Yard

[lighter]

Electricity blinking on and off.

[lighter]

Power went out at 4:44am.  Limbs hitting the roof.  Lots of rain and water.

How's everyone else doing?

[sKePTiKal]

More dreary rain here. It's a little breezy but nothing I won't drive in. I don't think we're going to see much here from the 'cane. It's supposed to go way west of us, anyway - altho, I have to say I find the computer models much less reliable lately.

IIRC, after 24 hrs of death the rabies virus dies as well. So, no worries THERE. It's not like CWD prions that can stay viable in the dirt indefinitely.

What's really bothering you?

[sKePTiKal]

Hiya!
Just checking in to see if y'all are OK - computer isn't letting me type w/o inserting extra letters.

Things look bad in WNC.

[Hopalong]

I'm really sorry for the folks right in its path and glad you're not at the beach, Amber. Lighter, hope you've made peace with bear fears and your power's back on.

I had one astonishing deluge that lasted minutes only. During the nonstop rain I was gazing out etc, and all of a sudden it was like somebody Way Up had overturned a giant (think Sea World) aquarium right outside my window. Completely impenetrable pouring down. Kinda loved it but whoo.

Getting Pup outside again with his fancy feet he prefers dry was pretty funny, but life's coming back to the yard. Put out extra peanuts for crows and one big one braved the demon dog in the window to march around out front. Makes me happy.

After much trimming and weeding and tidying, my yard will likely be a jungle again in a week or two because of all this rain. I know the street a few blocks down the ridge will be puddly and the river's right next to it.

Climate change? What climate change? Glad y'all are safe and hope whatever damage you got is minimal. That driveway stuff sounded bad, Amber. We really are dependent on reliable people, so that's an eternal search.

hugs
Hops

[sKePTiKal]

The storms we had end of August and first of this month, were VERY hurricane like. That torrential downpour, like you describe... lasting an hour or two. Hurricane Debby remnant blew thru first. And what we got yesterday wasn't that bad.

But what I see from the Asheville & Black Mountain area of NC is BAD. They're still waiting for rivers to crest today. Pray it stays dry down there. Lots of people won't have power back for awhile - because some of the major roads are gone in places; mudslides wiped out homes even if they weren't flooded. Of course no internet. And I hear it's still raining in Kentucky... we're expected to get rain the next four days, but I think it'll be normal showers.

Hope you're doing OK, Lighter!

[Hopalong]

I've been worrying about Lighter too. I don't think her house is low-lying but who knows. "If the crick don't rise" is kind of moot in that area right now. Damn.

Glad you're okay, Amber, and on a mountainside. That one sudden downpour I was talking about was like a solid, foot-thick wall of water. Literally couldn't see through it. Luckily it was brief.

Stay home and dry and safe, would you? I'll send white light to all.

hugs
Hops

[sKePTiKal]

OH i'm staying home. Natural inclination. But I do need to go out from time to time. I go loaded for bear. At this point; in a place I've called home for 40 years. I am no one's victim now.

I just want to know Lighter is safe and all is well.

[Hopalong]

Me too! Lighter, hope you can find a sec on Wifi to check in...

For those far away, this link is free for 14 days and will give you an idea of what's happened in the worst part of western NC:

https://wapo.st/3XOffyS

Nature wins, every time.

hugs
Hops

PS My guess is that if Lighter's area is flooding, she's up to her collarbone in rescue work.

[sKePTiKal]

Yep, there are a lot of reasons she might not be able to check in, but still be OK.

Given the slow govmt. response, a couple good charitable organizations with can-do ability are Samaritan's Purse (they're local to that area), United Cajun Navy, and Mercy Chefs. There's even Mountain Pack Mules, that are walking supplies into more isolated locations. But I don't think Lighter's that remote.

NC has posted inconvenient but passable detours to the highways that washed out. So it's getting possible to truck supplies TO the area then the locally situated groups can distribute. Ham radio groups have been relaying messages in/out for families to get in touch, gov't comms too. With digital radio equipment, it's possible to send pictures too.

There's usually a space of time, for people, to just look on at what happened with disbelief and shock. It varies, before survival instinct and the "putting things in order" mentality kick back in. I think the momentum toward that mentality is already in action and is picking up steam. MD and FL have sent teams in; MD sent marine rescue teams. That said, there are still a lot of people unaccounted for; missing.

