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Hurricane Helene Aftermath
11 months ago
Hi all. Um, I was not able to post about this earlier, sorry about that, but hopefully it'll become clear why in a moment.
We have been out power, water, and internet for the last 9 days. A 50 ft. tree fell against our home, and while no one was hurt and the roof held up (yay!) it badly damaged our dog fencing, and is currently sitting on top of our power box and heat pump / ac unit. The power was restored today, and we were able to start up, so power box seems unharmed. Heat pump is TBD, and we're not sure how much damage we'll need to repair to the fencing.
We've cleared another tree that fell in the front with hand tools, but the one down against our house is too big for a bow saw, a maul and gumption. So, we're looking into the least expensive and safest way we can find to clear it. We'll also be thoroughly cleaning and airing out our home over the next week. We lost 90% of our refrigerated/frozen food, and spent the last week having to cross state lines to find anywhere we could get potable water. We have a well, so when the power goes out... water goes out. Animals go through around 10 gallons a day, so this had us making a lot of trips on dangerous roads to collect gas and water, not just for ourselves for but for the neighborhood. We caravaned with the neighbors to a GA state park on one occasion to get a shower, collect water, do dishes and laundry.
And we were lucky.
There are houses in my area that are just... gone. We were incredibly fortunate that the tree that fell only tipped our roof and split before it fell, so it more slumped onto us than plummeted. We pulled together with local neighbors to share resources, and yesterday, a grocery store nearby finally opened up. Local gas stations have begun opening as well. We are getting back to normal.
If you can or are able, reach out to your AT friends and family and make sure they're okay. We are very, very far inland in SC, basically right against the state line, and were STILL hit hard. And there's another one coming.
I am obviously incredibly behind on posting, mail-outs and communication. I will be doing my best over the next week to catch up, but I'm going to ask that everyone be patient with us. We are exhausted and very shaken up. I was IN the room the tree fell on, I saw it come down through the window, and I'm a bit rattled. But we've endured, and are very aware how fortunate we ultimately were.
We have been out power, water, and internet for the last 9 days. A 50 ft. tree fell against our home, and while no one was hurt and the roof held up (yay!) it badly damaged our dog fencing, and is currently sitting on top of our power box and heat pump / ac unit. The power was restored today, and we were able to start up, so power box seems unharmed. Heat pump is TBD, and we're not sure how much damage we'll need to repair to the fencing.
We've cleared another tree that fell in the front with hand tools, but the one down against our house is too big for a bow saw, a maul and gumption. So, we're looking into the least expensive and safest way we can find to clear it. We'll also be thoroughly cleaning and airing out our home over the next week. We lost 90% of our refrigerated/frozen food, and spent the last week having to cross state lines to find anywhere we could get potable water. We have a well, so when the power goes out... water goes out. Animals go through around 10 gallons a day, so this had us making a lot of trips on dangerous roads to collect gas and water, not just for ourselves for but for the neighborhood. We caravaned with the neighbors to a GA state park on one occasion to get a shower, collect water, do dishes and laundry.
And we were lucky.
There are houses in my area that are just... gone. We were incredibly fortunate that the tree that fell only tipped our roof and split before it fell, so it more slumped onto us than plummeted. We pulled together with local neighbors to share resources, and yesterday, a grocery store nearby finally opened up. Local gas stations have begun opening as well. We are getting back to normal.
If you can or are able, reach out to your AT friends and family and make sure they're okay. We are very, very far inland in SC, basically right against the state line, and were STILL hit hard. And there's another one coming.
I am obviously incredibly behind on posting, mail-outs and communication. I will be doing my best over the next week to catch up, but I'm going to ask that everyone be patient with us. We are exhausted and very shaken up. I was IN the room the tree fell on, I saw it come down through the window, and I'm a bit rattled. But we've endured, and are very aware how fortunate we ultimately were.
It’s wild how much damage was done inland and up mountains with this storm.
We put together a small convoy with groups throughout our State, and sent them to NC/Other States, and as of yet haven't heard anything 'Bad' about them being stopped or the supplies gathered and sent 'Confiscated' by this BS Govt. and 'Crew,' so we're keeping our fingers crossed things get where they're needed, BY those who need them?!
I'll stop before going any further about the 'Wonderful' response from this govt. & 'Crew' in dealing with yet another domestic disaster, vs everything 'They' have/are/plan to do, to help invaders and foreigners vs the American Citizenry, but that would just descend into a septic tank no one wants to deal with atm.
Keep on doing what you're doing, pulling together with your neighbors and watching each others '6'!
Vix
Do you know anyone nearby with a beefy truck or maybe even a tractor that could hook onto that tree with a chain and pull it off and away from the house?
You will want to find an experienced crew to remove that tree, as they can roll and/or snap unexpectedly (I was in landscape maintenance for several years and we cut down many trees.) Pulling it off with a tractor might work, but it could also go very badly very fast. Having experienced guys with saws and licenses and insurance to cut it off your house and fence and cut it up would be safer.
Contact your town's police department and ask them if they have any leads on tree guys working in the area. It will cost you, probably, but in the end it's being safe that counts. People get horribly injured after storms by buying chain saws and going at it themselves.
Good luck!
Rukis, unless you/your fellows have actually been tutored, and have some very real hands-on experience with these machines, I STRONGLY suggest you do not just dive right in, esp. in a disaster/fallen/leaning trees situation. People are severely/permanently injured, and made 'Un-alived' in a heartbeat using these things, and it isn't just the spinning chain that can cause you/others harm.
Trees damaged, but esp. trunks/large limbs that are twisted/compromised/compressed, are spring-loaded death traps that even experienced loggers get ended by.
I understand if you have no other choice, you have to do the best you can.
I just hope/pray y'all don't find yourselves forced to go hands-on for the first time with these devices. I use them, and even with extreme care, have very nearly had three 'HORRIBLE' events happen, simply because I didn't know better (How the limbs/trees would snap-back/react). It's terrifying, to be honest.
Best Wishes to y'all, again! You're going through the wringer, no doubt!!!
I wonder; did you spot tractor/trailers called 'EDS' by any chance?
one thing is certain, one day we'll look back on our own struggles and laugh, and we'll go silent because of all the people who lost their lives
Either way, nice to see you're doing good. And hope the next one coming below the states wont be as bad.
Don't worry about being late with posts and all, real life comes first, just take care.
Vix
I'm in the same boat as your relatives. I have a chainsaw, albeit an electric one, and would love to help get the tree off your place, but getting to you is the challenge. I hope you can find someone nearby with one that can help with that.
Also be safe with Milton coming up as well...!
Borrow a small chainsaw if it doesn't strain your comfort zone too much. (Using a chainsaw should make anyone nervous.) Removing smaller branches makes getting rid of the big parts easier. If you feel safe on a ladder or on the roof, you can do more, but take it slow and resist the temptation to reach over your head with the saw. And don't cut any branches that are holding up any of the weight of the main tree.