It seems like our life in Asheville is now forever split into before and after Helene. Thank you for all the well wishes and support. We need all the Good Vibes we can get ❤🩹
For me, Helene is my fourth "Before-and-After" event. (1) September 11, 2001, (2) Hurricane Katrina, (3) COVID-19, and (4) Hurricane/Tropical Storm Helene. There are personal ones, of course, like we all have, but these four are the biggest ones that I share with a larger population.
This could had been avoided if Leviticus chapter eighteen verse twenty two to twenty eight was kept. It absolutely sucks as to what had happened however, better if the remaining people stay safe and informed. Peace for the souls departed. We should never repeat this mistake again.
Kind of crazy that this random "Living in Asheville" channel exists. And it looks like you were right there to capture the whole aftermath of this disastrous catastrophe.
I’m glad you made this video and pointed out areas that were not harmed. I was hearing over and over that Asheville was completely destroyed. I’m grateful it wasn’t.
I pray for the lady in Swanaola that she not be forgotten. Please please please help her. I pray someone can help her with the mud, mold, but may need to rebuild. I pray for services and resources for her and her neighbors. Thank you for reporting.
I really appreciate your efforts to get the real story out there! So glad you are doing okay. Very relieved to know Ashville is still viable! Businesses can be rebuilt. Looking forward to more reports!
Continued prayers for all of you in Asheville & surrounding communities. I’ve been through Asheville, what a beautiful place. I’m sorry for all the loss to you all. 🙏🙏🙏
@@livinginashevillenc Exactly just like the Ohio gas leak, Hawaii fires, California fires etc. The media does not talk about those events anymore. I want to know as a viewer how can I continue to donate and where the donations are going etc. So your POV of the disaster makes me feel more incline to continue supporting the people
@@livinginashevillenc Plenty of media are still covering the situation there and here in Florida after Milton. Mostly local news but I've seen some national coverage as well including the aftermath and how to help and donate etc. I've even seen some continuing coverage still on MSNBC and CNN, though much less of course. The problem with 24/7 news and access to it, is disasters sell - clean up and recovery doesn't really. Which is a horrible thing, but that's how advertising and all that garbage works. There are plenty of good journalists out there, it's a shame so many people despise "MSM" and/or news organizations in general because without them we don't have much of a country left.
Great job. I have cried and cried for my hometown. I had to go there and see for myself. I prayed over whole area for quick repair and hope filled hearts. Asheville will rise again. ❤❤❤❤❤
@@Butterfly777jc what did they report? I don’t watch news and don’t have time Also, I don’t think they had ability to even calculate everything yet. It’s been so chaotic and a real shit show here on the ground
@@Butterfly777jc i heard mission hospital alone had (several days ago) over 900 unidentified bodies…so, probably more But again, i don’t think accurate calculations are made
I live in Burnsville my apartment was mostly destroyed and all of my neighbors on the cane river like me lost their homes completely. Lots of dogs with collars but no owners around. My community will never look or be the same some areas won’t have power for probably years out here.
@@livinginashevillenc nothing to be sorry about the people in my area made sure I was ok immediately. My area is pretty rural and everyone took care of everyone. It’s too easy to focus on how bad it is(it’s very bad) but from my situation I’ve seen people come together in away that I’ve never seen before it’s very uplifting.
This event started as an atmospheric river from Hurricane Helene, up on Mount Mitchell. It dumped 30 inches of rain in a few hours. Then, it rushed down the valleys and hollars, taking houses, businesses, livestock, bridges, vehicles, propane tanks, etc, all the way to the bottom in Asheville and surrounding areas. 99% of anything in the path was killed or hurt. This is more of a watery landslide event than a regular flood. The forces were enormously destructive. Many towns will not be rebuilt. Many landmarks will be razed. It will require years of patient rebuilding to be like it once was. I hope we rebuild it with love.
Asheville will never go back to the way it was before Helene, not even the new construction. It'll take many years to rebuild this place. Many rural towns - as you said - will never come back. Sad.
From someone who spent most of their life around that area and now lives in Cleveland .....I am very thankful for your video. Its good to see the hope and structures that are still in good shape. Thank you.
I’m a geologist originally from the upper Ohio Valley where flooding was the norm before significant flood control dams were built. The 100 and 1000 year flood are statistical concepts and can occur back to back not just once in those time periods.
@@livinginashevillenc TRUE. In my career I worked with hydrologists. Events one in 1000, one in 100 years, etc., are not driven by the calendar. These are AVERAGES.
@@livinginashevillenc Absolutely yes you can. The whole "100 or 1000 year flood/event" is a statistical calculation as the OP said, basically giving a percentile chance of it occurring in any given year/decade etc. But there's nothing that says it can't literally happen 2 weeks apart let alone 200 years apart. There was a "100 year" blizzard in the NE back in the late 70s when I was a kid, it was crazy how bad it was. And you know what, maybe 6 years later we had an even worse blizzard. That's just how mother nature works, and as climate change makes things worse, it'll happen more often and with even more severity sadly.
@@LordLOC Ugh, I can't think of the possibility of it again. Hundred year old trees got wiped out, land that's been in families for generations became unrecognizable...
@@livinginashevillenc I know, it's horrible to see such devastation there (or anywhere it happens of course) and since you are living through it, it's so much worse I'm sure. We went through Andrew and Wilma where I am, and let me tell you, as bad as it may seem it'll get better. People are there to help you, and you'll rebuild. Volunteers, people who live to help others, government officials who will help you and others, just random people.
