Hurricane Helene

One thing that would help that I’m not hearing much about is mobile showers, and laundry facilities in the areas without running water. Another is non potable water for toilet flushing. I have used a swim spa loaded on my trailer filled with about 1000 gallons of water to drop water in downtown Asheville for toilet flushing.

My family and myself are very fortunate to have made it through the storm and are safe with minimal damage to properties. I have dealt with major storms directly after the storms have departed and all I can say about the situation in WNC and East Tennessee is that it is the worse thing I’ve ever witnessed. This is going to be a very difficult road ahead for most people impacted by the storm mentally , emotionally, and financially. Businesses will never rebuild or open back up leading to many losing everything they own and their jobs as well. The effects of this storm will outlast the help that is coming in by a long shot.

Thank everyone that has been on the front lines helping and everyone that has contributed to the relief efforts! This is my home and my people that are forever changed by this disaster. I am broken and don’t know how this will ever return to the place I love.
 
Does anyone know how bad Hickory Nc. I have been contacted to maybe bring our Search & Rescue Crew and Equipment to help out there with Mountain Search & Rescue for several days? They are checking to see what equipment and the role they want us to fill and get back in touch with me.
 
LT1JEEP said:
Does anyone know how bad Hickory Nc. I have been contacted to maybe bring our Search & Rescue Crew and Equipment to help out there with Mountain Search & Rescue for several days? They are checking to see what equipment and the role they want us to fill and get back in touch with me.
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Damage seems minimal past the hickory river bridge.
 
This is from a close trusted friend:

I've been talking g with A friend of mine with NC wildlife who is working around the Boone area. Asking him what needs to be sent and where. He sent me this. You know of any off road groups looking a spot to help?

There is a remote community in Avery County called Elk Park. If you have anyone in your circle who would like to focus efforts, that would be an exceptional place to send recovery items. It isn't accessible yet by road, only ATV, UTV, boat or helicopter. All the roads and bridges were washed away. From there to the Tennessee line is in really dire need of anything

Fwd:


Trying to send you a specific road marked up on OnX but don't have enough service. I'll send later when I get service. They are pretty good on bare necessities, water can goods, etc. but they really need clothes, out door cooking equipment, grilling equipment, grills, griddles, propane, flashlights, headlamps. Things of that nature but I'm certain they would accept anything

Area in red

IMG_7478.jpeg



I asked for specific contact info and this was response:


I will talk to Brandon tomorrow and see what the best options are

There isn't a specific contact for Elk Park. The main poc is the county EOC. There is two ways I believe items could be disseminated. Someone could coordinate directly with the county EOC (emergency operations center) and drop off the items there if they have room. Or if people had UTVs they could drive straight there and drop items off door to door. Would take longer but you would KNOW the items were delivered directly to those with the greatest need as opposed to possibly being sent elsewhere in the area.
 
Mac5005 said:
This is from a close trusted friend:

I've been talking g with A friend of mine with NC wildlife who is working around the Boone area. Asking him what needs to be sent and where. He sent me this. You know of any off road groups looking a spot to help?

There is a remote community in Avery County called Elk Park. If you have anyone in your circle who would like to focus efforts, that would be an exceptional place to send recovery items. It isn't accessible yet by road, only ATV, UTV, boat or helicopter. All the roads and bridges were washed away. From there to the Tennessee line is in really dire need of anything

Fwd:


Trying to send you a specific road marked up on OnX but don't have enough service. I'll send later when I get service. They are pretty good on bare necessities, water can goods, etc. but they really need clothes, out door cooking equipment, grilling equipment, grills, griddles, propane, flashlights, headlamps. Things of that nature but I'm certain they would accept anything

Area in red

View attachment 425758


I asked for specific contact info and this was response:


I will talk to Brandon tomorrow and see what the best options are

There isn't a specific contact for Elk Park. The main poc is the county EOC. There is two ways I believe items could be disseminated. Someone could coordinate directly with the county EOC (emergency operations center) and drop off the items there if they have room. Or if people had UTVs they could drive straight there and drop items off door to door. Would take longer but you would KNOW the items were delivered directly to those with the greatest need as opposed to possibly being sent elsewhere in the area.
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I keep seeing things like this but not a single one ever shares a POC.