B's sister checked in; she walked 20 miles to a safe place. The old family home is gone; flattened. His cousin was injured in an accident while on an EMT shift. But he's up and moving around and cussing the pain, so on the mend. The very last shreds of the storm turned east again, so we have two more days of steady but more gentle rain.

People KNEW it was predicted the remnants of the storm would make it this far north; no one said it was gonna be this fierce. I've been through a few left-over 'canes now, up here. The worst was Fran, in the 90s.

[lighter]

I'm glad everyone's ok on board.  As you guys could see, better than I, WNC is a biblical disaster.  Our crawlspace flooded, tree on car shattered rear window, tree on retired nurse's house, 2 trees on our street but the next neighborhood over looked like a tornado went through with a washed out road.

All the roads around us have trees down and power lines everywhere.  Long stretches of single lane travel....very scary, but I drove once to get DD22's exbf and once to evacuate in 2 vehicles.  Had to pick route carefully so truck could get through tighter spots.

We're at the lake with regular services up and running after power was out one day.  Some trees down here, roads closed, but feels normal compared to WNC.

DD's ex's mom picked him up already ..she lives in Atlanta.

DD23,'s roommate is expected and her dad/Dand a post op (heart by pass) neighbor already here.  Expect at least 2 more friends to show up.

We found little hot spots to text....had to crawl through downed trees and trek through yards in next neighborhood to let families out know we were soggy but safe. 

DD23's bf was MIA till yesterday morning.
 DD23 was struggling with COVID and visions of him buried in mud, bc he was scheduled to play in the worst hit area where a damn broke, bridge out.....she was despondent. 

The disabled neighbors on the other side left with their DD and little grandsons the day we lost water, headed to Mississippi.

We filled tubs and every large container with water before it went out, cooked on propane grill.  I'd take hot water to disabled neighbors so they had coffee in the morning.  We fed them hot meals and good food was a balm. 

Two competent neighbors with chain saws cut up trees blocking our street and maybe 10 of us cleared.  Unhappy yellow Jackets were problematic.

Clearing out crawlspace consisted mostly of sopping wet Halloween items.  We hung most of it up and left it to dry.

Once we planned to go, we helped the Cowgirl neighbor fill up coolers with some of our water, cleared 2 fridges/freezers, packed the good with the garbage and left. Lots of people staying.....not sure how they'll do it with freezers cold but not for long.  Water.....it could be weeks before either is restored.

It felt like driving out of a nightmare....most places taking only cash....even here.

I need to clear broken glass from car and deal with dreadful smell....get window replaced, today if possible.  DD33 wants this first meeting with bf to go well, so I'm still dealing with coolers, laundry and getting people settled..... it's an overwhelming amount of interaction,.  D made lovely breakfast out if his salvaged freezer items.  I'm going to put him in charge of food and kitchen so I can finish dealing withcoolers ...one has spilled chili oil and dubious items. 

The pug has an abscessed tooth and appt on 3rd back home.... I'm thinking of going back for that, bc we left with food items and almost no clothes or toiletries.  I can check on soggy crawlspace, but that's if vet office back up and running.

I want to say ... it's real dark at night.  Trash isn't running.  The bears will be feasting on rotting food soon  if they aren't already.

We're weened from our devices, strangely.  The girls are playing music together.  We're so relieved to have power, water and safety again. 

[Hopalong]

Good summary, thanks Amber. It's so easy to assume mountains are a retreat, and they are. But ultimately, nature's in charge and she's not knocking on home doors to alert people she'll be coming through.

Thinking about that this morning as a team of tree guys are coming my way with the bucket and pole saws. My neighbor's largest front yard tree has had a touch up; I'll be next if they think the crepe myrtle will look better with a buzzcut. Next up then is my Very Assertive Gardener neighbor, who'll probably flatten their tires.

I'm trusting B's old family place isn't where he is now? His poor sister! 20 miles! I hope he doesn't harm himself in cleanup or rescue action. Yegods.

We've had some serious storm chaos here at times, notably the derecho some years ago. But we seem to have missed the worst of Helene so far. River's still rising.

Keep us posted...stay cozy.
hugs
Hops

[Hopalong]

Lighter, thank you for that post. I'm very relieved to hear you're safe, but what an ordeal. I don't know exactly where your home is, but am certainly thinking WNC. I hope order and services are soon restored. Poor DD, juggling disaster plus BF plus Covid.

