"Wildfire Season is Here. Helene and Doge Could Make it Worse."
Via #AVLWatchdog
https://avlwatchdog.org/wildfire-season-is-here-helene-and-doge-could-make-it-worse/
Asheville Watchdog · Wildfire season is here. Helene and DOGE could make it worse.
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The Guardian: Tree loss from hurricane leaves Asheville vulnerable to new climate shocks
"The city of Asheville and its surrounding areas have been left vulnerable to floods, fires and extreme heat after Hurricane Helene uprooted thousands of trees that provided shade and protection from storms....
The extent of the tree damage is “extraordinary and humbling”, according to Steve Norman, a research ecologist who conducted the assessment using remote sensing satellites at the Forest Service’s Southern Research Centre."
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/09/asheville-trees-hurricane-helene-north-carolina
The Guardian · Tree loss from hurricane leaves Asheville vulnerable to new climate shocks
From AP.com: A stretch of a North Carolina highway that collapsed during Helene is about to reopen
We'll never see any of these funds, and my 3 resident bastards can all go straight to hell, along with President Musk and his puppet.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/federal-staffing-cuts-loom-hud-101155068.html
Yahoo News · As federal staffing cuts loom for HUD, $1.4 billion in funding for WNC could be delayed
Here's some good news for #Asheville, post- #Helene: All river debris should be removed by June 1, per the Corps.
Via #AVLWatchdog
This is what the federal government does for communities, and why we need to fund FEMA and every other department we legally have.
Asheville Watchdog · All Buncombe County river debris cleanups should be finished by June 1, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says
A mostly-photo story from the #Asheville Citizen-Times on the efforts to rebuild #BiltmoreVillage and the stores there.
After this 2nd huge flood, perhaps the better move would be to NOT rebuild 10 feet from the Swannanoa River. But that's just me.
The Asheville Citizen Times · Biltmore Village businesses in state of recovery after Tropical Storm Helene
Oh for the love of the gods... Edwards is going to fix #FEMA? Why, do they need some hamburgers?
This POS is our Rep for the area hardest hit, and he should know, he DOES know all the good that FEMA is doing here. The millions for our water system. The millions to pick up the storm debris, and to begin to clear our waterways. The hotel rooms and food and water and shelter.
But no, we have to "fix" it. The horrible, craven men.
Blue Ridge · Western North Carolina's Edwards appointed to Trump’s task force to 'fix' FEMA
Sehnsucht nach ein paar schönen Berliner Busfahrersprüchen?
„Frau Kuli“ @fraukulli liest heute Abend im „Insel Salon“ auf dem Kulturschiff #Helene im Historischen Hafen aus ihrem Buch „Machen Sie mal zügig die Mitteltüren frei“ – und spricht mit Tagesspiegel-Herausgeber Lorenz Maroldt über Zustand, Zustände und Zuständige des Berliner Straßenverkehrs.
Der Eintritt ist frei, Einlass ist ab 19 Uhr, Beginn 20 Uhr. Ort: Märkisches Ufer, Kulturschiff „Helene“.
Continued thread
"While I agree that the processes citizens must go through to get FEMA assistance could be more rapid and streamlined, it doesn't land well with me when a billionaire flies into town to disparage one of the primary entities we have benefitted from in this recovery process."
4/end #Asheville #Helene #FEMA
Continued thread
"Linemen came from across the region to get the power back on. In a matter of weeks FEMA contractors built back the bridge that washed down Hominy Creek, allowing my neighborhood access to the interstate again. FEMA quickly offered transitional housing and hotel rooms to 65k residents. Those of us who didn't live or work close to the banks of the Swannanoa River or the French Broad River have slowly begun to find our routines again."
3/n #Asheville #Helene #FEMA
Continued thread
"FEMA has already spent $102 Million on Buncombe County households alone and that number is rising daily. More than half of Buncombe County households have already received a direct payment from FEMA (55k+ households). My family was one of the thousands of families who received government assistance.
In the first few days of hurricane relief, we were flying by the seat of our pants. Flushing toilets by the bucket, and using dinky electric chainsaws to clear our neighborhood streets. But the heroes of our City water department, working 7 days a week, got the water back on."
