10-29-2024 Chimney Rock, NC - Recovery Efforts Underway - One Month Update - Catastrophic Damage

[@bloozedaddy]

Major props to the miners of West Virginia who got in there and graded-out a new access road so the work could begin. Great Americans. 🤘

[@HoneyBadgerFarm]

You would think the NCDOT would have beat them to the punch...

[@mechanictaft4848]

He'll yea those are my peeps fk I miss everyone

[@chriscotton4207]

Lol it was more than just this 11 guys. They just want to run the coal miner thing out.

[@chriscotton4207]

​​@@HoneyBadgerFarmthey did. By a lot. They just forgot to brag about it. Just fyi I'm a miner.

[@durgan5668]

@@HoneyBadgerFarm They're likely to focus on larger communities first. This was a 600 mile storm, so the transportation hubs are under significant strain.

[@Kit-Ballou3664]

Thank you everyone who gave all your funding and time to make that road happen. You are heroes and should be recognized as such. Not from the area but just so grateful men like you are out there. I feel the same of everyone making sure people stay warm and get food and water. Salt of the Earth.

[@atsavvy6.0]

Thank you for keeping the rest of us updated , Americans are strong!

[@tina8796]

One of the worst disasters on American soil. I've heard quite a few people who work disasters all over the world say this one was the worst they've encountered. The amount of absolute devastation is unthinkable. Heartbroken for my fellow Americans have to endure this. ✝✝

[@disposabull]

I would be interested in seeing a study into the post hurricane excess deaths. In Puerto Rico in 2017, Hurricane Maria officially took 65 lives but there were 3000 excess deaths in the following five months that never made the official death toll.

[@ThomasConlon-gu5pz]

Where is the federal government??? Thank God for the true Americans helping out

[@SpicyMcGeezak]

@@ThomasConlon-gu5pzthey are there helping in the efforts, stop listening to your lord and savior T’s lies. His lies were leading to militia groups threatening fema workers, which is slowing down recovery efforts.. stop with the nonsense.

[@bambesfresser]

@@ThomasConlon-gu5pz I don't think you understand how federal help works. First, in a disaster there is a disaster declaration. That will allow the flow of federal money. It essentially reimburses local and state authorities for their expenses. Secondly, FEMA is on site to process applications for loans/aid/etc. for victims impacted by the disaster. That is especially critical here as very few victims had flood insurance. For the private insurance sector, this has largely been a non-event due to the low insurance coverage.Third, of course there was direct help from the military, National Guard and to a lesser degree FEMA for initial search and rescue. But the feds don't have an army of bulldozers, cranes, and dump trucks on standby. The logistics of moving those assets in place would be impossible or extremely costly. For rebuilding, local and state authorities will submit plans to rebuild roads/bridges etc. Upon approval, funds will flow. I know that's not as sexy as a guy with a bulldozer moving debris but there is a bit of logic behind it.

[@Carolb66]

It's the worst disaster I've ever seen I'm nearly 60 I thought the Japan tsunami of 2011 was bad but this was catastrophic. We wish all of you the strength to carry on rebuild & get your lives back. ❤&🙏🏻from UK. Never forget.

[@vincentfalcone9218]

Insane how this massive disaster has fallen completely out of the news cycle.

[@jeanetteredden24]

Just like LaHaina. Just like all hurricane & tornado damage. The MSM might cover it a week.

[@bloozedaddy]

Trillions of dollars at stake with that election thingie....the media has priorities.

[@Mjk86]

The government doesn’t give two shits about you

[@bambesfresser]

It will be in the local news for a long time to come. There will be an occasional check-in how things have progressed on the national level. But I mean do you expect it to be every day on the front page? Where else does this ever occur? There has been a major flash flooding event just now in Spain. Cars piled up to the second floor in narrow streets. Once the water recedes and search and rescue is over, the news cycle will move elsewhere.

[@tammymoore6126]

Of course it has. We are the South. We are always ignored We take care of our own. We have too

[@may86bear]

Totally unbelievable 😢 GOD bless you all and give you strength to recover better than ever 🙏🇺🇸

[@verleguntrumjr.2787]

My heart goes out to those affected but the cleanup will take years.

[@nestorsaunders8154]

It boggles the mind...God Bless the rebuilding effort!!

[@samikibooker486]

Really

[@cogentdynamics]

So difficult to see these places I have been a regular there over the past 40+ years. Sad. Thanks to All, who help.

