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I’m OK
- Thread starter poem21045
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@poem21045 Yes, you were missed. It's very moving - honest, it brings a wee tear - that after such a tragedy and trauma, as soon as you're back in touch you come here to the Forums, there's so many good friends to support you. Thanks for letting us know what's happened, our thoughts are with you.
poem21045
Tribunus Plebis
I know everyone has seen the images and video of the mess here, but this is taken from my bathroom window toward the neighbor’s house. That’s a 100+ foot tall oak that fell during the storm. If it had fallen any other direction (like, say, toward us), it would have caused quite a lot of damage and possible injury. On the other hand, my daughter (not the one who lost her husband) must move because a large tree fell on her house. She wasn’t hurt, but now she has to find a new place to live. Fortunately, she was renting from the college where she teaches, so they’re helping her.
Lots of troubles here.
Lots of troubles here.
Frank Petrexa
Tribune
One country.
Frank Petrexa
Tribune
utilities in the US are mostly private companies whose rate of return is regulated by each state, although many are interstate (like Duke Energy). Usually there is a state board that approves rates and service standards (and is not immune to corruption). But in disasters, the various companies request assistance from others. I assume the host utility coordinates the work and its rate payers foot the bill in the end, but I don't honestly know. But it doesn't surprise me that there would be utility trucks from Boston responding to damage from Helene in North Carolina.
TheLimey
Governor
Before storms, they stage power trucks on the edges of the areas that will be affected, As soon as it is safe, they start out to trace faults and fix the system. Priority is areas with hospitals and first responders.
Poem, just checking in on a few things and just saw your post. What you are going through is unimaginable, heartbreaking. The loss of so many people is sad. The loss of your son in law is beyond terrible. Glad to hear you're more or less safe now, and that help is available.
Frank Petrexa
Tribune
Looks like there are solar panels. I have friends who use theirs to charge batteries (in an EV, for example) and run things when the power is out. But that can't cope with something of this magnitude.
I have friends who hiked the trail and spent time in Hot Springs, NC. "I can understand why it was wiped out. The only way out of town is up."
Best of luck to all. The hard part is getting things rebuilt after the emergency is over and a lot of the initial manpower and money has moved on. Supposedly Milton is going to hit Florida on Wednesday and draw off resources.
poem21045
Tribunus Plebis
Yes, Hot Springs is like many mountain towns. It’s in a valley, and of course there’s always a river. Marshall, just up the road from us, is another very attractive small town whose business district runs right along the French Broad River. It’s been wiped out.
The financial burden the storm has put on Asheville and this area will be, in my opinion, further complicated by the tremendous loss of tourism. It’s the main industry (the Asheville minor league baseball team is even named the Tourists). This is the very height of fall leaf season, the busiest time here for the tourism industry. Asheville alone takes in 2-4 billion dollars per year in tourism generated income. I’d be surprised if that doesn’t fall precipitously.
poem21045
Tribunus Plebis
This will probably be my last update on the situation here in Asheville. I don’t want to drag this usually light-weight Forum down any more with dispiriting news.
Thanks to everyone who sent their sympathy and to everyone thinking of all of us in Western North Carolina.
My personal situation is improving. Today we got water service, albeit under a boil advisory, It will probably be another week before we can drink it from the tap, and even then, it may have some heavy metals, so we’ll only drink it filtered. Power seems on to stay. Internet service is on more than it’s not, and I think that should continue to improve gradually.
Many businesses that weren’t destroyed have reopened, although all the reopened restaurants are serving only bottled drinks. A majority of businesses are still closed. Tree/debris removal is an immense task, but at least most roads that carry any appreciable traffic are clear. There are still some major bridges out; Interstate 40 about forty miles from here (heading west into Tennessee) will be closed for months. Half the road is gone and the remainder is unstable.
Relief agencies are still very busy, including FEMA (despite what you might have heard from those spouting lies about their response). Driving around the area, you see many tables with emergency supplies, food, drinking water, etc. Some of these are set up and manned by ordinary people helping other less fortunate people. It’s a poignant tableau.
There’s a quiet spirit of cooperation and hope among most folks here. it’s very encouraging.
My son-in-law has still not been found. There are dozens like him. The power of the rivers here was deadly, and their ability to hide their victims, cruel.
If anyone wants to help, I’d suggest donating to the Red Cross or World Central Kitchen. They’ve both been providing amazing help.
Thanks to everyone who sent their sympathy and to everyone thinking of all of us in Western North Carolina.
My personal situation is improving. Today we got water service, albeit under a boil advisory, It will probably be another week before we can drink it from the tap, and even then, it may have some heavy metals, so we’ll only drink it filtered. Power seems on to stay. Internet service is on more than it’s not, and I think that should continue to improve gradually.
