‘The Day the Lights Went Out’: Watch WBTV's Hurricane Helene documentary here

[@enuf2402]

I’m here in these mountains, have been all my life. 55 years. I’ve seen lots of really bad flooding here. This, this was absolutely terrifying to say the least. No words can describe being in the middle of this as it was happening then after it was past. We were trapped, our driveway was gone and the road. No power for 14 days. Surrounded by complete destruction. But we were lucky. Our house was ok as were we. There are so many who lost everything including their lives and so many missing

[@TnTAdventuresPhotography]

I agree. I'm in Northern Picken County SC. I've never seen anything like this.

[@WakieUppieYall]

More like 1000s dead, a lot of misinformation being spread

[@TommySumler-v8i]

God bless ya'll

[@ursamajor7468]

You have to FIND a body before you can declare a death. Numerous people fled the area before Helene arrived. But yes, Trump claimed Puerto Rico suffered a dozen dead when it was closer to 2,000. NC seems similar. No doubt people are buried under 10- 20 feet of mud and debris.

[@sandramoore6456]

​@TnTBikingAdventures I don't think anyone has seen anything on this magnitude of devastation an I believe it was man made weather technology! 🤬😭

[@possumshoes]

Very surreal to watch it on a TV screen. As someone who lives in WNC, I know that I will never ever be the same. There will always be a distinction in my head of "before Helene" and "after Helene," and the things I've seen will haunt me for the rest of my life. God be with us all.

[@tina8796]

✝✝

[@qicksilver8949]

@@possumshoes Sending prayers for healing..

[@Cindy-uy6ho]

I am so very sorry for what you all have gone thru....I really want to help but not sure what organization is helping you all the most.

[@iowabettyg]

@@Cindy-uy6ho read SAMITAN'S PURSE is outstanding with free help; others like that as well. MOUNTAIN STRENGTH SANCTUARY, 501C3, tax free charity just established, has been helping on getting shelter for those in unheated tents & CARS!! getting rvs, campers, HEATED tents, etc. and other necessities.

[@MaryLouCoursen]

May he Spirit of the Lord comfort all those suffering, you are in my prayers everyday ⚓️💕

[@aceoffice776]

North of Asheville..... it has been so bad. No one.....absolutely no one could have anticipated this. I've lived here 58 years.....this does not happen here. It is heartbreaking. So much destruction, so much pain...so much loss. We will overcome this.... we have God on our side.....he has sent so many beautiful people here.....to help us. We will always remember the love that has been spread across our beautiful communities. We will not forget. Please continue to help all the people that have lost so very much. We are all still in shock. I don't believe many of us have had a chance to just stop, breath and realize what we have just went through. It is truly unimaginable. Again, thank you America for all you have done for us. It is not over. The huge piles of debris and destruction will linger.. it is still holding onto some of our loved ones. We may never find them. God bless their souls. Some of us are feeling such quilt.....feeling for what we have been spared.... when so many have lost everything. Everything!!! !The churches have been such a blessing, no one would believe just how much our Christian communities have done. Thamk you for the love. Please hear me..... God will see us through this. We love you. Thank you for your love.

[@BlueberryGirl723]

God bless you! Our love and prayers have been going out to you all from the start, all over this nation, and even throughout the entire world. You all will always be in our hearts. You are deeply loved and appreciated. Take care, and Thanksgiving Day blessings!

[@jasonlinton9902]

Are you all getting any help from the government or fema? Alot of people are telling me they are getting no help at all and they have lost everything

[@chellesama8256]

Thank Joe Biden.

[@TreasureSwanson]

@@chellesama8256FEMA is sending trailers to Michigan just in case they need them! When people are sleeping in tents in the cold! My tears are flowing! They are only helping Democrat states!

[@angelbulldog4934]

@aceoffice776 I'm a Tar Heel too, in the Triad. I feel so much love for you and all the fine and decent people of our gorgeous mountains, but that's not new. We had no damage really, but this happened to us all. Praying all day every day for you. God will see us through. ❤️

[@boonedog1457]

Everyone needs to watch this documentary. Well done! However, we live here and it's far worse than was shown. Please continue to pray 🙏 for all who lives here.

[@trust-INGOD]

@@boonedog1457 amen God bless I agree 100% Happy Thanksgiving! Also in this video. It says the whole homeless population was washed away in another video I watched from Deep River Farms! I will try to remember to go grab the link and post it but i Google the homeless population 6 months ago! In Asheville and I rounded it out from 739 to 500 so that would leave 600 people if things are true we will never know the true numbers Mitchell County God bless Happy Thanksgiving In January 2024, the homeless population in Asheville, North Carolina was 739 people, which is an increase from the previous year: Sheltered: 520 people in emergency shelters or transitional housing Unsheltered: 219 people sleeping in cars, camping, or on the street kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHfZqpijnpxom80si=NrKa-Xw7wOzihVOh

[@TreasureSwanson]

Praying! Grieving over this horrible tragedy!

[@MaryShoemaker-wi4fy]

Prayers sent for strength and Faith 🤲

[@Cindy-uy6ho]

Please tell me a good organization i can donate to that will help you all the most!!

[@TreasureSwanson]

A good organization is Samaritan’s Purse. You can look it up online. Operation Blessing is also a good organization. You can also access the address online.

[@a_kraeft97]

I live in Mitchell County. Its unlike anything I ever seen or could've fathomed. I called out of work the day before the whole thing went down (I work in corrections), the day of the storm I was evacuated from my rental house around 1030 AM to the courthouse which is up on a high hillside (there was about 2-3 ft of water in my front yard by that point). I was up there for almost 4 hours. My SUV flooded and was totaled, and about a dozen gas tanks from a local fuel company had landed in my back yard though somehow my house wasn't hit by a single one. For 4 days, I slept on a cot at the high school, caught up with a family from Burnsville and we drove over the mountain to Unicoi TN to shop and contact our loved ones. That in itself was blessing. But the biggest blessing was being able to participate in the recovery process afterwards. People heeded the call from many states out to come help restore power lines and do tree clean up. I was able to work at 2 distribution centers for a week being on volunteer leave. With there being so little to do at work lately some of us have been chopping firewood and distributing it out to locals who need some kind of source of heat as the winter approaches. I could tell you more but to sum it up: About 2 months later, a ton of progress (you might even call it historic) has been made, but it never goes away. There is always some PTSD every time it rains or the wind blows. But we are so extremely grateful for everything and everybody who pitched in and brought stuff. #westernncstrong

[@acekilroy7534]

The washing of a new generation. 🙏🏻❤️(Ezekiel 47:1-23)

[@MLF-db9do]

what are the distribution centers you were able to voluneer at? Asking bc I'm looking to link up with one and volunteer some time. I was there a week or two ago with BOM doing tear outs. I live in Wilson, NC and plan to make a monthly trip to the area and volunteer time for as long as I can but I need to know the groups to link up with. I can't do tear outs or anything requiring heavy lifting so I'm limited in recovery efforts but I can definitely work at distro sites.

[@sandiyhyatt4215]

​@@MLF-db9doI don't mean to nose in...But Dustin Coke on TT Has a few Sites setup & I'm sure he could use a Hand...He is from that Area & Has been Boots on the Ground since Day 2...His Mom is Still in that area & He Is a Good Honest Hard working No Frills get er done type of Man...Just a Suggestion if you Needed a Place to Land... Thank You for Helping...I'm in NW Montana or I would be there, I use to Live in That area...Travel Safe 🙏💞🙏

[@samflower31]

I’ve got family up in Asheville, used to live in Winston-Salem when I was a young teen and have continued going up to western North Carolina every year from my current home state of Florida. We look forward to it every summer not because of the beautiful mountains, rivers and countryside, but because of the people and the way of life up there that we hoped for ourselves one day. We actually live in Sarasota, Florida, which is inland of Siesta Key the little barrier Island that took the direct hit from Milton a week after Helene came through with her destructive storm surge and rains, the first back to back hit we’ve ever received. We had our main road connecting two keys wash out and sand washed up into peoples’ homes, but we deal with hurricanes every year and we have infrastructure in place to deal with the aftermath of those hurricanes and so within 48 or 96 hours or something everybody had power back except for people who couldn’t get power back due to downed lines. So I have to say the most devastating thing about this awful hurricane season was seeing what happened up there, it’s my husband and I’s soul place, we honeymooned in the Cataloochie Valley and love it up there so much. The Appalachian people are the salt of the earth and our hearts have been breaking for ya’ll so I’m glad to hear of the possibly historic recovery.