2/n #Asheville #Helene #FEMA
With the Orange Menace having visited #Asheville this week, and threatened FEMA for not doing anything here (!), I thought I would share a NextDoor post from one of our local government officials. This fellow was awesome during the worst of Helene, organizing people on bikes to get materials around town.
Anyway, here is his post:
"Drew Reisinger. 24 Jan 2025T
Today, the President came to town and used his pulpit to disparage the hurricane response, specifically the FEMA response. So I asked for an updated report on what FEMA has already spent in Buncombe County on individuals and households. "
Replied in thread
Ultra Coffee
Inside a window overlooking flood debris, two Zillennial women discuss the latest social media topic. Years from now, they will realize too late how much society had eroded their confidence, not their value.
Next to the coffee sweeteners, two young artists with edgy hair, tats and piercings take a selfie and talk about their restricted ability to exhibit and sell their wares. Years from now, their kids will laugh at the photo. The couple will wonder how they lost their vision in the unrelenting flow of adulting.
Nearby, a mid-career couple commiserate about work-life balance. Decades from now, they will face an urgent wave of decisions for retirement. They will wish they had started preparing earlier.
In the corner, an old, weathered traveler types wistfully on his phone.
#Asheville #AVL #Travel
#RiverArtsDistrict #TravelPhotography
#Helene #WNC
Replied in thread
Now at Ultra Coffee as my base.
Not sure why I wanted to come down to the River Arts District. Just to thrill at devastation? Find signs of hope? Probably both.
Reconstruction is in full steam. Earth moving vehicles and construction workers are everywhere. Among the many abandoned studios, some have reopened.
A scenic stream under one small building turned into a raging torrent of destruction.
Continued thread
On the way here, I drove through the route created as an alternate to the interstate highway gouged out by #Helene. Stopped to check out Hot Springs NC.
This relatively remote small town with hot springs had been developing with businesses like a brick oven pizza spot and nice new Inns.
The ones on main street have been gutted by the small scenic branch that passes through town. Demolition/reconstruction activities, high car traffic and many trucks associated with rebuilding now make the town a noisy, dangerous mess.
Continued thread
Next up: I will be arriving at CHAI PANI around 5:15 - 5:30.
This is the James Beard "Outstanding Award" winning restaurant in #Asheville. I think they have adjusted to the post- #Helene economy via a buffet, but not a problem for me.
Can *you* be there about that time? (I'm sure it's early for many) DM me (before anyone else) and I'll buy you dinner!
After supping, I'm heading to The Crow and Quill, recommended by @fuzzbomb
Will eventually check out my hotel's rooftop bar. Hope they have hot drinks.
Join me! Use replies/DMs to make sure we connect.
[edit: corrected the fuzzbomb mentioned]
Compelling article containing the writer's survival story after moving to #AVL weeks before #Helene.
Uses a term, solastalgia, to describe "the homesickness one feels when still at home, caused by distress due to environmental change in one’s home environment".
https://www.planetizen.com/blogs/133749-post-helene-reflections-solastalgia-and-community
www.planetizen.comPost-Helene Reflections on Solastalgia and Community
After going through #Debby, #Helene and #Milton in 2024 and now witnessing these wildfires from afar, I can’t help but experience it as all one big event, which I guess in a sense it is: #Koyaanisqatsi or “life out of balance.” Considering #climatechange, #landmanagement and #development issues, it all feels so complicated to solve. So much needs undoing and redoing.
On all social media, I am seeing a lot of conversations about the #CalifroniaFires vs #WNC #Helene #relief packages.
Let me break it down for you so a 5 year old can understand it:
Both are horrific.
Both deserve our compassion. Both need our help.
It is not about which gets more of the cookie. People need to stop dividing Americans in need... and simply move into action to be a helper and not a complainer.
Another couple photos from the #RAD in #Asheville the other day, these in color.
Both of these buildings are on the far side of Lyman Rd from the river, but certainly saw the floodwaters.
Neither were in great shape prior to September 27, but nor were there bundles of compressed, recycled paper jammed under trucks or on roofs before the floodwaters put them there.