[@cynthiasutherby1835]

May God be with you through these trying times.

[@ghewins]

Where, exactly, was “God” during the flood?

[@ferebeefamily]

Thank you for the video.

[@davidmiller6010]

Thank you. Can't believe that was 9 minutes already.

[@maryloubethune1640]

I look at the beautiful Rocky Broad that I have loved for decades and I grieve. God bless you all .

[@LeeArd-k7u]

Do You Mean, “ French Broad “ River which of Course IS Rocky BUT NOT ITS’ Name !

[@LizYork133]

@@LeeArd-k7u - those are 2 different rivers. Rocky broad river is in Chimney rock

[@maryturko6490]

So heartbreaking. God bless you all.

[@kennethmoles4643]

My God what a mess! Just think, many of those boulders were sitting somewhere else a month or so ago. To my beautiful Western NC friends, hold fast and don't give up. It's just going to take time!

[@skibee50]

So very sad 😥

[@KimberlyWard-Evans717]

Looks like an old movie set . So sad. God bless all who helped and are helping to recover from this tragic, unimaginable “weather event”.

[@kathrynhurst7210]

Prayers🙏🏼💗🇺🇸

[@melanievando2040]

Thanks for posting.

[@RG-xi3rd]

Wonder how many bodies are buried under all of that mud. God rest their souls; they will never be found.

[@bambesfresser]

From WMFY NEWS: " BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. - In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, North Carolina Emergency Management was keeping track of the number of missing people in western North Carolina. It utilized information from NC 211, where people could report an unaccounted person. However, that registry has since been closed. State emergency representatives told WFMY News 2 this about the change: "With communications in western North Carolina improving, people should be reaching out to their local law enforcement office or 911 to report someone as unaccounted for, which is typically the standard procedure after an event." The official number of missing Helene victims has now been left up to each county to report. WFMY News 2 reached out to the Emergency Management offices in 30 western North Carolina counties for their current number of active missing persons investigations related to Helene. Here's what we found. Alexander: 0 Alleghany: 0 Ashe: 0 Avery: 3 Buncombe: awaiting response from Buncombe Emergency Management, but the sheriff's office says less than 10 Burke: 0 Caldwell: 0 Catawba: 0 Cherokee: 0 Clay: 0 Cleveland: awaiting response Gaston: 0 Graham: 0 Haywood: 0 Henderson: 0 Jackson: 0 Lincoln: 0 Macon: 0 Madison: 0 McDowell: 0 Mecklenburg: 0 Mitchell: awaiting response Polk: 0 Rutherford: 0 Swain: awaiting response Transylvania: 0 Watauga: 1 Wilkes: 0 Yadkin: 0 Yancey: 3 Even though WFMY News 2 is still waiting for responses from some Emergency Management offices, the number of verified missing persons is vastly lower than claims made online. The Yancey County Public Information Officer addressed the discrepancy. "We understand that rumors and claims are circulating about a larger number of missing persons, but we want to assure you that these reports are based on verified data from our emergency response teams," said April Wilson. "For anyone who believes they have a missing loved one, you should report this to Emergency Management immediately. Accurate and timely reporting helps us coordinate search efforts effectively and ensure that all individuals are accounted for. If you have any concerns or information about missing persons, please contact our Emergency Management team directly." Henderson County Emergency Management leaders shared this statement: "If the public has “firsthand” knowledge of anyone who is missing they should contact their local authorities. Typically, that will be the Sheriff’s Office if they are in a county or a Police Department if they are within a city. The local law enforcement agency will coordinate with search and rescue resources as needed."

[@diylithiumguy]

at this pojnt, there are only a couple dozen people still missing. Everyone else has been accounted for, miraculously. I think around 7,000 people were rescued. An insane amount!

[@davidmihevc3990]

​@@diylithiumguy Thanks for that info, since the "news" has moved on and not talking about this anymore.

[@diylithiumguy]

@@davidmihevc3990 no problem. That doesn't surprise me. :-(

[@cyndilouhou423]

It amazes me how that tiny little creek became such an angry massive force of nature.

[@Carolb66]

Thank you for the update. We are from UK & we won't forget you. God bless. ❤🙏🏻

[@utubetjc]

We live in Virginia and were not physically affected by Helene but we made a large contribution through Gleaning For The World. It's the least we could do.🙏🙏

[@olentangy74]

It took me a minute to realize you were filming at what was the bridge that crossed over to Chimney Rock State Park. My wife and I were there two summers ago, and we stayed at the beautiful Broad River Inn showed at 8:37. Just heartbreaking.

