| Author | Message | ||
     Hughlysses |
For any of you not keeping up with it, western North Carolina was completely hammered by Hurricane Helene last week. The area received a lot of rain from another storm system on Thursday, and then was absolutely inundated as the hurricane came through. Asheville, Old Fort, Marion, Morganton, Spruce Pine, Burnsville, and Chimney Rock all got severe flood damage. I-26 and I-40 are impassable in the area, as are most secondary roads. Video from the town of Chimney Rock shows that about half of their downtown stores were washed away. Power is out and cell phones are not working. Facebook is filled with messages from people trying to determine the status of friends and family in the area. For any of you that have attended the "Buells in the Alps" (BITA) meet, I've read a couple of posts this morning claiming that the Skyline Village Inn was heavily damaged, as in partly washed away. NC-226 is not passable up the mountain. Pictures coming out of the area show massive flooding and destruction all over. It's hard to imagine how far-reaching the impacts of a big hurricane can be, but this really shows it. | ||
| Aesquire |
I blame John Ringo. ( author who devastates Asheville in several of his novels. Alien invasion, wormholes, nuclear strike, antimatter artillery, sometimes in combination )  Prayers for the locals and responders. (See science thread for opinion on cause ) | ||
| Hughlysses |
Just saw a post that the Skyline is still standing. Glad to see that. | ||
| Aesquire |
https://instapundit.com/675056/ Ignore as much of the political stuff as you can, this is a badly covered disaster and they need help. | ||
| Etennuly |
This disaster is absolutely devastating. So many of the beautiful areas we have been proud to call our playground for so many years are gone. I've ridden these areas through rain storms and flooding situations, I even rode my Ulysses through the end of a tornado on my way home from TWO's campground one year. None of that counts. I so wish I could do some thing like what I saw yesterday on I40 near Dandridge TN. On my way to check on my mom and brother near Bulls Gap. My son was driving me, we were passed by a brand new Dodge truck with dealer tags. It's bed was loaded with a large pallet of bottled water. It was heading towards Newport area. Destination unknown. My hat is off to whom ever that was. I feel I owe a debit of gratitude to these people and their mountain roads and villages for hosting so many beautiful times to riders like me. It could take years to recover, or just get back to a functional life for them. I'm feeling bad about not being able to personally help. About all I can do is be a cheer leader for their cause. I surely do miss all of you and Buell motorcycles. | ||
| Tpehak |
No worries, Biden will waste more money for the Ukrainian nazis instead of using it to recover the area. | ||
| Hughlysses |
^ No doubt. Every now and then, the National Propaganda Repository does put out a worthwhile story. This one is on how mining in the town of Spruce Pine, NC, devastated by the storm, is vital to the manufacture of solid state electronics and photovoltaic panels. Maybe the article will help spur interest in getting serious relief to the area. https://www.npr.org/2024/09/30/nx-s1-5133462/hurri cane-helene-quartz-microchips-solar-panels-spruce- pine | ||
| Glitch |
I've not been able to get in touch with the folks. Up near Fletcher. In July we got them set up with a Generak, and a ramp. They're safe just can't get off the mountain. According to my cousin. My sister in Marion is safe but homeless. Don't know where my brother is right now. Everything I grew up with is destroyed or changed forever. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Sorry to hear it Glitch. Glad your folks are okay. Facebook is a pretty good source of info on what's going on in the area. The groups "You Know You're from Marion, NC" and "Let's Talk About Spruce Pine, NC" are 2 good ones. A lot of people are volunteering to check on friends/family in the area if you let them know. It sounds like the power is coming back on in Marion already. Spruce Pine and some of the other smaller towns are supposed to be restored by the end of the week. I imagine it'll take a lot longer for the folks that live out in the sticks. | ||
| Tpehak |
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| Hughlysses |
If anyone is inclined to help, here is a list of charities helping in western NC: https://www.bpr.org/bpr-news/2024-09-28/list-ways- to-donate-and-help-flood-victims-in-western-north- carolina-after-hurricane-helene | ||
| Icantdrive55 |
Lodge in Little Switzerland is OK and currently hosting 300 local folks during this catastrophic event. The Alpine Inn is gone! https://www.wcti12.com/news/local/more-than-300-st randed-in-little-switzerland-lodge-after-severe-we ather?fbclid=IwY2xjawFsLzpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXF-Jft ibbOkYfDctCYF4HahOQDZ8Y45F63ezWaobNRGAdrUFRnI1kzFm Q_aem_y0BnC77MSjhf-KfPEV6bXw# https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/weather/severe-w eather/alpine-inn-survivors-climb-mountain-before- motel-destroyed-by-helene/83-1378114e-6fb2-48cd-92 ac-63df00959c72?fbclid=IwY2xjawFsLrZleHRuA2FlbQIxM AABHS9rfSzBgzJ9Eh0KVrDFJK0T2Chp9WHVtMzyh2CoGcqiyWC WjTfdyzAGWA_aem_OccEYi_eo_-4ObKKqoxB5w | ||
