Woke up to a text from DD who lives in Asheville, they escaped to Charlotte last night. She's six months pregnant so I'm relieved they now have water!

I'm surprised to read that the gas stations there are all functioning. During Beryl, our gas stations were all closed because they didn't have power. That was the storm that convinced me to always, always fuel up when warned to because I had grown to be a bit cavalier about it.

@Bestyears, in Florida every newly built gas station needs to have a generator to run the pumps. I have no idea how they do it in other states.

For existing gas stations;

Florida statue -

” (5)(a) Each corporation or other entity that owns 10 or more motor fuel retail outlets located within a single county shall maintain at least one portable generator that is capable of providing an alternate generated power source as required under subsection (2) for every 10 outlets.“

Which is good as long as tankers can get from the port to the stations.

Devastating in two areas of East TN. One of our local news shows had a special last night showing Newport, TN and Erwin, TN. You've probably seen footage of people on the roof of the Erwin hospital waiting to be rescued. The show last night brought me to tears watching rescuers as they saved people, pets and farm animals. A man with several children searching for his wife. There are several areas where it is just these huge piles of debris, where they will have to hand comb through this searching for bodies or survivors. The pictures where they captured a shot of a section of road just falling off was unreal. Showed an emotional neighbor who along with other neighbors searched for an older couple (older middle age looked like). They first found the man and then as the neighbor who was being interviewed, broke down, he described how they found the wife, still in the water. Pictures I have seen of the road collapsing, the water gushing through these cities, I just cannot imagine. I have a friend in Newport who lives alone and her mother is there in a nursing home. She was able to walk to the nursing home to check on her mother. For hours they thought the nursing home patients were going to be evacuated (no water), but a tank truck was supposed to get there this weekend. Then I look at Asheville, which is just over the mountains from here and we have visited many, many times. I cannot wrap my mind around the damage done there. The Biltmore Village area will take quite some time to rebuild/repair. There are lots of local groups taking items to these areas. Bottled water is scarce even here in my little town. One local group was focusing on items for babies/children. Several churches have already gathered items and delivered. I also have a good friend in Asheville, she and I worked together and she moved back to her family farm a couple of years after I retired. She was able to contact me through wi-fi I-message and is ok, but I've not been able to communicate with her further. My husband and I were out and about yesterday and rivers/lakes here are still quite high. Pictures of our dams and the release of water was amazing, something I never have seen or even remember. I pray they find more of those who are missing. I cannot get the picture of the man looking for his wife out of my mind.

Just read about so much heartbreaking loss but what really got me was the parents and their six year old sitting on the roof of their house waiting for rescue when the house collapsed and they drowned. Its all beyond imagination .

in the meantime i am watching live on CNN as Iran launches a missle attack on Israel. So much misery in yhis world.

My heart and soul hurts so much seeing all the devastation and destruction.

Ded, what a tragic story. Heartwrenching.

When I Like some of your posts, it's not like, oh lovely, but I feel a strong tug on my heart and I connect with you.

I'm way over on the West Coast but something about this disaster has really gotten to me. My donation seems so small, but hopefully many others will make it add up.

All I can say is wow! Who would have thought to use mules to carry supplies!

@bbstx Mountain people! (said with love and admiration).

Mules are amazing beasts. Good thinking.

Farmers/ranchers use still use mules. Since I posted earlier this morning, a friend of ours, who happens to have an excavating business, Is taking some equipment to one of the disaster sites. He will also be taking an enclosed trailer to take donations. Just so happened, our church decided to take in donations and will send them with our friend. Fun fact, our friend also owns a farm, and just happens to have a few mules (and horses). LOL, but the mules will not be going on ths trip. Our friend has been in contact with some in the disaster area and also a few other groups who have already taken and are going to take supplies. It's interesting what they need and things I wouldn't have thought of. For instance, disposable gloves. Cleaning supplies are in high demand, baby food, insulin, diabetic supplies and especially all types of toiletries. One lady who took supplies yesterday (with a group) said they saw lots of diapers, etc., but not much baby food. Still asking for water. Our friend will head over Friday, so the Mr. and I will shop in the next couple of days. So thankful for all who are doing this!! Oh and the lady who took supplies yesterday, her group also fed the linemen working there, which is a great idea! We have crews from our area who went to help. Also some emergency workers. So thankful for those making the trip to help!