Amazing vlog. Thank you so much for taking us on this tour and for recording your thoughts along the way. I feel much better informed. It's true ... areas were wiped out and then, not that far away, other areas experienced very little damage. We needed to see this. And, to hear how the people of this area are responding -- assisting each other without hesitation to repair their lives. Good luck to you to and people of Asheville, NC.
Thanks for covering the real Asheville. I just found your channel and appreciate your telling the truth. I'm in the South Slope area (on a high hill) that the French Broad River mostly destroyed.
I was just in Asheville with my family in 2022 we’ve been visiting there and brevard for years always the best times and the best people up there just praying for the best recovery outcome for y’all
Thank you for doing this video. I visited Asheville last year, loved it and have been really upset that this area suffered so much devastation. I am so glad that there are pockets around the commercial area are doing relatively well on higher ground not by the rivers. It will take time for all infrastructure to be restored. This video definitely gives hope to those who visited there and want to return one day.
Not gone! And when we heard that some other areas are “gone” - they’re not. They have severe damage and destruction but they are not all gone completely
I was out on tour when this hit and still haven't been home yet, I never realized how much this city and area mean to me until this . can't wait to get home.
@@jimmi3376 same same. It hurts to think about all who got affected… I hear they’re flushing pipes and hydrants so it might mean water is on the way to Asheville.
I have a friend and a SIL in Asheville but haven't heard anything from the friend. I think it's because her gallery got trashed and I would think her website is based there. My SIL didn't flood but the bridges trapped her and her husband at home. She's from Louisiana so she filled tub and everything else with water. Hugs to you and your family from Louisiana. I would send money but I'm a poor old bastard. Thank you for the update.
Thank you for your video, I hope that the community spirit remains long after repairs and rebuilds have been carried out. I only came to know of Asheville after following a UA-camr called Patrick Conley who would have bears visit his porch, I thought Asheville was and is a beautiful place to live. Sending good vibes your way and to everyone including the bears.
Wishing everyone in Asheville and surrounding areas all the best. My friend Shannon lives there and she was lucky not to get flooding, but still no water. Take care
just northeast of Charlotte, we got minor flooding, lost power early that Friday morning for a few hours. We were extremely fortunate compared to those west of us.
Regardless of terrain, 1” of rain is 100,000 gallons of water per acre. Water flows down hill, obviously. 20” of rain were forecast by the weather stations I watched (Ryan Hall, Y’all, and NOAA). Having been to Western Carolina and Asheville/ Biltmore, I knew that it was going to be devastating. It is so hard to get people to understand the physics of what is going to happen. It breaks my heart to see all the deaths, injuries and destruction. I pray for the most benevolent outcome for everyone affected by Debbie, Helene, and Milton, which includes me as I live near Gainesville, FL. So hopeful for our collective future. ☮️💙🙏
I have just found your channel and it's just a blessing to hear the truth about North Carolina. You are a blessing. Thank you sending prayers for everyone 🙏 and the healing 🙏 from Alabama.
Glad to know its not all doom and gloom. For people that were badly affected it is doom and gloom. But I'm glad the ones of you that are ok can happily build it back.
Nicely done. Honest,informative video. Live in nearby county. No cell service for 2 weeks so had no idea how area actually looked. Just now catching up. Thank you.
Thank you for adding perspective. I live in South Asheville (off Long Shoals) and our situation was exactly as you described. I hope all the small businesses & artists are able to rebuild and don't have to leave Asheville. Several that I love are a complete loss. Thankfully donations have been pouring in!
Asheville experienced a deadly tropical storm and not a hurricane. This distinction is important. Had emergency management referred to the impending danger as such, fewer people would have been surprised by the destruction. Why? Because of normalcy bias. What is normalcy bias? "We don't get hurricanes in the mountains." While the scenario that played out on 9/27 doesn't happen often to that extreme, the track of moisture was the same as nearly every soaking storm in history. Had emergency management lived up to their duty and commission, fewer lives would have been lost. Instead of, "We don't get hurricanes in the mountains," people would have said, "A bad tropical storm is coming on the heels of a week of flooding and we need to leave." I write this from a sailboat in Florida, where we danced with Debby, Helene and Milton - all hurricanes with wind speed greater than 70 mph and gusts to 120 mph (Asheville had 45 - 60 mph), storm surges between 5 ft and 20 ft (Asheville had no storm surge due to no ocean or coast) and variable amounts of rain in or around 15 inches. Asheville had a tropical storm with 14 inches of rain. Many parts of Western North Carolina saw rain in the amount of 25 inches or more. In this case, the rain was a bigger threat than wind or storm surge. Nothing about this distinction could have stopped the destruction to topography or to property but the distinction is important to understand, as tropical storms can be as deadly or more deadly than hurricanes, when rainfall is so immense. Ironic that the same people who discounted the threat saying, "We don't get hurricanes in the mountains," say that, "We were hit by Hurricane Helene." The disconnect is confounding. It is my hope that anyone who missed this distinction will view WLOS TV's UA-cam videos for the week leading up to 9/27/24. Their coverage was complete, upheld the public trust, and was replete with warnings that NC Emergency Management failed to deliver in time. I am just a guy on a sailboat in South Florida and I, along with every meteorologist worth their salt, saw this coming for five days before NC was hit. "We don't get hurricanes in the mountains." Well, we do get hurricanes in South Florida and we had two of them back-to-back." Does North Carolina get rain? People need to embrace their personal responsibility to their environment by having situational awareness. The government won't warn you and they will be reticent to assist after the fact. Everyone has a cellphone, as evidenced by social media posts of the heart-wrenching despair that followed Tropical Storm Helene. These same devices can be used to be aware of a threat from the weather or other phenomena.