| Tpehak |
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| Glitch |
I just got off the phone with my cousin. He made it up to the folks and I got to talk to them What a relief! Although we still haven't located my brother. Ann has set up a donation center, and has already filled one container. It's on its way up north Filling another right now. I hate feeling useless in this situation. Storm or not I've not a driving license, and sit on the top of this hill waiting for news. Mountain folk don't need FEMA. They need help not got.  | ||
| Tpehak |
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| Aesquire |
https://instapundit.com/676271/ Tennessee National Guard! Citizens! | ||
| Jaimec |
The Blue Ridge Parkway is closed indefinitely. https://www.qcnews.com/news/u-s/north-carolina/blu e-ridge-parkway-to-be-closed-indefinitely-national -park-service/ | ||
| Aesquire |
That was a Depression Era design, Especially the Skyline Drive, with the mandate of "use as much labor and as little resources as possible and make it the best view/tourist attraction road.". It is an engineering, and Social Engineering, masterpiece. Jobs, a perpetual economic boost to the surrounding towns, and a great ride. ( I've only done part ) But there are higher priorities than fixing the tourist route today, and probably until next Spring. The High Road closes with snowfall, it's just too dangerous for idiots. The Southeast Mountain chain is a very different beast, in a flood emergency sense, than the Missouri/Mississippi River Valley floods I grew up with. The waters go downhill much faster, don't hang around as long. Also different than Gulf Coast & East Coast flatland and swamp hurricane flooding. Bass boats are going to be replaced with hardcore 4x4 transport faster, and it's much harder to get through. It's still the Redneck Brigades that are the unsung heroes in any Natural Disaster in America. Not picking on Rednecks at all! But like the American descendants of African immigrants and slaves, adopting the insult labels as self using slang of pride and defiance, I just say... Go Rednecks! And this is going to sound weird, but the Rednecks are the most likely today to have helicopters and bush planes, bass boats & Real off road machines, not toys the Urban Rich typically favor, and if they lean towards that recreational fun, they have a country home too ( or instead ). Skipping over the Politics, FEMA has a tough job since you can't pre-position supplies in a disaster zone, they get destroyed. So you do it anyway, in every place you can afford, so Some warehouse of MREs and tents survives close enough to get there fast. But the reality is that the fastest response to any natural disaster is going to come from Private/Corporate people. That Coca-Cola bottling plant outside the damage zone is where the bottled water is going to come from first. There's a lot to complain about the Government in any disaster, and it's always Partly True, and a little unfair at the same time. I'll save my bit#4ing for the political threads. | ||
| Jaimec |
At least Route 129 through Deal's Gap survived! Rode it to get to Fontana Village on Thursday, and I'll be on it again when I leave here to head back home. At least in this area it's hard to tell anything happened though the resort was without power last week.  | ||
| Crusty |
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| Hughlysses |
This seems pretty typical of the road damage. This is NC 9 between Bat Cave, NC and Black Mountain, NC. I have ridden this road plenty of times. Straight here, but great twisties in multiple locations.  | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Wow! Hughlysses, that' some before and after pic... | ||
| Crusty |
https://babylonbee.com/news/fema-arrests-noah-for- running-unauthorized-flood-rescue-operation?utm_so urce=The%20Babylon%20Bee%20Newsletter&utm_medium=e mail | ||
| Aesquire |
https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/4953 827-hurricane-helene-recovery-asheville/ | ||
| Kmbuell |
I'm extremely disappointed in Crusty spreading these cartoons of FEMA response in Western NC. Maybe instead of spreading absolute falsehoods he should ride on down and help dig out some of these people? Not at all what I would expect from him. It makes no sense, give a hand - this is the real response we need. This storm missed me by about 60 miles. We've been helping where we can. They still need help and will for months to come. FEMA is there, money is starting to flow. Samaritans Purse is there, the Red Cross is there. Thousands of volunteers are there No addition bullshit is needed. Use you head man! | ||
| Crusty |