SIL says the “Cajun Navy“ up from Louisiana has been cooking hot meals in their town; -they’re providing a meal each day for anyone who asks. I’d never heard of this group so I googled them (and made a donation online).

bbstx, I saw this from national parks about the Great Smoky Mountains:

" Wondering whether you should reschedule your trip to the Smokies due to impacts from Hurricane Helene? While parts of the national park are open, outdoor recreation is currently discouraged due to park staffing being stretched and visitor safety concerns. However, Sevier County, which includes Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville, is fully open to those who can access the county through safe routes. We are working hard to get all major park roads open to the public as soon as possible."

I also saw that I-40 eastbound from Asheville to I-77 is back open. Westbound remains closed.

I know this may seem low priority but a No. Carolina horse sanctuary I follow has been organizing help for farm animals and their owners, including trying to find shelter and food for animals whose pastures and barns are gone. (Red Feather Equine Sanctuary). I'm not on FB but they are and she's been posting updates on IG as well.

We have a generator now to keep our well going because my biggest worry was losing the ability to get water for my horses.

Thanks for that update, @gsciencechick! I called the cabin rental people yesterday. I was a little disappointed in the lack of knowledge. They ”think” everything is okay. I’ll call again Friday.

I had no idea the Cajun Navy traveled that far! I think it started as a bunch of good ol’ boys and their bass boats.

The United Cajun Navy was here a week ago and helped find a missing scuba diver, deceased. They are a great group that took charge of the search when the Coast Guard stopped. The UCN’s motto is “bringing home the lost.”

Dee, I meant to say I was glad all is well with your daughter!

Allison. my cousin lives in Highlands. She got power restored Monday night. I hope your daughter was as lucky.

Hearing about all the deaths and lost homes is overwhelming, and I haven't been paying too much attention because of it. Yesterday I checked an update on CNN and saw 2 of the deaths were in southern VA, along with flooding in Wythe County, VA. It was just two weeks ago I finally found out where my late maternal grandmother was born and raised. Wythe County.

I never knew a hurricane would travel that far and still do damage.

Yippee! I just got word that my friends in Waynesville NC have power - finally.

Some of the best times DH and I had were in Highlands. Would be going there for Fall Break but DD and I determined Gatlinburg had more for littles.

DD received a text from Duke energy that her power isn't expected until Friday evening! If the prediction holds true, it will be over a week without power.

They live right on the edge of downtown, most of it has power already.

Thankfully they work remotely so they can camp out just about anywhere while things get straightened out.

I hope we hear some news feom DLM soon.

My heart is aching for you, @DLM2000-GW. If you see this, the dam at Lake Lure miraculously held.

DLM I’m glad you were able to check in. I know it’s bad there. Glad you are as safe as can be in your environment.

Hang in there DLM! So glad to hear your hysband is home and your home wasn’t damaged. Hope your power and water is restored soon.

DLM, it’s so good to hear from you. I’m hoping your DH’s mother is well, and glad he could make it back to NC. It must have been hard for him, wanting to be in two places at once.

carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10, how is your clean up going?

Wow DLM - so thankful you are safe in the midst of that kind of devastation. It's not nearly as bad here as we have no flooding or high elevations to wash out. Still many without power though and needing food, water and gas. Gas is becoming more available. Everyone says there's never been anything like this in anyone's memory.

Our friends who made it here from FL to visit us on Sunday went on to meet their daughter at Nantahala, NC on Monday. Sounded like a crazy idea to me but we heard today they made it with some difficulty and are now out and on their way to Iowa to visit another one of their kids.

Helene - this is one hurricane name I'll never forget.

DlLM thank you for checking in, I am relieved you survived and your DH was able to make it back from Chicago. Is his mother ok?

