Why Helene's Floods Caught North Carolina Off Guard

Wednesday, October 02, 2024

Doris Towers awoke to the beeping of her husband's dialysis machine early Friday morning, meaning it had lost power. Her neighbor's Christmas lights, still up from last year, had gone out. Those were early hints of Helene's destruction to come. She hadn't known a storm was on the way.

Posted by donnerboy at 01:32 PM | 52 COMMENTS | permalink

Comments

Because they're all a bunch of toe-sucking weirdos.

#1 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2024-10-02 10:38 AM

The weather service issued dire warnings but it looks like many of these folks were not prepared. There are still hundreds of people missing.

Not challenging the disaster Gawds here but I think I'd rather be in a California earthquake that have one of those super charged hurricanes sit over me for three days of winds and floods.

"Not challenging the disaster Gawds here but I think I'd rather be in a California earthquake that have one of those super charged hurricanes sit over me for three days of winds and floods." - #2 | Posted by donnerboy at 2024-10-02 12:13 PM

Not me, DB.

With a hurricane you always have a heads-up ("Show us the cone!").

That's clearly NOT the case with tornados, wildfires and earthquakes

Now, if you're too stupid to pay attention to such warnings that's not the fault of NOAA, etc. (looking at you, Doris Towers).

I have lived in Florida for 70 years and have lived through so many hurricanes that I couldn't even count them.

BUT, I always knew they were coming, and I always took appropriate action, whether it was batten down the hatches and shelter in place, or evacuate.

trump hasn't contributed to his gofundme, unless it was a small amount and the fund doesn't specify who gets the money. And who is Meredith O'Rourke? trump Campaign Finance Director.
Are we seeing another charity scam developing?

@fxshea62

That's clearly NOT the case with tornados, wildfires and earthquakes

We have some warning (thru cell phones) for earthquakes now. It is only minutes or seconds but still it's a warning. And they are getting better at it.

And earthquakes only last for a few minutes at the most. Usually only a few seconds. Maybe it's because I have been in many earthquakes and never personally experienced any ill effects like having my house leveled.

The wind rain and floods from Helene lasted for days in some places.

Now the wildfires we have here are indeed scary. But we get warnings for those too. Red flag warnings and then updates on the fires progress so you know if you have to evacuate.

Cleaning up after your property is buried five feet in mud seems like a near impossible chore.

Lived in both tornado and hurricane country. Short of getting blasted into being totaled, I'm with the hurricanes (at this point).

That's because there's some warning, you get a general idea of what's coming and where it's heading. And that warning can give you a good 24-hours or more to figure out whither thou goest or if you're staying in place. The information may be incomplete, but it should be pretty accurate. So you get some time.

Tornadoes, which often move erratically, can frequently be located with incredible accuracy and if you're lucky you might get a few minutes warning. And therein lies the warning time problem, compared to a hurricane. Not uncommon in OK to get the message directed at folks in Broken Bow or wherever, telling them they have six minutes to get hunkered down where they need to be because if they aren't in a secure location by then they're just not gonna make it out.

These American people in south east are really suffering. So what does the USA media focus on first thing and then much of the day and then 24/7 but the woes of Middle East, Israel, Lebanon, and Iran etc.. Put our own people first.

Dooky chute Robinson skipped vote to declare hurricane Helene a state of emergency.

amp.theguardian.com

#7 | Posted by Robson

This fool thinks republicans would allow spending on suffering americans if we weren't spending it to help ukraine.

What I want to know is what is Robson doing to help those people in the south, other than just pound sand anonymously on the internet

... Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday mobilized 1,000 active-duty soldiers to assist in recovery and relief efforts in communities hit by Hurricane Helene -- one of the most devastating storms in recent history.

Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon's top spokesman, said in a statement that the troops were requested by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA. The 1,000 troops, an Infantry Battalion Task Force formed from the XVIII Airborne Corps, are from the 82nd Airborne Division and other units from Fort Liberty, North Carolina.

"These soldiers are assembling and moving to the affected areas within the next 24 hours, and will join other service members from the Department of Defense who are already supporting FEMA's response to Hurricane Helene," Ryder said in the statement.

The activation of the active-duty troops comes as the death toll from Hurricane Helene continues to climb. CNN reported Wednesday that at least 180 people have been killed in the storm's aftermath, making it the second-deadliest hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland since Katrina in 2005.

Those active-duty forces will be bringing water, fuel and mechanics to assist in FEMA's operations.