Many businesses that weren’t destroyed have reopened, although all the reopened restaurants are serving only bottled drinks. A majority of businesses are still closed. Tree/debris removal is an immense task, but at least most roads that carry any appreciable traffic are clear. There are still some major bridges out; Interstate 40 about forty miles from here (heading west into Tennessee) will be closed for months. Half the road is gone and the remainder is unstable.
Relief agencies are still very busy, including FEMA (despite what you might have heard from those spouting lies about their response). Driving around the area, you see many tables with emergency supplies, food, drinking water, etc. Some of these are set up and manned by ordinary people helping other less fortunate people. It’s a poignant tableau.
There’s a quiet spirit of cooperation and hope among most folks here. it’s very encouraging.
My son-in-law has still not been found. There are dozens like him. The power of the rivers here was deadly, and their ability to hide their victims, cruel.
If anyone wants to help, I’d suggest donating to the Red Cross or World Central Kitchen. They’ve both been providing amazing help.
Good to hear things are slowly returning to normal, it makes you appreciative of little things like reliable power and safe running water!
I hadn't heard of World Central Kitchen before April, when they became know here in Australia for a tragic reason, seven of their people including one Australian were killed in Gaza when the convoy they were in was hit by an Israeli drone strike.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09...h-protect-aid-workers-zomi-frankcom/104385792
It looks like they do good work all around the world.
Naraku
Draconarius
Having gone through both Helene and just getting my poser back after Milton, I know some of what you are going through, Poem.
I don't know if you're familiar with the comic strip Arlo and Janis, but this week's strips have been particularly pertinent (remember these strips are usually written a few weeks in advance). This one appeared yesterday:
I don't know if you're familiar with the comic strip Arlo and Janis, but this week's strips have been particularly pertinent (remember these strips are usually written a few weeks in advance). This one appeared yesterday:
poem21045
Tribunus Plebis
After 52 days, we here in Asheville are finally getting potable water from the tap.
I never had so much fun washing the dishes!
Some statistics for those interested:
--1,300+ roads were initially impassable, of which about 300 remain so (including I-40 west into Tennessee, not expected to open until 2028)
--40% of the trees in Asheville were destroyed or severely damaged
--there are over 400 reported landslides in Western NC (that is, in populated areas--on remote mountain sides there are probably at least that many more)
--the death count is around 200, with dozens more still missing and presumed dead (including my son-in-law)
--the estimated cost for the area to recover is 45 billion dollars
I’ve seen a few tourist license plates, though, and that’s encouraging. (Asheville’s primary industry is tourism.) And now that we have water fully restored, the hotels and many of the tourist attractions will be reopening. If you’ve never been here, come see us! It’s still an incredibly beautiful place. (I'm attaching a picture of today’s sunset as proof!)
I never had so much fun washing the dishes!
Some statistics for those interested:
--1,300+ roads were initially impassable, of which about 300 remain so (including I-40 west into Tennessee, not expected to open until 2028)
--40% of the trees in Asheville were destroyed or severely damaged
--there are over 400 reported landslides in Western NC (that is, in populated areas--on remote mountain sides there are probably at least that many more)
--the death count is around 200, with dozens more still missing and presumed dead (including my son-in-law)
--the estimated cost for the area to recover is 45 billion dollars
I’ve seen a few tourist license plates, though, and that’s encouraging. (Asheville’s primary industry is tourism.) And now that we have water fully restored, the hotels and many of the tourist attractions will be reopening. If you’ve never been here, come see us! It’s still an incredibly beautiful place. (I'm attaching a picture of today’s sunset as proof!)
This sunset looks beautiful.After 52 days, we here in Asheville are finally getting potable water from the tap.
I never had so much fun washing the dishes!
Some statistics for those interested:
--1,300+ roads were initially impassable, of which about 300 remain so (including I-40 west into Tennessee, not expected to open until 2028)
--40% of the trees in Asheville were destroyed or severely damaged
--there are over 400 reported landslides in Western NC (that is, in populated areas--on remote mountain sides there are probably at least that many more)
--the death count is around 200, with dozens more still missing and presumed dead (including my son-in-law)
--the estimated cost for the area to recover is 45 billion dollars
I’ve seen a few tourist license plates, though, and that’s encouraging. (Asheville’s primary industry is tourism.) And now that we have water fully restored, the hotels and many of the tourist attractions will be reopening. If you’ve never been here, come see us! It’s still an incredibly beautiful place. (I'm attaching a picture of today’s sunset as proof!)
Wow, 52 days to have tap water again! I’ve had that issue on my country property but we also have a rainwater tank. Still very Sorry about your son in law and sincerely hope they do find him.
I have been tentatively planning a trip including Asheville for a while, it’s been 40 years since I last visited. It’s a long trip from Australia but I will be back. It certainly is a beautiful part of the world, particularly in Fall.
Godspeed to you.