under several feet of raging water. Luckily the two resident donkeys were moved to safer location before the flooding.
On to a scary note (to me). WGRV.com, a local purveyor of Greene County news. is reporting that FEMA, accompanied by a deputy sheriff, will be visiting homes in the county, to check on needed help. They will not visit homes with no trespassing signs. Why do they need a police presence? – nobody likes them in this area? Second, I am making sure my no trespassing signs are visible.
I would include a link but I keep messing it up.
Thanks to all for the support! Mountain Strong!
The Hillbilly Kitchen link up above has her in the Daniel Boone area. Apparently his area got hit quite hard too.
What I am noticing as I video hop is that many places have so much stuff they don’t have anywhere to put it. Many are saying that people are getting their needs met, as if things are all okay. Which I don’t believe. Then other videos say there are still people up in the mountains that need things, mostly winter items. It is hard to get a handle on such a vast area. I still haven’t seen a peep about people in GA that got hit hard, one video and two mentions of Damascus.
I check everyday to see what is or isn’t happening. It is getting annoying that every Tom, Dick, and Harry is doing a video listening to themselves talk and the drama music drives me nuts. I have found a few go to channels that I trust to be real people in the situation. And I read what people post here.
Speaking of music, I wish in the different areas some local musicians could put on an evening of music, good sing along songs. Music and singing lifts the spirit. Maybe they are, I don’t know.
Ha! I don’t blame you, keep those no trespassing signs up! Praying for you, Keep the Faith, and yes, you are Mountain Strong.
OMG…LOLOL of the day!!! The day after the Flood 9/28, my wife contacts Red Cross. Today, 10/20…a little more than THREE WEEKS later, we receive a voice mail from Red Cross. “You MAY have been affected by Hurricane Helene…” My wife LOST IT with laughter, as we finally got access to the remains of our house YESTERDAY, on the side of Interstate 26, just south of Erwin, TN. The house was a pile of kindling, on the OTHER side and downstream along side I-26, and we took PLENTY of pictures! “You MAY have been affected by Hurricane Helene…” Ya think, doofuses? These corporate ‘charities’ remind me of Ralphie from the Simpsons…he’s got his finger jammed up his snotlicker, while declaring “I helped!” NO WONDER so few hurricane victims are warning against donations to Red Cross. What a cluster, folks…what a cluster.
I am so sorry. Glad you can laugh because is driving me nuts and I am not there. I despise the Red Cross, United Way, Pink Ribbon people, FEMA, any of them.
Boots on the ground are always the ones that know what is going on. I wish I could fix it for everyone. It is mind boggling from here, I cannot imagine what it is like there. In some areas they are saying kids are going back to school. Good for the kids, it has to help, unless they have liberals for teachers, but how do you go to school and go home to a home that isn’t there? Maybe it is only in areas not hard hit? I don’t know.
Where are ya’ll staying? Do you have shelter, are you getting enough food, clothes? Anything we can do to help?
Why they need a police presence . . . well . . . FEMA feels “threatened” donchaknow? Keep us posted on this FEMA thing you speak of. /s
Article addresses human waste and potential public health crisis. Here, a couple of sentences that I copy/pasted from the article:
Neither the city nor the county have released official guidelines on how to manage human waste without water to flush.
Frazier called that lack of guidance “astounding.”
https://www.breitbart.com/news/after-hurricane-with-no-running-water-residents-organize-to-meet-a-basic-need/
Several head banging lines in that article. At least they don’t have a shortage of wood chips. God bless the people hauling water up stairs in the apartment buildings. We really need to worry about climate change affecting poop, at least he has done something to help in the immediate crisis.
Contaminated water questions remain. Here is an article from October 10 explaining that a barrel(s) that was marked as radioactive was empty and no danger. TEMA apparently confirmed this. However, still a mystery as to location?
https://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/oak-ridge-anderson/asheville-radioactive-waste-barrel-in-river-verify/51-b8e2c962-626d-4739-97c8-0598106ae35d
Then this post today, linked below. The video is a bit too sensationalized for my taste, but we have intelligent, awesome, analytical people here on CTH. Would be interesting to hear comments. Debunk? Or no?
2 Min, 43 sec long. It’s a warning to stay out of the water and mud with an implication of nuclear waste. She does keep saying “allegedly” so she is trying to give an accurate assessment. People are getting sick, also animals, according to her report. But there could be many reasons why sickness would be an issue after this disaster.
Actually, so sad for the people of Tennessee…Nuclear Fuels is in Erwin, TN…I lived about two miles UPSTREAM from this plant. Grab a map, and check out the watershed of the Nolichucky River downstream from Erwin. IF, and I stress IF this story proves to be true, God have mercy!
