Elk Mountain, NC is a War Zone After Helene | Driving Up the Scenic Highway

[@eartha911]

When I saw the aerial view of Elk Mountain, I was blown away with that deforestation. That wasn't just rain and wind. That had to be a wind shear with a huge microburst or something. I'd love to know more about how that happened. I'm in the airline biz, and I know what those elements can do to a plane, but this was a GRAND scale.

[@jaydenvogler6568]

I think it was mostly extreme straight-line winds interacting with such rugged terrain. That's how we got these erratic pockets of heavier deforestation, like that on Elk Mountain. Tornadoes or downbursts/microbursts are usually found on a hurricane's outer bands, not so much the inner rain shield that moved over WNC. Although this is all so unusual it's hard to say with certainty what exactly happened.

[@wantabgearhead8227]

Good video, looks like when " Michael " came through the panhandle of Fl except it's flat here but the same thing as far as you could see tree gone, it's been 6 years now and were starting to see bats, squirls and birds again. It will take a long time for recovery.

[@davidmorgan3166]

I live in the area. Im concerned about the forest fire dangers later this winter.

[@susanl3136]

Same here, that and more land slide risks. I'm from this area too. This is the last place I have not seen in person. Can't bring myself to go up there yet

[@WhistlingPineTree]

It will never be the same again in our lifetime. The deforestation is so incredibly sad.

[@jaydenvogler6568]

Truly 😢

[@gottasay4766]

But what happened is a natural process. No, it will not look like what you remember but that does not signify a good or a bad. I’m sure most of the appalachians looked much different when so much of it was deforested for its timber. The forests rejuvenate very quickly, it just may not be the landscape of your youth. Does that matter if it is from natural forces vs. man made destruction? I think it does. I will take natures resculpting.

[@richardeaton3188]

This will lead to mudslides next time it storms.

[@PCMenten]

You are wrong. Natural will rebound and it will be beautiful again.

[@WhistlingPineTree]

@@PCMentenIt will take many decades for trees to grow that big and thick. It wasn’t blades of grass that was destroyed.

[@lindasnyder2774]

Hundreds of years of old growth forest gone. I’m afraid without the trees spring rains will bring more mud. I’m so sad for all the loss. ♥️🙏🏽

[@ThomasD66]

Those areas were all logged in the 19th century and well into the 20th. There are only a few truly mature/OG forests in any of WNC.

[@ابولفضلجهانی-ص2و]

😮

[@WakieUppieYall]

Thank you for video sans sad music, as it's sad enough.

[@theskiesthelimit-q2k]

I live in town, and I thought I saw a lot of trees down. These videos of places I haven't been to just make me so sad! How will they clear the mess on Elk Mountain? Who will be clearing all the trees that are down-or is that just an impossible job?

[@bburnsey]

A favorite bike loop, up Town Mountain to parkway, parkway to Ox Creek, then Elk Mountain back to town. It's not going to be the same for some time.

[@jaydenvogler6568]

Saw a ton of bikers up there when I went! Haven't been up Town Mountain since but I assume its pretty bad as well. All those places got hit hard.

[@deborahbelcher3984]

Congrats on your channel, Jayden. Smart to start while you’re in school. (Teacher here…always thinking that way!) Elk Mtn Scenic Hwy is not far from me, have biked it). Thanks for putting this one up - haven’t driven it yet myself. Sobering. Concerned about forest fires.

[@jaydenvogler6568]

@@deborahbelcher3984 Thank you! Of course. Concerned about fires too... all those dead trees = a heightened fire risk for years.

[@SonofDad78]

That is crazy! I'm guessing that particular area was likely from tornado damage? Just trying to look on the bright side though, that is going to be an unbelievable scenic drive over the next ? Years with the trees gone. They used to clear out overlooks but nature took this one into her own hands. Imagine this drive ib 3-4 years when most recovery has hopefully been conpleted on an early October day. The views will be absolutely stunning. Just trying to find something positive in all this. Godbless all of you affected and I hope and pray for you!!!

[@redryder1312]

WOW !, that high up slides occured

[@rg3965]

25+ inches of rain in 24 hours with 100 mph gusts. That will do it. We live in the valley below and looked up after the Hurricane blew through and were shocked to see a tree less gap along a multimile ridge. One neighbor called it "naked". It still puts a lump in my throat every time I look up there.

[@DeereX748]

It seems impossible that any of the houses along the stretch of road you showed are still standing.

[@gwensmith6]

It looks like a forgotten land.😢

[@bmelton8520]

Hope a wildfire never gets in that mess.