I wasn't alive 1000 years ago when Asheville was devastated but I have been here 50 Years and we don't have hurricanes or storms of this magnitude. But natives have been prepared for extreme situations and the way people have taken what was our home and changed it from a small town where we all knew one another. Into a slum drug addict town, an tourist attraction where most people move into and don't leave. All.of the building and Over population of what was once a nice place, is extremely hot from the traffic and influx of people who come too run in the busy streets hug trees and build townhouse ontop of ghettos. These harmful changes made on our q water ways being changed and re routed , places we have known will flood for 100 years or more ,out if town development builds some big buildings and the constant movement of dirt and construction made it alot worse for the French broad river area and Biltmore .No where in history will show a storm of this magnitude in and surrounding asheville.
I'm an hour south and east of Asheville. Lived through the remnants of Hurricane Hugo ripping through the foothills of Catawba valley. I'm in my 60's and back then, we had never seen anything like a tropical storm coming so far inland abd causing damage. So, as I watched forecast for Helene, I knew the mountains were in trouble and also prepared here for power outages, tornadoes and the like. I follow Noaa consistently and I think they did a great job of warning the public to prepare. It was on local authorities to drive that message home. After Hugo, the foothills of NC always keep an eye on wayward Hurricanes for far reaching effects
Thank you for the matter of fact honesty. Our dream has been to retire in Asheville. The first couple of days, it was extremely sad to see the destruction. We thought our plans were no longer going to happen. I'm very encouraged and touched that the Asheville community has come together and helped each other. ❤ I can't wait to get our plans in motion soon. Thank you.
My heart goes out to you All not least the lovers of Avatar Meher Baba to which Ashville has become a mecca. Gratitude for your clarity. ☘ Blessings 💖🙏💫
Absolutely. People haven’t stopped moving. And there is a ton of ways to help- from more technical and skill driven approaches, to something like sorting and organizing supplies! I can help you get connected
I was raised in Asheville North Carolina. My prayers 🙏, love ❤, and support continues for everyone there. I don't understand why they aren't doing more for the people who live there ❤
The fact that people honestly think the entire city got wiped off the face of the earth is absolutely ridiculous. Asheville is a city of 90,000+ people. There’s smaller places that did get completely gutted with only a few hundred to thousand residents with far less resources. Stop asking about the death toll. NOBODY knows a “correct” number. At this point anyone that hasn’t been found/heard from should be considered to most likely be gone. It’s rough, but it’s the truth. Go ahead & swallow it whole, they’re not likely to be found either, & they’ll never have a solid number of how many people are gone. Besides the absurd amount of mud swept through, those waters are churning crushers. Look at the cars, shipping containers, buildings that got sucked in…a human body won’t be left.
These may be helpful for folks outside the region to understand more: * How much rain has Hurricane Helene dumped? ua-cam.com/video/JjzydooOEWk/v-deo.html * What happened to mountainsides during Helene's extreme rains (30 inches or more)? ua-cam.com/video/9X6pdmqrAu0/v-deo.html
So, was planning on visiting around Christmas with the family. Are all the restaurants, shops, bars open for business or should i wait? I dont wsnt to spend the money if we cant have the full experience. TY
@@melissakruse-dd1we a LOT of places are open! Even Biltmore opens up November 2nd. I don’t know what your expectation is to have a full experience, bc some things won’t be the same for a very long time. River arts district will be in a bad shape for a while. I can’t imagine how long till Biltmore village goes back to “normal”. But there are other things that are happening all around. Sounds like Arboretum will have their winter lights and it’s one of our favorites! Tryon equestrian center is always a great place to visit especially during winter holidays. Did that help?
Thank you so much for doing this video! I watched a couple of videos recently from another channel that's more media focused, but it's really just a UA-camr out of Asheville and I think they're just trying to get views more than anything by showing a bunch of people upset and criticizing FEMA efforts. But when I think about it critically there was a lot I felt like was wrong with their video and it just seemed like they were trying to get views more than anything and hopefully aren't exploiting the situation more than that by taking people's money.
Well, my focus is a bit different on this channel, so I don’t see any point of focusing on viral stuff. The previous video became that unintentionally. Thank you so much for your feedback 🙏
I lived in Asheville from 1998 to 2009 (when i retired) because my job transferred there. I worked at the Federal Building 151 Patton Ave. I lived in the apartment complex at Turtle Creek (address was on Foxfire Dr). I remember they built a ""fancy"" McDonalds outside the entrance to the Builtmore estates. It was build in the style of Builtmore. I assume it went under water. Most of Turtle Creek was elevated but they built some new apartments that were not "up the hill". Any observations would be appreciated.
Thank you for these videos you made on this. You were objective and showed important footage. I live in Asheville, still wrapping my mind around it all. There are some good mental health resources for yhis too such as 150+ therapists donating free therapy, a free 24/7 disaster recovery emotional support line, daily online listening circles, and many community resources. I'm concerned about surrounding counties because hearing hints that maybe they are struggling even more.
You’re welcome. And yes, surrounding counties struggling a lot more. I just got a call from my client in Spruce Pine, in Yancey County, and they still don’t have power. And that’s just still minor, because at least the house was unaffected. There are areas that are in much much more trouble right now.
@@livinginashevillenc Thank you. I will try to look into this more and find ways to help more. Take care. Oh, if you can share which WNC counties you have observed especially struggling the way River Arts and Swannanoa are (or worse?) please let me know.
Asheville was on my bucket list for years and i finally went there and surrounding areas in August. Im heartbroken to see all the destruction. I loved the river arts area.
I am an Asheville native. I have seen Biltmore flood many times over the last 50 years. They have rebuilt over and over again with Helene being the worst by far. I am sure they will rebuild again. But wonder when will the town, as a whole,will say enough ?!