BIL (well not really but we call him that) borrowed an old jeep from a relative and brought SIL down to us. He needed to get a new phone at the Apple store in Atlanta and just brought her the rest of the way and spent the night. We all had a good dinner and watched the debate, all the while SIL was trying to answer the hundreds of texts and emails she has received from friends, colleagues, professors, etc. The three of them are currently out hitting every Sam’s Club and Walmart in a wide radius to buy up all the disposable washcloths/body wipes they can fit in the car, and BIL will continue on to NC when his car is full of those wipes and trashbags. He is taking them to the conference center in Montreat where they will be handed out. The Cajun Navy is staying in one of the conference center’s lodges but of course there is still no power or electricity anywhere in the town, which is one of the many that sustained horrific damage in Buncombe County.

Kswl I've heard about Montreat - it's all just so heartbreaking and horrific. MIL is still in hospital and we're trying to deal with that and his dad -who seems to have undiagnosed dementia - at the same time. From 700 miles away. Having this little bit of connection to the outside is like a lifeline right now. It. .

Kswl I've heard about Montreat - it's all just so heartbreaking and horrific. MIL is still in hospital and we're trying to deal with that and his dad -who seems to have undiagnosed dementia - at the same time. From 700 miles away. Having this little bit of connection to the outside is like a lifeline right now. It's going to.

I am old enough to remember the mechanical machine you put the credit card into and swish left and swish right over a paper. You got a copy and the store got a copy. We need to have that as a back up. Airlines need to be required to have a paper back up for flights. Computers are great, except when they are not

DLM, great to hear from you. Thankful your family and home are all ok. Terrible to hear about your bridge. I hope you will get power and services back soon.

Dee, same good wishes to your DD and her family. It’s just heartbreaking to see all the devastation and loss from this monster storm.

I talked with a friend Monday. She and her DH live on Grandfather Mtn. I had texted her Sunday, not knowing if thry had cell service, power, etc. They had come off the mountain to download email and messages, seeing lots of destruction along the way. They were told it might be a month before they got power back. They have a generator, propane powered, and were well prepared for whatever hit, but that’s a long wait!

Re the mules…Mt LeConte in the Smokies has used Llamas for years to pack supplies and fresh laundry to the lodge at the top of the mountain. We used to hike there once a year with friends and stay overnight in one of the cabins. The price included dinner and breakfast in the dining room. Also, Tennessee is the source for most of the mules used at the Grand Canyon for their trail rides.

Off topic, but I love the Montreat area. 😊

The scenes of destruction are incomprehensible. I finally heard from a friend who moved to the Asheville area in April. A landslide took most of their backyard, but the house survived as did they and their dogs. The road up to their house is gone, but a family member was able to drive nearby to collect them. I keep thinking about those who are unable to evacuate-walking down a steep mountain would not be easy for many. Many prayers for all of those affected.

Really glad to see you check-in DLM. I was worried. Relief. I'm hoping the situation improves as soon as is possible. Such a catastropic experience. But glad to know your own home held up. Prayers for everyone affected, and those doing the clean up, rescue and supplies efforts. From what little I get to see over here, there are many helpers.

The scope of the damage and destruction is incomprehensible. I don't even thing the feds touring multiple states can take it all in. I've been feeling it for the last several days, but today, video clip after video clip, and it brings back Beryl and Harvey memories and more. The sights, the smells, the feelings, the fears and uncertainties. The tears have been flowing, but I am grateful for all the reports of those who are ok. My son had a professor who is now retired and living outside of Ashville and a family from our area now owns several restaurants in Ashville and I hope we will hear they are ok too.

Seeing people come together, seeing truckload of food, water and supplies, cooking meals, hearing stories of rescues and people not stopping to ask questions -- just showing up to start helping -- I hope people will see this, feel this, and remember this is who we are. This is what we do. This is how we rise. This is how we feel safe and tackle our problems. This is how we move forward. Maybe we needed to see that lesson in action. That idea makes me cry too. We need to pay attention.

Y'all stay safe.

Lascatx the vast majority of what we've seen is just that : people stepping up, doing what they can with what they have for the people they can reach. A friend who is part of our country first responder team is shaken every day and he is working phones not even able to go on calls due to physical limitations. The teams coming back in to the center are ashen from what they've seen and experienced.

My own experience with natural disasters (Loma Prieta 1989 earthquake and hurricane Harvey in 2017) taught me that as horrific as the media images are, they don't begin to compare to the trauma on the ground. My heart is heavy knowing what everyone is going through, and feeling helpless to make a meaningful difference.

