Hurricane Helene

[TnRiver46]

@thediscochef, I believe they said it was the most water in the French broad since 1791. It floods constantly but that was a doozie 

 

Chattanooga, on the other hand, has had a 500 yr flood event 30-40 times in the last 100 yrs (they might should change the naming process……)

[Skunkmaster-k]

I watched a Cleetus McFarland video last night showing the devastation in North Carolina and how private and military helicopters are delivering insulin and other necessities to people stranded. The destruction is something I couldn’t have imagined. 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

25 minutes ago, Skunkmaster-k said:

I watched a Cleetus McFarland video last night showing the devastation in North Carolina and how private and military helicopters are delivering insulin and other necessities to people stranded. The destruction is something I couldn’t have imagined. 

It's amazing how impressive that man is for his age.   He's building an empire and has one of the best hearts imaginable.    

 

In the absence of a federal response, it's been incredible to witness fellow citizens like Cleetus step up to the plate.   Hundreds of private helicopters showed up the day after the storm.  

 

Good reminder that you can't count on the Gov't to help you after disasters, only your neighbors and the generosity of your fellow Americans.   There aren't any fundraisers or donations pouring in from other countries.        

[Functional]

My company sent out about 1/4 of our utility workers and equipment out to Western NC to help out this past Friday. I'd say from what I've seen and heard from them and the reports its actually worse than whats being reported. Odd from a media generation that tends to blow things way out of proportion. Freed up one of my guys to run supplies from our site to drop zones this week.

 

From what I understand the place our guys were supposed to stay had no water/electric so they traveled about 1hr outside the edges of the effected zones and still couldnt find power/water. They just restored it to the area where they are staying yesterday. Problem now is the infestation of bugs in some of these places because of the water is a problem you dont hear about at all...minor, but still an issue. About half our guys have resorted to sleeping in their trucks.

 

Not to discourage any of you all in the immediate area but I've been hearing they wont have the bulk of services restored until well into November. 

[TnRiver46]

9 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

It's amazing how impressive that man is for his age.   He's building an empire and has one of the best hearts imaginable.    

 

In the absence of a federal response, it's been incredible to witness fellow citizens like Cleetus step up to the plate.   Hundreds of private helicopters showed up the day after the storm.  

 

Good reminder that you can't count on the Gov't to help you after disasters, only your neighbors and the generosity of your fellow Americans.   There aren't any fundraisers or donations pouring in from other countries.        

The fed has a lot of folks helping as well as the state 

 

the Cajun navy would be all over it as well if the roads were open 

 

you are correct @Functional, the news teams couldn’t get a hotel with power or water within 2 hours 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Private pilots were in there hours after the storm passed by.   It took several days for significant Gov't resources to show up.    

 

Civilians always respond faster than Governments.  

[gim]

13 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Good reminder that you can't count on the Gov't to help you after disasters, only your neighbors and the generosity of your fellow Americans.   There aren't any fundraisers or donations pouring in from other countries.   

 

Nothing happens overnight with the government.  Especially the feds.  I can tell you that personally because I work for them.  Without making it political, it doesn't matter who is in charge at the time.  The structure of the response is the same every time: slow and arduous.  It goes through Incident Command and trickles downward.  That isn't going to change.

 

Its not like a hurricane is anything new.  Hurricanes happen every single season, in the same geographic areas, over and over.  They originate in the warm tropical waters and head inland.  Its like playing russian roullette.  And yet, people are suprised when it happens.  They aren't going away either because the next one is already out there.

 

Its no surprise that insurance rates have skyrocketed after events like this either.

 

I hope everyone affected seeks closure from catastrophes like this.  I'd go bonkers if I lived in a hurricane zone wondering every year if the next one was coming for me.  Wouldn't be able to even sleep at night.