I'm disappointed in Kmbuell for calling me out for posting cartoons criticizing the lackluster performance of FEMA; The organization who considers supplying housing and money for illegals more important than helping American Citizens. When the flooding first happened, it was Elon Musk and Dolly Parton (and Dolly isn't the least bit political) who were first to help out. In the meantime, Alejandro Mayorkas, the head of Homeland Security (the agency in charge of FEMA) was stating that the funds were running out for FEMA. But there were no restrictions on funds for bringing in more invaders. And when people showed up to help with various items that the victims might need, the items were confiscated for "Inventorying" and many of the early volunteers were sent back home. You say that I should come down and help out. Yep. That's a good idea. A broke 74 year old biker who doesn't have a car should ride down where he can do very little good. I could get in the way, I suppose. So maybe I should keep my mouth shut when I'm witnessing the present administrating doing it's best to denigrate the value of US citizens while it puts it's main efforts into moving potentially more Democrat voters into Republican strongholds. I've got news for you. It ain't gonna happen. | ||
| Whisperstealth |
I'm completely with Crusty on this. Those memes are a hell of a lot more accurate than they should be. The FEMA response was initially flat out horrible and inexcusable. They only got their asses somewhat in gear after being called out on the national stage. It's an absolute fact FEMA has blown it's budget on illegal invaders, leaving little for USA CITIZENS. That is a disgrace and criminally culpable in my mind. Calling FEMA and DHS out on their lack of properly protecting and taking care of US CITIZENS and the Nation, while shepherding illegals into the Republic is something all Americans should be doing. Crusty is a Patriot, who has shown love for his country continuously. The memes were in no way a form of disrespect to the victims of Helene, but an all to real reminder the the current administration cares nothing about the US American People, and very much about importing a permanent voting base for themselves. | ||
| Kmbuell |
Ok, I guess I'm wrong. I've been there. I've seen the devastated areas and displaced people getting help. I've given cash and labor. What have you done but post lies and falsehoods? I'd have to say get off your ass and help. Posting flat lies isn't help. Go look. Go see. Go ask I'm out and I'm ashamed of y'all! | ||
| Aesquire |
Kmbuell, What is your beef? A political cartoon? That fairly accurately shows in a cartoonish way, that the DHS has spent FEMA funds for illegal aliens, while the Head of the Agency himself said they were low on funds to help hurricane victims. Our tax money spent on housing, feeding, and moving illegal aliens is certainly humanitarian aid. And the lady put in charge, publicly, by the President is depicted driving a boat, and THAT offends you? What flat lies? Point out the quote, please. It's undeniable there were "mistakes" made by FEMA people in the initial weeks after they arrived. Some I can explain and excuse, like a FEMA minion with orders to inventory the supplies at a church and get it organized for distribution. Who refuses to allow Citizens to drop off more, since he's busy. That annoyed the volunteers, and got some press, but that's the way bureaucracy works, that FEMA minion would get yelled at and demoted by some jerk in an air conditioned office in D.C., if he didn't do his job. Other examples are not as understandable, and if you think of one, and can explain, ( As I have above, hopefully better ) feel free to enlighten us. The locals and the volunteers from elsewhere, were there first, that's actually normal, despite complaints. If Mayorkas Himself in his Appointed Glory, was living in Asheville, HE might get a helicopter ride immediately, but his neighbor depends on the Redneck Brigade and their bass boats, just like everyone else in the country when there is a flood. FEMA literally can't be there immediately. It's not possible. Orders have to be given, trucks rented and loaded, satellite images and military photo recon has to be tasked, organized, jets fueled, Pilots and specialists organized, and then the information analyzed to find what roads are still there. Then there's more time to actually drive there from outside the devastation zone. There certainly were complaints made about how long it took, and all the above is just part of it. How long it took for the dude sleeping on his private beach and the lady busy doing fundraisers with rich people, to issue orders is a different matter. Argue that, preferably with references, on the political threads. btw, Thank you for helping. This old crippled guy didn't drag his canoe down and help out. I figured I'd be in the way and the Chinese outboard I have just means I'd be another person needing rescue. Who I send my checks to help is my business. And I won't brag about it. It's not much. Charity with bragging isn't. Not that I'm accusing you of bragging! Don't take me wrong. Sincere thanks. So? Lies? please point them out and I may join you in mockery. Or, more likely politely point out the error. I don't get all huffy except when the poster snipes and runs like a coward after defaming someone. | ||
| Aesquire |
Whisperstealth, I'm in general agreement. ( I'm trying to think of anything I disagree with, and so far, blank ) Months from now, Congressional Hearings, Investigative Reporting ( It still exists ) and maybe hidden camera video of some DHS or WH minion bragging to get laid, will answer a few questions about the people that deserve blame, possibly demotion, even immolation, but I'm not going to waste your time on that in this thread, until it's a retrospective, not a reporting of the ongoing. |