[@plantcitychuck2551]

I knew u had alot of rain had no idea there was that much wind damage.wow

[@MicajahMcCurry]

Locals up there claim it’s a tornado.

[@angelontheground4now]

Better do some massive logging before wildfire does it first

[@BonniebgreenCranmer]

So very sad 😢 spring will be completely different 🙏🏼💚🙏🏼

[@harolddenton6031]

The week after helene dropped 25 plus inches of rain i watched a video put out by Watauga county emergency director talking about an ef1 tornado that hit up by boone area.

[@deborahbelcher3984]

“ef”1 - excellent - so much more descriptive than “F”

[@pattymac3415]

So much potential for fire now and more slides

[@Glowsaphinebaker]

Maybe Donals will throw them some paper towels

[@skyw4278]

how much for that firewood?

[@MariaSimpson-rp1os]

It will be years and years before this timber comes back and matures. If people have means and access, firewood would be plentiful for many this year if it's permitted to cut it.

[@dorecannon9640]

Good Gracious, you can see everybody's everything for miles around.

[@marietjiehildebrandt1324]

Miles of devastation....😢

[@chazman4461]

That dead wood is going to create a massive fire load when it dries out.

[@georgiareddirtroad9919]

Excellent video of massive damage… Question for ya- what’s up with all the writing/graffiti on the road we saw?

[@jaydenvogler6568]

Thank you! Not entirely sure, it's been there for years... guessing just a popular graffiti spot

[@MicajahMcCurry]

@@jaydenvogler6568it is. There’s a rock there that’s been painted for years and it’s spread to the road.

[@gailmork53]

One shocking sad moment every turn😔

[@wythetrumpet6419]

Oh my; so very sad indeed. With so much downed wood, dryer seasons could mean terrible forest fires. Hopefully there will be some clearing and controlled burns, so homes are not damaged.

[@lauriehuttunen4202]

One hard rain and half those trees will be on the road again.

[@Carolb66]

So sad, the trees are dead. Looks like a nuclear bomb has gone off. 😢❤🙏🏻

[@BoostedNDMiata]

And next summer we’ll be devastated again by wildfires. Too much fuel laying around and just waiting for a catastrophe to happen.

[@timkis64]

these folks should never run out of firewood for heating.at least for quite a few years into the future.

[@kdbee6086]

My dad taught me how to drives curves on that road when I was 16

[@99cbfox]

its heartbreaking to see. It looks like a nuclear warhead went off. I'm praying spring will cover up most of it with green again.

[@johnr5252]

It will all be fine in the spring.

[@ThomasD66]

All that downed timber is going to bring wildfires come the thunderstorms of next spring/summer.

[@helovietnam4k]

Sao cây lại không có lá, nó còn sống không

[@elizabethtruscott2888]

Wind blew leaves.

[@cayennenaturetrails8953]

WowZerzzzzzzzzz !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@paulne1514]

Was thinking how logging equipment could be brought down from places like Maine along with a lot of trucks. Smaller logs could be cut for firewood for residents, larger pieces shipped to paper mills. But that would cost money. The hundreds of millions of dollars that were spent on illegals and Ukraine could have been spent here.

[@daddystiel4324]

Wait until all that wood burns.

[@ابولفضلجهانی-ص2و]

😮

[@markebert2260]

So sorry…

[@rabbitholeresident6490]

I mean I hate to say it but maybe the Rich People that come in groves to our beautiful mountains and buy up everything that is beautiful will cherish it more. Just goes to show that million dollar view you got can be taken away in an instance.

[@myrthagunter4141]

Looks like the views of the surrounding areas from the road is an improvement. Don't worry it will all grow back quickly . Thank you, enjoyed the video.

[@Sabure63]

I think it's mother nature saying you don't control anything I do.

[@Sills71]

It will look a lot better in the spring, this is not the end of the world. 20 years from now, which is a blip in terms of natural history, you won't be able to tell it happened.

[@katjones2781]

Looks like my part of Florida😢

[@deborahbelcher3984]

😢🙌🏼

[@RandyReneau]

Global warming

[@gwenrowan2466]

This never should of happened !!! The altering weather should be criminal!!! Trees show the chemicals and Lands. 😢 🙏⚖️ ❤love and light 🕯️❤.

[@karenvolk]

Yep Binlyin is burning it all down before Jan 20

[@paulsmallriver6066]

bs

[@cindyscalf-te8wl]

I agree. Weather manipulation.

[@paulsmallriver6066]

@@cindyscalf-te8wl Also, the earth is flat and alien lizard people have invaded.

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