[@starnealy4550]

I think any video that identifies the severity of the problems these people are facing is important to be shown, but this video that everyone says needs to be given an award, well, I'm see the Governor, the National Guards, the police, this family from where this reporter is from, just so happens and it didn't show the flooding as it occurred, the aftermath, the hardships these people are dealing with, as other videos have done. My family from the coast and up in Charlotte area, Statesville, Lincolnton, Sherrill Fords and they're churches put together food, warm clothing, generators, drinking water, etc and truck after truck went to the mtns. to help, volunteer and many others have done the same, all across America. I've never been so proud to be an American in my whole life. No video's were taken of most of these trips, just doing! This video documentary was a clean one I must say, all saying the right things but the videos I've seen of so many groups, helping, doing, day after day, week after week and no awards given to them, donations given and provided to the needed. And not a single one of these helpful hands, volunteers, men and women with mud on their bodies and clothes aren't going to get any money or recognition for it other than a hug, a pat on the back or a handshake. I'm 75 and I wish I could do more, but the group I worked with, they did what they could and the young one went up. Pray for these poor people and continue to help, they'll need it. I'm an Independent, that word: Mare America Great Again hat, flags, signs, well, for the first time in my life, I'm so proud to be an American.

[@DavidCallowayJrKO4ZZT]

I want to add something that was not mentioned in this video the only communications we had were Amateur or ham radio one major repeater was key to all rescue efforts in Western North Carolina and that repeater is none other than the Mount Mitchell repeater on frequency 145.190 megahertz negative offset no tone 6600 ft elevation the highest 2 meter repeater east of the Mississippi River I can't think the amateur radio operators on that repeater enough and it was a group effort it wasn't just a one-person operation many people gave of their time and resources to help our communities when all else failed amateur radio was there to save the day

[@k3dts-thesparktospaceamate527]

Thanks for bringing this to light. Very few people realize that when cell phones fail and the grid is out, amateur radio is the only means of communication. One individual in particular, Don Gitro, Amateur callsign K2DMG, deserves a lot of credit for taking the lead in trying to connect concerned families with their loved ones in WNC. On the Mount Mitchell repeater, he started by asking the simple question " Does anybody need anything?" For the next ten days he tirelessly continued communicating and passing messages. I would strongly encourage WBTV to contact him and get his and the other ham radio operators' stories about how they helped and truly saved lives in this disaster. Ron, WA3VEE.

[@kimberlyhughes1928]

Yes

[@DavidCallowayJrKO4ZZT]

​@@k3dts-thesparktospaceamate527 Dan and the crew Were phenomenal I can't thank them enough

[@funsizedi88]

Go figure, the Gobt frowns on amateur radio operators and wants everyone to have a license. As Americans, we all need to have and learn how to use radios, we have added that to our preps.

[@qicksilver8949]

@@DavidCallowayJrKO4ZZT I agree with the fact that people are without communication without their phones. Use to be land lines then voice over IP. Cell phones but yet... Still a problem without ham radios. Guess it is time for ham radio. Cost money but there can be work around as far as at least receiving messages. Question. Mush had brought in equipment for satellite phone so people were able to communicate, yet, I have not read or heard from anyone, they were using it. It's another system that does not work in storms

[@carriegarrisonvos4433]

I live in Avery County. And this is a very good documentary of what happened. It's still very hard for people to see what happened without being here and seeing it. The fear and heartache everyone felt worrying about friends and family. The older gentleman in the end, said how I feel. We are lucky to be alive. Don't forget about the small towns. There was great devastation everywhere but the smaller towns and the hollars back in the mountains etc., they paid a bigger price it seems. We were lucky. No damage to our house basically, bridge washed away. It was so quiet Saturday until the Chinook Helicopters and others started flying above and then so many people who wanted to help. It was soothing for the soul and we can never thank all these people enough. 1 in 1000 year storm. I hope to never see anything like it again and I'm 65. Don't forget the small areas. It's going to take a long time to get past this!

[@Mandoslicer]

Love to you. I’m coming up there from Asheville tomorrow to Jim Wiseman Rd. To check on family. ❤

[@carriegarrisonvos4433]

Asheville was hit hard too but the area you are coming up to was hit very hard also. It's off of 19E I believe and near Spruce Pine. I hope they are ok! Mountain folks are tough!

[@davinaferguson1994]

I live in Avery County too but I live in Newland North Carolina and we got flooded on that Wednesday night which was 2 days before the hurricane actually hit. I am terrified of floods but now since going through this I am even more terrified of floods I hate floods.

[@carriegarrisonvos4433]

@@davinaferguson1994 I'm in Banner Elk. I never want to go thru that again. Newland was hit hard. The whole county was, but some places worse than others. It freaked me out. I still can't sleep when it rains at night. PTSD thing I guess and yes it started Wed and we were already flooded when Helene hit.

[@qicksilver8949]

@@carriegarrisonvos4433 I have read there may be many with PTSD that was hit by Helene in our nation. Most healthcares do offer help. My thoughts and prayers that there will be healing for you and all.

[@Macrodosian897]

I like the part where the general store owner says that every day she’s usually got like 5 volunteers helping out and thinks to herself, “why are they here helping?” I find myself thinking the same thing. I live in Boone and just last week, Samaritans Purse volunteers came and helped clean up debris from all the downed trees on my property. Probably 20 people, took a couple hours. Would’ve taken me all winter to get it done by myself, but here’s these people who don’t even know me, showing up to help. I’ve heard the destruction described by people who have been in the military as looking like a war zone, but what’s different is this wasn’t done by man, this was nature, and the beauty of humanity is what’s bringing us together. It’s like you can look at the situation and only see the destruction, but what I see is the love and support for us all.

[@MLF-db9do]

It's sort of a washing of feet from the Christian perspective... showing the love of Jesus in a meaningful way. For me, that's why I volunteer. I've been saved by grace and I want to give that to others.

[@michellesmithunroe2463]

​@@MLF-db9do I get choked up every time I see or think of the phrase "the hands and feet of Jesus". There's no denying the comfort of faith.

[@starnealy4550]

I like the KZbin broadcast last night of a man who wasn't rich, he owned nothing, no governor talking to him but some people who raised money and are bring trailers to people living in tents and putting one in his yard. This man said: I've never gotten anything from anyone and never expected to. But this was overwhelming for him. This group raised this money (volunteers) and gotten numerous trailers and were hauling them up to the mtn. area. Shows the love of the people around the USA and their prayers for these people as a whole, both democrats and republicans. No politics involved.

[@MLF-db9do]

@@starnealy4550 yes. Appalachians are hard working, mind your own business and take care of your fam type of people. They don't ask for handouts and they don't like taking them. At this point they are forced to take handouts and it's very humbling. I have driven around various areas up there and just left items at picnic shelters and church parking lots. I see people coming out to look at what's been dropped off when I look in my rear view mirror. This has been such a traumatic event I don't want to do anything that will cause more trauma. So, I leave what I think people will need and let them do what they need to do. It's my way of honoring these folks that have always welcomed us strangers to experience the beauty of that region. I think that's the reason so many have come out to help and donated so much. Recognition of the beauty of the region that many enjoy but few call home.

[@jsfoster75]

I've been blessed to be able to volunteer 3 weekends with Samaritan's Purse (4 counting tomorrow) and 1 weekend with Convoy of Hope. What a blessing it is to be able to help those affected by the storm. To see their faces when 15-25 people show up to help with smiling faces, orange shirts, and being the Hands and Feet of Jesus. :)

[@janets6474]

I started watching this and thought you were doing a fair service to what took place here. Right up ti the point when you stated the desth toll. Its too bad you cant report the truth. There are THOUSANDS dead. Bodies were in the trees, found in cars, people washed away from businesses as they were told to stay put by employers, people caught in mud slides. The homeless population in Asheville alone was mostly wiped out. That count as of early 2024 was 749. To this day, Nov 27th, they are still looking for and finding not only bodies but body parts. Those who were swept away were torn apart by tha raging waters and debris like being in a washing machine. Why is it the press REFUSE ti investigate the truth for themselves? Why dont you come here and start interviewing the SARS teams? They can tell you. I saw one who reported finding 25 people in one section of a river. There are over 500 MILES of rivers. The first hand accounts I myself have seen, not counting the homeless in Asheville is well over 200! From what I have seen, so far, this was far worse than Katrina.

