More on hurricane Helene

[BMWTurboDzl]

I was speaking with someone from FEMA today as their SnR command post was in the area. They're going to bring in the SeaBees and other groups to build temporary bridges in place of those which were washed out so they can get onto remote areas.

I saw FEMA, UPS, Border Patrol, and some state agencies.

 

[AutoMechanic]

One of my aunts on my dad’s side lost everything and her car too in Draper Virginia. It his this area pretty good too. My uncle is blind and has no idea what happened unfortunately. We are working to try and replace everything for them. It rose up to the second level of their house. She is beyond devastated about it understandably. Her neighbor is a hero he brought a ladder over and climbed up to their bedroom window and broke it to get them out when the water was rising. It was a chore to get my uncle out but they made it happen with the help of the water rescue team from that area. They are displaced and staying with my aunt in Tazewell Virginia but glad she and my uncle are safe. Thanks to the water rescue team and the hero neighbor. We are going to go see all that side of the family and drop off things for her sometime in the coming weekends.

 

[burbguy82]

 

[bbhero]

I suggest volunteering for FEMA to get some real experience.

Whether be when Katrina happened or now.
It’s just how it goes. I didn’t think FEMA was horrible then… And I don’t think it is now.

Just an extremely difficult circumstance to even attempt to deal with.

 

[4WD]

One of my aunts on my dad’s side lost everything and her car too in Draper Virginia. It his this area pretty good too. My uncle is blind and has no idea what happened unfortunately. We are working to try and replace everything for them. It rose up to the second level of their house. She is beyond devastated about it understandably. Her neighbor is a hero he brought a ladder over and climbed up to their bedroom window and broke it to get them out when the water was rising. It was a chore to get my uncle out but they made it happen with the help of the water rescue team from that area. They are displaced and staying with my aunt in Tazewell Virginia but glad she and my uncle are safe. Thanks to the water rescue team and the hero neighbor. We are going to go see all that side of the family and drop off things for her sometime in the coming weekends.

It’s always a plus when nobody shoots at water rescue teams …

 

[bbhero]

I can't help it if you don't understand how finding the government works and I have neither the time nor desire to explain it.

Spreading all the money around is hard and complicated.

Yep… true.

True for the drug cartels too.

Awesome.

 

[Jokester]

One of my aunts on my dad’s side lost everything and her car too in Draper Virginia. It his this area pretty good too. My uncle is blind and has no idea what happened unfortunately. We are working to try and replace everything for them. It rose up to the second level of their house. She is beyond devastated about it understandably. Her neighbor is a hero he brought a ladder over and climbed up to their bedroom window and broke it to get them out when the water was rising. It was a chore to get my uncle out but they made it happen with the help of the water rescue team from that area. They are displaced and staying with my aunt in Tazewell Virginia but glad she and my uncle are safe. Thanks to the water rescue team and the hero neighbor. We are going to go see all that side of the family and drop off things for her sometime in the coming weekends.

Did the hero neighbor get approval from an arrogant fire chief before proceeding, bwahaha? Some like him need an attitude adjustment regardless of the situation. Should be thankful that so many 'unofficial' people put their time/effort on the line to help others any way possible. If we all wait for 'official' help to arrive to sort things lots more would suffer/die.

 

[4WD]

Here is a short video on some locals opening a bridge - county employees on one side, residents on the other.

This is how it works. FEMA doesn't do this sort of work. Often the state isn't much help either. They may help rebuild after the fact, but in real time you can only rely on yourself and your neighbors.

Have several friends with skid steers, backhoes, and even dozers - and none of them even farm - it’s to develop and protect their own land - and a big part of that is managing heavy rains and erosion …

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Did the hero neighbor get approval from an arrogant fire chief before proceeding, bwahaha? Some like him need an attitude adjustment regardless of the situation. Should be thankful that so many 'unofficial' people put their time/effort on the line to help others any way possible. If we all wait for 'official' help to arrive to sort things lots more would suffer/die.

It can be a catch 22. A story ran over the weekend about numerous nears misses around WNC airspace because so many private aircraft were doing their own thing flying in/out of the area.

 

[pbm]

If the gov't doles out cash to foreign countries in the blink of an eye but whines about not having enough funding on TV, you think that's fair?


I don't blame the migrants for coming here. For those from Cuba, Haiti, Venzuela, Congo etc who wouldn't want free housing, phones, food, healthcare, spending cash etc?