"Their mission will include delivering support and commodities to impacted and isolated communities, assisting with supply point logistics at commodity staging locations, and removing debris from affected routes," Ryder said in the statement. ...

Reply to above.

I donate a significant amount to Red Cross and Samaritans Purse and to a friend who made missionary trip to South America to build. If was younger and not an old vet of 1967 vintage with back issues Id help out myself. The military and NG should be in Appalachia en masse helping NOW and not anywhere in Middle East. We have traitors running America.

@#13 ... The military and NG should be in Appalachia en masse helping NOW ...

They are helping out in Appalachia.

"I donate a significant amount to Red Cross and Samaritans Purse and to a friend who made missionary trip to South America to build." - #13 | Posted by Robson at 2024-10-02 09:45 PM

And I bet you're an "alpha 'man'," too.

@#13 ... The military and NG should be in Appalachia en masse helping NOW ...

They are helping out in Appalachia.

#14 | POSTED BY LAMPLIGHTER

1,000 active-duty soldiers to deploy to western North Carolina to help with Helene response

spectrumlocalnews.com

Still waiting on Robsons definition of the media because there are stories everywhere in the "media".

It is hard to decide which is bigger news. ... Armageddon or The Lords Wrath against the South.

And now we have an October Surprise by Judge Chutkan?

Interesting Times.

Robson obviously isn't in touch with anyone from the areas impacted by the hurricane

Just bleating nonsense .

Apparently, not just Noth Carolina...

Thousands without water, 1 week on from hurricane hitting Florida
www.axios.com

... Hurricane Helene's abating floodwaters have enabled residents across storm-hit Southeastern states to return home, but health officials warn survivors now face threats including contaminated water and mold.

The big picture: More than 180 storm-related deaths have been confirmed as teams search for missing people, thousands of people still have no power and are without clean water access one week on from the hurricane making landfall in Florida and dumping flooding rains across the Southeast.

- - - "Access to safe and potable water remains a top concern in Western North Carolina," per a Tuesday statement from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services that noted about 160 boil water advisories were in effect and 27 water plants closed and not producing water due to the storm.

- - - Asheville's nearly 100,000 residents may have to wait "weeks" for clean water, city officials said. ...

Why do sneaky Dems either persistently deflect or lie or need to be led around by their hand like Biden trying to find his way off stage?

Biden right now is sending 750 fully self contained light armor Army NG and troops to KUWAIT from Tennessee. What is wtong with him? Why does he put USA last and especially Appalachia and SE USA?

Now instead of helping Americans in need he and his DOJ are now trying to rehash January 6 weeks before an election that they are trying to manipulate, against the current law and policy. These Dem operatives care nothing about democracy or helpimg average Americans.

They lie and get away with it because the Press and News Media are owned and operated by Democrats. You saw how they blatantly lied about Vance.

"Why do sneaky Dems either persistently deflect or lie..." - #20 | Posted by Robson at 2024-10-03 07:43 AM

The real question is: Why do people like you constantly post lies, half-truths, lies by omission, and opinion-as-fact, even after you have been proven wrong?

"Bellweather" had it right when, in a rare moment of self-reflection, he called it repetitive and unimaginative.

Where is FEMA? I've been monitoring ham radio traffic and people are desperate. Volunteers are able to deliver supplies and aid but FEMA is absent. Heck of a job Kamala.

I've been monitoring Ham radio traffic ..." - #22 | Posted by visitor_ at 2024-10-03 08:39 AM

Is that some kind of new social media site, exclusively for Trumpanzees?

Is your moniker there, Bandit?

Not CB, ham. We have call signs and licenses. Though you don't need a license to listen.

#24 | Posted by visitor_ at 2024-10-03 08:44 AM

You need to work on your understanding-sarcasm skills.

Meanwhile, I knew Zatoichi.

Zatoichi was a friend of mine.

You, sir, are NO Zatoichi.

#22 Where is FEMA?

Well it was just reported that FEMA has budget deficits because they (Mayorkas etc) spent it on illegals that Biden and Harris (immigration czar) invited into the USA. When it comes to immigration policy that needs to be decided in special election by citizens and not by crooked anti USA politicians or big businesses

youd blame immigrants for your cereal being soggy.

#20

You're such a lazy projecting moron Robson. Try Google before belching out more misinformation sometimes, capiche?

National Guard troops deploy for Hurricane Helene relief

Monday, Sep 30, 2024

Nearly 6,000 National Guard members have deployed to the Southeastern United States in response to the devastation of Hurricane Helene, rescuing flood victims, clearing debris from roads and providing vital supplies to areas decimated by the hurricane.