[@lucmarchand617]

This insane work rebuilt.Calgary alberta 2013 got floods rebuilt take couple years same nc dot.They must clean up river and creek for next rainfall pure simple.Thanks video update.😮

[@CatherineMoody-on3ny]

Thank you for sharing

[@judyjude7967]

It does my heart proud to know my fellow West Virginians are doing God's work. They don't call them "Good Ole Boys" for nothing. God bless us everyone. Love West Virginia, almost heaven !!!!

[@vivianking8143]

Those boulders are massive. I can not fathom. In Joy

[@kathyb5740]

Seeing this leaves me speechless.

[@1978lburick]

Thanks for posting this. I was happy to see near the end of the video, the bed & breakfast we stayed at a few years ago is still standing! Although I think they lost their lower level ÷(

[@RG-xi3rd]

Hard to believe that little stream or creek turned into a behemoth monster and wiped out everything in it's path.

[@jeanetteredden24]

Geologists have showed that these people in multiple towns built in the flood plane

[@user-so-v9o]

I don't know, they got a long way to go

[@shamas.7823]

It looks like a tornado/hurricane/flood all hit at once-not natural-we are about 20 minutes away and when I found out about Chimney Rock being destroyed, I couldn't stop crying. Still praying...

[@pollysshore2539]

Absolutely natural. The same thing happened to Chimney Rock in the Great Flood of 1916, though it was less populated again. A local geologist has made incredibly informative videos laying out how it happened. See Geo Models. You can find geological reports about the damage in 1916. Water runoff from several different locations in the mountains makes it way to Chimney Rock, Bat Cave and Gerton. They all sit along the Hickory Nut Gorge which has been carved out due to water erosion over time. Events like the GF of 1916 and Helene can rapidly speed up that natural erosion. Hickory Nut Gorge is rather compact, and shaped like a cross. When excessive water runoff from several areas filters into it, it’s essentially explodes out of it. Multiple areas got over 30 inches of rain. That’s a lot of runoff. Chimney Rock also gets runoff from Swannanoa which was hit incredibly hard with flooding. There were several debris flows seen in Chimney Rock in 1916 and there are 2 large ones again today. Debris flows are much worse than landslides. They take almost everything in their path. In Chimney Rock that = a lot of boulders. It’s an incredibly rocky landscape. One thing known about debris flows is that once the path is carved out you can expect more flows within minutes during the same weather event, and more flows in the future.

[@pollysshore2539]

They are planning to rebuild but smarter. No buildings along the river/gorge. They need to be mindful about debris flows and check for areas where others are likely to occur. They need to get out before high rain events in the future to be on the safe side. Their fire department did a pretty good job getting everyone out along the river before the bottom fell out. Only one person refused to leave. She was elderly and bed ridden. People had other issues to contend with related to debris flows but thankfully no one was harmed by them that I know of.

[@Kit-Ballou3664]

Not sure about Chimney Rock specifically but the SE did have tornados the day before Helene's landfall from GA to VA. The soil was already waterlogged before the hurricane rains arrived. Watched it on Ryan Hall's channel.

[@bob-rogers]

@@pollysshore2539 "No buildings along the river/gorge." IDK. I see a lot of people (including the mayor) on the news saying they're going to rebuild their stores. I think a lot of that is wishful thinking though. They won't be able to get insurance so it would require a ton of cash.

[@bob-rogers]

Slight correction: The Swannanoa river flows into the French Broad which joins the Holston River in Knoxville to form the Tennessee River. The (Rocky) Broad River, which flows through Chimney Rock, starts on the other side of the ridge that runs east-west south of Swannanoa. It flows south to Columbia, SC where it joins the Saluda River to form the Congaree River. It's only about 4 miles away though and your main point is accurate: it's just weather. In recorded history, major floods have happened there every 75 years on average.

[@pittmanfh]

The calming sound of that water flowing alone tells you why people love to live there.

[@tinaanderson9186]

😭😭🙏🏻🙏🏻 Still thinking of all of the lives that were lost!!

[@jamesmarshalla9333]

I’m still dealing with the fact that this happened over a month ago, my heart goes out to everybody that was affected by this hurricane!

[@cesmith777]

man where to even start - thinking about takign leave from Germany to come out and help for a couple of weeks.