[@barbrice721]

I have said this from the beginning. A week and a half after a woman working with body identification said 1000 body bags were full. They needed more 230 were identified. The government has been flying bodies out. And your right. That water was a blender. Some will never be found.

[@dawnevans4518]

I thought the very same thing!!

[@jasonstevens2701]

I’m the News Director at WBTV. Our reporting is not finished on this story. Thank you for watching.

[@janets6474]

@jasonstevens2701 Today, it was revealed that Gov Cooper is ACTIVELY preventing survivors from living in sheds that people came all over this country to build. These are issues that any news organization should be reporting on. Thank you for responding to my post. I post on behalf of those who cant. I BEG you, get these issues out to the public.

[@ElijahDavis41]

They won't report the truth because they seek to cover up the fact that this was GOD's judgement.

[@ronnieisaacs6960]

This is a great video. The help we got from neighbors, friends, law enforcement, fire & rescue, swift water rescue, Samaritans Purse and all of the volunteers from other parts of NC and especially those traveling 100's of miles from other states, we thank you, we love you and God Bless you all! It's still pretty bad over a month later. FEMA could do a better job. If not for everyone I spoke of, we wouldn't have survived. Only complaint is that the government's help really sucks! $750 + $300 doesn't replace a home and/or a vehicle. Most of us can't afford anything and a lot of us are too old to try again. And for WBTV making this video and everyone involved, thank you 🙏👍

[@michellesmithunroe2463]

The volunteers have been invaluable and FEMA's processes flawed but I was interested to learn that federal funds are allocated to multiple organizations in the form of grants and contracts, including their primary disaster relief partners: Samaritans Purse, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and United Way. In addition, FEMA focuses on hiring locally for many positions including recovery efforts. Those subcontractors will not wear any indication they are representing FEMA, only those handling financial assistance.

[@ronnieisaacs6960]

@@michellesmithunroe2463 Good to know! That actually explains a lot. A lot of people aren't getting any funding because FEMA is non-existent. Most funding from people I've seen is coming from churches and after helping out in 3 counties, I've met nobody that's helping in recovery that is being funded by FEMA. It's coming directly from their pocket. In 3 counties I've seen 1 (one) jacket that said FEMA and he looked at a man's total loss of a mobile home for about 1 minute and left. He hasn't heard anything and was denied a tiny house because the area was labeled a flood zone. Out of 40 years on one spot with his family's home being on that spot before it was demolished for a trailer, it's only flooded this one time. He's living in a tent with a My Buddy heater. A church bought him those!

[@ronnieisaacs6960]

@@michellesmithunroe2463 From what I've witnessed, FEMA, Red Cross, Salvation Army and government assistance is still non existent. Neighbors, friends, out of town & state volunteers & Samaritans Purse are the only ones helping. NONE are being paid except by way of knowing in their heart they're helping each other & people they don't even know. Biden's administration has left us low & wet. Even though the disaster is still happening, people are still missing & bodies are still being found, the mainstream media has forgotten us, just like biden's administration!

[@janets6474]

"Sometimes there just isnt anything more people can do?" Are you kidding me?! We have military bases located in this state who could have been called in. People who are trained, specifically, to handle this type of situation. They have the expertise, the man power, the equipment, they could have set up shelters, fed people, treated their wounds. That DID not happen and in fact, were DENIED to come when they asked. Maybe you should interview Congressman Cory Mills who was here from the beginning.

[@KimHancken-mq5uf]

100% agree. This is not the whole story. Though I appreciate the reporting it's not nearly the whole story.

[@janets6474]

@KimHancken-mq5uf Agreed

[@margelittleboy]

Absolutely not the whole story. Not truthful in many parts.

[@davebeakel6632]

It's not reporting, this is the official excuses of why they couldn't help out, and why they will continue to NOT HELP OUT. All the help came from our fellow civilian citizens, NOT from these FEMA or police - instead they were turning people back who were trying to bring urgently needed supplies!

[@kimberlyhughes1928]

Yes it leaves out that there are still people living in tents in swannanoa and other places, soon in freezing temperatures. This is definitely not the whole story. It's a little bit of a puff piece actually.

[@AnastasiaBelvedere-k5g]

I’m in Asheville, it’s my home.. I still can’t bring myself to watch this documentary yet but I can’t wait for the day I’m able. Everything is so triggering.. I can’t even look at aerial photos the same .. I cover my eyes

[@sherri2463]

I’m watching this now. It’s devastating to watch but I pray for each and everyone who were affected by this tragedy🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@MaryShoemaker-wi4fy]

In Jesus name, Amen 🙌

[@luv2luv720]

The dad from Texas jumped in his truck with no change of clothes or anything, the moment he found his daughters store was flooded, is a beautiful story to hear 🥰 Edit: In the flood of 85 in Virginia, my dad cut livestock fences so they could get to higher ground. Not ours but several neighbors. I don't know how many survived. I was in 7th grade. I'm so thankful to this day that my dad took that upon himself to do!!

[@tomstclair961]

It still blows my mind that they still say the death toll was only 125 people. Maybe they were talking about one mud slide. There were over 2,000 slides. There's still some land moving today.. One deputy gave a live report on a KZbin video as he was interviewed. He had spent the last two days rescuing people. Looking for people alive and pulling out dead bodies. This poor man mentally broke down on camera and started balling as he fell to his knees. He had pulled out over 2,000 dead bodies in two days and coutake the pain any longer. A lot of towns people he once knew and became friends with. These people that are saying 125 dead are part of the fake news. People are looking for loved ones!! It's not time to protect feelings, it's time to tell the truth as painful as it is..

[@22lilacsky]

These guys are part of the cover up.... 😡

[@olliebird3263]

THIS.

[@kathyshenton4082]

That would be one body every minute for 48 hours. Impossible. The population in those areas is low.

[@suzannewheeler9034]

I still cry a little every day though my own home survived the storm. I've seen flooding here but nothing like what we experienced. The first several days were terrifying - we were cut off and had no idea how bad it was everywhere else. I am grateful even as I grieve for lost lives and our beloved town that will never be the same again.

[@angelawhite731]

So glad y’all were able to put this on KZbin sending prayers from north Mississippi #WNCSTRONG Keep faith and stay safe yall are not forgotten

[@ChrisfromGeorgia]

I want to wish Mr. & Mrs. Tatum a Happy 51st Anniversary! Despite everything that has happened, y’all still have each other. The positivity both of you show is very inspirational! Take care and may blessings continue to come your way.🙏🏻

[@ashleighware]

Our town’s water system was destroyed. Thankfully they were able to get water restored within a week or so. A lot of other places were without water longer. Several bridges in our East Tennessee town were completely destroyed or damaged. I pray for all of those who lost homes or worse, their lives. So many people suffered 💔

[@itzgametimevip1111]

Your report was very good. However, no mention of how ham radio operators were instrumental providing the first communications into the hardest hit areas.

[@michellesmithunroe2463]

I hope there will be additional segments because there's a lot to cover, including decades of unacknowledged vulnerability of so many within a region by every agency and industry except the USGS.

[@wa3vee986]

Ham radio was crucial in the first days of this disaster. Please reach out to Don Gitro, K2DMG who along with many other ham radio operators provided vital initial communications. Like your superbly done documentary their are profound additional people stories involving hams who were trying to connect families with loved ones. Ron, WA3VEE.