Canada has sent 750 linemen and trucks to help out. (that's not unusual for our two countries to step in and help out one another whether it be for storms or forest fires) but I was listening to an interview with the Canadian incident commander and he said that they have never seen anything like it. Being in the mountains comes with their own set of issues with slides and flooding and downed trees and not just single trees as you would see in the city but multiple stands of trees. With cell towers out and spotty connections in the mountains it's extremely difficult for the crews to communicate with one another wrt road conditions, where power is still out etc.

He also said that the residents of that area are the best. They exhibit true southern hospitality. He mentioned that so many people have nothing left and yet they are making sure that the crews get coffee, water, snacks when they're out on the road.

DLM -- that is my point. These events tend to bring out more of the best in people and remind us that we are more the same than we are different. I hate that it takes something on the scale of Helene, Harvey, Katrina, 9/11 and the like to remind us and I always hope it can stick with more people and longer. I think we need that right now.

That is not true, arcy. i don’t know where you get your information(I can guess), but it is flat-out wrong. This is what my dear friend of 40 years wrote Wednesday. She lives in Asheville, her children and sisters all live all live within the devastated area.

***********

Thank you to all of you reaching out to check on us. We are fine. Our power returned on day 6 but we don’t have water or internet access. If might be weeks before we get water. We have learned a new meaning of the word “survival” and we are so grateful for what we do have. I am using my sister’s Hotspot to write this.

Federal, State and local government have done an outstanding job and we have resources and help pouring in from all over the country. FEMA and volunteer organizations have been here providing for those in need.

I’m touched by the humanity shown amidst all of the devastation and destruction around us. Please pray for those who lost their lives (72 in our county so far) and the 200+ people in Buncombe County who are still missing. Love you all! ❤️

**************

Perhaps you should consider using legitimate sources for information.

Just today I have heard variations on the theme of arcy's post from my conservative friends. It is almost like they are listening to the same sources of information.

Please read. The last thing people affected by this storm need is to hear disinformation about the relief efforts they so desperately need.

https://www.fema.gov/disaster/current/hurricane-helene/rumor-response

Arcy, please don’t make this political. What you can do is find a way to help.

Today Dolly Parton was here in Tennessee. She has given one million to the Newport area. Walmart also announced they are increasing their donation to ten millon. Country singer Eric Church is donating all proceeds from his latest single to a NC area. It has been terrible to see this devastation, but so uplifting to see those willing to help. So much better than the misinformation some feel they need to spread.

Arcy, there is no reason to ”.….feel crushed under the weight of their failure.” Your “sources“ need you to feel this way, and you want to accomodate them. It is your preference, your decision, to choose misinformation over truth.

I missed what was obviously a charming post by Arcy. Probably a good thing I did. I will say our senator Thom Tillis (R) was part of a large press briefing today and he had some very pointed words to the people who are starting and spreading the conspiracy theories. Come here he said. Be boots on the ground and see what's actually happening. Instead of running your mouth. We have aid from all directions- federal, State, neighboring local communities and more. They have been here since before the storm hit. We are not being ignored. We are not underfunded. Instead of talking about something about which you know nothing be part of the solution. He was angry and I support what he said. 100%. I disagree with some of his policy stance, but periodically we are on same page. And in this case I'm actually pleased because he's speaking for many of us.

Lascatx somehow the meaning in my reply to you got lost. I was not implying that you said people aren't stepping up- I was agreeing with you that that's exactly what's happening! I'm doing everything on my phone and I'm not used to posting here that way -probably could have been worded better. We are on the same page ,

My heart goes out to all who have been impacted by this catastrophe--be it yourselves, family, friends, acquaintances, etc. It is all unimaginable. Feeling helpless here, but want to help out somehow. Any suggestions for best places to donate? Thank you.

DLM, I thought we were in agreement -- just wanted to affirm that I was with you and have seen it time and time again. I'm glad I missed the now deleted reply.

We got a flyer on our front door that our neighbors on the corner had to cancel their wedding in the mountains and are now having it here in their backyard. They said there would be extra cars and music. Everything's going on right now and it seems to be going smoothly.