Progress

Any time I go somewhere, I pass the river and what was, pre-Helene, a lovely meadow, tended by an absentee landlord who used what was the land across the road from the old home place to pasture his fat black steers.

Helene wiped out many of the trees at water's edge and deposited a thick layer of sand over most of the pasture. It was a sad sight.

But in the past month, wonderful progress has been made. Heavy equipment has been hard at work. The broken trees have been removed, the trunks salvaged for firewood and the rest shoved into a huge pile and burned, then buried.  Drainage ditches have been dug, lined with gravel, and drains installed. 

And much of the choking sand has been  pushed into a sort of berm along the river. Perhaps with enough vegetation on it, it will divert the next flood.

I look forward to see grass growing here again and fat black steers grazing.

 

Blankets from the Military

This is Spirit Week at school and Monday was Cowboy Day. Everybody dressed up western style even the teachers. And the policeman wore a cowboy hat with his regular uniform.

I wore my Princess Cowgirl hat,

And a flannel shirt and my Dolly Parton T-shirt that says Jolene Jolene Jolene Jolene Jolene Jolene.

An exciting thing happened. The Army (you know, the Military) gave all us kids big fluffy blankets because of the flooding. Even if our houses hadn't flooded.
                                                                                       

Feeling the Stress

                                                                                                                                                                      

 It's a tough time right now. 

The impending election is always on my mind--a choice between a man and a party of lies and denial, hatred, xenophobia, fearmongering, and threatened violence, and a woman and party that, though admittedly imperfect, have a commonsense, humanitarian approach to many of the problems that beset us. 

Yet many of my fellow citizens will choose the former, even against their own best interest.

Living in the aftermath of disaster has brought out the best in many--and now we are beginning to see the worst in some-- a distrust of FEMA exacerbated by widespread disinformation. Again, against their own best interest.

May we come through this trying time.

School News

Happy to learn that Madison County schools will re-open next week on Wednesday, though on a two-hour delay for those first three days. I don't think any were damaged, but they are being used as collection sites. etc. I know having schools open will be a help for all and a nice return to normal.

Also it was nice to see pictures of Gov. Cooper on the street in Marshall, talking to folks working on recovery.

Madison Strong!
 

First Trip Out

I left the farm yesterday for the first time since the storm and took a few pictures. Not of the major destruction in Marshall--the town is closed except to workers and besides, pictures have been all over the internet. Just some things I saw . . .

Several folks have asked about our camel neighbors. They seem fine.

Aside from evidence of fallen trees, the drive down Anderson Branch was much as always. Until I got closer to the river.

                                                                            

This house had water up to its roof at the height of the flood. Its residents had the good sense to evacuate.

                                                                 

A multitude of smaller outbuilding are gone.

Fallen trees and debris, often hanging from the trees that remain, have turned our once beautiful French Broad into a scene of ugly devastation.

The Barnard Bridge held, despite being hammered with tree trunks and all manner of things, swept along in the flood.

Barnard Park was a put-in for rafting companies and paddlers of all sorts. Now it's closed except for search and rescue (or recover) teams, many from our fine Walnut Volunteer Fire Department. HERE is a good article about the teams.

As I continued on to higher ground and the grocery store, all was pretty normal--except for the many trucks of all sorts hurrying along. Some had piles of supplies; some were official vehicles. Earlier there'd been a military convoy bringing troops and machinery to help in the cleanup effort. 

Our grocery store was well stocked--except for some frozen things and seafood-- and I was able to get everything on my list. Everyone seemed a little nicer than usual--and these are generally nice folks. "You doin' all right?" is a standard greeting, but now it carries extra weight, almost like a hug.

                                                                                 

I've photographed this meadow/pasture many times-- two weeks ago it was a great swathe of goldenrod.

                                                           

That was then . . .

This is now.

The trees bear strange fruit, high above the usual waterline.

                                        

 So frustrating not to be able to grab a shovel or even pick up trash. But as Bob Dylan once said "Get out of the way if you can't lend a hand . . ."

What I can do is another hundred postcards encouraging women to vote. 

I am sickened by the blatant lies from the Former Guy and his allies concerning the government's response to Helene (and even GOP governors applaud it, not to mention my friends and neighbors who are already being signed up by FEMA to receive aid.)  This election is so important for so many reasons. May truth prevail over fear and the Big Lie. May we all come safely through and build back even better

Dichotomy

On the peaceful porch

Flowers bloom--in the distance

Helicopters throb.

 

Aftermath

                                                                        

We are safe but the town of Marshall is destroyed.

Whole buildings are gone. All the businesses are destroyed.

The water went to the second story in the old jail (recently renovated as a boutique hotel.).

The river hit 27ft on the flood gauge which is by far the worst flood in recorded history.

The 1916 flood was 23.9ft in Marshall.

The 1916 flood went to the 5th step on the courthouse stairs and this flood went two feet in the courthouse.

photo of Marshall from the internet

Hot Springs and other small towns are likewise devastated.

Our power is still on--but still no cell service. The Barnard Bridge (our easiest way out) is open. Some gas stations are open.

We are staying put for a few days as we don't need anything.

It's going to be a long road to recovery--I'm counting on the indomitable mountain spirit--along with help from FEMA and other governmental agencies--to make it through.

The historic Col. Allen House--setting for several chapters in AND THE CROWS TOOK THEIR EYES

Power Restored!

After over ten inches of rain, we were happy to see blue sky again. 

We are all fine but western North Carolina has taken a big hit. Flooding in Marshall, Hot Springs, Asheville, Boone, Chimney Rock and more. Houses and businesses destroyed. Roads questionable. A giant sinkhole in Mars Hill. Our nearby bridge over the French Broad is closed because when the Redmon Dam upstream broke, a container (like on the back of a truck) washed away and hit the bridge. It will have to be surveyed before it is deemed safe.

Power was out everywhere, shutting down gas stations and grocery stores--assuming you could get to them. We had heard that it might be a week. And with power out, no internet. Our news came from neighbors John met while folks were checking the state of the road.

But, a miracle! Ours came back on while we were eating supper--and I leaped up to go refill water containers and do the dishes. John hurried to start a load of laundry. A shower is next on the agenda.

We still have no phone service, I'm not sure why. But we are so thankful to have come through this storm. 

Being without internet or any source of news was pleasant, in a way. I didn't have to think about the Former Guy.