 

 

 

 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Just now, gimruis said:

 

Nothing happens overnight with the government.  Especially the feds.  I can tell you that personally because I work for them.  Without making it political, it doesn't matter who is in charge at the time.  The structure of the response is the same every time: slow and arduous.  It goes through Incident Command and trickles downward.  That isn't going to change.

 

Its not like a hurricane is anything new.  Hurricanes happen every single season, in the same geographic areas, over and over.  They originate in the warm tropical waters and head inland.  Its like playing russian roullette.  And yet, people are suprised when it happens.  They aren't going away either because the next one is already out there.

 

Its no surprise that insurance rates have skyrocketed after events like this either.

 

I hope everyone affected seeks closure from catastrophes like this.  I'd go bonkers if I lived in a hurricane zone wondering every year if the next one was coming for me.  Wouldn't be able to even sleep at night.

 

 

 

 

Absolutely, Katrina should always serve as a reminder to Americans that we should be self-prepared, and ready for these types of events.  

 

The sad thing is that after major disasters like this, not everybody is able to rebuild.  There are places on the panhandle of Florida that still haven't rebuilt after Micheal.   

[gim]

Its even worse in Puerto Rico.  An island hundreds of miles from the mainland has logistical issues because of where its located.  I know its not a state, but its a US territory and they fall under US response.

[Tennessee Boy]

Most of my ancestors migrated from North Carolina to middle Tennessee in the early 1800s. In the family lore the move was usually referred to as coming over the mountains. Every time I cross the mountains between Tennessee and North Carolina on I40 I imagine what it would have been like to move all your belongings over those mountains with horses and buggies. It’s a rugged landscape and I’m always impressed that they were even able to build I40 through that terrain. About 20 years ago I worked on a 6 month project in North Carolina and a hurricane took out a small section of I40 which made my trips home a nightmare. One lane was closed for months. I can only imagine how difficult the recovery from this hurricane will be. Take a look at Google maps and you will see all of the roads that are closed. You can’t start rebuilding until you can get a truck in with the necessary building materials.  It’s gonna be a long haul for many.

[FryDog62]

A lot of people I know laughed at the whole doomsday food/water supply and solar generator packages available on the market from the various “Patriot” marketers.  But they work and buy time until help and the digging out process begins. 

[TnRiver46]

Hurricanes do happen every year but this never has. Kind of hard to prepare for something that has never happened. Nobody can get gas for the generator and I’m guessing the solar models wouldn’t have worked until maybe today 

[flatcreek]

I’m anxious to hear why our military wasn’t ordered on rapid response mission to drop food , water and essentials immediately.4 or 5 days later don’t cut it.Force in readiness is what we do.

[TnRiver46]

I talked to a guy from the guard that had been to Newport, TN over the weekend but I don’t how that is related to the rest of the military 

 

@flatcreek

[gim]

3 minutes ago, flatcreek said:

I’m anxious to hear why our military wasn’t ordered on rapid response mission to drop food , water and essentials immediately.4 or 5 days later don’t cut it.

 

Military is generally not responsible or deployed for weather-related issues.  They are responsible for defense.  The national guard in each state is, and that's already been done.

 

As I already stated, nothing goes fast.  It has to go through the normal line of Incident Command just like every other weather catastrophe.  It operates like a civilian branch of the military from the top down.  I work with Commission Core Health Responders who are activated for public health measures after events like this and none of them have been deployed yet because they haven't been ordered to.

[FryDog62]

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

Nobody can get gas for the generator and I’m guessing the solar models wouldn’t have worked until maybe today 

Actually the solar generators have lithium batteries that you charge up 2 times per year to a full charge.  Ready to go when the power goes out. They will run several appliances (refrigerator, washer dryer, etc) a full day.

 

As soon as the generator is started you connect the 3’ x 2’ solar panel in the yard and it keeps the charge topped off.  
 

Best of all, the generator sits inside with no emission or noise…. Unlike my neighbors gas generator that sounds like a diesel engine and stinks up the entire complex since we all have our windows open because the AC doesn’t work. 
 

