Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Amazing to slowly drive by

Any time you're driving on US 70 through Swannanoa NC, someone will slow down here. Maybe they've not seen the extent of the destruction before, or in my case, I just clicked a bunch of photos this last week. The other drivers (most of them) understand what's happening. See the houses in the distance? There used to be similar ones here where the earth is scraped bare, and the piles of rubbish are all that's left of people's homes, and lives. Yes this is where several people died in Swannanoa NC in the flood from Hurricane Helene.












Here's a YouTube video, one of the best I've seen showing the disaster and recovery.

Hurricane Helene: A Love Letter to Appalachia




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I've got a 2 minute clip from the interview with a father and son who lived in one of those houses. I hope it will load. Maybe I'll have to cut it down into more than one...a new challenge here!

Well that didn't happen. I downloaded it from iCloud to my PC computer, where microsoft said I could edit it in Chimp Chip or something like that. But when I asked for help, it showed a different screen completely which provided editing capabilities, while my screen just seemed a big mess. Yes I could cut. But no "save" was available. Sorry folks.

Basically this is what they shared:  a father and son and partner and dogs quickly went into the attic of their home as the water rose and they had no cell service. But they had no way to get out as the flood waters were almost to the ceiling below. So father and son swam in the cold muddy water to the kitchen window, broke it and pushed the screen out to get outside. Some woman came by on a kayak - it must have been daylight by then - and they asked her for an ax so they could break through the roof to the attic. This done, the son went through the opening and pulled the dogs to safety. (They did leave out how the partner was saved.)

I'll keep the original. It probably is copyrighted by the TV station anyway.

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Today's  quote:

I saved this for the creativity that is needed now:

From Heron Dance's Journal: "The universe is a creative entity. We are both the result of that creative process and participants in it. When we do creative work we express, in our own unique way, our reverence for life, for the holy aspects of the creative forces out there, whatever they may be. And we often then sense that those forces approve, and provide support, provide energy, to our journey.

"But first effort. First dedication. Before entering sacred realms, we need to offer a sacrifice, and that sacrifice is part effort, part courage, part faith. We need to believe in our uniqueness, the value, perhaps even crucial necessity, of what we have to contribute."

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19 comments:

  1. It is devastation. Hopefully it will return to the news after the election, but I don't know...some just don't want to know.
    The sad thing is that people need to build out of harms way...but how can they

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    1. These mountains have always only offered a few places to live safely. But we sure thought they were safe from a hurricane!

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  2. How sad and scary. Those houses, however, look quite flimsy structurally (wood?) and clearly not able to withstand a flood. Is that normal for your area?

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    1. Yes, wood construction is the most typical in the US. I don't live there,, but these homes are like most of what you would find here.. Most look to be fairly recent construction too...this was a fast-growing area. The thing is, where many of these houses were built a flood was almost unthinkable...high on a mountain! And 30 inches of rain, even the most conservative flood estimates would not have thought it possible in this region.

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    2. These little homes were built for workers at the nearby mill which was known for really great wool blankets (Beacon Mills). So they weren't new, probably since the 1920s. The mill has gone now, but these houses were great for a "bedroom community" for Asheville. We have a real deficit of low cost housing. And Sue was right, frame construction was the best way to built for this area (and a lot of the south).

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  3. Thank you for documenting this. We must remember the impact of Climate Change.
    Many people have helped one another. Others make news by yelling and screaming that things aren't fixed, now. I prefer to hear about the good work being done. People don't seem to understand how difficult it all is.

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    1. The community building which happened naturally was a big unexpected positive out of all of this. Sure many volunteers came from outside (including Canada!) but the very first thing that happened was checking on our neighbots.

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  4. ...the task of rebuilding is HUGE!

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    1. It is going to be interesting, as now these are flood designated areas. FEMA, for instance, won't pay for rebuilding in a flood area.

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  5. When you see those pictures up close and personal like that …

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    1. It is not pleasant. For a month out from the event, those who drive by it every day are somewhat immune. But there are still free meals being offered by several non-profits, World Central Kitchen and Red Cross, for example.

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  6. So sad--such complete devastation.

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    1. I have to wonder what will happen to the folks that owned those houses, and that land that is now designated flood prone. I'm sad still.

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  7. Hi Barbara, The devastation is unbelievable... Thanks for the video as it really shows just how bad and widespread the damage and destruction was. Thousands of lives impacted and life will never be quite the same for them. Every big storm will come with a built in fear factor. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

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  8. So very sad to see all the devastation. I can't even imagine going through something like this.

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  9. OH MY GOD!! the devastation is but a glimpse of climate change down the line, not that far away.
    Earth has had enough of human bullshit. Your photos !!1 WOW, we have no idea the power of climate change and lack of awareness/preparation. how can we? Glad that you are safe and able to go to your cousins house for safe keeping- if you need to again. Stay well, Dear B!

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  10. Our hearts are with everyone in that region who has been affected, including you my friend. Please take care of yourself.

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There is today, more than ever, the need for a compassionate regenerative world civilization.