Storms

[PacificEd]

I just talked to my buddy that lives in Fayetteville and he said that traffic was pretty much at a stand still yesterday and cops were directing traffic pretty much everywhere. It probably wouldn't be a fast trip but I'm sure you could get through with no problem.


Maybe we could set up a convoy to take in needed supplies.

From what I understand the Co-op in town was slammed yesterday selling fuel and generators. They can't get them fast enough. They said their parking lot was packed.

Brooks, where are you located?

 

[brooksjr]

From what I understand the Co-op in town was slammed yesterday selling fuel and generators. They can't get them fast enough. They said their parking lot was packed.

Brooks, where are you located?

I live in Estill Springs which is about 35 min. from Fayetteville.

 

[High2by]

I had a load of generators come in this morning and they are all gone. I have another load delivering into the Chattanooga area tomorrow morning. I hope that everyone affected is doing ok. We're keeping you all in our prayers.

 

[256offroad]

Were doing pretty good now. Picked up 120 gallons of gas and 4 generators. Guess its a waiting game now.

 

[Lowrange2]

Holy hell! That must have cost 2 grand!

The pictures and videos I see are amazing! Im itching to drive down!

 

[RenegadeStang]

A buddy of mine from high school now lives in Columbus, MS. He's a pilot and did a flyover of Alabama and took some aerial shots. Brings a whole new perspective to the damage. You can actually see the tornado's path.

Birmingham:

Birmingham:

Tuscaloosa:

Tuscaloosa:

 

[Team Willys]

We are alive and kicking here. No connection to the outside world at all, Im actually at Tim's house in Atlanta now, first time in over 48 hours that I have had an internet connection to get on and see whats happening with everyone else. Apison (small town where I live) was hit by an estimated F5 twister. Winds clocked at 190+ MPH and base had an estimated 1/2 to 3/4 mile foot print. For those who haven't seen it with your own eyes you simply cannot fathom the amount of damage. A quarter mile from my house there is nothing... Homes are flattened, trees, no, forests are completely missing. Its like someone clear cut a half mile wide strip and took homes and all. Many many homes lost, and in a town of less than 1000, over 8 confirmed deaths and the number keeps rising. You guys just can't understand. Im still in shock. We got sooo lucky. Our house and my shop got away unhurt, but we lost all of the trees in our front yard (although Dan and I finished off a few the tornado missed ) and half of our Barn roof is missing. But like I said, we are very very lucky. We aren't expected to have power for roughly a week, but we do have a generator powering the house. We have fiber optic TV and internet though and it's destroyed, so until its back up, I can't talk to you guys... God be with those who have lost everything, I am fortunate.

 

[Lowrange2]

Glad to hear that! Glad y'all made it ok!

 

[xjtrailrider]

We are alive and kicking here. No connection to the outside world at all, Im actually at Tim's house in Atlanta now, first time in over 48 hours that I have had an internet connection to get on and see whats happening with everyone else. Apison (small town where I live) was hit by an estimated F5 twister. Winds clocked at 190+ MPH and base had an estimated 1/2 to 3/4 mile foot print. For those who haven't seen it with your own eyes you simply cannot fathom the amount of damage. A quarter mile from my house there is nothing... Homes are flattened, trees, no, forests are completely missing. Its like someone clear cut a half mile wide strip and took homes and all. Many many homes lost, and in a town of less than 1000, over 8 confirmed deaths and the number keeps rising. You guys just can't understand. Im still in shock. We got sooo lucky. Our house and my shop got away unhurt, but we lost all of the trees in our front yard (although Dan and I finished off a few the tornado missed ) and half of our Barn roof is missing. But like I said, we are very very lucky. We aren't expected to have power for roughly a week, but we do have a generator powering the house. We have fiber optic TV and internet though and it's destroyed, so until its back up, I can't talk to you guys... God be with those who have lost everything, I am fortunate.