I didn’t realize it until this disaster, but the patriot/solar generators are way beyond better than the other gasoline options available. And of course then there is the shortage of gas issue you don't have to deal with. 
 

Solar generators are a slick deal - I’m a believer… 

[flatcreek]

@gimruis

I served in the 1st Marine Division 45 years ago., if what you say is true this is disgusting

[gim]

6 minutes ago, flatcreek said:

@gimruis

I served in the 1st Marine Division 45 years ago., if what you say is true this is disgusting

 

Things are probably quite a bit different than they were 45 years ago.

 

I'm not going to say whether I agree or disagree with your statement.  I'm only telling you how it works at this time.

 

Thank you for your service.

[TnRiver46]

54 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

Actually the solar generators have lithium batteries that you charge up 2 times per year to a full charge.  Ready to go when the power goes out. They will run several appliances (refrigerator, washer dryer, etc) a full day.

 

As soon as the generator is started you connect the 3’ x 2’ solar panel in the yard and it keeps the charge topped off.  
 

Best of all, the generator sits inside with no emission or noise…. Unlike my neighbors gas generator that sounds like a diesel engine and stinks up the entire complex since we all have our windows open because the AC doesn’t work. 
 

I didn’t realize it until this disaster, but the patriot/solar generators are way beyond better than the other gasoline options available. And of course then there is the shortage of gas issue you don't have to deal with. 
 

Solar generators are a slick deal - I’m a believer… 

The other question is : do they work soaking wet or after being submerged ? I’ve gotten gas ones to run after accidentally swimming with them (electrofishing) 

 

ive been hearing lithium batteries are a fire hazard when wet 

 

might be a moot point regardless because if any of these folks had a generator it’s in New Orleans by now 

[J._Bricker]

I just want to take a moment and say that I’m glad our Bass Resource members posting in the aftermath of the devastation hurricane Helene left in its path are alive and well. The loss of life and property that have been shown on the news is saddening, and it is my hope that those 400 people reported as missing are found safe and in good health. 
 

As for the talk about relief efforts/support I’d like to offer a little more information on an emergency service response to a disaster. It needs to be understood just saying “I need help, send help” as simple as it sounds just doesn’t work when it comes to government helping after a disaster. The Federal Government needs to know specifically what those on ground in the affected areas need (water, food, money, fuel, tents, etc.), how much or how many, where is it needed and for how long before being resupplied. Next comes the operation of getting the requested relief supplies where it’s been requested all the while coordinating the various government, civilian and volunteer personnel with rescue efforts and getting basic services back on-line.
 

And even with fires and other things happening, California sent over 170 firefighters trained in search and rescue to help with recovery efforts because that’s what Americans have always done, help others out in time of need.
 

I just look forward to reading that everyone’s family and neighbors are safe, well and are getting the necessary help to rebuild their communities.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

This satellite image really tells a story

 

[FryDog62]

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

The other question is : do they work soaking wet or after being submerged ? I’ve gotten gas ones to run after accidentally swimming with them (electrofishing) 

 

ive been hearing lithium batteries are a fire hazard when wet 

 

might be a moot point regardless because if any of these folks had a generator it’s in New Orleans by now 

I guess if you’re 10 feet under water nothing will probably work. If your home or garage is dry/damp then the solar generator works great. I think I remember when I bought it that they are somewhat water resistant but not waterproof. Same with the lithium batteries in my kayak. 

[flatcreek]

It has been reported that the military has been authorized today to provide relief 

[TnRiver46]

I stand corrected, the Cajun navy is there with a team of mules delivering insulin and other supplies . Great humans like @Catt know what’s up 

 

heard from my aunt and uncle in Brevard and they are ok. No power but alive and safe 

[Koz]

6 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Private pilots were in there hours after the storm passed by.   It took several days for significant Gov't resources to show up.    

 

Civilians always respond faster than Governments.  

Private pilots have now been threatened with arrest and airspace is now restricted in NC.