If you hear anything to either confirm or debunk, please tell us.
P.S. I read your post above about Red Cross (which is on my list of NO, NEVER as far as donations) and I admire your ability to LOL about your own situation, which is such a tragedy. Thank you for posting and for joining the effort to keep in the news the suffering and the needs of the people.
You HAVE to maintain your sense of humor in this kind of situation. We KNOW God spared OUR lives and that of our four cats…we can laugh about certain situations, because we KNOW ‘God has this’.
Love the cats! I’m a cat person. Thx for sharing.
Hey, Erwin and points downstream! Home geiger counters on Amazon and Wal-Mart at a reasonable price! Get ’em before they’re gone! (Partial sarcasm…)
Do you have to be registered on ‘X’ to read the comments? I would love to read them.
Try either one of these links
https://nitter.poast.org/KathleenWinche3/status/1847978499350344095
https://xcancel.com/KathleenWinche3/status/1847978499350344095
You can read posts and replied at either of these links with NO need to register
Perfect! Thank you so very, very much!
A lot of comments seem to be linking this to the Asheville NC area BUT it is clear that the woman is describing Nuclear Fuel Services in ERWIN, TN. Anything in the river would flow downstream thru Greeneville, TN; eventually dumping into Douglas Lake near Dandridge, TN. Other rivers and streams would carry any pollution into Knoxville, TN…NOT Asheville.
Does anyone know how to contact Kathleen Winchell via e-mail? The info in this video is NOT accurate, and I would welcome the opportunity to clear up any confusion. I do NOT have any desire to register with ‘X’.
Thank God it is not accurate! You are so appreciated for this effort. I do not know how to contact her. But I will try to find some way to help with comms on this.
I have scrolled thru and cannot find the link to the “Anthem of Helene”. Could the person that posted it please bump it back to the top so I can find it. If you read this, thank you very much.
Here ya go, I think this is what you’re looking for
That is the one! Thank you so very much.
Short video of this event for hurricane relief
“The @GenFlynn #HurricaneHeleneRelief drive at the Reawaken America Tour in Selma, NC. Buck Up and Fill-A-Truck! This is what the America Spirit looks like! 🇺🇸💪 Thank you General, @MaryFlynnONeil1, & BRICS” Clay Clark”>@TheClayClark, @HISGLORYME and @Crux41507251 Mike Smith for all your support!” | X Cancelled
https://xcancel.com/RealB4Freedom/status/1848004076149026915#m
Just saw a report that PDJT will be in the “Asheville area” tomorrow. Exact times and locations not disclosed. Bless this man…I bet he doesn’t stay in the city long. He knows his people need him in the mountains.
I was wondering about that today, when he would go there. If anyone can lift the spirits it is Trump.
That liberal enclave may not appreciate him, but the outlying areas sure will.
Just watched some videos of people “escaping from Asheville”…they are not cut from the Appalachian cloth most of us are….and that’s about as nicely as I can say that.
Asheville looks like it had some pretty significant flooding, but it doesn’t look decimated like the mountains…at least from these videos I watched.
Trump did a good job today.
God is providing and miracles are happening! The rebuilding has begun from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and workers are now wanted and needed. The churches in this video are direct contacts, if you would like to go help. They especially need people with trucks and trailers to haul away debris, evocation equipment even tractors with buckets, specialty tradesman like plumbers, electricians, drywallers, HVAC tech, foundation specialists especially for mobile homes, landscapers, roofers, pavers with dump trucks….
Good affordable travel trailers are needed for emergency shelter for those who have lost their homes. Temperatures have already dropped below freezing and the Red Cross has closed the Emergency shelter. If you have one that you can get to Moutain City or one that is close enough that we can get it there even if you can’t afford to donate it PLEASE contact me at [email protected]. If you want to go work you can also contact me we are going to be putting together a few work parties.
This area is poor and sparsely populated. The news isn’t covering it and the politicians aren’t visiting. Homes are gone, lives have been lost, churches were washed away, roads are gone and homes are cut off. Many people are still without power. There are families living in tents and the harsh mountain winter is coming. The people of Johnson County are strong determined folks, who are doing everything they can to help one another. Every farmer with a tractor was out helping. Every neighbor with a chainsaw was cutting the endless downed trees.
