Results of Hurricane Helene

[WebleyGreene455]

According to GA Power, they now say "We expect your power to be restored by Oct 2 8PM." Well perhaps. We'll find out.

Pffft I don't know why I even bothered.

This is getting to be intolerable. I'm of a mind to apply for fema assistance at this point just for extra grocery money. Maybe once it's all finally complete and fixed and if nothing is abysmally ruined, I'll think about buying myself something nice...

 

[Hunt anything]

@WebleyGreene455 , hang in there, we endured 20 days in Frederick, 14 days in Ivan and 10 in Sally, with countless others between them all.

I do have a small 5hp generator to run fridge, freezers and a fan. We keep a 20 gallon supply of gas for the generator and if I use it wisely it will last around 3 weeks. We cook with gas and charcoal.

 

[WebleyGreene455]

@WebleyGreene455 , hang in there, we endured 20 days in Frederick, 14 days in Ivan and 10 in Sally, with countless others between them all.

I do have a small 5hp generator to run fridge, freezers and a fan. We keep a 20 gallon supply of gas for the generator and if I use it wisely it will last around 3 weeks. We cook with gas and charcoal.

Oh I'm living with my sister literally across the street. It's not so bad. I'm just disgruntled from the lack of decent communication between GA Power and its customers. Apparently linemen and workers aren't even getting the notifications and reports from people in my neighborhood at times, like GA Power is just not relaying it. I'm disappointed by that if it's true. They've always been good in the past about getting stuff done, but this time around it seems to be slipping every which way.

I'm also just irritated that I can't communicate or relax with my friends the way I want and need to. Chatting over an Xbox party or discord call while we play games is the best way for us to "hang out" when we're separated by different states.

 

[Ed Lally]

To help others in their time of need, consider a donation to the Red Cross or Samaritans Purse.

 

[mdwest]

To help others in their time of need, consider a donation to the Red Cross or Samaritans Purse.

My firm just sent $5k to Samaritan’s Purse… we’re also doing a $ for $ match for donations made by our staff…

I’d extend that to anyone here (up to a certain amount)…

If you’re considering a donation to SP and would like my firm to match it, shoot me a PM and we can discuss and I can send you a link (link is direct to SP..)

 

[WAB]

SP is first in every time. They set the bar on emergency relief.

 

[WAB]

My firm just sent $5k to Samaritan’s Purse… we’re also doing a $ for $ match for donations made by our staff…

I’d extend that to anyone here (up to a certain amount)…

If you’re considering a donation to SP and would like my firm to match it, shoot me a PM and we can discuss and I can send you a link (link is direct to SP..)

I’m in. PM sent.

 

[cash_tx]

My firm just sent $5k to Samaritan’s Purse… we’re also doing a $ for $ match for donations made by our staff…

I’d extend that to anyone here (up to a certain amount)…

If you’re considering a donation to SP and would like my firm to match it, shoot me a PM and we can discuss and I can send you a link (link is direct to SP..)

I'm in as well, and will send a PM.

 

[mdwest]

thanks @WAB and @cash_tx !

we've got a couple of guys in the area and have a few more that will be joining the SP crew over the weekend to participate in relief efforts..

if anyone is interested, there is also a group of former Army SOF types, mostly living in the Ft. Bragg/Liberty area that have all gotten together that are basically rolling around the state in a coordinated effort with chainsaws, logging chains, etc etc that are going into small towns and just helping to clear roads, get houses back in order, delivering water and supplies, etc.. in the places that others arent going to yet (tiny little towns deep in the mountains, etc).. theyre not a formal non-profit.. just a group of very resourceful guys trying to do something to help out... and using their own assets to do it (trucks, saws, etc..etc..).. Because the places they are intentionally hitting are very remote, their only reliable communication system is their portable starlink.. but Im checking in with them regularly and have committed to helping them pay for fuel costs to keep the saws running, trucks on the road, etc.. and have asked them if they have any need to buy supplies or anything else to deliver to let me know and I'd try to help them any way I can... I'm happy to put you in direct touch with the guy that is sorta organizing their efforts if thats the sort of thing you'd rather support than SP or the Red Cross, etc..

 

[WebleyGreene455]

For tonight's update, my tenants (who live in the main building next to my little carriage house) got their power back on today. I was supposedly included in that and really should have been.