I can't imagine (nor could do) the sheer labor facing people in your neck o' the woods. It's a mercy you have your extra lake home to retreat to, and I hope its peace will rebuild the strength of all whom you're sheltering.

Keep us posted when you can; it felt like tenterhooks when you were quiet! I'm tracking WaPo mostly, and it's shattering.

hugs and safety,
Hops

[sKePTiKal]

Thanks for that update Lighter!

Pumping well water & keeping fridges/freezers cold is possible with a generator. Either large portable or whole house. Because our worst outages are in winter, I opted for storing more propane and getting a whole house genny. But they are not be had in the aftermath of a storm like this - especially over such a widespread area. They aren't THAT expensive and as we age, carrying 5 gals of pond water just isn't in the cards. There are also smaller gennies with built-in inverters that make clean power for computers but if that service is down, you still won't get online. (We have a blu-ray library for those situations.)

Watch for displaced snakes - like in your crawlspace.

Hopefully, it won't be too much longer till repairs are made and services/roads restored. Good on you taking in others who are displaced. Yes, it's a lot of people so make sure you protect your own downtime. Rest - share the kitchen & clean up duties with others.

Patience will be running short for everyone. Watch out for the despair & depression signs setting in. Hopefully, everyone will pitch in and no one expects to be waited on. Check back in when you can!

[lighter]

Driving back from our dark houses and apartment in WNC yesterday, I thought about all the missing people still waiting to be found.

What they'll be wearing. 

Whether their throats are full of mud or water or the names of loved ones or whatever marks screaming leave.

Then DD22 piped up from the backseat and that was the end of that. 
 
Baby girl pug spent night at vet after dental appointment.  I miss her badly.  Want to comfort her. Going to pick her up now

 I remember feeling similarly when I was booked on the Value Jet plane, that crashed in the swamp, but took the same flight  a day early.  How did we have so little idea this Hurricane would be so devastating?  We thought it would be big wind...big rain, but nothing like this.

My brain and stomach feel wrong.  Friends' behaviors were off when we dropped off food and water/ice,socks,canned goods for distribution. They seemed hollow.  Not there.  Dissociation I think after volunteering in harder hit areas.  Not enough supplies for the needs at the charity they're serving.  They have gift cards for the emptying grocery stores.....I could see their brains trying to solve problems they just can't solve now.  Confusion....despair. 

Everyone says they're ok, but their eyes don't match their words. 

My water came back on, power still out.  DD's apartment has electricity back, but no water.  My friend's house has no water or power. 

DD22 has plans in the city and I'm driving her.  She could go herself, but has never driven in that city, which is bigger, faster and scarier.  My Nervous system is bent from DD24 and bf driving to her BF's mother's home....6 hours away, back to NC, but unhurt area.....l'm feeling very brittle.

Our guests will watch the pug when we go to ATL.  Pug seems fine, but a little off, which is expected.

My brother's StepS was hunting this property, but my nerves can't stand the possibility of stray arrows or bullets, just...NO.  I asked that stop.  He can hunt with his father ....he has other options,not requiring more distress on my part.

There were lots of choppers flying around WNC....really small ones flying nap of the earth... low.  I think they're looking for cut off pockets to deliver water and food.  Larger ones flying more slowly and higher.  Not sure what they're doing.  Maybe moving army reserves around....tree cutting crews.

We have some drama at the lake this am....DD24 's roommate will be with us soon.  Her dad already with us at the lake and his ex is without funds or places to go.  His DD DD spent money, he gave her, to put her mom and stepS in a hotel for 2 nights.  He thought I might ask the mum and SS to stay here ...and he had a bad reaction.  I can't digest my breakfast bc his DD is worried about her mom and it's not up to me to resolve that.  My friend married the unstable woman and made a baby with her ..... it's his responsibility, IME and imo.  I told him so, bc his DD can't be ok if her mum and SS aren't ok.  He can fix that with money....he has money.  Fix it.

I think he's going to choose the place and be as spiteful as can be managed, while helping his DD feel ok. I don't blame him.  Will see.

When our girls were in 6th grade, their very wise teacher told me DD's best friend was "the only adult in that family. " It's still true now.

I'm on the back porch, pug in lap, trying to will my breakfast through digestion process...hoping hummingbirds will come back to refilled feeder.  Haven't seen any yet....oh.  One just buzzed the feeder....didn't land.  So they're still here and I guess it would've felt like a bad sign if they were gone.

Rescue efforts have ended....switched to recovering those still waiting. 

Lighter