DISASTER Lake Lure NC (and other SE dams) -- Dam Failure Imminent (Update, Lake Lure is stable, Nolichucky is NOT)

[Wildweasel]

Got news that my niece who's going to Appalachian State University in Boone, NC had to be evacuated over the weekend. Over 20,000 students stuck on a campus with no power or running water, with a raging, flood swollen Boone Creek running thru the middle of campus.

Not a pretty picture. Looks like a lot of young minds got a lesson in preparedness the hard way.

 

[medic38572]

And a river crest that exceeded historical records. That you can't really prepare for. All one can do is hope their home is built way above the flood plain.

Not only that but one thing I have noticed in almost all the pictures and videos is the amount of debris from dead not live trees but dead trees that have for years and laid where they had fallen and then washed out and cleared by the powerful currents.

When I first seen the pictures of the hospital submerged and the surrounding town irwin I had to double take looking at it. I thought at first I was looking at a lumber mill area where all the debris had washed from the mill. onto the roads but that wasn't the case it was years and years and years of debris build up throughout the area into the waters that finally had enough pressure to loosen things up with water deep enough to flow it out.

 

[Millwright]

I saw something about the Bee Tree dam earlier.

Didn't mark the article.

 

[CaryC]

I saw something about the Bee Tree dam earlier.

Didn't mark the article.

I think, if memory serves, that there was a hoax that it was about to fail, but got corrected and that it is alright.

 

[Kayak]

I saw something about the Bee Tree dam earlier.

Didn't mark the article.

Right -- reports of it failing or about to fail were false. It's fine.

 

[BadMedicine]

Dispatchers have notified truckers what is going on at truckstops, extortion of $50 each cash to park and "watch" the trucks overnight.

Anyone paying that deserves the tax. Sheep are there for fleecing right? what "trucker" is going to give $50 to an illegal migrant threatening to slash their tires? Do believe I'd play the reverse uno on them faster than they could say "como?"

 

[energy_wave]

North Carolina Helene damage at Lake Lure​

Rt 1:03

 

[energy_wave]

Driving through Chimney Rock, NC from Lake Lure to Bat Cave via US 64 West​

If anyone wants to see what Chimney Rock used to look like. Around 4:24 you can see what buildings looked like before they were washed away. I wonder if they will be allowed to rebuild on the river side now.

Rt 9:30

 

[Countrymouse]

Driving through Chimney Rock, NC from Lake Lure to Bat Cave via US 64 West​

If anyone wants to see what Chimney Rock used to look like. Around 4:24 you can see what buildings looked like before they were washed away. I wonder if they will be allowed to rebuild on the river side now.

Rt 9:30

Does anyone have any idea of what's going on in Montreat? Any pictures / videos?

 

[Kayak]

Does anyone have any idea of what's going on in Montreat? Any pictures / videos?

I posted a couple of pictures of Montreat in the other thread yesterday, or maybe the day before. The student center was fine. Last I heard, the Cajun Navy was in the Black Mountain and Montreat areas.

 

[cwr]

Got news that my niece who's going to Appalachian State University in Boone, NC had to be evacuated over the weekend. Over 20,000 students stuck on a campus with no power or running water, with a raging, flood swollen Boone Creek running thru the middle of campus.

Not a pretty picture. Looks like a lot of young minds got a lesson in preparedness the hard way.

All of that is coming down here to Lenoir. Hopefully it won’t get to bad. I have never seen Boone like that.

 

[energy_wave]

New video of Bat Cave just in from earlier today. The cider mill barely made it, but it's there.

Google map showing before images...

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.com

Drone Video: Floods wipe out homes & bridge in Bat Cave, Asheville River Arts District devastated​

Footage from the sky shows the extent of some of the damage in Western North Carolina. Homes that were once along the river at Bat Cave disappeared after the floods.

Rt 4:21

Around the 4:00 mark they show what's left of 12 Bones in Asheville.

 

[energy_wave]

I hope it's OK to post this.​

​

Support Chimney Rock and Lake Lure Relief​

Hello All, 100% of this gofundme will go towards the relief efforts of Chimney Rock and Lake Lure...to include water, food, gas, diapers, any necessary items people may need. Many people lost their livelihoods, businesses, homes, and more. However we are a strong community and will get through this together. We love our town and all our visitors. Please follow the Facebook page LakeLureLocal for updates. Thank you and God Bless.

Donate to Support Chimney Rock and Lake Lure Relief, organised by Nick Sottile

Hello All, 100% of this gofundme will go towards the relief efforts of Chimney … Nick Sottile needs your support for Support Chimney Rock and Lake Lure Relief

www.gofundme.com

Looks like you can take your pick. Everyone has the same idea and they do need help.

