Around the mountain towns

Many coves and ridges bring people together in these times. Yes, a disaster is a possibility for neighborly sharing. And then the scammers start arriving. So everyone is particularly cautious around strangers these days. What do they want to sell!

Downtown Spruce Pine NC

Penland School of Crafts (near Spruce Pine) reports the main road is cleared of trees but not good to travel on, so they're working on the gravel road.

Near Spruce-Pine - notice water line is also disrupted

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Good numbers to start the process of applying for help.

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Thank heavens for National Guard help

Sign still stands after everything else has washed away.

Chimney Rock with Helene's torture Photo by Nikolas Goninus

Below:

Reality check, showing people in Swannanoa just a few days ago. I'm sure they've been rescued by now, but it just is sobering to see some of what they went through!
 

Many mobile homes like this one were just swept away. I'm pretty sure that's where a lot of lives were lost. My thoughts go out to all their loved ones dealing with families lost. 

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Yes there is good news!

Press Release from the Town of Black Mountain Public Works, Police and Fire Departments.

Black Mountain, NC – October 3, 2024.

Situation Report- Over the course of storm response, over 400 lives have been saved. Basic needs are now being met in the town, and aid continues to arrive daily. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is onsite in the Town and assisting the Fire Department with secondary searches. FEMA will be going to damaged homes in order to inventory damaged structures. Additionally, resources are available for citizens for FEMA disaster assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov. BEWARE OF SCAMMERS. We have had reports of scammers in the area. Ask all personnel to show identification badges. All FEMA support will be in identifiable uniforms or vests.

Road Access & Fuel- We are pleased to report that 90% of town roads are clear within the Town of Black Mountain as of 9:00 A.M. The remaining roads are closed because they are impassible or are not safe to travel on at this time. With the restoration of power to the downtown area, several local gas stations have reopened. If you come to an intersection with the stop lights out, please treat this as a four-way stop.

Electricity- Power has been restored to portions of downtown Black Mountain. The majority of Black Mountain, Montreat and Ridgecrest remain without power. Power restoration will occur as lines are cleared. We encourage you to visit https://outagemap.duke-energy.com/#/carolinas to check on power restoration status. The Black Mountain Fire Department pulled electrical meters from unoccupied damaged structures in order to mitigate any potential fire hazards as power begins to be restored. Residents should turn off the hot water heater breakers at their home if power is restored in order to keep it from burning up due to no water. Also, residents should turn off their ice makers.

Town Public Water System- Town water and sewer systems are still down. Restoration of running water is still unknown. The Town of Black Mountain Public Works Department is working today to repair road washouts today to the rest of wells in order for crews to restore power to these wells. Further, crews are fixing leaks that they can and awaiting materials for one of the main water distribution lines. We are continuing to work with the City of Asheville to get one of the distribution lines back online. (more is available at their Facebook site)

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how I 26 looks on last Tuesday in Unicoi County, Tennessee, near the North Carolina border.

How I- 26 looks on Saturday in Unicoi County, Tennessee, near the North Carolina border

Map of I-26 W between NC and TN

I-26 between Weaverville and Johnson City…closed till March 2025, photo near the NC-TN border.

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I-40 between Asheville and Knoxville…closed till September 2025

Map of I-40 between Asheville NC and Knoxville TN

Mud Tools production office, tools for potters everywhere, Bat Cave NC

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Today's quote:

The principal goal of education in the schools should be creating men and women who are capable of doing new things, not simply repeating what other generations have done; men and women who are creative, inventive, and discoverers, who can be critical and verify, and not accept, everything they are offered. -Jean Piaget, psychologist (1896-1980)