'Helene's Aftermath, 96 Hrs in Asheville' Western North Carolina - Stories of Destruction, Recovery🌪

[appalachiablue]

WBIR 10, NBC, Oct. 11, 2024. On Sept. 30, 2024 WBIR sent crews to Asheville to cover what happened to Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene. They spent 96 hours on the ground. These are the stories they encountered.

[-misanthroptimist]

1. The thing about these events

...is that you can probably find just about any kind of story you want if you look hard enough.

For instance, Milton roared through my part of FL early Thursday morning. We weren't in the center, but still received hurricane force gusts. I lost power for two or three seconds. So, to me, Milton wasn't a big deal.

Meanwhile, the other side of my street is still without power, three days later. My neighbor who is ~100 feet south of me is running his generator as I type this. I imagine his take on Milton is quite different from mine.

And both of us have a far different perception to those that got hit with the uncharacteristically viscous hurricane spawned tornadoes that Milton produced just a couple dozen miles away.

[appalachiablue]

2. What a contrast, thanks for adding this perspective.

[MyMission]

7. I find most people here in NC feel fortunate

And we want to help our communities, our neighbors, our friends and family.who are less fortunate. And those with major losses feel fortunate to have their lives. Those with extended power and water outages feel fortunate their home is in tact. Those in need feel fortunate and are grateful for rescue workers and humanitarian aid. Here in Western NC this disaster has brought people and communities together. Personally I only lost power for 26 hours in my primary residence, and neighbors with chainsaws cleared the main access road of several fallen trees. So I could get out and was able to help in the community,, bring warm water, soup, coffee to some friends. Two of them said they plan to get a generator!

My nephew and his pregnant wife and family lived in Swannanoa. Their house was on a hill, and the only one on the block not to be submerged in water. They feel fortunate. They lost their cars and whatever tools and equipment they had in the garage at street level.They evacuated after the flood waters receded. They want to return to that neighborhood, hopefully to that house. Even though it didn't flood it has developed some mold. They put some stuff in storage, got rid of the moldy stuff, have a temporary apartment in Weaverville.

Fema is evaluating, and landlord.too. It's a nice house, good size and layout for them with 2 kids and one due in January, a large dog and 3 cats, fenced yard. I worry about the contaminated mud and residue, on their street and lawns, and all the other homes were flooded. I suspect many will be demolished, some professionally cleaned if possible, some will sit and fester. The 14 year old shouldn't have to change high schools, we all agree, so they're trying to go back to that area, which is really decimated. They want to help rebuild it! I say good for them, but I still worry!
And I'm proud of them.

[Silent Type]

3. Excellent report. Thanks. We used to go to that area annually about this time of year. Maybe Fall 2025.

[appalachiablue]

5. You're welcome. We intend to visit the area, priority now. Great community and people!

[hermetic]

4. I teared up a couple of times

watching that.

[appalachiablue]

6. Me too! Learning about their terrific endurance & sense of community was so moving.