Guardsmen mobilized in Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, with assistance from the Maryland, Pennsylvania, Mississippi and Connecticut National Guards, according to the Army.

Sometimes I wish that I could reach through these computers and slap the stupid out of you. Maybe someday, sigh....

#28 Why are Democrats spending our $$ and sending our USA NG troops from TN to Kuwait? Many TN NG are probably facing their own personal home issues. Dem war makers and elites love war because they are always creating it or wasting our money and lives on it.

Why are Democrats spending our $$ and sending our USA NG troops from TN to Kuwait?

You do understand that our military's leadership and command are non-political, right? They're the ones dictating troop rotations, not the White House per see.

The reason these troops are being sent to wherever they are is due to the military command feeling that they need to be there for whatever reason. Why are troops anywhere in the world?

Only -------- try to make an issue out of normal practices.

While the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are over, the National Guard still has 22,000 service members deployed overseas. "In 2022, we provided ground and air forces to all of America's combatant commands," the general said. "That included Army formations in the Middle East and Europe; global tanker airlift and fighter aircraft support; and training with our allies and partners around the globe."

www.defense.gov

Hey Robson, read this and learn something:

Virginia National Guard Joins Exercise in South Korea

Texas Guard Conducts HIMARS Live-Fire Exercise in Estonia

Indiana National Guard Soldiers Deploying to Middle East

Georgia National Guard Soldiers Deploying to Central Europe

Virginia Guard Engineers Enhance Readiness in Portugal

New York Airmen Deploy to Train with Portuguese Counterparts

Idaho Guard Helicopter Battalion Deploying to Kosovo

Georgia 165th Medical Group Conducts Joint Training in Japan

Illinois Guard Security Battalion Team Deploys to Africa

www.nationalguard.mil

And on and on and on, all notated at the link.

As I said, normal deployments all. Robson is our resident Scarecrow in search of a brain because his doesn't function much at all. Must be like Young Frankenstein's, Abby Normal.

# 28 LOL That's good. Hard for most to understand in this age how anyone would call themselves stupid enough to vote for bad news. Maybe you haven't heard....the Google you adore is a proven contradiction in biased search results. Even the government is talking about breaking them up. It is said by many to be a Democrat political propaganda machine just as was Pravda in Soviet Union. But to the Dems anything goes as long as they think their operatives will control society. Read a book instead of Google.

Maybe you haven't heard....the Google you adore is a proven contradiction in biased search results.

What does that have to do with the veracity of the information itself? ZERO. You really are dense, aren't you.

Google is a search engine that works by algorithm that tries to match what the user asks or inputs. It has nothing to do with the information contained at the million of links it provides based on matching the words of the query.

Believe it or not, most people don't walk through life cursing others for the sake of politics. We all do our jobs to support our families, not political parties.

It's the height of intellectual laziness to pre-assign credit or blame based on what's perceived as political when 99% of life isn't political at all.

It's simply a weakness in your character that has nothing to do with your ideology. It has to do with your complete obsession with labels which mean little in the context of reality. I counter your lies with information refuting them. I don't do this as a liberal or Democrat, I do it as a sentient human being who refuses to let diseased minds try to poison others with the same sick projection and disconnection from objective reality.

Now run along and go play in interstate traffic - you know, do something useful for a change instead of projecting and spreading disinformation or preying upon the ignorance of others.

What is your point? My point was Biden is activating and TDYing the largest NG unit in Tennessee right now to send them to Kuwait when they are needed at home now to aid and assist rescuing neighbors. We've already spent too much in time, money and lives in these regions.

These other deployments are past tense or present from other geographic areas.

www.tn.gov

My point was Biden is activating and TDYing the largest NG unit in Tennessee right now to send them to Kuwait when they are needed at home now to aid and assist rescuing neighbors.

Why do you think Tennessee isn't able to do both? Not all NG troops are trained for disaster response btw.

They have 10,700 members.

I trust the Pentagon knows more about deployment than you do. So do most people on Planet Earth.

700 Soldiers from the Tennessee Army National Guard's 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment are being deployed to Kuwait out of 10,700.

700 troops?!? You're worried about less than 7% of Tennessee's NG contingent? And explain how armored cavalry is needed for relief efforts.

As I said, you simply make no sense.

700 troops?!? You're worried about less than 7% of Tennessee's NG contingent? And explain how armored cavalry is needed for relief efforts.
As I said, you simply make no sense.
#36 | POSTED BY TONYROMA

To cross ravines since there is no road, armored Calvary is also a light recon group. Would make sense when the roads are disabled.