At a time when the dead have not even all been counted, let alone buried, this account of all the Asheville neighborhoods that suffered little or no damage, comes across as tone deaf. Shouldn't the attention of those who suffered the least be focused on those who suffered the most? Yes, the community spirit is awe-inspiring and at the same time there is so much grief to process.
I use to live in Elizabethton, TN. I didn't know the Mountains were a place that floods out so bad about every 20 yrs. I see now that Big Hurricanes have hit Western N.C. Mountains in 1916 (Biggest) - 1940 - 1973 -2004, etc.. Moved back 2 eastern N.C. No way as Pretty but too old to go through a Big event like in the Mountains now days.. Don't know if my old house made it through this storm or not as it was built into the side of Holston Mt. Thanks 4 Video. Glad U R safe...
But I thought this happened in 1916 so how is it one in a thousand year? I mean I understand this one had, what was it maybe six more inches of water which is significant, but both were very similar, correct? I really don't know I'm just asking for clarification and genuinely curious how they differ... Thanks for what you're doing!
That’s what it was predicted before it happened, but it turned out to be much much worse. 6” on flat land is a lot different from 6” that then all run off all the mountains with such force that rivers turned into deadly raging massive bodies of water. I’m not an expert in this, and this is how I understood all this.
@@livinginashevillenc at the same time not so long ago we didn't really measure things as well. At least in respect to the atmosphere. I can only assume water levels would be easier though... Actually I just looked it up and apparently it was 22 in of rain in 1916 and only 14 in of rain for this one. The most was 24 in spruce pine. So really they don't seem to be much different.
asheville is a place i often fancied retiring to - for the beauty and for the music. i gather the arts district was particularly hard hit. how did the live music venues fare?
Outside some that might have been in the lower part of river arts district (and I can’t think of any), Salvage Station was destroyed. But they were already on the verge of closing.
It seems like our life in Asheville is now forever split into before and after Helene. Thank you for all the well wishes and support. We need all the Good Vibes we can get ❤🩹
For me, Helene is my fourth "Before-and-After" event. (1) September 11, 2001, (2) Hurricane Katrina, (3) COVID-19, and (4) Hurricane/Tropical Storm Helene. There are personal ones, of course, like we all have, but these four are the biggest ones that I share with a larger population.
This could had been avoided if Leviticus chapter eighteen verse twenty two to twenty eight was kept. It absolutely sucks as to what had happened however, better if the remaining people stay safe and informed. Peace for the souls departed. We should never repeat this mistake again.
It’s like coronavirus.
The prayers of sin and
pain of thunder felt by
those victims of a race
war and anti drug laws
Kind of crazy that this random "Living in Asheville" channel exists. And it looks like you were right there to capture the whole aftermath of this disastrous catastrophe.
Thank you for the video and the update. Prayers for all affected by the evil hurricane Helene. 🙏🫶
I’m glad you made this video and pointed out areas that were not harmed. I was hearing over and over that Asheville was completely destroyed. I’m grateful it wasn’t.
Which is why I made this video. Thank you🙏
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@@timdisbro6838 what are you hearing?
I pray for the lady in Swanaola that she not be forgotten. Please please please help her. I pray someone can help her with the mud, mold, but may need to rebuild. I pray for services and resources for her and her neighbors. Thank you for reporting.
I really appreciate your efforts to get the real story out there! So glad you are doing okay. Very relieved to know Ashville is still viable! Businesses can be rebuilt. Looking forward to more reports!
@@richardmorgan1588 we’ll pull through Im sure!
My heart is broken for the people of Ashville. Praying for yall and donating to Samaritans Purse.
thank you
Continued prayers for all of you in Asheville & surrounding communities. I’ve been through Asheville, what a beautiful place. I’m sorry for all the loss to you all. 🙏🙏🙏
Thank you
The news never talks about the aftermath, only the devastation. Thank you for your helpful video
@@boomersunite6922 and it’s already fading away in the media.
@@livinginashevillenc Exactly just like the Ohio gas leak, Hawaii fires, California fires etc. The media does not talk about those events anymore. I want to know as a viewer how can I continue to donate and where the donations are going etc. So your POV of the disaster makes me feel more incline to continue supporting the people
@@livinginashevillenc Plenty of media are still covering the situation there and here in Florida after Milton. Mostly local news but I've seen some national coverage as well including the aftermath and how to help and donate etc. I've even seen some continuing coverage still on MSNBC and CNN, though much less of course. The problem with 24/7 news and access to it, is disasters sell - clean up and recovery doesn't really. Which is a horrible thing, but that's how advertising and all that garbage works. There are plenty of good journalists out there, it's a shame so many people despise "MSM" and/or news organizations in general because without them we don't have much of a country left.
@@livinginashevillencthat is what happened to north port, fl after hurricane Ian. There is still rebuilding over 2years later
Great job. I have cried and cried for my hometown. I had to go there and see for myself. I prayed over whole area for quick repair and hope filled hearts. Asheville will rise again. ❤❤❤❤❤
It will and it will take massive effort ❤️🩹
Was the loss of life more than what news reported?
@@Butterfly777jc what did they report? I don’t watch news and don’t have time
Also, I don’t think they had ability to even calculate everything yet. It’s been so chaotic and a real shit show here on the ground
@@livinginashevillenc last I heard, was several hundred?
@@Butterfly777jc i heard mission hospital alone had (several days ago) over 900 unidentified bodies…so, probably more
But again, i don’t think accurate calculations are made
Thank you sweet lady. I am praying for all the victims of this hurricane Helene,
same
I live in Burnsville my apartment was mostly destroyed and all of my neighbors on the cane river like me lost their homes completely. Lots of dogs with collars but no owners around. My community will never look or be the same some areas won’t have power for probably years out here.