[@LilacMess]

I live in Boone and this community really came together to help each other. I’ve never in my life experienced something so beautiful in such a devastating time. I’m so grateful for my community. ❤

[@angik4777]

Thank you WBTV and especially Naomi for bringing to light what we went through in WNC. I live in the High Country. "My" mountains and river (South Fork of the New River) became very angry in the blink of an eye as Hurricane Helene ravaged the area. The storm took so very much but it brought our community together and has made us stronger. I am so proud of my community.

[@deniseellenburg649]

Sorry, but don't include FEMA in the numbers who "rushed in." It was only the people.

[@candiswatsonwebb2543]

I lived in Avery before Helene and lived along Linville River and my home was flooded and destroyed. We were lucky to get out alive. We had no time to save anything but what I could fit in a 5 gal bucket. We are traumatized because we thought we weren’t going to make it out alive because we were trapped with no way out along Linville Falls Hwy with all the fallen trees. It was definitely an experience of a lifetime that we don’t want to relive. No cell service and no way to escape. We were about to leave our vehicle and go on foot which wouldn’t of been safe with the landslides and we had our children and pets with us but it stopped gushing in and the water slowly went down and we then went in to see that all of our belongings were destroyed and doors busted in and our washing machine was on its top. If we had been 5 mins slower we wouldn’t have been so lucky. I was sick for weeks after this. All the years of loving that river was ended in one day. I wouldn’t want my worst enemy to go through this. For the family that lost their wife and mother due to a landslide really needs all the love and prayers. That happened in Minneapolis as well and should be covered. Such a heartbreaking story.

[@CranesandCrows]

Blessings to you and your family. I am so sorry for what you went through but so thankful you made it through alive. God bless.

[@mushishi9684]

I have visited North Carolina so many times. The beauty, the people is what brought me back every time. My heart goes out to the people. Thank U for making this documentary. People should never forget what has happened! Greetings from Serbia, The Balkans ☀️

[@FreckledGemini]

The death number is way way waaaaay off here. There are THOUSANDS MISSING.

[@naomikowles9330]

People say this a lot, but I have not heard or seen a single name provided yet of someone missing that is *not already included* in the official totals. Once we can locate actual names not included in the totals, I am happy to investigate

[@janets6474]

​@@naomikowles9330The problem is entire families were killed. There was a homeless encampment down by the river in Asheville that was wiped out. I looked up the number, 749 as of early 2024. My brother says he has seen a few in the city but thats all. Mynsuster in laws friend was killed. Ine family of 11 died. There are hundreds of storues like this. Somebody found a woman and her 3 kids dead in their car. Employees were stranded in businesses that were flooded and swept away. They are also finding huge numbers of body parts because the force of water and debris tore bodies apart. This documentary does each and every one of the people who died a diservice by not investingating the REAL numbers.

[@BabsKaz]

Another Vanishing

[@TruthRemainsTheTruth]

The truth is always twisted/ confounded / eliminated and or debated. Okay Officials gathering official data is truth ? Really ? To deny many lost souls who are now gone does not honor their lives ❤ #Disgrace

[@22lilacsky]

100 thousand homes gone if not more, do the math...

[@lindascott5304]

I took pause when she said “ I loved that land “ . I’m terribly sorry for the pain being felt . We know exactly how it feels to love the land so much and not want to give it up or see it ruined . Indians know exactly how that feels . Sad . Said a few prayers . Will pray again

[@JBBost]

This isn't a complete look. This isn't even close. We spent a week without food or water, waiting for the world to even know anything happened to us. You can't leave that part out, wtf

[@angelbulldog4934]

It's MSM. We can't expect the truth in its entirety. The very best reports are from residents with cell phones. Mighty prayers from the Triad. I know you were personally affected, but it happened to all of us. God bless us all.

[@janiceprice7403]

Heartbreaking. Praying for all affected by this

[@marietjiehildebrandt1324]

Beautifull documentary. Stay strong NC

[@doriskrieger9263]

This is just so sad. I've been watching about this every since it happened. I have a broken hip or I would have been there too. God Bless everyone here and keep your hands on them.

[@Griffinand3]

Thank you for this coverage! I pray for all the people there and all the volunteers that are there to help!

[@NildaWitty-ug9jv]

God bless America and its kind and generous people. I love you, North Carolina.

[@GwynneDear]

I live in SWVA and I had no idea the storm was coming. My coworker is a part time storm damage assessor, and he was watching the weather before Helene hit Florida. We talked about how bad it was going to be in Florida. There was no mention of the storm coming towards us. The main road from the town where my grandmother lives in Damascus, Va to where my mother lives in White Top, Va is gone in many places. The amount of downed trees is mind boggling. I didn’t know the storm was coming until I woke up and my power was out. I’ve gotten push notifications about tornadoes on my phone, what the hell happened that the weather services didn’t see this coming and warn us?

[@karencarter8292]

They did know it was coming.

[@traviscoates6878]

They told everyone it was coming

[@deniseellenburg649]

How can you say anything about a death toll when you refuse to report the actual death toll numbers?

[@Minivanmusician]

We're interviewing and getting to the bottom of things for at least the next YEAR. We've got some stuff up now and MUCH, MUCH more to upload, yet. Definitely in the thousands but that's my (quite) educated guess.

[@TruthRemainsTheTruth]

Sorry to all and no harm no foul. I'm not about ppl suffering and going through such tragedy yet I'm not about lying about it. The media has the power to shift truth and or shift lies. We all had better live and learn to tell it like it T.I. is. Precious souls thousand + are gone while many really do not want to walk in honesty that they are gone. How does that honor their lives? It's not just a guess that Fema never came or functioned like Fema should. Why? Because they are coin-less. Because the circus is in the big show. Why Because the truth isn't in them either. Dont be deceived NIR live a lie. Censor the truth by erasing this post here Yet the truth WILL come to the light and is going to show up in the mud. Rest easy to all who are hurting and all who have lost their lives ❤

[@glennp6413]

Who really knows.I can't imagine.My prayers for everyone affected.

[@gfl1957]

@@Minivanmusician you need to get off that crack pipe.

[@JustTheTruth-Please]

Upstate SC, 2 miles from the NC line, lived right here on my little farm almost 45 years. Hugo smacked us around some here and we've had some nasty tornadoes that have done damage, ice storms, snow storms, droughts--I have been here through all of them. I've never seen anything do as much damage to just my little 50 acres as Helene. Trees fell like sticks, house had water inside of it. My heart goes out to the people who had the real and catastrophic damage from this storm, it will be years until they are back to a normal.

[@MaryLouCoursen]

That happened during Harvey in Texas and many were going to the dump I suggested to the maintenance man to just put as many a possible back in the holes he was able to save all the crepe Myrtle and a couple of the hardwoods. He had a professional come and move the hardwoods to a different place. I know it is not possible in NC but you might see some shrubs that would hold the soil in on some of the bare hills just a thought

[@bartosullivan8050]

We live to the west in Cherokee County and count our blessings everyday that our community was spared from the devastation. Our first thoughts went to the people we know in Lansing and are they safe. Lansing, Helton Creek, Whitetop, Pond Mountain , this is our sanctuary. Where we go to recharge and take joy in the stunning beauty of the area and it's people. We're so happy to see the progress being made at The Old Orchard Store, so many fond memories. The strength of all those impacted is inspiring. We will be back.

[@sharonvarkalis5432]

Thank you Naomi. I'm from England and The Lord has had me following hurricane Helene. There's lessons in it all. Your film was good. Told a good professional story. Keep reporting.xx

[@janets6474]

She neglected at least one important FACT. The death toll is in the THOUSANDS not 100.

[@kimberlyhughes1928]

And neglected to say that people are still living in tense in winter.

[@cherylallis2458]

​@@kimberlyhughes1928I think you meant, "...living in tents...". Autocorrect can be frustrating!

[@ClaytonHensley]

From a former local TV News Producer ... great job on this! Good storytelling overall. Hope you plan on checking in with these same people a year from now.

[@carolhale4331]

Excellent documentary. Thank the Lord for all the volunteers, especially. Praying for those who lost family members.

[@williamhampton2366]

It's great FEMA was in communication with the politicians, but they have done little for the people here in WNC. As for the "thousands" of troops....less than 4,000 were sent here. They are mostly gone now. During the natural disasters that have hit the US in the past 20 years, the minimum deployment was 15,000. I guess we are just a bunch of irrelevant hillbillies.