GoFundMe Search: chimney rock

Search on GoFundMe using a person's name, location, or the fundraiser title. Also find trending fundraisers that are in the news.

www.gofundme.com

 

[energy_wave]

Well, now the big news media has hold of the story. Old footage they show with some fear porn mixed in for effect. Looks like the media might have plans for this disaster.

Hurricane Helene leaves 121 dead, search for missing survivors continues​

Rt 5:03

 

[energy_wave]

Some outstanding video from several places in NC. Some towns not discussed yet.

Helene causes destruction, devastation across western North Carolina​

Rt 19:55

 

[Wildweasel]

All of that is coming down here to Lenoir. Hopefully it won’t get to bad. I have never seen Boone like that.

Saw a video of Main St in Boone with around a foot of water running down the street. And that's several blocks uphill from campus. I saw Boone Creek raging back in 1975 when I was at school there and the weather we had than was nothing compared to this hurricane.

 

[Kayak]

The business district of Hot Springs NC is going to have to be completely rebuilt, and no one is talking about it because it's this tiny little town no one would know about if they didn't have magical hot springs.

The engineers who figured out how to route the Little Pigeon River through Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge did an excellent job, because the river stayed in its banks in the business districts, except for the park in Pigeon Forge, which did its job as a flood plain. However, while those two cities are fine, the surrounding area isn't. The people who work in those cities live in the mountains around them, and a whole lot of them are NOT okay.

Franklin NC is mostly okay. No power, and not all the roads are okay, but you can get in and out of the city other ways. Highlands is NOT okay, neither is Cashiers (one of my favorite places to stay). Nothing coming out of Brevard, either (home of the white squirrels). All of those cities stretching out from Highlands are trapped with ALL roads from ALL directions destroyed in multiple places. Those roads are difficult during the best of times. Transylvania County has over 300 waterfalls because there isn't a square inch of flat land in the county.

I also haven't been able to find anything on Bryson City or Cherokee. Harrah's Casino in Cherokee will let you reserve a room, so I assume they are open, but they're a decent way from the business districts and on higher ground. Maggie Valley is in rough shape but not completely destroyed. The roads getting into Robbinsville are all destroyed, and no news is coming from there -- this is where the Tail of the Dragon is, and also the Joyce Kilmer forest.

And that's my rundown of what I know and don't know.

 

[Countrymouse]

The business district of Hot Springs NC is going to have to be completely rebuilt, and no one is talking about it because it's this tiny little town no one would know about if they didn't have magical hot springs.

The engineers who figured out how to route the Little Pigeon River through Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge did an excellent job, because the river stayed in its banks in the business districts, except for the park in Pigeon Forge, which did its job as a flood plain. However, while those two cities are fine, the surrounding area isn't. The people who work in those cities live in the mountains around them, and a whole lot of them are NOT okay.

Franklin NC is mostly okay. No power, and not all the roads are okay, but you can get in and out of the city other ways. Highlands is NOT okay, neither is Cashiers (one of my favorite places to stay). Nothing coming out of Brevard, either (home of the white squirrels). All of those cities stretching out from Highlands are trapped with ALL roads from ALL directions destroyed in multiple places. Those roads are difficult during the best of times. Transylvania County has over 300 waterfalls because there isn't a square inch of flat land in the county.

I also haven't been able to find anything on Bryson City or Cherokee. Harrah's Casino in Cherokee will let you reserve a room, so I assume they are open, but they're a decent way from the business districts and on higher ground. Maggie Valley is in rough shape but not completely destroyed. The roads getting into Robbinsville are all destroyed, and no news is coming from there -- this is where the Tail of the Dragon is, and also the Joyce Kilmer forest.

And that's my rundown of what I know and don't know.

THANK you, Kayak! I had been wondering.

It is true Montreat is gone? All those STONE buildings?
(eta--just saw your earlier post about Montreat. Will search for your posts by name to find the pictures you mentioned.)

 

[Countrymouse]

THANK you, Kayak! I had been wondering.

It is true Montreat is gone? All those STONE buildings?
(eta--just saw your earlier post about Montreat. Will search for your posts by name to find the pictures you mentioned.)

I found your other post with the pictures (View: x.com) but wish I could see something about how the stone "gate" into Montreat is, and all the other buildings--it's hard to see where one is in the pictures above. Thank you for keeping us updated!

 

[Countrymouse]

For those who wish to help, Samaritan's Purse is local and is taking donations and actively working to help these people.

I cannot see how to copy over the video which is at their site on their relief efforts, but the website is:

Samaritan’s Purse

After sharing the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus said “Go and do likewise.” That is the mission of Samaritan's Purse—to follow the example of Christ by helping those in need and proclaiming the hope of the Gospel.

www.samaritanspurse.org

 

[Kayak]

THANK you, Kayak! I had been wondering.

