Oscraps

The News is Coming In...

Amandajk

Holy Nomad
We are in SC. We have lived in Upstate SC, and in lower NC. We have friends in many places. The news is coming in and it is difficult to hear/see. The death toll for Hurricame Helene is at 52 right now, but people are missing and many families separated and their situation unknown. I have been through two Category 5 storms, and this one is very similar to Hurricane Mitch in Honduras 1998. Please pray for the people1 affected in these areas. Many beautiful, quaint, historic villages have been destroyed, and major highways have been washed out - I 40 & I 26!
 

mimes1

Well-Known Member
CHEERY O
It's so sad. So much devastation and loss it just breaks my heart. This is so close to home - the serious mountain flooding is just two hours from here. This evening I've been on the phone with friends with family up there. So Sad - these communities will be forever changed.
 

bitzee

Well-Known Member
My friend's daughter and son-in-law were vacationing in Black Mountain, NC and are stranded there. There is no power or water. They were waiting for rescuers to bring food and water. I don't remember a storm that stayed so strong after the initial landfall and affected so many states. It is terrifying and so sad. I lost everything in Hurricane Katrina and I know what these people are going through and the long road ahead. It is heartbreaking.
 

wombat146

ONA - Administrator
CHEERY O
Sending lots of love and positive thoughts to everyone affected! :grouphugyay: The videos we have been seeing are just horrendous and oh so devastating! My heart goes out to those people that are suffering so badly with loved ones either missing or gone, and those that have lost their homes, so very heartbreaking! :heartpumpred:
 

vickyday

Love my O Family!
CHEERY O
Yes, the devastation is bad. One of the ladies in our church has a granddaughter in college in that area which is 2 hours west of us. The family didn't hear from her for several hours and were worried sick as you can imagine. She was rescued by boat from the dorm I believe.
That is the area where I take Ilene for the Widows' retreat every year. It's on a mountain in Boone, NC and the bridge at the bottom of the mountain was washed away and part of the main road. Imagine if this had happened just 2 weeks ago? The widows' would be stranded on the mountain.
The whole thing is so sad, especially the loss of life and the missing. I would think the not knowing would be torture!
Praying for everyone in the area and the relief workers! Our pastor asked for us to donate gallons of water and other things. He and the pastor in charge of those windows retreats are going to take the supplies there this week.
 

Cherylndesigns

I'm in The Zone ~ The "O" Zone
CHEERY O
My friend’s daughter and son-in-law were rescued this morning in NC. They moved to a hotel in a safer location and will be flying home late tomorrow night. So thankful that they are finally safe.
That's wonderful news, Bitzee! I can't imagine the relief you all feel right now. HUGS
 

Cherylndesigns

I'm in The Zone ~ The "O" Zone
CHEERY O
Having lived in SW Florida for so many years and having gone through a few hurricanes, my heart breaks for all those in the path of this devastation. Ft. Myers Beach was hit again - I guess it's a mess. They haven't even fully recovered from Ian. It broke my heart, a year ago, to see how devastated the Ft. Myers area still was.
 

Su_Sanne

Well-Known Member
CHEERY O
I send many good wishes and thoughts to the people in the affected countries and cities. It is indescribable to see these disasters more and more often on television. Here in Germany and throughout Europe, we are also battling floods and storms more and more often, but not quite as dramatically. We always dream of living on the beautiful coasts of Florida, but the horrific images of devastation are almost unbearable. I hope that all of our members from the affected regions are doing well!!
 

JeanneMN

GrOwing Old is mandatOry grOwing up is OptiOnal
CHEERY O
The devastation is just unfathomable and so hard to watch. I'm chronologically advanced but not so much that I've lived through many storms, floods, snows, hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, wildfires of the century. Now that I've seen some of these places irl it hits even harder. Most of what I saw in Maui in 2018 only exists in my memory and photos. Prayers for the thousands being affected now and those still surrounded by devastation that gets older with each passing day.
 

Amandajk

Holy Nomad
My friend’s daughter and son-in-law were rescued this morning in NC. They moved to a hotel in a safer location and will be flying home late tomorrow night. So thankful that they are finally safe.
So glad!!!

I just heard the count has risen again. Many were from falling trees. That could happen almost anywhere! :oops:

WE ALL should hug a bit longer, look our people in their eyes and express our appreciation for each one of
them.:heartpumpred::hug3:
From the NY Times:

Helene Has Killed at Least 90 People in 5 States​

Officials in the Southeast said the toll was likely to rise.