It’s really hard to even comprehend this. I am so so sorry 💔
@@livinginashevillenc nothing to be sorry about the people in my area made sure I was ok immediately. My area is pretty rural and everyone took care of everyone. It’s too easy to focus on how bad it is(it’s very bad) but from my situation I’ve seen people come together in away that I’ve never seen before it’s very uplifting.
But she thinks this is "sensationalism"
@@truthseeker6377?
Is anyone taking pictures of the dogs and posting them online?
This event started as an atmospheric river from Hurricane Helene, up on Mount Mitchell. It dumped 30 inches of rain in a few hours. Then, it rushed down the valleys and hollars, taking houses, businesses, livestock, bridges, vehicles, propane tanks, etc, all the way to the bottom in Asheville and surrounding areas. 99% of anything in the path was killed or hurt. This is more of a watery landslide event than a regular flood. The forces were enormously destructive. Many towns will not be rebuilt. Many landmarks will be razed. It will require years of patient rebuilding to be like it once was. I hope we rebuild it with love.
Asheville will never go back to the way it was before Helene, not even the new construction. It'll take many years to rebuild this place. Many rural towns - as you said - will never come back. Sad.
@@rebelfighter5249 by asheville you mean the whole area?
From someone who spent most of their life around that area and now lives in Cleveland .....I am very thankful for your video. Its good to see the hope and structures that are still in good shape. Thank you.
thank YOU
I’m a geologist originally from the upper Ohio Valley where flooding was the norm before significant flood control dams were built. The 100 and 1000 year flood are statistical concepts and can occur back to back not just once in those time periods.
@@corneliuswowbagger well crap. So we can experience it again in our lifetime??
@@livinginashevillenc TRUE. In my career I worked with hydrologists. Events one in 1000, one in 100 years, etc., are not driven by the calendar. These are AVERAGES.
@@livinginashevillenc Absolutely yes you can. The whole "100 or 1000 year flood/event" is a statistical calculation as the OP said, basically giving a percentile chance of it occurring in any given year/decade etc. But there's nothing that says it can't literally happen 2 weeks apart let alone 200 years apart. There was a "100 year" blizzard in the NE back in the late 70s when I was a kid, it was crazy how bad it was. And you know what, maybe 6 years later we had an even worse blizzard. That's just how mother nature works, and as climate change makes things worse, it'll happen more often and with even more severity sadly.
@@LordLOC Ugh, I can't think of the possibility of it again. Hundred year old trees got wiped out, land that's been in families for generations became unrecognizable...
@@livinginashevillenc I know, it's horrible to see such devastation there (or anywhere it happens of course) and since you are living through it, it's so much worse I'm sure. We went through Andrew and Wilma where I am, and let me tell you, as bad as it may seem it'll get better. People are there to help you, and you'll rebuild. Volunteers, people who live to help others, government officials who will help you and others, just random people.
Thank you for posting. We have hoped and prayed that you and your family are safe.
Thank you! 🙏❤️🩹
Amazing vlog. Thank you so much for taking us on this tour and for recording your thoughts along the way. I feel much better informed. It's true ... areas were wiped out and then, not that far away, other areas experienced very little damage. We needed to see this. And, to hear how the people of this area are responding -- assisting each other without hesitation to repair their lives. Good luck to you to and people of Asheville, NC.
Thank you
Thanks for covering the real Asheville. I just found your channel and appreciate your telling the truth. I'm in the South Slope area (on a high hill) that the French Broad River mostly destroyed.
I was just in Asheville with my family in 2022 we’ve been visiting there and brevard for years always the best times and the best people up there just praying for the best recovery outcome for y’all
Thank you!
Thank you for doing this video. I visited Asheville last year, loved it and have been really upset that this area suffered so much devastation. I am so glad that there are pockets around the commercial area are doing relatively well on higher ground not by the rivers. It will take time for all infrastructure to be restored. This video definitely gives hope to those who visited there and want to return one day.
Good job reporting on the positives and negatives. Great insight. Much appreciated. I thought Ashville was completely gone. Thanks again.❤
Not gone!
And when we heard that some other areas are “gone” - they’re not. They have severe damage and destruction but they are not all gone completely
Thank you for sharing this video Elena. It took a lot of courage for you to post it. Good vibes, WNC Strong!
@@tomdyszkiewicz5054 🙏❤️🩹
of course, and getting a lot of hate for this video right now from people
Thank you!
I was out on tour when this hit and still haven't been home yet, I never realized how much this city and area mean to me until this . can't wait to get home.
@@jimmi3376 same same. It hurts to think about all who got affected…
I hear they’re flushing pipes and hydrants so it might mean water is on the way to Asheville.
I have a friend and a SIL in Asheville but haven't heard anything from the friend. I think it's because her gallery got trashed and I would think her website is based there. My SIL didn't flood but the bridges trapped her and her husband at home. She's from Louisiana so she filled tub and everything else with water. Hugs to you and your family from Louisiana. I would send money but I'm a poor old bastard. Thank you for the update.
So glad they are okay
Thank you for your video, I hope that the community spirit remains long after repairs and rebuilds have been carried out.
I only came to know of Asheville after following a UA-camr called Patrick Conley who would have bears visit his porch, I thought Asheville was and is a beautiful place to live. Sending good vibes your way and to everyone including the bears.
Thank you! We’ll pul through it’s just a matter of time.