I've called several fire stations and left messages but not heard back
 
CasterTroy said:
I keep seeing things like this but not a single one ever shares a POC.

I've called several fire stations and left messages but not heard back
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I’m expecting a response for contact info tomorrow once the phone conversation happens but 🤷‍♂️. Just trying to share.

I’ll be happy to delete my post if you think that’s best.
 
Mac5005 said:
I’m expecting a response for contact info tomorrow once the phone conversation happens but 🤷‍♂️. Just trying to share.

I’ll be happy to delete my post if you think that’s best.
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Nah, that's not what I was trying to do. If you get contact info there's several on here that would be willing to help. It's just I keep getting tagged on FB on these type posts and no one can ever seem to make any real contact with anyone to make actual plans 🤷🏿‍♂️
 
Mac5005 said:
This is from a close trusted friend:

I've been talking g with A friend of mine with NC wildlife who is working around the Boone area. Asking him what needs to be sent and where. He sent me this. You know of any off road groups looking a spot to help?

There is a remote community in Avery County called Elk Park. If you have anyone in your circle who would like to focus efforts, that would be an exceptional place to send recovery items. It isn't accessible yet by road, only ATV, UTV, boat or helicopter. All the roads and bridges were washed away. From there to the Tennessee line is in really dire need of anything

Fwd:


Trying to send you a specific road marked up on OnX but don't have enough service. I'll send later when I get service. They are pretty good on bare necessities, water can goods, etc. but they really need clothes, out door cooking equipment, grilling equipment, grills, griddles, propane, flashlights, headlamps. Things of that nature but I'm certain they would accept anything

Area in red

View attachment 425758


I asked for specific contact info and this was response:


I will talk to Brandon tomorrow and see what the best options are

There isn't a specific contact for Elk Park. The main poc is the county EOC. There is two ways I believe items could be disseminated. Someone could coordinate directly with the county EOC (emergency operations center) and drop off the items there if they have room. Or if people had UTVs they could drive straight there and drop items off door to door. Would take longer but you would KNOW the items were delivered directly to those with the greatest need as opposed to possibly being sent elsewhere in the area.
Click to expand...

We go to Elk Park to stay at a campground there (Mountain View Motorcycle Campground) and ride dual sport and off road in the area. I have seen the people we know post about the conditions there a few times, but it doesn't seem they are that bad off. I'll see if they know anything about it.
 
LT1JEEP said:
Does anyone know how bad Hickory Nc. I have been contacted to maybe bring our Search & Rescue Crew and Equipment to help out there with Mountain Search & Rescue for several days? They are checking to see what equipment and the role they want us to fill and get back in touch with me.
Click to expand...
Pretty minimal (now) comparatively. It's probably the last intact "big" city before getting to the mountains, so I could see it being used as a staging area/jump off point. They have been flying stuff in and out of here to the mountains, so maybe you will be riding a chopper into and out of there every day?
 
I get my tree from Elk Park every year. There are some small cluster communities but what I remember is a lot of rich uppity folks with "camps" for fly fishing. Also, don't they have their own airfield?
 
OnlyOneDR said:
If this is still a need come next week I will reach out. I already have to be out of town headed the wrong way this week.

The No GPS thing is strange to read, I am certain they mean no cell service. I just download the local maps on to the phone prior to going into an area. I did this when I went to Italy years ago; pulled down all the cities we were traveling to and turned on the GPS when we arrived. I did the entire trip without cell service.
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shawn said:
This. I have topo maps for NC, VA, CO, etc, all saved to my phone. Can do the same with Google and Apple maps.
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I just bought an atlas for NC and probably will get one for VA and WV because of all this. Trying to navigate around here without GPS and all the road closures kind of sucked right after the storm, lesson learned and $60 is pennies in the grand scheme of things.
 