[@dawnevans4518]

Spot on!!

[@cherylallis2458]

75,000 were sent in after Katrina, according to General Flynn.

[@griffithracingteam2412]

I'm from Minneapolis and it's the most devastating thing I've ever seen in my life of 48 years. I still have a hard time just driving through my childhood hometown as we live just up the road now, but we as mountain folk are resilient and the the way people have come together like Bob said no politics just people helping people. Although I wasn't personally affected as far as my home goes.All my family and friends were and it breaks my heart but we will build back Because As they said since this all started we are #appalachianstrong. Thank you for this documentary

[@Minivanmusician]

We've promised to cover this for at least the next YEAR. We're here in Marion and we've been assisting since day 5 and we've got some material up now but MANY, MANY more interviews and much more information on every aspect that we're still uploading. Some things people need to know (and there's a lot of good in this video) .. °We're near the most developed area of Marion and weren't even hit as hard as other places and much of the town had no power for 4 weeks. °I had no cell or data service for 17 days, within a 35 mile radius. Can't imagine some other areas. °Thousands of people are still living in tents and cleaning up EXTREMELY toxic soil and water. It's full of horrible chemicals and burns through things. °I almost puked when i heard "FEMA" ... it was a verrrrry long time before they showed and they did nothing. The regular people have been amazing and they came from all over the country for our church and probably 50 other churches!

[@RUNNOFT71]

Sending lots of love from Knoxville Tn to our brothers and sisters in Western Carolina ❤❤.

[@Minivanmusician]

23:10 - one of the biggest lies I've EVER heard told! 🤬

[@dawnevans4518]

I couldn't agree more!!!

[@Aic19833]

Correct. FEMA didn’t do shit and National guard was only there to block people out of their roads to get their belongings. Bull!

[@timwagers6933]

God Bless each and everyone of the families that went thru this devastating event. Your all in our prayers each and every day.

[@angelasmith1112]

The best part of this horrific situation was seeing all of the helpers . The church across the nation showed up. It was beautiful to see God’s people loving on others.

[@deniseellenburg649]

Where are all your news teams now?????

[@TawannainTN]

That's what I think too.

[@naomikowles9330]

Still regularly in WNC, still regularly reporting. A documentary takes time to produce and necessarily will be backdated from the current reality, but our daily newscasts are full of ongoing current coverage

[@jasonstevens2701]

I’m the News Director at WBTV. We will continue to report and ask questions/demand answers from officials across all levels. Our reporting is not close to being finished. Thank you for watching.

[@karlapeterson642]

This was journalism at its finest! Thank you very much for putting this documentary together in such a respectful and informative way.

[@MrMountainMan]

Here in WNC and would have never thought a hurricane would be so destructive to the mountains. Still praying for everyone that was hit the hardest. These folks here are as strong as the granite these mountains are made of.

[@miketimmons5561]

My family watched on our way back up to WNC to volunteer this weekend. I was here the weekend after Helene. Went on supply runs from Bat Cave to Old Fort and in between and was part of an org that had a pretty broad reach in worst hit areas. Although well produced and great that you are telling the story, you completely missed just how much the first 30 days of rescue, recovery and critical supply of provisions was carried out by a civilian army. Gov. Cooper was on screen 3-4 times but Franklin Graham wasn’t. Military helicopters were on screen but the story of the literally dozens of volunteer helicopter and fixed wing pilots were never mentioned. It just seemed like the government response was overemphasized and the civilian response wasn’t explored enough. Respectfully, someone who was there and is here now

[@kb_9880]

Yes, this documentary should have highlighted Samaritan's Purse volunteers and civilians who responded more than what was reported in the news. And many are saying the death toll was much higher.

[@mojorising1]

My lights still out and I'm freezing. Thanks FEMA.

[@janets6474]

I am so very. People need to know whats REALLY going on here. The TRUTH about those who are suffering like you is NOT being told.

[@davebeakel6632]

EXACTLY! I want to see the REAL documentary, because I want the TRUTH.

[@JBBost]

Never got anything from FEMA. All I got was the 290 d-snap

[@johanna6503]

What items can we send to help you through this cold weather? Or would it be more helpful to connect with handy volunteers?

[@elizabethbarberis9058]

I'm in the uk and, personally, I think the biggest main story here is - when Mother Nature shows us, (her tiny humans) what's truly important to listen to? Then all that manufactured politicing, fearmongering, seperatism, etc flies back into the forgotten lands, where it belongs, and we rediscover our priorities around community and support. When you were all cut off from the 'system' then you began to talk to each other again face to face, where visual queues and body language and tone of voice bring so much more to the table, compared to type on a screen like this. You are all in my thoughts and prayers, as are all others in the same plight globally. Bless us all and keep us safe.

[@Robert-ns2pd]

I live in Swannanoa, one of the worst hit towns that are close to Asheville and what you are describing it was very much our experience and what I hold to the most. It resonates with everyone in this area. Mind you, this happened right before a very contentious election in a swing state and we didn't give a flying rip about how people were voting, we were just Americans helping each other out. We also had the redneck Air Force operation running at the local Harley Davidson dealership, sometimes handling over 100 helicopter flights per day. Lastly, there is a small funeral home chain (Penland) that had one of their homes nearby and I spoke to many of their technicians and I take major issue with their death toll reported on this video. It's over 200. Their other two operations were swept away by the river.

[@JBBost]

"When you were all cut off from the 'system' then you began to talk to each other again face to face, where visual queues and body language and tone of voice bring so much more to the table, compared to type on a screen like this" You're a sick person if that's what you took from this. I wouldn't even wish you to have to go through this

[@jsfoster75]

@@JBBost I think their point (from what seems to be a non-religious perspective) is that when all faith in government or outside help is lost, people do what people do, they help each other. Communities helping communities.

[@ElijahDavis41]

No such thing as "mother nature"

[@dianaliberty3099]

@@ElijahDavis41 That's right. Weather Wars.

[@Carolb66]

Just horrific, i live in UK & will never forget. God bless everyone, stay strong. RIP to all those poor souls who didnt make it. 💔😢🙏🏻informative documentary this catastrophe will be talked about for generations. Everybody needs to know just how bad this was & the truth about the death toll & how many people are still missing. ❤

[@kevindodson219]

This is so far, the most accurate representation of our emotions on large media. Thank you for compassionate reporting.

[@enuf2402]

I can set and try and describe the destruction that has happened but there is nothing that can measure the magnitude of what has happened here. It has to be seen to be understood

[@janets6474]

So very well said. Its the magnitude of it all. Then to make matters worse, we now deal with the cold. Shelters are closing, and county officials refusing to let people live in structures like sheds forcing them to freeze inside a tent.

[@michellesmithunroe2463]

​@@janets6474some counties are attempting to find locations for temporary placement of the shed style shelters that don't meet code. Henderson county has arranged for one in partnership with a very generous private donor. Other counties are considering the use of ag shelters and facilities. I know many people would prefer to remain on their property but that may not be possible in the short or, possibly even, long term. Unfortunately, many of those displaced lack safe homesites because of the increased instability of the land above. Any structures in the potential debris flow or likely to disturb land on the scarp can pose dangers to others, incurring potential liability. There's disposal of sewage to consider as well. I know some shelters and "comfort stations" have closed in areas where there's no longer need. I've even seen some community supply depots trying to relocate basic supplies because demand has decreased as recovery progresses.

[@davebeakel6632]

And documentaries like this gloss over the entire thing and minimize the devastation, like she's telling the world how tough we are and we can handle it so don't worry about us - then has the gall to say we are stronger than Helene - as if it's a competition! Or like she's taunting God: "oh is that all you've got?" And making excuses for the FEMA response, or lack thereof

[@janets6474]

@davebeakel6632 And this storm is the worst in US history. Its FAR worse than Katrina because over the next week, more will show up dead because they are freezing to death.

[@TreasureSwanson]

@@davebeakel6632Shame on the Biden administration and especially FEMA!!

[@christschool]

Thank you Naomi and WBTV for not forgetting those of us in the small towns up here in WNC. We need people like you to keep us in your coverage from time to time so people don't forget.