Debris from Hurricane Helene's impact in Cedar Key, Florida, is scattered on the ground.

Multiple deaths have been caused by Hurricane Helene
  • Published Sept. 27, 2024Updated Sept. 29, 2024, 11:32 a.m. ET
The death toll from Helene had risen to at least 64 people across five states by Saturday morning.
Here’s a breakdown (from the article)

Florida 11

Eleven deaths have been confirmed. Nine people died in Pinellas County, which borders the Gulf and juts into Tampa Bay. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said all the victims were in mandatory evacuation zones.
He said that two of the victims were found in Indian Rocks Beach; one on Treasure Island; one in Dunedin; one in St. Pete Beach; one in Madeira Beach; one in St. Petersburg; and one in Redington Shores. Officials were trying to reach the family of the ninth victim before releasing the identity.
One person died on a highway in Tampa because of a falling sign, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Another person was killed in Dixie County, about two hours southeast of Tallahassee, when a tree fell on a house.

Georgia 15

Officials have reported 15 storm-related fatalities, according to the office of Gov. Brian Kemp, who added that one of the people who died was an emergency worker.
Two people died in Laurens County and one in Colquitt County because of the storm, but it was not immediately clear what happened, or when.
Two people died in a tornado in Wheeler County, in the south-central part of the state. And in Liberty County, near Savannah, a state representative, Al Williams, said that emergency management officials had told him that a person had died after a tree fell on a camper in the Lake George community.
The locations of the other nine deaths remain unclear.

North Carolina 10

The sheriff in Buncombe County, in the western part of the state, which has seen disastrous flooding and mudslides, said Sunday morning that there were at least 10 storm-related deaths in the county. Local officials said they have had a difficult time tracking down relatives of victims because of a lack of cell service.
Earlier, officials reported a death in Catawba County, caused by a car collision on a flooded road, and another in Charlotte, where a tree fell on a home. Officials had identified the car crash victim as a 4-year-old girl.

South Carolina 29

In Anderson County, two people died after trees fell on their homes, according to the coroner’s office there. One driver died after her vehicle collided with another car on a road that had been reduced to one lane. And a 60-year-old woman drowned after floodwaters swept her car away.
There were also two storm-related deaths in Newberry County, according to the sheriff’s office there, along with four deaths in Aiken County, four in Greenville and five in Spartanburg, according to the county coroners. The South Carolina Department of Safety also reported one death in Chesterfield County.
In Greenwood County, one man died after a large tree fell onto his house, pinning him down, said Sonny Cox, the county coroner.
The dead also included two volunteer firefighters responding to calls in Saluda County, Gov. Henry McMaster said at a Friday news conference. The firefighters, George Chad Satcher, 53, and Landon Cale Bodie, 18, were killed after a tree fell on their fire truck, according to the county coroner, Keith Turner.
Also in Saluda County, two people died in their home, one from a fallen tree, the coroner said.

Virginia 1

Gov. Glenn Youngkin said the state had suffered one storm-related death, caused by a “tree fall and building collapse” in Craig County, which is near Roanoke.
 

bitzee

Well-Known Member
I just heard the count has risen again. Many were from falling trees. That could happen almost anywhere! :oops:

WE ALL should hug a bit longer, look our people in their eyes and express our appreciation for each one of
them.
Amanda, you are so right. We need to express our love and appreciation often. My daughters are in N. Carolina and S. Carolina and I am sooo thankful that they are ok.
 

Amandajk

Holy Nomad
In some areas things are progressing. What we can tell (due to the remoteness of some places and lack of internet/cell phone service) the Asheville NC and Black Mountain NC (due east of Asheville) are the worst hit. One woman who works for the State said she finally went home last evening in the dark. (gasp!) but so much is gone-washed away that they nearly got lost. All familiar places are gone. Chimney Rock is where we went with DD last year, and it is GONE.
Hospitals have been closed. The factory in Asheville area that makes all the IV bags and tubes for USA is shut down. People are walking with guns due to others panicking and threatening for basic resources. The entire village. HARD to conceive! These areas will be out of power AND water for several weeks, if not longer. Starlink is being brought in so families can connect. Ambulances transporting emergencies were washed down river. It's as bad as Hurricane Mitch was for us in my estimation. No word from FEMA, Red Cross, Federal Political leaders are silent. :mad:PRIVATE orgs are sending help. Glad for that. Prayer is more vital now then ever!
May we begin to see the "wonders" of God turning evil for good very soon and hear the testimonies of grace!! :)
 