But from 0900 this morning to when I left for work at 1900, my meter box was still nonfunctional and in fact looks worse than before. The plastic dome is completely blacked out with what I suppose was smoke now. I called GA Power again and told them. I was told someone would come out ASAP and I did see an unidentified pickup truck in my driveway but I got no phone calls or anything about it.

The revised estimate later in the day was for 2200 on 10/04/24. That's in 30 minutes. I'm not hopeful and even if it comes back on, I turned all my breakers off for safety's sake so I doubt my family can even let me know it's resolved.

However, a small joy: Last night I enjoyed some rounds of Space Marine 2 and got to chat with my friends over our comms a little. That cheered me some. Hopefully it won't be much longer...

 

[WAB]

I’m a little lost on all the reports coming out on FEMA’s actions. They sound like they are beyond gross incompetence, but what motivation could they have for impeding others providing aid?

 

[Topshots]

Stay safe out there folks.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Currently I'm an East Tennessean. I just traveled through much of Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina from Morristown, Tennessee to Hendersonville, North Carolina on Friday, 04 October 2024.

I have seen war torn countries in better shape after 24 hours of continuous bombing.

The residents as in other devastated countries are preseverent in their recover efforts to rebuild, overcome, and recover.

It's simply amazing!

The area of Tennessee where I am received an enormous amount of steady rain for over a week. Surprisingly no flooding in our area. Other local, neighboring areas not so fortunate.

As for other more unfortunate areas that were affected by Helene I can only imagine their much more devastation and the effect of Helene will forever have on them.

Prays to all affected for a speedy recovery and to those lives lost. May their family find some consultation.

 

[mdwest]

I spoke with a colleague yesterday that lives in an Asheville suburb. He finally got power back 2 days ago. Cell service came back a day before that but was spotty. They then had another mud slide that knocked down another cell tower and cell service went down again. He’s definitely learning a lot of lessons about self reliance, community, and the incompetence of the federal government… he’s a retired USN Submariner (commanded a boomer before he got out)… so he’s used to a bit of isolation, small tight knit community, etc… he’s doing ok through it all.. his only daily worry is making sure his daughters are taken care of (still has school aged children at home)…

Like others I’ve spoken to, he tells amazing stories of townsfolk and volunteers doing everything they can in the service of others… one of the most touching was a pair of older ladies with a food truck from South Carolina…

Steve (buddy) had been out for hours cleaning up rubble and debris in Asheville with several other locals when a food truck pulled up and honked its horn at them… the truck was offering free food to the volunteers…

The ladies, both were disabled… but had a kid drive them up.. and were busting their butts preparing chicken sandwiches and fries as fast as they could.. and apparently had been doing it for a few days already… all at their own expense…

They didn’t have the physical ability to clear debris or rescue people… but they could make sandwiches… so they drove hundreds of miles and spent thousands of dollars to do just that…

As screwed up as American culture has gotten with all the woke nonsense, DEI, and other mess… it’s heartwarming to see that there are still people out there that are genuinely good, who will give whatever they have in the interest of others in need… as opposed to just being self serving turds only concerned what they can get and who is going to give it to them…

 

[Altitude sickness]

We had our lineman working in North and South Carolina. They wrapped up and headed to Florida this morning. Duke is pre staging them in Orlando before it hits

 

[mdwest]

This just in from my SOF contact thats running around with SF brethren in the area of Banner Elk trying to get things fixed..

The City/Town itself is ok right now... lots of work to do.. and lots of things are still very much screwed up and in disarray.. but their warehouses and storage areas are full of materials.. they arent in a position to accept more "help" (although funding to help see them through the long term would be super helpful)..

The private groups down at the airfield that are trying to help people however are still in need of supplies and assistance..

Here's their most recent "needs" list and how to get things to them..

 

[swashington]

My sister-in-law and family live in Mayo. Last year the carport vanished and the house survived. This year, exactly the same result. Just not fair being targeted twice in consecutive years.

I was lucky enough to get employment as a boat captain cleaning up the Suwannee River right near Mayo. If this work lasts long enough I may be able to go on that honeymoon after all. They have us working 12hr days, 7 days a week. Long days but rewarding and doing good for the community. Never knew the Suwannee River was such a recreational attraction and getting all the logs and fallen trees off the banks and out of the water will hopefully prevent a boating accident in the future.

Very glad to hear most everyone made it through ok. Prayers answered every day.