Good to hear you are okay

 

[MaxWife]

We are alive and kicking here. No connection to the outside world at all, Im actually at Tim's house in Atlanta now, first time in over 48 hours that I have had an internet connection to get on and see whats happening with everyone else. Apison (small town where I live) was hit by an estimated F5 twister. Winds clocked at 190+ MPH and base had an estimated 1/2 to 3/4 mile foot print. For those who haven't seen it with your own eyes you simply cannot fathom the amount of damage. A quarter mile from my house there is nothing... Homes are flattened, trees, no, forests are completely missing. Its like someone clear cut a half mile wide strip and took homes and all. Many many homes lost, and in a town of less than 1000, over 8 confirmed deaths and the number keeps rising. You guys just can't understand. Im still in shock. We got sooo lucky. Our house and my shop got away unhurt, but we lost all of the trees in our front yard (although Dan and I finished off a few the tornado missed ) and half of our Barn roof is missing. But like I said, we are very very lucky. We aren't expected to have power for roughly a week, but we do have a generator powering the house. We have fiber optic TV and internet though and it's destroyed, so until its back up, I can't talk to you guys... God be with those who have lost everything, I am fortunate.

I'm glad to hear you're ok, Latney and I were thinking of you as we watched that dangerous cell go through your area.

I understand exactly where you're coming from as I went through a very similar experience in 1989. It's going to take a while to get everything cleaned up and sorted through (and I'm not talking just about the property/barn). Just remember, stuff can be replaced. If you need anything that Latney and I can help with - give us a shout.

If your area isn't getting much cleanup help, let me know. A good friend is working on organizing a volunteer work crew to go into an area or two that's not getting help from the bigger organizations which happens a lot when natural disasters are this widespread. She and her Citadel guys are experts at helping with the cleanup.

 

[UNCC_99XJ]

We are alive and kicking here. No connection to the outside world at all, Im actually at Tim's house in Atlanta now, first time in over 48 hours that I have had an internet connection to get on and see whats happening with everyone else. Apison (small town where I live) was hit by an estimated F5 twister. Winds clocked at 190+ MPH and base had an estimated 1/2 to 3/4 mile foot print. For those who haven't seen it with your own eyes you simply cannot fathom the amount of damage. A quarter mile from my house there is nothing... Homes are flattened, trees, no, forests are completely missing. Its like someone clear cut a half mile wide strip and took homes and all. Many many homes lost, and in a town of less than 1000, over 8 confirmed deaths and the number keeps rising. You guys just can't understand. Im still in shock. We got sooo lucky. Our house and my shop got away unhurt, but we lost all of the trees in our front yard (although Dan and I finished off a few the tornado missed ) and half of our Barn roof is missing. But like I said, we are very very lucky. We aren't expected to have power for roughly a week, but we do have a generator powering the house. We have fiber optic TV and internet though and it's destroyed, so until its back up, I can't talk to you guys... God be with those who have lost everything, I am fortunate.

Good to hear you made it through

 

[shaggybob]

Alive and well, with the exception of needing a shower. No damage to the house but no power either, at least the weather is mild.

Don't know what to say about the storms and loss of life, it's all just a little too much.

 

[ChuckstrPT]

A buddy of mine from high school now lives in Columbus, MS. He's a pilot and did a flyover of Alabama and took some aerial shots. Brings a whole new perspective to the damage. You can actually see the tornado's path.

wow. I've seen some crazy video and pics. Some fly over from a helicopter, but not from this height. Gives new perspective. We used to live just off of 15th street in Tuscaloosa, right next to where a whole bunch of devastation is now...

 

[ChuckstrPT]

I'm glad to hear you're ok, Latney and I were thinking of you as we watched that dangerous cell go through your area.

I understand exactly where you're coming from as I went through a very similar experience in 1989. It's going to take a while to get everything cleaned up and sorted through (and I'm not talking just about the property/barn). Just remember, stuff can be replaced. If you need anything that Latney and I can help with - give us a shout.