All that being said ...

According to a sources in North Carolina, despite 1,000 troops being ready and authorized to respond in NC, FEMA Region 4 and Democrat NC Gov. Roy Cooper haven't yet written up the mission orders that the troops need in order to be deployed.

So those troops are just sitting around twiddling their thumbs.

It's been 7 days since Hurricane Helene made landfall.

Whats going on.

Why do you think Tennessee isn't able to do both?

They could, but it would be psychologically crazy.

Why would you send people elsewhere when there families are hurting. Crime against humanity.

While the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are over, the National Guard still has 22,000 service members deployed overseas. "In 2022, we provided ground and air forces to all of America's combatant commands," the general said. "That included Army formations in the Middle East and Europe; global tanker airlift and fighter aircraft support; and training with our allies and partners around the globe."

didn't Kamala state NO military in "combat"? What is a combatant command?

#39 | Posted by oneironaut

A command unit that doesn't directly participate in combat. There are 10 or 11 of them.

Really thought you had something there huh?

Whats going on.

Can't bother to read the literal thousands of articles about North Carolina? Figures.

When Hurricane Helene struck his home in Hickory, North Carolina, Brock Long lost power for four days. Once his family was safe, he headed into the mountains of western North Carolina to help out. He knows the area well: He graduated from Appalachian State, which is in Boone, one of the hardest-hit places in the state. Long also knows a few things about charging into the breach after a major disaster. A career emergency manager, he led FEMA from 2017 to 2019 and is now the executive chairman of Hagerty Consulting, which specializes in emergency response.

Speaking with me by phone yesterday, Long sounded exhausted. But he offered a clear view of the challenges that emergency managers must confront in the aftermath of the storm, including the continued struggle to rebuild communication networks and to reach residents who live in remote, mountainous areas where hurricanes are not a common danger.

Long told me that he has been heartened by ordinary citizens' eagerness to chip in and help, but he warned against "self-deploying" in the middle of such a complex effort.

Long: Thankfully, as FEMA administrator, I practiced what I preached, and we were prepared as a household. But my heart is absolutely broken for a lot of the other communities that really took the brunt of the impact. I've been up in Boone, in Watauga County. I made it to the top of Beech Mountain today. I've been in Asheville, working with local leaders and emergency managers, trying to, from a pro bono standpoint, just say, Hey, listen, this is what you need to be thinking and protecting yourself and gearing up for this long-term recovery that's going to take place over the next few years, and trying to get into some of these communities. It was incredibly rough getting to Beech Mountain. Beech Mountain has been completely cut off. We had to find an old logging road to go up.

Long: The disaster response is never going to move as quickly as people would like. There's a reason we call them catastrophic disasters. Things don't work. They're broken. And you don't just say, Oh, let me flip that switch and turn that back on. You have to set expectations and be honest with people: Listen, we took a catastrophic hit. And it's not just your area; it's multiple states. People tend to see only their localized picture of the whole disaster event. I couldn't tell you what was going on in Florida, South Carolina, or Georgia right now, because I am in my own little world in western North Carolina. There are only so many assets that can be deployed. I never point the blame at anybody. Nobody is at fault for this bad disaster. It's not FEMA's disaster. It's all of our disaster. The whole community has got to come together to solve this problem.

Graham: How does the terrain affect the way this disaster plays out?

Long: The supply chain's cut off. I probably saw no less than 150 collapsed or partially collapsed roadways today in and around Watauga and Avery Counties alone. They're everywhere. If it wasn't rutted out, there was a mudslide and trees down, covering half the road. Some of these communities become inaccessible, so they can't get the fuel they need to run their generators. They can't get the supplies up there to service the staff. There's only so many resources to go around to fix all of the problems that you're seeing, so the difficult task of the emergency managers is trying to figure out which roadway systems do you fix first, at the expense of others, to make sure that you can execute your life-sustaining missions.

www.theatlantic.com

Gotta just live these armchair generals like RobBot and OneNut.

Whining that nothing is getting done while sitting around doing nothing but whining that nothing is getting done.

They have probably never even served their country as a public servant a day in their lives.

Over the past 15 years, North Carolina (Republican) lawmakers have rejected limits on construction on steep slopes, which might have reduced the number of homes lost to landslides; blocked a rule requiring homes to be elevated above the height of an expected flood; weakened protections for wetlands, increasing the risk of dangerous storm water runoff; and slowed the adoption of updated building codes, making it harder for the state to qualify for federal climate-resilience grants.