Thank you so very much for showing us a fair and balanced picture of Asheville. It is calming to see the truth.
you're welcome
Wishing everyone in Asheville and surrounding areas all the best. My friend Shannon lives there and she was lucky not to get flooding, but still no water. Take care
I hope she gets water soon. We now have brown/yellow water and on boil advisory
just northeast of Charlotte, we got minor flooding, lost power early that Friday morning for a few hours. We were extremely fortunate compared to those west of us.
And we're fortunate (if I can say that) compare to other parts of WNC.
just south of you. sending all the good vibes.
@@birdandbow 🙏❤️🩹Thank you!
Thank you for sharing this video! The cleanup effort there is amazing. In spite if the devastation, Asheville is still gorgeous!
Wow, thank you for such a good overview. You come across as so credible. (No misinformation here: take note Harris.) Thank you.
Regardless of terrain, 1” of rain is 100,000 gallons of water per acre. Water flows down hill, obviously. 20” of rain were forecast by the weather stations I watched (Ryan Hall, Y’all, and NOAA). Having been to Western Carolina and Asheville/ Biltmore, I knew that it was going to be devastating. It is so hard to get people to understand the physics of what is going to happen. It breaks my heart to see all the deaths, injuries and destruction. I pray for the most benevolent outcome for everyone affected by Debbie, Helene, and Milton, which includes me as I live near Gainesville, FL. So hopeful for our collective future. ☮️💙🙏
Thanks for showing this information .
Watching from Italy and sending love and light to you all.❤🎉
@@cosmicwings7211 oh wow, thank you 🙏
I have just found your channel and it's just a blessing to hear the truth about North Carolina. You are a blessing. Thank you sending prayers for everyone 🙏 and the healing 🙏 from Alabama.
Thank you for the video. I lived in AVL multiple times for a total of 4 or 5 years. I appreciate you filming the after video. ❤
you're welcome!
We also need good energy down here in Orlando. Thank you. ❤
❤️🩹🙏
Thank you so much for showing different views of Asheville. We are your neighbors in SC and keeping all those impacted in our prayers ❤
thank you! did you get flooded?
Great video, it was sobering yet perfectly pragmatic, even-keeled, and level-headed.
thank you
No running water no sewage why do I have to pay my rent I got an eviction notice
Glad to know its not all doom and gloom. For people that were badly affected it is doom and gloom. But I'm glad the ones of you that are ok can happily build it back.
Sending love from the Philippines ❤
wow, thank you!
Sending you Love & Light 🙏
Thank you 🙏❤️🩹
Sending you all prayers 🙏 🙏🙏🙏🙏🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Prayers from Chicago ❤ 🙏 God bless you always 🙏
It’s good to have the actual news, instead of the “side show Bob” review. Thanks Elena.
Nicely done. Honest,informative video. Live in nearby county. No cell service for 2 weeks so had no idea how area actually looked. Just now catching up. Thank you.
I am so glad that the majority of Asheville is still there and it wasn't like the outskirting towns that are basically literally washed off the map.
yes, it's really heartbreaking to see what our neighbors are experiencing rn
Thanks for the update. Glad you & your family & team are ok. 🙏
BLESSINGS TO ALL DON'T GIVE UP HOPE❤❤😊😊PRAYING FOR THE BEST
Not giving up!
Thank you for adding perspective. I live in South Asheville (off Long Shoals) and our situation was exactly as you described. I hope all the small businesses & artists are able to rebuild and don't have to leave Asheville. Several that I love are a complete loss. Thankfully donations have been pouring in!
Yes, it’s so hard to witness complete loss. I cannot imagine what a lot of people are going through
May God be with you all
Greatly saddened by the loss of life but the people there are resilient, God fearing and Ashville will come back strong.
yes it will!
Prayers for you all from here in Alaska. I am so sorry. 😢
Thank you
Thank you for doing this video. I’m praying for everyone there.
thank you
Prayers still go out To You all 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Did Biltmore Lake do well? I was wondering about that area.
Hope affected areas recover soon!
We live in FL and we just went through hurricane Milton.
From what my clients who live there say it's ok. Lots of downed trees but otherwise ok
Asheville experienced a deadly tropical storm and not a hurricane. This distinction is important. Had emergency management referred to the impending danger as such, fewer people would have been surprised by the destruction. Why? Because of normalcy bias. What is normalcy bias? "We don't get hurricanes in the mountains."
While the scenario that played out on 9/27 doesn't happen often to that extreme, the track of moisture was the same as nearly every soaking storm in history. Had emergency management lived up to their duty and commission, fewer lives would have been lost.
Instead of, "We don't get hurricanes in the mountains," people would have said, "A bad tropical storm is coming on the heels of a week of flooding and we need to leave."
I write this from a sailboat in Florida, where we danced with Debby, Helene and Milton - all hurricanes with wind speed greater than 70 mph and gusts to 120 mph (Asheville had 45 - 60 mph), storm surges between 5 ft and 20 ft (Asheville had no storm surge due to no ocean or coast) and variable amounts of rain in or around 15 inches.
Asheville had a tropical storm with 14 inches of rain. Many parts of Western North Carolina saw rain in the amount of 25 inches or more. In this case, the rain was a bigger threat than wind or storm surge.
Nothing about this distinction could have stopped the destruction to topography or to property but the distinction is important to understand, as tropical storms can be as deadly or more deadly than hurricanes, when rainfall is so immense.
Ironic that the same people who discounted the threat saying, "We don't get hurricanes in the mountains," say that, "We were hit by Hurricane Helene." The disconnect is confounding.
It is my hope that anyone who missed this distinction will view WLOS TV's UA-cam videos for the week leading up to 9/27/24. Their coverage was complete, upheld the public trust, and was replete with warnings that NC Emergency Management failed to deliver in time.