We and I mean all of us together are going to do what we can to help those who survived by the disaster of Hurricane Helene. You are their hope. All of the money sent to The Hillbilly Kitchen PayPal is going towards housing for survivors who have lost their homes and materials to repair damaged homes so they can be moved back into. I am not taking any fees or expenses out. We will also be organizing a few work parties. If you are interested in providing some labor please email hillbillyhurricane24@yahoo.com
Okay just called and spoke with their coordinator, Teresa. Checks can be mailed to:
Helping Others of Johnson County (make checks payable to this)
1017 West Main St.
Mountain City, TN 37683
Use that same address if you’re sending goods. Tbey especially need stuff to keep people warm. From their list:
electric heaters, propane heaters, propane, electric blankets, buddy heaters, tents
hand and foot warmers, rubber boots, large trash bags, batteries
And they can always use FOOD.
All of this info appears at the very end of the video. I called simply to confirm that the list of donations needed had not changed.
CC donations can be made via Charity Navigator.
It is helpful that you put the info here for quick reference. I took a screen shot and now have it on my phone so that I can call them later today. I can send something–cash or materials, whatever they need.
SC News source on the deaths due to Helene…
Comment to this video:
@edrose835814 hours ago (edited)
I live in Swannanoa. We are thankful for ALL of the help from our fellow countrymen. Thank you FITSNews for the continued coverage of the situation. The contrast of government assistance and ones neighbor were clearly displayed. Those that were able and willing began rescue missions as soon as the waters receded and incorporated survival plans for the following days.
There were 90 of our neighbors that perished between the KOA campground and Patton Cove Rd. (about 1.5 miles) on the South side of the river. The recovered bodies are being stored in refrigerated semi trailers at various locations.
Many of these people were great contributors to our community and mankind as a whole. They were loved by myself as well as countless others. It leaves a void that will never be refilled.
Perhaps some of the skeptics sitting comfortably in their ivory towers can drop by and help recover the ones that have yet to be found. The ability that some people have to place their agenda over truth repulses me.
Appalachian Strong – Day 24
@sounddoctor5decades1 day ago (edited)
From Western NC in the zone, thanks for doing your part to make our plight visible. This has been a buried story outside of the focus maybe of Asheville. The mountain folk and the small towns and cities are in a disaster area and I believe the media are doing their best to bury the story. WE are digging out, WE need your prayers, WE will rebuild. I personally think your estimate for lost lives is low, many will NEVER be found.
Know there has been a discussion about the makers of “tiny homes” – so here you go.
Two tiny homes were donated this week to people impacted in the Del Rio Tennessee area – one of them a disabled firefighter that lost everything, including his wallet, ID, etc. and yet he had been working to help others in the area and was living in a tent.
Hour long video from one of the teams running supplies to people in the devastated regions on WNC.
Watched the whole video. Some parts were slow of course, but their journey told an important story. I was a little surprised about the reception from the local people. Sure, many are still in shock. But this group from out of state, good folks just trying to help, had a really hard time of it. At apx the 50 minute mark, they advise viewers, “Don’t go.” One takeaway on the story is that the area is getting too much “stuff” all at one time. Another takeaway, don’t believe all the crap on Facebook, per the team.
Sometimes it’s how one goes about things – sometimes it’s timing… One also has to be mindful of the distrust many might have.
If you go down thread, you’ll note several cases where volunteers are not only liked and thanked, but requested.
Agree totally. I was just summarizing the video. Lots of roads closed also which hindered some of their efforts. Another (obvious) point from that video is that the relief effort for those communities will be ongoing. As soon as existing food and other supplies are used, they will need to be restocked. Right now just too many people and supplies converging at once while road crews and emergency services are trying to work–at least in this particular area.
A father and son team doing what they can to help, raising funds and buying generators – then transporting them into the areas they are needed.
FEMA Tried Shutting Us Down.. They Confiscated A Side By Side!!
Man at the site said that, later, the side-by-side that had been taken was returned and had gas. Still not sure of all circumstances surrounding that situation. But those local folks were not going to be deterred, were making calls to politicians(?) and others, letting them know that FEMA was not welcome. They stood their ground as far as this video goes.
Proceeds of bake sale going to Polk County. Bake sales! Always the answer to raising money for anything and everything growing up. Some things never change. Still works.
https://www.newschannel5.com/news/nashville-restaurants-participate-in-bake-sale-for-hurricane-relief
This young Christian lady describes how things are for her family, herself, and others in WNC. When she talks about her brother going to town, she describes what was a short drive has become a 2 hour drive one way due to all the roads out and how none of the stores and business people depended on exist anymore.
Reality of WNC That No One Is Sharing // 21 Days After Hurricane Helene
Young man describes trying to help his neighbors and the problems he ran into in WNC. Note that Buddy Heater has donated 500 heaters to the area this week. Speaking of the propane heaters – either use stainless steel hose or/and put a filter in the line at the heater end. They’ll get clogged up and quit working after a while if you don’t.
Running critical supplies to an area heavily hit by Helene and We got turned away.
