Last Monday I drove around roads I'd covered a few weeks earlier. There is less debris. There are less damaged-beyond-repair cars. But the place is still muddy/dusty. I noticed that also when I drove in Asheville though the flooded area.
Major intersection and damaged bridge between Old 70 and US 70. Sometimes this signal light is working, sometimes it's not, since some traffic is coming from the far right leaving the downtown area (if you could call it that) of Swannanoa.
"Local homeowners who lost their homes or sustained serious damage in Helene’s floodwaters can begin applying next week to a federal program that may buy the home outright, or pay to have it elevated or rebuilt at a higher level..."
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The bridge over the Swannanoa River for Blue Ridge Rd is now open again! My apartment is on the other side of US 70, and Old US 70 (the 2 signal lights in the distance. Some of the reddish roofs that you see to the left of center are lower apartment buildings...I'm up the hill even further behind the woods, most of which survived.
I went across this one lane bridge on Thursday...it's needing a sign saying it's one lane!
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Photo courtesy of FEMA
BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — The keys have been handed over to the first Buncombe County family receiving a manufactured home from FEMA.
The home was placed on their property on Thursday, Nov. 7, helping that family regain a small sense of normalcy.
About 142 Buncombe County families have qualified for homes like these, which are being staged by FEMA in Hickory, N.C.
The manufactured homes can be lived in until families have a new home to transition to, but the sites must have power and water access and not have the potential to flood again.
I saw a huge truck with a claw arm lifting up some brush type debris the other day. It went by maybe 10 houses and cleared jus the brush/tree limbs. That left all the housing type debris to get...by another truck, another day.
It is sad to see so much destruction! At least they are working hard on the roads, which are necessary. I am sure all the families want to live normal as soon as possible. Take care, have a wonderful day and happy week ahead.
There are still people trying to help, but not as many. Soon there won't be free hot meals served. But the water department says we won't have potable water until mid-December, so lots of free water bottles by the case are still available.
Save the people and animals...give them shelter (lots of motel rooms), food and clothing (oh the huge piles of donations!) then take the debris away so they can start over again.
I know bit by bit all things get accomplished. Still hard to see such destruction and the constant state of mess would be hard to live with. Thank you for sharing these photos.
Getting there... slowly
ReplyDeleteI saw a huge truck with a claw arm lifting up some brush type debris the other day. It went by maybe 10 houses and cleared jus the brush/tree limbs. That left all the housing type debris to get...by another truck, another day.
DeleteIt is sad to see so much destruction! At least they are working hard on the roads, which are necessary. I am sure all the families want to live normal as soon as possible. Take care, have a wonderful day and happy week ahead.
ReplyDeleteThere are still people trying to help, but not as many. Soon there won't be free hot meals served. But the water department says we won't have potable water until mid-December, so lots of free water bottles by the case are still available.
Delete...where to start?
ReplyDeleteSave the people and animals...give them shelter (lots of motel rooms), food and clothing (oh the huge piles of donations!) then take the debris away so they can start over again.
DeleteSuch a great quote. the best response to these perilous times.
ReplyDeleteI'm still working on the last one! A peaceful moment.
DeleteYou old swinger, you. 😎
ReplyDeleteYou just couldn't resist!
DeleteI know bit by bit all things get accomplished. Still hard to see such destruction and the constant state of mess would be hard to live with. Thank you for sharing these photos.
ReplyDeleteIt is tragic. At least you have infrastructure and FEMA support.
ReplyDelete