I am just a guy on a sailboat in South Florida and I, along with every meteorologist worth their salt, saw this coming for five days before NC was hit.
"We don't get hurricanes in the mountains." Well, we do get hurricanes in South Florida and we had two of them back-to-back." Does North Carolina get rain?
People need to embrace their personal responsibility to their environment by having situational awareness. The government won't warn you and they will be reticent to assist after the fact. Everyone has a cellphone, as evidenced by social media posts of the heart-wrenching despair that followed Tropical Storm Helene. These same devices can be used to be aware of a threat from the weather or other phenomena.
I wasn't alive 1000 years ago when Asheville was devastated but I have been here 50 Years and we don't have hurricanes or storms of this magnitude. But natives have been prepared for extreme situations and the way people have taken what was our home and changed it from a small town where we all knew one another. Into a slum drug addict town, an tourist attraction where most people move into and don't leave. All.of the building and Over population of what was once a nice place, is extremely hot from the traffic and influx of people who come too run in the busy streets hug trees and build townhouse ontop of ghettos. These harmful changes made on our q water ways being changed and re routed , places we have known will flood for 100 years or more ,out if town development builds some big buildings and the constant movement of dirt and construction made it alot worse for the French broad river area and Biltmore .No where in history will show a storm of this magnitude in and surrounding asheville.
@@daughteroftheeagle5396 ✔
I'm an hour south and east of Asheville. Lived through the remnants of Hurricane Hugo ripping through the foothills of Catawba valley. I'm in my 60's and back then, we had never seen anything like a tropical storm coming so far inland abd causing damage. So, as I watched forecast for Helene, I knew the mountains were in trouble and also prepared here for power outages, tornadoes and the like. I follow Noaa consistently and I think they did a great job of warning the public to prepare. It was on local authorities to drive that message home. After Hugo, the foothills of NC always keep an eye on wayward Hurricanes for far reaching effects
Yes. So amazing the storm 🥰🙏
😪😔❤❤❤👊💪 your all in our thoughts & prayers here in country south Australia i'm 100% sure speaking for other Australians.
@@veetwotls Thank you🙏
You are great to hear. And i believe you speak truth. I really am sorry for the trauma.
God Bless and i will look forward to listening again😊
Thank you
Thank you for the matter of fact honesty. Our dream has been to retire in Asheville. The first couple of days, it was extremely sad to see the destruction. We thought our plans were no longer going to happen. I'm very encouraged and touched that the Asheville community has come together and helped each other. ❤ I can't wait to get our plans in motion soon. Thank you.
@@RoseCedeno-Perdue you are welcome and thank you 🙏
Thanks for the update. I’ll be following to see the progress as cleanup and rebuilding continues.
you're welcome
Sending you good strong vibes 💪
Thank you!
🎯Thank you for showing Street Signs, like Lexington Ave. at ''Time Mark 21:00.''🎯
Lovely coverage, thank u.
you're welcome
Cool. Am on my way down there, looking to buy as many properties as possible!
My heart goes out to you All not least the lovers of Avatar Meher Baba to which Ashville has become a mecca.
Gratitude for your clarity.
☘ Blessings
💖🙏💫
My heart goes out to you.
Thanks for the excellent video. Today was supposed to be the day I visited the Biltmore-a bucket list trip😢.
Thank you for your reporting. Think about you often. Very glad you are okay.
@@jtench452 🙏
I really had plans to move to Ashville... is it still even possible? I would like to volunteer my time to help rebuild, but where would I start?
Absolutely. People haven’t stopped moving. And there is a ton of ways to help- from more technical and skill driven approaches, to something like sorting and organizing supplies! I can help you get connected
@livinginashevillenc Thank You
@ of course
I just wish the communties would have been warned ,so could have evacuated sooner.
I was raised in Asheville North Carolina. My prayers 🙏, love ❤, and support continues for everyone there. I don't understand why they aren't doing more for the people who live there ❤
thank you
@@livinginashevillenc Love you guys in Asheville sooo much. Praying 🙏 and believing God for you guy's every day ❤️.
@@DoctorCarrieHall thank you 🙏
Sending positive energy and Love Love LOVE from Serbia, The Balkans 🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍
The fact that people honestly think the entire city got wiped off the face of the earth is absolutely ridiculous. Asheville is a city of 90,000+ people. There’s smaller places that did get completely gutted with only a few hundred to thousand residents with far less resources.
Stop asking about the death toll. NOBODY knows a “correct” number. At this point anyone that hasn’t been found/heard from should be considered to most likely be gone. It’s rough, but it’s the truth. Go ahead & swallow it whole, they’re not likely to be found either, & they’ll never have a solid number of how many people are gone. Besides the absurd amount of mud swept through, those waters are churning crushers. Look at the cars, shipping containers, buildings that got sucked in…a human body won’t be left.
Thanks for the insights on the p0resent situation there in Ashville.
These may be helpful for folks outside the region to understand more:
* How much rain has Hurricane Helene dumped? ua-cam.com/video/JjzydooOEWk/v-deo.html
* What happened to mountainsides during Helene's extreme rains (30 inches or more)? ua-cam.com/video/9X6pdmqrAu0/v-deo.html
So, was planning on visiting around Christmas with the family. Are all the restaurants, shops, bars open for business or should i wait? I dont wsnt to spend the money if we cant have the full experience. TY
@@melissakruse-dd1we a LOT of places are open! Even Biltmore opens up November 2nd. I don’t know what your expectation is to have a full experience, bc some things won’t be the same for a very long time. River arts district will be in a bad shape for a while. I can’t imagine how long till Biltmore village goes back to “normal”.