[@89128]

It is going to take decades of hard and costly work to restore this area. I have seen videos of forests stripped and destroyed. They need to recover as much lumber as possible. Professional foresters can determine what's usable and what needs to be chipped. California learned a bitter lesson about allowing fallen timber to just rot, thus becoming fuel for forest fires.

[@StonewallJackson-n8w]

Has California learned ?

[@LoveFineArts]

Great video. So sorry for the residents losing so much. It does make me wonder though if building there is wise.

[@skylarsartnphotography3450]

Maybe they need to build on much higher ground?

[@LoveFineArts]

@@skylarsartnphotography3450 Yeah, they are right on the river.

[@bardmadsen6956]

@@skylarsartnphotography3450 Personally, I would build like a beach house with pillions arranged for debris to flow through and park and storage underneath. Same as I would along the flood plains of the Mississippi. It is sort of like the tsunami markers from ages ago up the slopes of the mountains in Japan. I've been in that area back in the early 70's, I'd be the one walking barefoot in the water looking of gold and gems on this rare occasion end-between helping as I'm an electromechanical troubleshooter by trade. Someone bring me a spare trailer rim, I saw about a dozen, they are unobtainium around here. I really like it there, except the chilliness of the mountain shade waiting for the Sun in the mornings.

[@EileenUsherwood]

Yes, after the 1996 floods codes and regulations had to change about where people could build or rebuild. Frightening losses, so much debris.

[@1940limited]

Years to repair the damage and much of it will never be the same.

[@alsnow1049]

"Heavenly Father, watch how we show you the power of your creation."

[@EattheApple666]

Didn't he send the floods?

[@alsnow1049]

@EattheApple666 absolutely. Are you a believer?

[@Jack-un1fw]

Prayers for all those affected by this tragedy What are all of the red lines on river bed?

[@bluzzjazz]

It looks like a war zone. Hard to the damage that has taken place here. There is no restoring the town, just rebuilding where you can.

[@rebelfighter5249]

Exactly. The river cut a new channel right through the center of town. They won't be able to fully rebuild there no matter how optimistic they sound for the cameras.

[@Sassywonderlady]

🙏🏿🙏🏿 Water destroys everything in its path. 🙏🏿🙏🏿

[@tgWNN984]

Unbelievable, and the government hasn't done anything to help these people

[@LoveFineArts]

Our government is irresponsible and beyond bankrupt.

[@Bupkus68]

Bullshit

[@erindonohue-zink6811]

Will rebuilding include homes up higher /stilts or built on barge /flotation for if flood reoccurs?

[@EileenUsherwood]

After the1996 floods in this area , codes were changed. TVA had a plan for controlling flooding after floods in the 60s but it was rejected.

[@maryloubethune1640]

I guess I do..but the river through Chimney Rock is not the Rocky Broad?

[@matman72703]

I look at this video and wonder if anyone has provided some information on the geomorphic cross-section of the stream. the cross-section of the channel should be reconstructed to meet the bankfull character of the physiographic region for a given drainage area. That would help for future expenses and flood risk.

[@pfkat9749]

Pardon my ignorance but, what are the orange lines that run along the shore of the river?

[@brianreichart3285]

Fiber conduit I believe.

[@doyoueverwonder2683]

I wonder if they are going to try and raise the area where homes use to be. Or leave it for the next time.

[@mobelue]

Look what a little bit of water over millions of years can do.

[@danherrmann8755]

Back to the days when Cherokee Indians. Walked the earth. The Gods have spoken. No roads. No electricity no running water. So sad. But people have chosen to living. In this beautiful area. I would live there to. It is Gods country.

[@gphilipc2031]

CAT's are king here.

[@fuzzylop9164]

I am so heartbroken for these people. How do seniors come back when they lost everything? No flood insurance in many of these areas not even available even if they wanted it. Home owners will not pay in a disaster. Where does the money come from? Espicaly when you can't do much yourself any longer? 😢

[@robertcookjr6100]

🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@ruthteele3520]

Is this the area of toxic mud that is causing health crises? Hearing about homes being condemned from the mud and wells poisoned- not safe??

[@bartosullivan8050]

Where's the Government Assistance? Lebanon, Ukraine, Palestine, Illegals, one month later and they are no where to be seen. Was in Bat Cave Monday and my wife had me turn around, it was beyond upsetting to see and all we've been able to do is send money and try to support and pray for our neighbors. Makes you feel helpless.