[@fionapeace77]

Thank you for this documentary. It is still on going, Never in my 67 years have I seen such. (live in Watauga County)The death toll is way more though. Again, Thank you for the coverage.

[@Bessinger21]

Thank you Naomi, beautiful story. A great historical record of the events of hurricane Helene. Thank you for focusing on the people. Thank You Jesus!

[@JeremyCurry5]

Well done on this documentary. In early October, the Holy Spirit called my family (my wife and 2 small kids) to travel from Northern Indiana to assist. We ended up embedded in Spruce Pine. The devestation is unspeakable and although we were only there a week, it still haunts me. But…in the midst of everything, God showed up. I’ve never seen so many miracles. One of them being that many of His people heard the call and did what Jesus asked them to do. In Genesis, God used a flood to take out the wicked. As we get closer to the end, God used a flood to bring His people together. Still supporting yall from afar. May God continue to bless you all!

[@janets6474]

Thank you for coming here. While this documentary started out good, they blew it when they got to the death toll which is in the thousands. I eagerly await the day when SOMEBODY will tell the truth of the real horror, the deaths that have occured.

[@JeremyCurry5]

@@janets6474 agreed. The death toll is way higher than any numbers we are hearing. I suspect that as things progress, we will start to hear the real number.

[@Delusionalcry]

I hope you realise that's there were people there that "weren't called" that went to help out of the decency and do the same thing everyday in millions of different ways to help their fellow man but don't feel the need to brag about it.

[@kb_9880]

@@Delusionalcry He isn't bragging about it. He is bragging about how God brought ppl together even though some of them may not know who He is.

[@danad9166]

Thank you for reporting. I live in mid Missouri and have not heard enough about what happened and what people are still doing there.

[@reddkl]

Naomi Kowles, this is worth an Emmy. Your station should submit it. Great job!

[@starnealy4550]

Excuse me but she's doing this as her job, to make money, to improve chances of moving up in her news oriented world. Her shows are making her big time MONEY. People don't seem to understand that this these KZbin podcasts make money, advertisement money. Not to say that what she reports isn't important, but don't turn this into an Emmy. WBTV is a liberal news network and she is a liberal news reporter and this is making her MONEY! Now, if she gives that money to the mountain people in it's entirety well then she'll deserve an Emmy!,

[@reddkl]

@@starnealy4550 So if she's doing it as a job, she shouldn't qualify for an award. You do not understand that shorts on KZbin have gotten awards. As for her political affiliation, you've made yours clear.

[@starnealy4550]

@@reddkl If she is so great, then give her an award but if she's making the big bucks, under the circumstances, maybe she should give the money to the needy in the mountains, being she's such a great girl. She can keep the hardware, no problem!

[@reddkl]

@@starnealy4550 How about you send your entire paycheck to them. Happy Thanksgiving.

[@sandiyhyatt4215]

Are You Serious??...She didn't do Any Actual Fact Checking...She IS UNDER REPORTING The Death Toll by Far!! She Sure gave Cooper His 15 mins of Fame & Most of those ppl in Appalachia wouldn't piss on him if he was on Fire... Also the Stats of what the Government has Contributed is Way Overly Exaggerated & Way Under Reported of the God Loving VOLUNTEERS from across the USA...How Come She Didn't show the Truth of How Devasted the Children are or The FACT that in 2005, 250 Dams in North Carolina were found to be in Major Disrepair?? That was 20 yrs ago & NC Officials Did Nothing but Line Their Pockets...Or How come She isn't Reporting on how CPS is Threatening to take Children & Have...Or How Codes & Red tape Are Preventing Families from Having a DONATED Travel Trailer to Live in or How They Are Giving BIG hassle over the Amish Built Tiny Homes??...Nope the ONLY Thing She has Shown Me is She is FOR THE CORRUPT SCRIPTED MEDIA...NOT REAL REPORTING TRUTH FOR THE PEOPLE...I think You better Rethink your Nomination...🤔

[@lovinglifehealth]

In no stretch of the imagination would only 100 people reportedly die from such a catastrophic event that spans so far and wide. It’s at least over 10 thousand, considering those not officially counted unless identified by a relative and the many still lost and buried under mud. They never had a chance due to the dams let open, power outages and cut off cell phone communication. This goes way deeper than the story being told. God help these people and God bless those helping. The NC governor and FEMA left these people for dead. Let’s start reporting the whole truth here and all its many layers including land acquisition and flood map re-zoning by FEMA that lets insurance companies off the hook.

[@angryrick2330]

Gotta love the democrats!

[@rosebudsbloom45]

God bless your recovery. My heart is heavy for you all that have lost your loved ones and homes.

[@joannemcniff4210]

I live in Henderson County, we've been here for 11 years. I thought Fred was bad, but that was nothing compared to the damage and destruction caused by Helene. My self and my family are very fortunate and blessed we came thru with minor and I mean minor damage. Two streets over from where my Mom and my Sister live six homes are condemned until construction remediation has been completed. It started raining Tues,,then rained harder on Wednesday and like the lady in the video said the hurricane hadn't even gotten here yet. By the time Helene got here the ground was already so saturated the water had no where to go. I saw water in places I never saw it before.

[@suethompson1740]

There are 1000's missing. Tell the truth.

[@CranesandCrows]

They will never tell the truth of the numbers of dead and missing, or the homeless hundreds who can never be accounted for, or the solitary residents in the back country. The ones forever buried in the mud, I just pray they aren't earthbound souls and can find their way to the light. God Bless everyone.

[@Denise-jw6mb]

I am praying.

[@peedeeaerialproductions]

Continued Prayers each and every day for all of these people affected by this devastating event ❤️🙏🏻

[@MaryLouCoursen]

This is the best documentary I have seen that covers the Heart of the Land and the People. I have never seen such destruction. I live in East Tennessee and part of the Senior Apartments where I live was flooded and the Third floor leaked , I am on the second floor so except for no electricity or clean water I consider myself very Blessed. People came from everywhere little Churches and Towns I had never heard of to bring hot meals to us twice a day. May the Spirit of the Lord Bless those who were so kind and helpful. And the ones who came and cleaned out the water and apartments so fast there was no mildew. I was going to move this coming year back to Texas or I looked at the patio homes for Seniors in Erwin those homes in Erwin are no more and Texas is flooded with invaders. So I will stay here in Elizabethton and thank our Lord for a safe nice apartment with many sweet Angels that care for their elderly neighbors. This is truly a wonderful place to live⚓️💕

[@suzazq]

Bless the people who are/were effected by this. And thank you to WBTV for sharing this with the rest of the country and world. Well done!

[@melaniecarroll2538]

If the law requires homeowners insurance… insurance companies should follow through on covering these homes instead of the stupid loop holes they try to scam people over. One price to cover anything that happens to your home!

[@TwoBs]

They’re scummy. The whole insurance umbrella is such a money racket, and anyone that has worked in that type of business before will tell you such (unless they are currently employed under such company and need to make excuses/save face for them to get people to trust the system’s setup for profit lol). I’ve known people to have their homes catch fire while having insurance that is supposed to cover such, yet when it comes down to the homeowner contacting them and saying “hey, this happened, here’s all the information from the investigation showing how it started, where, etc. proving it wasn’t anything intentional” and still be denied or told they can’t pay out because of something thrown in or an extremely vague sentence in the fine print that would conveniently exclude certain circumstances and suddenly apply to their scenario. People that have had to get a lawyer involved to get what their owed in terms of their coverage, but there are so many others who just simply can’t afford to just go and get a lawyer to go over every fine print of the documents to go against the insurance to counter their claims. It shouldn’t have to be like that, yet here we are. We’ve even had our fair share of runaround with insurance trying to raise the costs of coverage by claiming we were in of a flood zone (saying we were 52ft inside of it from the measured outer boundary). In reality, we were actually 75ft away from it entirely after having everything checked over twice with them even sending someone out to be proven that yep, they were wrong. I know 75ft doesn’t seem like much to some, but it does when it comes to down your costs being significantly higher. We have insurance that covers everything, but you have to watch because they will shake people down. I dread if we ever do end up enduring a flood or fire because I just know it’ll be hassle. I’ve yet to meet someone that has had a smooth sail with any of this stuff, but it’s really sh!tty knowing that these people have obviously went though massive devastation on a scale with flooding that is unlike any other for the modern era for Appalachia. I argue that it’s even worse than Katrina ever was, yet these folks are having to be ran through the coals over something they paid for while not being able to even get government help on top of it all. It’s shameful.