I would like to head up this coming weekend to help where I can be useful. I can run a tractor with fel or a skid steer. I can use an excavator but am not good, but can get things done slower than a proficient operator. I have an ATV I can bring if it could be useful. I plan to bring a chainsaw or two and other tools. I'm a good electrician and plumber. I have tools for both. I would like to link up with someone who knows what is going on and with whom I could make a difference. I'm not above salvage and overhaul if thats what the immediate need is. Roughing it a few nights is expected. Anyone else planning to go up that could use a hand?
 
awheelterd said:
I would like to head up this coming weekend to help where I can be useful. I can run a tractor with fel or a skid steer. I can use an excavator but am not good, but can get things done slower than a proficient operator. I have an ATV I can bring if it could be useful. I plan to bring a chainsaw or two and other tools. I'm a good electrician and plumber. I have tools for both. I would like to link up with someone who knows what is going on and with whom I could make a difference. I'm not above salvage and overhaul if thats what the immediate need is. Roughing it a few nights is expected. Anyone else planning to go up that could use a hand?
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possibly, but playing it by ear. A lot will change within the week. So gonna keep an eye on the situation as it changes and what is needed.
 
LT1JEEP said:
Does anyone know how bad Hickory Nc. I have been contacted to maybe bring our Search & Rescue Crew and Equipment to help out there with Mountain Search & Rescue for several days? They are checking to see what equipment and the role they want us to fill and get back in touch with me.
Click to expand...
Hickory NC in Catawba County is pretty well good to go. Hurricane Hugo did more damage then this storm. Lake Hickory suffered from high water but really not much different the when Duke gets behind to ball with dam control. Biggest difference has been debris from up river and the more sudden nature of the water level rising.....read careless about shoring up boats and docks this go round. Most effected area would be the end closest to I-40 West and Hildebrand areas.
 
I was in Chattanooga this weekend and the State line near my home town of Aiken, SC got hit hard it appears. Saw all kinds of damage along I-20 from Aiken - Augusta. Nothing like up in NC. Saw lots of different line trucks and tree companies on the highway. On the way home we saw an oversized load being moved. Looked like a portable pumping station or treatment station. Was in two separate loads with the drivers hugging the emergency lane to keep the left lane passable. Might not be anything for this storm and could have been just something that happen to ship after it. But it was massive and clearly in two sections. The post by Andy about needing help distributing supplies got me thinking about my M101. I would think it would be perfect for the job. I have yet to see anyone post a POC yet though. If anyone gets anything going I'd gladly drag the jeep and trailer up there to move stuff into more remote areas.
 
Swannanoa valley Christian ministries.

A friend's daughter is assistant director.



They need hands to sort donations

Men's work clothes, boots exc.

Clothes for winter men woman and children

Hot hands, sleeping bags, blankets,

Backpacks, personal cleanliness things

Things like that.
 
Our church is planning to haul some supplies to Woodland Baptist church in Waynesville. Is there any tips about which way to get it there? Ill be coming down I-40 from greensboro NC.
 
ghost said:
I was in Chattanooga this weekend and the State line near my home town of Aiken, SC got hit hard it appears. Saw all kinds of damage along I-20 from Aiken - Augusta. Nothing like up in NC. Saw lots of different line trucks and tree companies on the highway. On the way home we saw an oversized load being moved. Looked like a portable pumping station or treatment station. Was in two separate loads with the drivers hugging the emergency lane to keep the left lane passable. Might not be anything for this storm and could have been just something that happen to ship after it. But it was massive and clearly in two sections. The post by Andy about needing help distributing supplies got me thinking about my M101. I would think it would be perfect for the job. I have yet to see anyone post a POC yet though. If anyone gets anything going I'd gladly drag the jeep and trailer up there to move stuff into more remote areas.
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Word of advice, be careful if you take the trailer. Maybe even prepare to leave it at a 'base camp'. You will likely have to turn around so many times no matter where you go, the trailer will just make traffic jams worse.