It is true Montreat is gone? All those STONE buildings?
(eta--just saw your earlier post about Montreat. Will search for your posts by name to find the pictures you mentioned.)

I mean, lots of rescue orgs are staging in Montreat so they can rescue people from Black Mountain, so I'm assuming Montreat isn't completely gone, AND that it is accessible, since they have huge trucks full of supplies in them at the staging areas. No images of damage in Montreat tells me there isn't anything to show. Time will tell, but posts with rumors of it being completely gone aren't offering anything to back that up.

Black Mountain is NOT accessible -- they are staging the pack mules in Montreat to try to get into Black Mountain with them, and the Cajun Navy is basing out of Montreat, trying to get into Black Mountain to rescue people.

 

[Firebird]

The business district of Hot Springs NC is going to have to be completely rebuilt, and no one is talking about it because it's this tiny little town no one would know about if they didn't have magical hot springs.

The engineers who figured out how to route the Little Pigeon River through Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge did an excellent job, because the river stayed in its banks in the business districts, except for the park in Pigeon Forge, which did its job as a flood plain. However, while those two cities are fine, the surrounding area isn't. The people who work in those cities live in the mountains around them, and a whole lot of them are NOT okay.

Franklin NC is mostly okay. No power, and not all the roads are okay, but you can get in and out of the city other ways. Highlands is NOT okay, neither is Cashiers (one of my favorite places to stay). Nothing coming out of Brevard, either (home of the white squirrels). All of those cities stretching out from Highlands are trapped with ALL roads from ALL directions destroyed in multiple places. Those roads are difficult during the best of times. Transylvania County has over 300 waterfalls because there isn't a square inch of flat land in the county.

I also haven't been able to find anything on Bryson City or Cherokee. Harrah's Casino in Cherokee will let you reserve a room, so I assume they are open, but they're a decent way from the business districts and on higher ground. Maggie Valley is in rough shape but not completely destroyed. The roads getting into Robbinsville are all destroyed, and no news is coming from there -- this is where the Tail of the Dragon is, and also the Joyce Kilmer forest.

And that's my rundown of what I know and don't know.

I'm looking for info on Bryson City myself

 

[Kayak]

I'm looking for info on Bryson City myself

I have a little more info now -- the areas right around the river were flooded, but it seems most of the rest of the area is okay. The hospital didn't get flooded. The high school football team is posting pics of cleaning up around town and clearing roads where necessary. The fedgov isn't helping, but these communities are helping themselves. Still not a lot of info getting out, but some is starting to trickle out. Nothing on Cherokee OR the reservation, though.

 

[Firebird]

I have a little more info now -- the areas right around the river were flooded, but it seems most of the rest of the area is okay. The hospital didn't get flooded. The high school football team is posting pics of cleaning up around town and clearing roads where necessary. The fedgov isn't helping, but these communities are helping themselves. Still not a lot of info getting out, but some is starting to trickle out. Nothing on Cherokee OR the reservation, though.

Thank you! I've been trying to reach Eugene with Fly Fishing the Smokies, and their phones are down. He's in the low section of town, so possibly got flooded

 

[Kayak]

Thank you! I've been trying to reach Eugene with Fly Fishing the Smokies, and their phones are down. He's in the low section of town, so possibly got flooded

Power is out, but it sounds like Verizon got in to refuel the generators for some of the cell towers, so as of this morning there is spotty cell service. Roads away from the water are mostly fine once the trees on them are cleared away. I don't believe the slides and collapses happening south of Asheville are a widespread problem for them, so for now, while they still have gas, they can move around. With the power out, there's no gas, and the stores that are open require cash.

 

[Ragnar]

Got news that my niece who's going to Appalachian State University in Boone, NC had to be evacuated over the weekend. Over 20,000 students stuck on a campus with no power or running water, with a raging, flood swollen Boone Creek running thru the middle of campus.

Not a pretty picture. Looks like a lot of young minds got a lesson in preparedness the hard way.

those dorms are going to stink.... love that area and Appstate

 

[mudlogger]

From site we can't talk about...

"I'm here in Asheville NC and we're already in recovery mode. Stores are open, some gas stations too. Food is coming in. Trucks are out in force repairing. Things are looking up."

Just wanted to share the good-ish news.

 

[Kayak]

From site we can't talk about...

"I'm here in Asheville NC and we're already in recovery mode. Stores are open, some gas stations too. Food is coming in. Trucks are out in force repairing. Things are looking up."

Just wanted to share the good-ish news.

Some areas of Asheville aren't as bad. Areas near the river are weeks away from reopening, possibly longer since some bridges are out, but areas not around the river or any of the large creeks are going to be able to recover fairly quickly. They need the power companies to come in and fix the grid, but otherwise, the infrastructure is mostly okay in some areas.