[@NorthCarolinaInsider]

Flood insurance is separate. Most people opt out especially if they lived their whole lives there.

[@starnealy4550]

Well, let's see, we had the Governor of N.C. on it. People who owned a place in the mountains, just happened to be from Wisconsin too, retirees, with horses on their property, and 5 dogs, Gastonia and Belmont policeman in it, a woman who store is being rebuilt, and the National Guards for goodness sake. All pitching the wonderful things they are doing. But no mention of the problems with FEMA: 1) taking care package from people saying they'll distribute, and they don't know the area, who's in need and who isn't; Meaning not trained! 2) the small shelter homes being made, not allowing them to be put down, 3) We see FEMA living in nice single wide trailers in a secured area, with power and sewage and water too I guess, but not the mountain people; 3) The best one is a HUGE Debrie pile that is being worked on, and the cadaver dogs have indicated deceased people in this large pile. So, these volunteers, mind you, with chain saws, large machines to pick heavy stuff up, they report the possibility of deceased individuals and say they planned to come back the next day and start again on the Debrie pile. But low and behold, FEMA has shown up and set the whole thing on fire, preventing loved ones from being identified, definitely training missing here. These people are being paid $30.00 per hour and upwards but don't do anything. Not a single person who is poor, working-class person is reflecting in this documentary! It showed all the "RIGHT PEOPLE" and their statements of what they've done to get that out to the public but there are hundreds upon hundreds of poor families living in tents and not allowed to use the small homes as shelters and no response on that either, mind you. Oh, someone said that the area is a flood zone, well yes, just like down on the coast, where they get flooded more times than I can mention and they get help on temporary housing, get to rebuild their homes and stay in the area of their homes. July 1916 was the last time this mountain area had a massive flood in the mountains, 108 years ago. It's yearly down on the coast. But the mountain people aren't being helped in any way shape, form or fashion. Thanks you volunteers who have generously came down to help Americans in need. It seems OUR GOVERNMENT DOESN'T WANT TO HELP!

[@dawnevans4518]

Absolutely right!!!

[@TruthRemainsTheTruth]

Bingo Well stated

[@dlight2669]

Yes your correct. POOR SUFFER 100X MORE.THAT IS HARD TO BELIVE. THE DEBRIS SET ON FIRE.

[@julieellis6793]

Thank you for stating how it really is. It's evil what the government and Fema are doing, and not doing.

[@maxssister1985]

The Tatums built what I dream of. How heartbreaking… life is so fragile. 💔

[@dawnnobody8135]

Why was there no mention of the many people who are still missing? What a smack in the face to those families who have no closure. Shameful.

[@PhyllisJohnson-lr9bq]

Don't forget Tennessee

[@prixgirl714]

Tennessee hasn't been forgotten, but I'm thinking this documentary focused on North Carolina since this news channel is based out of Charlotte.

[@sharonsnook7113]

Great reporting! God bless all our brothers and sisters working together helping each other get through this. God’s presence is definitely here and he’s so proud of all of you. We give thanks to all our brothers and sisters who are there for all those in need. God bless you all! ❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏

[@1000wastedwords]

Beautifully done guys ❤ thank you for this, from a first responder in WNC.

[@HomeEF]

100 lives claimed ??!! Hummm

[@amandafrost-trott5198]

That’s what I said! And I think they are stretching a certain part about the help in here as well.

[@user-SahmJuanElse]

The latest list of missing I have seen is over 400.

[@ValerieWinburn]

@@user-SahmJuanElse12k+ 🥵

[@cindyjohnson9783]

It's more then that. They have said they have them in morgue and packed in refrigerator trucks stack up. They not calling them dead but undead cause they don't know who they are.

[@user-SahmJuanElse]

@@SteveAustin-jp3ev If that is true, we are behaving like the Germans did in WW II and they LOST. Americans have always been more nimble and quicker to react than the rest of the world. We are still those people. Government needs to get out of the way.

[@megs3019]

This wasn’t a normal storm. Call me a conspiracy theorist but this wasn’t normal. Weather control is real. Prayers for these people

[@JBBost]

wtf

[@22lilacsky]

Geo engineered

[@Jc-ms5vv]

Let me break this down for you idiots: -The Hiroshima bomb released approximately 15 kilotons of TNT energy. -A Category 5 hurricane releases energy at a rate of about 1.5 terawatts, or 1.5 trillion watts, over its lifespan. To calculate the equivalent in Hiroshima bombs, we need to first convert terawatts to kilotons per second: 1 terawatt = 23.7 kilotons per second. Next, we need to estimate the lifespan of a Category 5 hurricane. Let's assume it lasts for 5 days: 5 days = 432,000 seconds Finally, we can calculate the total energy released by the hurricane in kilotons: 23.7 kilotons/second * 432,000 seconds = 10.2 million Kilotons Therefore, the energy needed to create a Category 5 hurricane is equivalent to approximately 10.2 MILLION Hiroshima bombs. By comparison, Las Vegas, only uses about 1400 Hiroshima bombs' worth of energy in A YEAR. Our strongest nuke to date is only 3800 Hiroshima. Bombs worth of energy. Basically, in order to generate a hurricane, we would need to generate more energy than every nuke on earth. That is currently impossible: We don't have the means to do this. If you combined all 13,000 nukes on earth, it would only amount to ~9000 Hiroshima bombs. Anyone who got through basic 10th grade math and meteorology should be able to figure this out.

[@blairberry3555]

Very well done! I live in Greenville, Tennessee and we had 50 families lose their homes here to flooding but we didn't have to landslides that you guys did. I know you can't cover everything but I wish you would've been able to cover the nonprofit helicopter groups that came in and did so much work as well especially early on in finding stranded people. Like western North Carolina, we had so many people show up from all over wanting to help. So grateful !!!

[@Sushi2735]

Thank you for telling this story. Unspeakable main and suffering, but also love and support. If it wasn’t for documentaries like this, most of us would have no idea as the news moves on to the next him. When Im lost in despair at the cruelty I see in our country, I will remember this, and know there is hope for all of us.

[@paulhill3287]

Naomi Knowles - What an awesome documentary - Thank you so much for the detail. I felt the heartache and the love and the thankfulness all in the documentary from each one that spoke. God Bless all the efforts being done - Thank you again for a wonderful and well done documentary. Great Job.

[@funsizedi88]

Yet another part of the country, for another couple generations, has been traumatized. Not just from the storms, but the lack of proper response, still 2 MONTHS LATER. Samaratins Purse and Cajun Navy, as well as local churches are your best bet on donations.

[@mbslick6416]

Nice cozy documentary. Unfortunately it's far from the devastation that really happened. Thousands dead, toxic waste everywhere, land grabs, FEMA employees there for paycheck with overtime. I will agree with Naomi's wrap up about the people of WNC are proud and taking care of their communities themselves without the pathetic government agencies. 🙏🙏🙏

[@melissahinkley7629]

I saw a video the other day about the homelessness that Helene has caused. There were a little over 100 homeless children in North Carolina before Helene (I think it said 132?) After Helene, it's over 1000 kids that authorities know of, that have been reported as homeless or displaced anyway. They believe the number is higher, and that's just children; the number does not include adults. Many people are still living in campers and tents. Many families are scrambling to find more permanent housing before winter comes. Truly sad!!! I wish there was something I could do to help. I'm a single mom from MI. Does anyone know of any legitimate charities or Go Fund Me accounts that are helping with hurricane relief? If I do donate, I want to make sure the money is going to where it's supposed to. I'll keep praying for North Carolina.

[@firefightingmailman]

Samaritan's Purse has been on the ground since day one. Plus they are local to WNC with headquarters in Boone NC.

[@TreasureSwanson]

Samaritan’s Purse makes sure every dollar goes to help the people who need it most!!