If your area isn't getting much cleanup help, let me know. A good friend is working on organizing a volunteer work crew to go into an area or two that's not getting help from the bigger organizations which happens a lot when natural disasters are this widespread. She and her Citadel guys are experts at helping with the cleanup.

x2....that would have been a particular earthquake in '89? I was in SF for the World Series Earthquake...not fun, and it does take time for everything to settle....everything.:viking:

 

[MaxWife]

x2....that would have been a particular earthquake in '89? I was in SF for the World Series Earthquake...not fun, and it does take time for everything to settle....everything.:viking:

Actually, it was Hurricane Hugo. The storm surge on our family farm was over 20' and not a building was left standing. If you take Hwy 17 between Charleston and Georgetown, the forest on the east side of 17 was pretty much obliterated for over 20 miles. Today it almost looks "normal". If you look closely though, you can see a few trees that survived that are 20' higher than the "forest". That's how tall the trees were before Hugo. After Hugo they were all literally snapped in half if they were standing at all.

My actual home town (a bit north of the family farm) faired a bit better. The storm surge was only about 15'. While many structures were still standing (somewhat protected by the marsh, creek and oak trees), they completely flooded with salt water and mud. The main town industry was shrimping and almost every boat ended up on the streets. Electricity wasn't restored in the area for several months. And don't get me started on FEMA....

It was during this time that I really learned that stuff is just stuff. You learn a lot about yourself and others. Fix what you can and move on. It's a tough lesson to learn at 17.

The best advice I can give all of those affected is to take it day by day. Be thankful that you and yours are ok and lend a hand to those that need it if you're able. And don't be too proud to ask for help if you need it. I know everyone on these boards will help in any way they can.

 

[FlexdXJ]

We are alive and kicking here. No connection to the outside world at all, Im actually at Tim's house in Atlanta now, first time in over 48 hours that I have had an internet connection to get on and see whats happening with everyone else. Apison (small town where I live) was hit by an estimated F5 twister. Winds clocked at 190+ MPH and base had an estimated 1/2 to 3/4 mile foot print. For those who haven't seen it with your own eyes you simply cannot fathom the amount of damage. A quarter mile from my house there is nothing... Homes are flattened, trees, no, forests are completely missing. Its like someone clear cut a half mile wide strip and took homes and all. Many many homes lost, and in a town of less than 1000, over 8 confirmed deaths and the number keeps rising. You guys just can't understand. Im still in shock. We got sooo lucky. Our house and my shop got away unhurt, but we lost all of the trees in our front yard (although Dan and I finished off a few the tornado missed ) and half of our Barn roof is missing. But like I said, we are very very lucky. We aren't expected to have power for roughly a week, but we do have a generator powering the house. We have fiber optic TV and internet though and it's destroyed, so until its back up, I can't talk to you guys... God be with those who have lost everything, I am fortunate.

Holy Crap dude, you guys are getting rocked! Glad to hear you are OK Tyler! It looks like we may be getting some more flooding. It took two years to rebuild our hospital after the flood in 2008. My heart goes out to those affected by the storms.

 

[UNCC_99XJ]

For those of us who would be unable to be a part of a convoy to help out, would be it possible to set up a fund for anyone to contribute to? If there's any one or few of our members in particular that were hit hard the money could be donated to them...otherwise perhaps a donation to the red cross?

 

[256offroad]

We just finished day 4 of no power. Tva is working very hard to restore it. I also just got back from volunteering relif effort. This has been a crazy day. Many houses not far from me total loss. A whole subdivision is a loss as well as two strip malls. Been helping families pick up belongings and packing pods. As well as helping the cleanup. Ill post some pics whenever the power comes back.

 

[cr2000xj]

All is well here, power just came back for me. A neighborhood about a mile from me had heavy damage and I have spent a lot of my time helping over there as well as putting out fires and doing what I can.

 

[93xjcowboy]

I talked to Tyler today and he got power back on Saturday. He is already hard at work again.

I will be heading into his area next week 5/8-5/10, If anyone wants me to bring something down or pick something up send me a PM and I will do my best. Im coming down from Pittsburgh area.