Looks like devastating damage. And it sounds like the cell towers are out so nobody can reach their folks there. Hoping for the best for all in the area.
When you think about hurricanes, Tennessee and western North Carolina are not the areas that spring to mind for damage.
Man, this Chinese hoax/Global Warming thing is interesting, isnāt it? 
Iām surprised thereās still a polar ice cap.
Spoke with a friend in Raleigh who has family in Asheville. She said she still canāt get in touch with her folks either, again most likely just due to the cell outages (knock on wood).
I just heard from a friend in Hendersonville (Right outside Asheville) who said cell service is starting to return. Chimney Rock and Lake Lure are completely devastated. These areas are only located 2 1/2 hours from us in High Point. It is heartbreaking to see the damage and loss of everything for that region.
The NY Times is reporting estimates of 37 deaths in North Carolina.
This is sadly inevitable.
The folks in Greeneville dodged the bullet of a dam failing but the flooding destroyed the water pump station. They will be without water for quite some time. FYI the dam was built in 1912.
Normal Day:
Friday afternoon:
The Nolichucky River crested at the highest point since 1901.
Also several bridges and roads were washed out. It is going to take a long to recover from this major storm. I have been in contact with a few friends, they are making the best of it and trying to help where they can. It is a strong community and this will bring the best out in most of the people there.
That picture amazed me. Looking up that dam, I see it was constructed in 1912, but itās still standing against those floodwaters. So glad that catastrophe was averted.
Hey all! We made it through just fine and have evacuated ourselves to Matthews. Mrs banedoodle has a sister here.
Insane devastation. My businesses are both mostly undamaged and our house made it through no problem. Weāre lucky. A lot of people arenāt. Water wonāt be restored in Asheville for four to six weeks. Currently thereās nothing coming out of the pipes even if you have the capacity to boil it.
They hope to have power back to everyone by Friday. No traffic lights. Trips to the grocery store take 6 hours. Curfew in effect. Constant sirens. Trees and power lines everywhere. The only places that are open only take cash.
I am very nearly dumfounded by gratitude for our friends and neighbors. What a weird, electrifying, cherished and awful experience. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your concerns.
Go 'Stros!
Really glad to hear that you and yours are safe and have someplace to stay. I know that everyone here has been worried for you.
Glad you and your family are safe, Devin. One thing Iāve come to experience in times of disaster is who you can really rely on. Itās great if you have close family nearby, but many of us donāt, and itās your friends and neighbors, the people who live near you and with whom you are going through this. Iām always encouraged when I see and hear of people helping lift each other up in time of need, and it restores some of my faith in humanity. Hang in there, it will get better.
So glad to hear from you. If you know of any groups doing good work in your area who need donations, please let us know.
Yes, absolutely.
Speaking of groceries, I remember TS Allison and my morning trip to the Dunlavy Fiesta. The first sign that everything was totally fubar was when I crossed over 59 and the water was about 8 feet from the bridge, and there was a canoe paddling down the middle of the highway.
So I get our beer and food, solid lines of carts from the checkouts to the back of the store, and about 5 minutes later a voice on the PA announces that the computers are down and the store is now cash only. The cacophany of groans and profanity that erupted was pretty impressive. People just walked away from their carts, and I ended up about 5th in line.
So good to hear you are still alive and well. Please, let us know if thereās anything we can do to help out.
So glad to hear from you, Devin. I had not contacted your dad or mom yet, but if you had not checked in soon, I would have swallowed hard and done so.
But addressing climate change is expensiveā¦