[@Linda-l2kjv]

Praying without ceasing ...😔💖

[@Jason4Star]

Shooting from the hip here as I have not yet watched the video, but I think it is a little premature to be making a documentary about the impact of Hurricane Hellene already. The effects are still ongoing. People are now heading into winter with no shelter. THIS ISN'T OVER....

[@Byebyerain]

😂 so you didn't watch the video but came to comment on the contents of the video?

[@22lilacsky]

It's a cover up story

[@JessicaRodriguez-zy5gz]

They’ve made movies of travesties quicker than this. Is there a good time limit? 😂😂🤡🤡 someone will always complain. These videos are good because those of us not from there, can get an idea of the devastation & impact the storm had!

[@JessicaRodriguez-zy5gz]

@@22lilacskyfor what?

[@hopegeoghegan4184]

All those small towns make up the fabric of the mountains and its people.

[@morganzander5814]

I go to school in western NC and it was crazy. I knew it was gonna be bad. It rained practically all day, everyday the whole week before the storm hit. The rivers were already high from that and the ground was so saturating that i knew those trees werent gonna stay in the ground when the wind came😣

[@DBStarr7]

Very, very well done, Naomi & crew!

[@thegirlwiththeblackeyes]

I’ve had this documentary saved in a tab ever since I saw an article about it coming out.. I’ve yet to be able to watch it because the trauma is still there. I’m here in Asheville and was working downtown the night of September 26… we were not informed of what was.. or what was to come.. we were not prepared. That entire night, I was restless.. I lost everything in Hurricane Florence at the outerbanks 6 years before Helene hit.. I found myself back in my hometown of Asheville late 2019. About midnight I checked the radar and saw a very massive system coming RIGHT for us… everyone else slept. My heart never settled… it’s still unsettled. One day I will be able to watch this documentary but the PTSD is so real and forever present. As a chef, we were out of work the longest. I was not able to return to my previous place of work and now work along the French Broad River. It’s traumatizing. The trees, standing at 20ft tall, are still all littered with trash, as if some unruly teenagers decided to tee pee the city. The tourists infiltrating the city the weeks following the flood were the worst ever, and only made use of our resources and were very entitled, many not even aware of what we had just experienced… there was no a Christmas this year for many. It is December 27, 2024 and we are still in need… our mountains will NEVER be the same.. there has not been a single day I haven’t woken up in tears. What a nightmare.

[@elizabethtank1123]

Prayers for fast recovery for all affected areas by Hurricane Helene.

[@Robert-rh1en]

Im so sorry fema droped the ball big-time n the government too, there are still people missing ! People still needing help , and private helicopter owners was doing way more n the people of Appalachia are helping each other out n thank God for the ones that have helped ! But there is still help that is needed !!!

[@adammcd9424]

What beautiful resilient people, sending ❤and prayers from Australia.

[@nicolewright9093]

The numbers are so much higher

[@GratefulBiscuit]

You must have an id to confirm a death. There's nothing sinister there. Our bones, bits of our homes, our loves and lives will rise from the mud through the ages. There is nothing being hidden. If you aren't here, you don't know, please, be respectful, of our lives, our lost, and our land. It's not fodder. We are not divided.

[@mllewendy1]

​@@GratefulBiscuitThen you provide the number of unidentified dead. Period.

[@hime273]

@GratefulBiscuit I don't know where y'all came up with that claim from, because it makes absolutely no sense. That is not a Government Policy or Law anywhere in the US. There are tons of Murder Cases around the Country throughout history, where there was no actual body to Identify that somebody was even killed. They just dont release the real numbers in these situations, because they don't want the normies to realize the results of Government Weaponized Weather Warfare. Because destruction is the whole reason they spend Billions (Trillions worldwide) in Tax Money every year to control the Weather.

[@melissaciswhoibe9183]

Hundreds of residents across 27 counties that were affected in WNC have said the same exact thing Nicole, in hundreds of interviews in hundreds of videos. Never have we needed identification to give a body count. The only time we needed identification was to reach next of kin and to publicly release the deceased person's name. Praying for everyone affected by the evil hurricane Helene. 🙏 🫶 We will never forget this unprecedented catastrophic event. Mountain Strong. ❤

[@beverleybarnes5656]

​@@mllewendy1 What about body parts? Would each limb that's found be classed as a separate person, in your mind, before DNA is completed?

[@jarrettevanbrown]

Thank you for recording this history.

[@helensteen3664]

The prolonged high rainfall during this storm tested the reservoirs beyond their limits. The involvement of the reservoirs is being ignored so questions concerning; preparations for flood control, use of automated emergency systems, evacuation of housing in downstream hazard zones and the effect overflows have upon flood zoning.... remain unanswered. WHY?

[@michellesmithunroe2463]

Excellent question. My research indicates the topic to be a very complex and long standing political issue but it's significant to know that NC opted out of flood reporting requirements, making the state ineligible for up to 75% funding from FEMA designated for upgrades on existing water and sewer systems. I read a great article on a dam that had been updated as the result of the grants for which the state was eligible. The project extended the width, preventing overflow, while creating a secondary overflow using "tip gates" which functioned exactly as intended. Had they not, flooding would have been considerably more catastrophic.

[@helensteen3664]

@@michellesmithunroe2463 Very interesting. It was this Fusegate system installed at North Fork Reservoir that raised my suspicions. On the 27th - 6 million cubic meters of water - a flash flood escaped down the creek when the fusegate bucket tipped. The flood and debris it gathered washed a canyon in the creek bed before destroying much of Beacon Village Swannanoa. The water level in NFR was at full pool at 10:30 pm when the primary spillway operated (26th ) THEN the water level rose 16 feet in the next 14 hrs before the one bucket tipped at 12:30 pm on 27th. But did the emergency release system function as designed? According to the manufacturer the buckets should be set to tip one by one sequentially to prevent a flash flood and protect downstream hazard zones . Evidence from Bee Tree Creek and Garren Creek Craigtown raise supicions about the BT reservoir being resposible for a flash flood and also Flat Top Mountain Lake with its massive catchment area.

[@helensteen3664]

​@@michellesmithunroe2463 Very interesting -That is the automated system I refer to. According to the manfacturer the other 5 buckets should have been set to tip one by one in sequence to protect downstream hazard zones. Only one tipped so sixmillioncubicmeters of water flash- flooded to Beacon Village where only 11 homes remained livable.

[@helensteen3664]

@@michellesmithunroe2463 Very interesting. Another article and comments might interest you Our Fragile Infrastructure: Lessons From Hurricane Helene by Ellen Brown.

[@michellesmithunroe2463]

@@helensteen3664 the article I read was by one of the engineering firms employed on the upgrade project. Annoyingly, I can't locate it again but did find an article by Citizens Times entitled "Helene in WNC could have been 'exponentially worse,' causing 'annihilation.' Here's why." It offers a brief explanation of how the top gates at the North Fork Reservoir were designed to work. If they had all released, the reservoir would have held less water longer and the subsequent "wave" released would have reached higher ground. The official reports I've seen for other dams, like Lake Lure, indicated they were at risk for imminent failure at capacity but were only breached, though there were certainly numerous private dams that were displaced.

[@Aic19833]

Yancey county. Went out in the 4wheeler Friday morning, chainsawed our way out and neighbors. Passed a couple walking down the river who said they’re “looking for mom and dad”. Not sure they ever found them. Found an 80 yr old woman day 6 alone in her house, she said she wanted “bread”. I brought her supplies. I’ve since relocated. Two little kids. We couldn’t stay in that trauma through winter. I’ll forever be haunted.

[@Mecklenburgwhistle-blower]

FEMA has refused over 400 available modular/mobile homes currently available because the don't have fire sprinklers systems in them. The kind you find in commercial buildings, the kind that require high water pressures to function properly, and could have been delivered weeks ago. Bureaucratic BS and now these Apalachicola folks are suffering extreme cold weather conditions because of this requirement.

[@boonedog1457]

Naomi, You have an outstanding speaking voice. Well done to you and your crew. Blessings! 🙏

[@DanaFrost-ob7wm]

What a blessing you folks in western N.C.are and also the folks who responded❤