The absurd part is why place the US in this predicament and then go on TV and complain about funding. It doesn't give the appearance of taking care of your citizens first, even if there was a separate funding bill. There's never enough money for the Americans who need it (Veterans benefits, social security, homeless) but when the unwashed masses pay cartels to get smuggled into the country there are freebies and programs everywhere.

I'm a believer in "Charity begins at home"....

 

[burbguy82]

I suggest volunteering for FEMA to get some real experience.

real experience for what?

 

[SC Maintenance]

Have several friends with skid steers, backhoes, and even dozers - and none of them even farm - it’s to develop and protect their own land - and a big part of that is managing heavy rains and erosion …

Several years ago we got a cat 2. Were quite a ways inland but it knocked down a bunch of pines - none of mine luckily. When the winds died down enough I heard chain saws so figured I best get out there and see who needs help. The guy a few doors down and his two sons pretty much had every fallen tree for a couple blocks in neat piles already. Was so windy I couldn't even hear it. Unfortunately they moved, so I might be on my own next time.

 

[billt460]

And if you think this is bad, wait until this latest hurricane, (Milton), plows head on into Florida later this week. It's already a CAT 5.

 

[tbm5690]

And if you think this is bad, wait until this latest hurricane, (Milton), plows head on into Florida later this week. It's already a CAT 5.

Supposed to be a 3 when it makes landfall from what I am seeing. Still, not encouraging given that Helene recovery is still underway.

 

[Rhymingmechanic]

After Katrina everyone realizes that FEMA is not coming to save you. Ever. Should be abolished. All they can do is hand out money after the fact, and to newly arrived residents.

I watched a bunch of youtube videos of people hiking into these communities that are devastated. Its local law enforcement and local residents cleaning up and helping each other. The Federal government is nowhere to be found as usual.

As for the national news, its a reporter or two standing in front of Biltmore village saying how bad it is for 60 seconds, when it wasn't even that bad in that particular spot. Yes, under water, but not washed away. Also worthless as usual.

I watched that guy's "Bat Cave" video this morning. He said helicopters were constantly flying over, including Blackhawks and Chinooks. He showed water and boxes of food they had dropped, and mentioned watching people being lowered from a helicopter.

That police vehicle is in pretty good shape. He showed what I first thought was a piece of a car or SUV in a riverbed. It turned out to be a complete vehicle that got so pounded by the flood that it was crushed into a cube.

 

[Dave Hess]

I heard FL Governor saying that he sent State Troopers and FL National Guard to help in NC.

Some of the NC residents had not received any help until they showed up and were surprised they came from Florida. Way too many people needing help and crews from NC stretched very thin, all help from other states greatly appreciated.

It wouldn’t surprise me if death toll hit 600 cause the waters washed away homes and 6000 lb vehicles as if they were empty soda cans.

I pray for these unfortunate people in NC and TN.

 

[RDY4WAR]

Day 11 without power for us. I've put 156 hours on our generator. It has HPL Bad Ass Racing 5W-30 in it because why not? Hopefully we'll get power back in the next 3-5 days.

 

[RooflessVW]

I heard FL Governor saying that he sent State Troopers and FL National Guard to help in NC.

Some of the NC residents had not received any help until they showed up and were surprised they came from Florida. Way too many people needing help and crews from NC stretched very thin, all help from other states greatly appreciated.

It wouldn’t surprise me if death toll hit 600 cause the waters washed away homes and 6000 lb vehicles as if they were empty soda cans.

I pray for these unfortunate people in NC and TN.

My company has sent almost 2,000 employees and 12 Helicopters at this point

 

[JeffKeryk]

My company has sent almost 2,000 employees and 12 Helicopters at this point

The beauty of these disasters is the way communities come together. The Loma Prieta quake brought out the very best in people and companies around here.

 

[gman2304]

My wife and I just made our second trip to Canton, N.C. to deliver more donated supplies for the Hurricane Helene affected region of Western N.C. My oldest son and his wife set up tents and cooked for the victims and volunteers. We didn’t keep up with the number of meals we served but we fed quite a few firefighters, law enforcement officers, a tree cutting crew, High School kids who were volunteering, and many residents who had lost most everything they had worked for all their lives. Sad, sobering and fulfilling at the same time. The High School is on high ground and was virtually untouched but the town below is devastated.