At a MINIMUM the question arises – knowing the hurricane was heading that way, why didn’t they start days before releasing water at a SLOW rate? If what they suspect is true – it’s even worse. Remember, it’s confirmed by the NASA facility that the federal government knew of the danger days ahead of time…
Floodgates of three dams at North Fork River opened during Hurricane Helene
When you live in the disaster area, you can’t help but have questions…how did this happen? Why did this happen? Facts are facts…here’s a few to consider….what conclusions should we draw?!
Man goes searching for his father’s truck, camper, and car down by the river, below where his dad lived. You can see the damage wrought by the flood waters as objects, branches, and trees are wrapped around other trees and trees are snapped off. Note his father did survive.
Young man that has been throughout the Helene damage area gives his report. Short version – FEMA sucks, Tennessee highway department on the ball, the common man only ones helping in non-incorporated areas.
Umm, setting up vaxxine centers, that is a new one. Wouldn’t surprised though.
He made some good points, depressing points, but good points on target.
It has been 3-weeks since Hurricane Helene ravished western North Carolina and left a path of destruction and devastation!!
While the communities are struggling to grasp the magnitude of what has happened, people have really stepped up and out to demonstrate a level of humanity many of us thought was lost forever!
We spent the weekend with a team of volunteers helping out in Mitchell Co donation centers of Pleasant Gap Baptist Church and Buladean Community Center. We also fulfilled a couple of personal requests made directly to us through YouTube and finished off with some planning for future projects in Yancey County.
To all of our monetary donors, Amazon shopping warriors, those that have shared, followed, commented and watched our videos.. your HELP has been invaluable in helping us help these neighbors!!
The Aftermath Of Hurricane Helene: Volunteers Are Making A Difference In Mitchell and Yancey County!
Grain of salt – but the reality is that the mud is known to have all manner of toxins (petroleum products, sewers, decomposing things, etc.) – so FYI. Same goes with water from the rivers.
Other substances in the water…
Harrison, see comments this page, above. Some of this info was researched and debunked by our own CTH poster, Nearly Drowned in Erwin, who lives in the area.
FYI CC – this is on the NC side, not the TN side. Remember that conditions and events vary by location, particularly is such a geographically rugged and widespread area. 🙂
Yes. Absolutely. Nearly Drowned . .. addressed the map, etc., in the comment thread above on this page.
Remember there are two sides to the ridge and many branches. What may be true in one area isn’t in another. 🙂
Got it.
LOL…my house was shredded…and that INCLUDES the septic tank…maybe that isn’t MUD you’re walking around in. 🙂
VERY salty – anger.
Another report on actual numbers lost – remember this is in just ONE small town.
Just a few days ago (19 after the disaster began). Still areas cut off.
Sisters visit 3 weeks after the disaster…
FWIW here is the piece 60min ran. It has the narrative woven in throughout and all the keywords are there.
Mainly focused on Yancey Co. There are some good interview segments and footage. Maybe the narrative and keywords will catch enough attention that people will watch and SEE the devastation.
At least they pronounced Appalachian correctly.
North Carolina man’s son washed away and eventually found in Erwin Tennessee. Daughter-in-law still missing.
What a sorrowful and articulate man…
So many are starting to get back to being Americans again – that’s the silver lining in this disaster.
Grateful to be alive…no answers, just one another.
𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐃𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐉𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐚, 𝐍𝐂.
They once lived next door to their 2 grown daughters and grandchildren…
that is until the floodwaters swept their homes off their foundation…
Miraculously, they all survived and now 10 people, 2 dogs, 2 cats, and a 7 week old are all living in a small 3 bedroom house… thankful and humble, they’re grateful to be spared their lives when so many others were not…
“If you’re not there, you don’t know. There is so much devastation in this area. I was in Bosnia in 1997 and saw homes that were bombed that looked better than what I saw today…
How about people focusing on some other areas?
To your point, see Harrison’s post above which is an hour-long video (I watched the whole thing) titled Looters are Here . . . Behind the scenes . . . In that video, they had trouble offloading good, new supplies and finally gave what was left of their loads to some military personnel to ‘hopefully’ be distributed.
Small communities in other areas, without all the online and media attention, are surely in need. That’s where I am searching for my next donation cycle.
Cabot Philips thread on the devastation he saw…
I went to North Carolina to see the Hurricane damage for myself.
However bad you think things are — they are worse.
We started in Swannanoa, a small town 30 minutes outside Asheville. Much of the main drag is gone, while entire residential streets have been swept away.
It felt like a movie set.
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1847634453998293298.html
The suffering of these people cannot be forgotten.
They still need our help and we can not rely on the Federal Government alone to provide it.
These people…….God please love on them and bless them.