Cherylndesigns

I'm in The Zone ~ The "O" Zone
CHEERY O
In some areas things are progressing. What we can tell (due to the remoteness of some places and lack of internet/cell phone service) the Asheville NC and Black Mountain NC (due east of Asheville) are the worst hit. One woman who works for the State said she finally went home last evening in the dark. (gasp!) but so much is gone-washed away that they nearly got lost. All familiar places are gone. Chimney Rock is where we went with DD last year, and it is GONE.
Hospitals have been closed. The factory in Asheville area that makes all the IV bags and tubes for USA is shut down. People are walking with guns due to others panicking and threatening for basic resources. The entire village. HARD to conceive! These areas will be out of power AND water for several weeks, if not longer. Starlink is being brought in so families can connect. Ambulances transporting emergencies were washed down river. It's as bad as Hurricane Mitch was for us in my estimation. No word from FEMA, Red Cross, Federal Political leaders are silent. :mad:PRIVATE orgs are sending help. Glad for that. Prayer is more vital now then ever!
May we begin to see the "wonders" of God turning evil for good very soon and hear the testimonies of grace!! :)
It's so terrible - I've been watching coverage all evening and they're calling it "post apocalyptic" it's that horrendous. Just looks like fields of matchsticks. Finally, tonight, our feds announced that help is coming. 'Bout time, people. Blows my mind! Those people are going to be w/o power and water for weeks!!!
 

EvelynD2

Well-Known Member
CHEERY O
My heart and prayers go out to all those affected by the hurricane and the flooding. So many people have died and many people are still missing. This is so tragic!
 

faerywings

The Loopy-O
CHEERY O
Thankfully FEMA pre-staged before the hurricane hit in many areas and has been working since then. One reason that a lot of news wasn't getting out initially was the local papers/TV couldn't keep updating. Bigger media seems to be able to get closer and is now putting more complete info out, thank goodness!

No matter, it sound devastating and they will need a lot of help from all areas.
 

scribler

The O is my hOme.
CHEERY O
Helene was devastating to such a large area that it will take years to fully recover from this. There are towns in the Big Bend area of Florida where almost every home is gone.
 

Amandajk

Holy Nomad
Helene was devastating to such a large area that it will take years to fully recover from this. There are towns in the Big Bend area of Florida where almost every home is gone.
I was watching footage of Florida this afternoon. Yes, such a wide swath of the nation- in the heart of it.

The "hollers" and small villages are really hard hit. This video was hard to wrap my head around. I mean, you see mobile homes, cars, etc. but these are houses with solid foundations...Makes one think.

faerywings

"Thankfully FEMA pre-staged before the hurricane hit in many areas and has been working since then."

Maybe in some areas, but none of the areas of NC, SC, (where we know people) most especially the mountains. They couldn't get the military in due to red tape. But as I said, private orgs were first to have boots on the ground.
I don't imagine the people in crisis care where it comes from as long as help comes. :hug3:

Maybe, just MAYBE we as a people will come together once more and do what needs to be done?! That would be wonderful!! :heartpumpred: :hug4:
 
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JeanneMN

GrOwing Old is mandatOry grOwing up is OptiOnal
CHEERY O
I've found I can't even find words, it is incomprehensible. I wish the Hollywood people would zip their mouths & put their money where their mouths are, they could help so many if they weren't trying to be experts. I won't let my soap box get any higher.
 

Betty Jo

♥ Lovin' the O ♥
Hi Amanda and everyone. I live in Western NC, less than an hour from some of the hardest hit areas. I and my family here, Georgia and Florida, are safe now. Although the death toll continues to rise, we only had one casualty in our town due to the flooding. Lot of downed trees on homes and vehicles, washed out roads, etc. We were without phone service or internet from last Friday morning, until yesterday. Yesterday was the first time I could actually see the devastation online and I just sat here, traumatized, praying and weeping for the families who have lost loved ones or can't locate their loved ones. So many have lost their pets, homes, vehicles, businesses . . . I was born and grew up in Florida, witnessed many hurricanes, but I've never experienced anything like what is going on around me now. It's totally heartbreaking. A lot of my friends and neighbors are working around the clock helping with search and rescue, gathering and providing food and other necessities, etc.
 
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