But there are other things that are happening all around. Sounds like Arboretum will have their winter lights and it’s one of our favorites!
Tryon equestrian center is always a great place to visit especially during winter holidays.
Did that help?
Thank you for making this video ❤
Incredible loss.. looks like katrina new orleans 😢😢😢
Well b back n support visit n you will rise up again bigger n better...❤❤❤ prayers
Thank goodness your doing good ❤❤❤❤ please be safe
Thank you so much for doing this video! I watched a couple of videos recently from another channel that's more media focused, but it's really just a UA-camr out of Asheville and I think they're just trying to get views more than anything by showing a bunch of people upset and criticizing FEMA efforts. But when I think about it critically there was a lot I felt like was wrong with their video and it just seemed like they were trying to get views more than anything and hopefully aren't exploiting the situation more than that by taking people's money.
Well, my focus is a bit different on this channel, so I don’t see any point of focusing on viral stuff. The previous video became that unintentionally.
Thank you so much for your feedback 🙏
I lived in Asheville from 1998 to 2009 (when i retired) because my job transferred there. I worked at the Federal Building 151 Patton Ave. I lived in the apartment complex at Turtle Creek (address was on Foxfire Dr). I remember they built a ""fancy"" McDonalds outside the entrance to the Builtmore estates. It was build in the style of Builtmore. I assume it went under water. Most of Turtle Creek was elevated but they built some new apartments that were not "up the hill". Any observations would be appreciated.
Thank you for these videos you made on this. You were objective and showed important footage. I live in Asheville, still wrapping my mind around it all. There are some good mental health resources for yhis too such as 150+ therapists donating free therapy, a free 24/7 disaster recovery emotional support line, daily online listening circles, and many community resources. I'm concerned about surrounding counties because hearing hints that maybe they are struggling even more.
You’re welcome.
And yes, surrounding counties struggling a lot more. I just got a call from my client in Spruce Pine, in Yancey County, and they still don’t have power. And that’s just still minor, because at least the house was unaffected. There are areas that are in much much more trouble right now.
@@livinginashevillenc Thank you. I will try to look into this more and find ways to help more. Take care. Oh, if you can share which WNC counties you have observed especially struggling the way River Arts and Swannanoa are (or worse?) please let me know.
Most high hand of blessing be upon you the whole area #Appalachian
Love to Asheville!!❤
Asheville was on my bucket list for years and i finally went there and surrounding areas in August. Im heartbroken to see all the destruction. I loved the river arts area.
I am an Asheville native. I have seen Biltmore flood many times over the last 50 years. They have rebuilt over and over again with Helene being the worst by far. I am sure they will rebuild again. But wonder when will the town, as a whole,will say enough ?!
You mean Biltmore Village?
❤❤❤❤❤ Asheville will be better than ever, much love to you ❤ ❤ ❤❤❤
At a time when the dead have not even all been counted, let alone buried, this account of all the Asheville neighborhoods that suffered little or no damage, comes across as tone deaf. Shouldn't the attention of those who suffered the least be focused on those who suffered the most? Yes, the community spirit is awe-inspiring and at the same time there is so much grief to process.
And what makes you think that attention of those who suffered least is not on those who suffered most?
We at North Alabama Homebuilding Academy brought down supplies to yall we hope yall recover as fast as you can Never fear we will be back again.
I use to live in Elizabethton, TN. I didn't know the Mountains were a place that floods out so bad about every 20 yrs. I see now that Big Hurricanes have hit Western N.C. Mountains in 1916 (Biggest) - 1940 - 1973 -2004, etc.. Moved back 2 eastern N.C. No way as Pretty but too old to go through a Big event like in the Mountains now days.. Don't know if my old house made it through this storm or not as it was built into the side of Holston Mt. Thanks 4 Video. Glad U R safe...
We live 20 minutes away from Asheville in Weaverville, close to Fork.
May God be with us in these trying times. What we need to do now is lend a hand to those who can't
@@its_vintage2601 yes🙏
Thankyou step sister lives there and her place not damaged.
Blessings to you
Spread the news! Don't let the government buy your land. No matter what!
Or institutional investors
I just love the people there in Western NC.
Is the water STILL that high after 2 weeks???
No, it receded pretty quickly
But I thought this happened in 1916 so how is it one in a thousand year? I mean I understand this one had, what was it maybe six more inches of water which is significant, but both were very similar, correct? I really don't know I'm just asking for clarification and genuinely curious how they differ... Thanks for what you're doing!
That’s what it was predicted before it happened, but it turned out to be much much worse.
6” on flat land is a lot different from 6” that then all run off all the mountains with such force that rivers turned into deadly raging massive bodies of water. I’m not an expert in this, and this is how I understood all this.
I believe it was measured a solid foot higher in the river district than the flood of 1916.
@@livinginashevillenc at the same time not so long ago we didn't really measure things as well. At least in respect to the atmosphere. I can only assume water levels would be easier though... Actually I just looked it up and apparently it was 22 in of rain in 1916 and only 14 in of rain for this one. The most was 24 in spruce pine. So really they don't seem to be much different.
@@teremertz yeah, I think i saw a pic somewhere of that
Read the piece in today’s Citizen-Times (October 14) “Helene By the Numbers” for specific details.
asheville is a place i often fancied retiring to - for the beauty and for the music. i gather the arts district was particularly hard hit. how did the live music venues fare?
Outside some that might have been in the lower part of river arts district (and I can’t think of any), Salvage Station was destroyed. But they were already on the verge of closing.
How long is it going to be before the water will go away 😊
It receded pretty quickly