We had to turn around a bunch in Ashe county, and overall, I would say it wasn't that bad (or many of the roads were already cleared) up there. If you go somewhere that's BAD, a trailer is going to be a PITA.
 
Tacoma747 said:
Word of advice, be careful if you take the trailer. Maybe even prepare to leave it at a 'base camp'. You will likely have to turn around so many times no matter where you go, the trailer will just make traffic jams worse.

We had to turn around a bunch in Ashe county, and overall, I would say it wasn't that bad (or many of the roads were already cleared) up there. If you go somewhere that's BAD, a trailer is going to be a PITA.
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Ok. Didn't think about that. Was minly thinking about hauling things in remote areas where they still can't get standard vehicles. Still have to finish some work on the Jeep this week. I might be going to Aiken to help out down there with some things this week too.
 
A reminder for everyone doing supplies runs.
Dont just go to overfilled hubs, if you can try to hit the most remote areas this would be best. Everyone else is already hitting the churches and FDs immediatley near the ground zeros.

This is about to get alot worse once this cold front hits for all those without water/power but have enough of a home to stay in, but refuse to leave. It wont be good either for those with no damage, intact job, but still without power or water once the cold hits. It may not make sense now, but if you are coordinating with outside donations; wool blankets, long johns, coats, gloves - will be worth gold soon. Better now than in a scramble later (for those that lost everything)

Benadryl and epipens - these are greatly needed. Drop off at FD hubs

Focus on water purification devices, empty buckets, empty jugs. Plenty of water to go around. People are going to need better tools to take advantage of water springs already around before long

Laundry centers are nice. Not realistic for alot of people who do not have the ability to wait or travel. Foot pedal spin washer/dryers are would be a phenomenal donation people can make.

Wagons for complete devastation areas where people's only option is to walk daily for supplies - this would be a great donation if it could be done in bulk

Alot of people are doing diapers for kids. Adult diapers are getting missed in alot of places. Dont forget hygiene items: womens tampons/pads, midol, soap bars, toothpaste, toothbrushes.

I have been doing supplies runs to remote areas. Filling up from hubs and delivering door to door or going more remote and creating a new hub. Everywhere I go I bring a chainsaw and medical supplies. There have been stranded/trapped people that had zero way of letting anyone know, and were not physically able to make the 10+mile hike to find help. Be prepared. Sadly i have come across several homes with abandoned pets left inside. Its sad, but dont get shot over a dog (mistaken assumption they left not just hiding).

The phase we are about to enter is alot of deceased due to people refusing to leave, people incapable of calling for help, and possibly soon the loss of life due to temperatures (no power). We are more than likely soon to see alot of dysentery and listeria issues from improper water boiling, among other ailments.

A suggestion on foods. Focus on high protein foods. Foods requiring alot of water (i.e. pasta) are not the best choice right now.

Bring a walkie or two. Keep one on 19 and one on 1. These are the dfault channels in most situations. I have been able to respond to a cry for help more than once this way.

My next project now that supplies runs are being overdone, going to work on mobile showers. IBC tote, plumbed to a 3/4 ball valve, hooked to a camplux style propane ondemand water heater (overlanders and campers size). It runs on Two D batteries. For the pump a standard 65psi 12v pump, hooked to a 60v to 12v stepdown so it can run on a dewalt 60v 12ah battery. Already built one. Working on how to make it a kit for others. This can also be used to pressurize a whole house if you turn off water main at the regulator.

On the side I have been a POC for a few organizations coming up and doing chainsaw work, and giving them highlighted maps to focus on - to do more than just do the immediate cut out of road way, but finish all the cuts. I can only focus on the roads Ive frequented and are familiar with. If you can, send out your info across SM and suggest outside help call you so you can help guide them to the best areas. Sadly, most people I talked to are just getting auto told to go to swannanoa and its starting to make it worse over there with unnecessarily built up traffic.

Just what Ive gathered so far, and hope it helps anyone else on the same tracks with what they are helping with
 
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