 

[Kayak]

I want to add that the roads from the north and west of Asheville are going to be closed a long, long time. I'm not as familiar with the roads to the east, but sources are saying they are going to be closed a while, too. There are ways to get to Asheville from the south -- going over windy mountain two-lane roads. So, resupplying stores -- grocery stores, building material stores, ALL stores -- is going to be an issue until a whole passel of bridges are rebuilt.

 

[energy_wave]

12 Bones got nailed but not as bad as expected. Looks like their building is intact with some damage.

 

[Keric4]

My son and fiance are in Asheville. They do live on a hill. Last text was yesterday when they said they were ok, power was out and cell service spotty.

Update. Kids are doing well. Grocery stores in their immediate area are open and taking cash/credit cards. Unknown when running water will return. They are hauling water from a nearby creek to flush their toilets. Power is estimated to be back on by Friday.
Trash/recycling suspended indefinitely.

 

[energy_wave]

Helene's aftermath in Swannanoa, Black Mountain, Old Fort​

Drone footage shows the devastating aftermath of Helene's flooding. Towns covered in mud, roads washed out and mudslides can be seen in in Old Fort, Black Mountain, and Swannanoa.

Rt 3:00

More videos from WLOS News...

WLOS News 13

WLOS ABC 13 News serves the Asheville, NC area and the rest of western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. We keep our audience informed through local news, weather forecasts, traffic updates, notices of community events, sports and entertainment programming since 1954. Follow WLOS on...

www.youtube.com

 

[energy_wave]

Widespread Damage Seen in Swannanoa, North Carolina, Days After Helene's Catastrophic Flooding​

FOX Weather's Robert Ray shot this video from Swannanoa, North Carolina, on Tuesday. Widespread damage and debris are seen littered across the town as crews work tirelessly to clean up and get power restored to residents days after Helene's catastrophic flooding.

Rt 5:20

 

[energy_wave]

Hurricane Helene leaves Black Mountain, NC in ruins​

BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. (WCIV) — The picturesque landscape of the Blue Ridge Mountains has been dramatically altered by Hurricane Helene, leaving Black Mountain among the hardest-hit areas in Western North Carolina. The community is grappling with the aftermath, facing months, if not years, of recovery.

Rt 2:34

 

[Wildweasel]

Found a good video of the flooding in Boone and on the Appalachian State campus.

 

[Kayak]

Thanks for those energy_wave -- that's the first footage I've seen of Black Mountain. I knew how bad Swannanoa is, but seeing those mobile homes tossed around like leggos... damn.

 

[Marseydoats]

I want to add that the roads from the north and west of Asheville are going to be closed a long, long time. I'm not as familiar with the roads to the east, but sources are saying they are going to be closed a while, too. There are ways to get to Asheville from the south -- going over windy mountain two-lane roads. So, resupplying stores -- grocery stores, building material stores, ALL stores -- is going to be an issue until a whole passel of bridges are rebuilt.

And those mountain two-lane roads are in reality 1 1/2 lanes that full size vehicles can barely pass on, with one side against the mountain rock and the other a several hundred feet drop off with no guard rail. The last time we went to Marshall, I got car sick, and I was driving...

 

[energy_wave]

I wonder if you can still get passenger service on Amtrak in Asheville. Are the trains still running up from Charlotte? Can move a lot of supplies that way. OK, maybe they haven't brought Amtrak back yet. I thought they were restoring service years ago.

 

[Marseydoats]

I wonder if you can still get passenger service on Amtrak in Asheville. Are the trains still running up from Charlotte? Can move a lot of supplies that way. OK, maybe they haven't brought Amtrak back yet. I thought they were restoring service years ago.

I don't think they have any service except what they used to call "The Leaf Train" that went from Charlotte to somewhere up above Asheville on the weekends in Oct to see the fall foilage.
My poor Mom always wanted to take that trip and I tried to pay for it so she and Dad could go and he pitched a fit. I should have just taken her and left him at home.

 

[@pQlrppl]

The business district of [.....]

I also haven't been able to find anything on Bryson City or Cherokee. Harrah's Casino in Cherokee will let you reserve a room, so I assume they are open, but they're a decent way from the business districts and on higher ground. Maggie Valley is in rough shape but not completely destroyed. The roads getting into Robbinsville are all destroyed, and no news is coming from there -- this is where the Tail of the Dragon is, and also the Joyce Kilmer forest.

And that's my rundown of what I know and don't know.

View: https://youtu.be/hIBkaQMnKqU?si=wNLeIO2D0CDcFido

View: https://youtu.be/hIBkaQMnKqU?si=wNLeIO2D0CDcFido


Cherokee update 1 hour ago
RT 15:33
Had seen 2 or 3 days ago.. fema set up there but this is latest... so...
I haven't watched this as an scrambling for info elsewhere on my (gone silent) son..