Hope everyone in the ravaged Helene is ok.

[Kurt]

Any updates from members in the zones?

[friedgreen51]

I live in Central North Carolina. We experienced minor flooding, wind and tree damage, and spotty power outages. However, I can report that the Western mountains of our state around the Asheville area is experiencing unbelievable devastation and hardship. North Carolina has experienced over one half of the 235 deaths reported so far from Hurricane Helene. The death toll is very likely to rise as over 200 people are still unaccounted for in NC. Over 175,000 still without power after 8 days. The town of Banner Elk has advised its residents who survived to seek safe shelter elsewhere as the water and sewer facilities are totally destroyed. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park and the Blueridge Parkway are closed indefinitely. Food and supplies are being delivered by air, ATV vehicles, kayakers, and even mule teams. Over 300 roads remain closed. I am sure we have Tomato Junction members in Western NC but internet and cell service is almost non-existent at this point.

[worth1]

I've heard all sorts of reports as to how messed up rescue efforts are in the area.

https://thehill.com/homenews/4913942-pi ... st-threat/

[friedgreen51]

Yes. It has taken a long time for FEMA to arrive and coordination with local agencies has not always been smooth.
Fort Liberty deployed 1,000 troops to help with clean up and another 500 hundred are coming from Fort Campbell Kentucky to assist the NC National Guard. The biggest problem is the remoteness of much of this area with only one road in and out of many communities. People currently can only be reached by helicopter, hikers, kayakers, and ATV's. There is no power, cell service or internet.
FEMA aid is starting to come in. The estimate for clean up and rebuilding is a whopping 45.5 billion.