[@CBECK73]

Use them big rocks for retaining walls

[@juliedetray2690]

Unbelievable. So sad.

[@rabidseabee7229]

If I need my weather news I think the first two channels I check are this one and Reed Timmer. It's always non-biased and raw information.

[@SilentWeaponsQuietWars]

Brett will not say nothing about Weather Warfare, Americans ate waking up to the evil Government doing this.

[@1978lburick]

Also,. The"Ryan hall yall" weather Channel. He sends help after storms.

[@almirakline6070]

❤❤

[@AnamarieCameron-y6h]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@charlesstaples2086]

Where’s the army corps of engineers they build roads and bridges,why aren’t they there

[@Subdood04]

My wife and I honeymooned there in 1991. So sad.

[@davidhenderson6459]

They should just make that a beach and by that I mean the river bed...

[@danherrmann8755]

Has anyone panned for gold.

[@cathyclark9653]

OMG!

[@carlmorgan8452]

Everything seen is temporary Everything unseen is eternal Comforting to know biblical Truths.

[@michaeldesilvio221]

It's probably going to be impossible to get homeowners insurance in America from now on. ✈️ XXXXXXXX

[@LoveFineArts]

They don't pay anyway.

[@skylarsartnphotography3450]

You can certainly live so much cheaper overseas(not referring to the UK)

[@elaineschiefer-feria516]

💔😞💔😞

[@alancall5113]

Don't rebuild get out of there. not safe

[@bloozedaddy]

100-year event...if you applied that mindset to the rest of the country 95% of people should "leave".

[@kevinl4687]

I think this might have been a100,000 year event judging by the change in the landscape

[@AC-ir3od]

Easier said than done

[@SandraPrince-g2p]

💔💔💔💔💔💔💔

[@RichardWaugaman]

A town in southern Spain just had a year's worth of rain in 24 hours. Climate change is accelerating.

[@EileenUsherwood]

It is happening all over the world, fires and floods. Not reported on our news.

[@BarbaraLyles-p7k]

I wonder how many mobile home dealers are in our country?? If each one donated one or two homes, doesn’t have to be big and fancy, wouldn’t that help and show love of their neighbor? Plus probably a big tax write off. Just an idea.

[@crewmax4240]

It's like if God grabbed you and your stuff and dropped it in a new country.

[@Rchard005]

There is a holy biblical verse that human life cannot survive outside of our planet earth.

[@wizardm]

This should be rebuild more solid. Concrete buildings with pile foundations.

[@NotsoFree_StateofFlorida]

living on the water is a beautiful & charming place to be. Until it isn not! Roll the dice & take your chances. You can't control it. Leave the flood planes alone.

[@ro_boat]

It's hard to believe that one woman caused all that destruction. Read Genesis 2:15-17 & 3:2

[@wipatriot510]

Nature happens...

[@CrustyAbsconder]

Please don't eat the pets

[@macyah-israel795]

Malachi 1:3-4 [3]And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness. [4]Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.

[@royfields2750]

well they could be out and panning for gold the price is up $ 2,793.60 oz it's native to that location in their spare time

[@patriciaowens5455]

I cannot stand Jim Jordan

[@vaughnhill3437]

Anyone rgere helping the people are true american heroes

[@vaughnhill3437]

I would love to come up.there and donate my heavy equipment operator skills i just do t know if they need them there and how to get in touch with companies looking for operators

[@larryyontz1052]

Everyone knows that western NC and eastern Tenn is rich in lithium and the purest quartzs, so what if this great flood was caused by our government to enable them to have a massive land grab for these minerals. Think about it!

[@Burl-tw1yu]

Bull to the sh*t

[@samikibooker486]

Y’all worried about the wrong thing so many people lost they life

[@Kit-Ballou3664]

Only after closely watching Maui. Any previous owners in their new rebuild yet? ​@@samikibooker486

[@bob-rogers]

In the 1960s TVA did a study on WNC. Major flooding is a natural process. It happens about every 75 years.

[@mechanictaft4848]

Youcan put whatever you want on screen but once you upload it becomes fair use .ive already used a bunch of your stuff cause people need to see and it took about 5 minutes to make ghosts go away .so im gonna guess you have been donating time skills money food like i have ????? Nope i watch you came into town got your footage and left to youe air b n b 1hour away

[@Rchard005]

There is a holy biblical verse that human life cannot survive outside of our planet earth.