Spread Love Designs/ Son Haven Arts

It's been exactly one month since impacted the Carolinas. There are still 2420 customers without power in Yancey County and 345 in Mitchell County. Power goes on and off in other locations, as repairs continue. There have been 1,925 landslides documented from the storm, and the number keeps increasing as more are documented and reported from the storm. This morning, the death toll for just North Carolina increased to 98 people. Four of these victims are still not identified, with approximately 26 people still unaccounted for. Many roads and places are opening up for visitors, and this is important because a second disaster could occur if tourism and businesses don't start returning to open spots. There is good news with the bad, as neighbors helping neighbors, and so many are helping from across the U.S. The key is to keep this help coming over the weeks and months ahead. With each new pole, each new road, each new home rebuilt, we will be back stronger than ever. Until every last person is helped, we cannot forget about Western North Carolina. I posted this earlier this week, and I'll repeat this advice.

This is the best way to help Western North Carolina right now. Set a reminder or alarm on your phone 📱📅for one of the following...

✅2 weeks from today
✅4 weeks from today
✅6 weeks from today
✅8 weeks from today
✅10 weeks from today
✅12 weeks from today
✅14 weeks from today
✅16 weeks from today
✅18 weeks from today
✅20 weeks from today

Give, donate, and volunteer then.

As of this morning, over 400 roads remain closed in NC. All roads in Western NC should be considered closed.

Remember: As crews work to clear and inspect roads and bridges, please give them room.

Go to DriveNC.gov for the latest road information.

Here's what I know and don't know, this morning about Western NC.

Still little communication and almost zero cell service. If you read this from those areas or know someone there stick with text messaging, These messages only needs to ping a cell tower to go through. So don't send pics or videos, just text! This can work with almost no signal or service. Some landlines are actually working, but only a few.

Lake Lure Dam made it, engineers checked it out, and it survived. Chimney Rock Village north of the lake did not do so well; it was mostly destroyed, and debris washed into Lake Lure.

Asheville is a mess, almost completely cut off by road. Many washed-out roads and bridges and many firehouses have been destroyed, so first responders need help as much as the residents. They have better ways to get stuff in and out than surrounding mountain communities.

In other counties, I'm hearing lots of information that sounds like many landslides and washed-away homes and buildings. So, I don't want to speculate, but honestly, it doesn't sound good. Some rescue crews are trapped as well; the ones that went out first thing yesterday also became trapped. So, in some cases, the rescuers need to be rescued.

Communication: I have been in contact with 2 people with Starlink and generators, but they are also cut off from moving around. If you know someone with Starlink and power, please pass along any info you can.

What can we do? I talked with some EM people, and many resources are now pouring into the western Carolinas. Stuff deployed by Helene's heads was spread out over the Southeast. Now, it's all heading into the mountains. WCNC and I are going to try to work with Samaritan's PursePurse next week to get relief. They're heading there already and have logistics to get supplies to the people. Also, the American Red Cross is doing great stuff.

Also, if you know shelters or churches accepting people, let me know. I have had a few people make it out but don't know where to go for a shower or hot meal. Here is the current list of shelters:
https://www.readync.gov/stay-informed/open-shelters

I will post anything I can find out, but I still can't reach most places in the mountains yet. Here is an excellent resource for more information and help. https://www.readync.gov/

Downtown Boone🥹

I don’t think I’ve ever seen flooding this bad in downtown Boone before. King Street is a river right now.

Our station received this email from Banner Elk in Avery county.

"I am hoping to open a line of communication with the "outside world". Residents of Elk River in Banner Elk are completely stranded. Attached is a picture of what used to be the bridge which is the only way in or out of the community. We have no power, water, cell service.... We do have a generator and wifi at the clubhouse, which is how we are sending this. Most of the residents are elderly, and there is no way to get out if there is an emergency. If nothing else, maybe you guys can help us communicate information to/from the outside.
Scott"

https://www.facebook.com/stories/1345354455534343/UzpfSVNDOjc5NDUxMTAwOTEwNjU3MA==/?view_single=1&source=shared_permalink&mibextid=W9rl1R

www.facebook.com

Stay Tuned…..

gf.me/u/3zyct7

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