COLD AND SNOW....AND FEMA

 

11/19/24 dawn burst of color, from the end of Staymon

I simply wanted to begin with FEMA...please read the prior posts about my visit and the process.  We've had at least a couple of FEMA inspectors out to see the slump and impending travel disruption above the double hairpin curves.  A fair number of residents/lot owners have already been to see them (again, read posts...EZ-peasy to get to them and talk).  The more of us living above the curve go see FEMA, the better.

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Looks like we're in line for our first snow of the season.  Already a WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY is posted for Haywood County for elevations above 3500'.  The call in general is for 2-4" of snow from the last half of Thursday through Saturday morning, but I am not seeing that, not here for ACA this far from the TN border.  

I do see 0.5"-1.0" of snow for the upper half of ACA (above the blue roof house across from Dawen Circle), and much lighter below that, all by Friday morning.  I simply don't see the higher amounts this far from the TN border.  This is a NW flow event, and we rarely get multiple inches of snow unless the flow is perfectly aligned along I-40 from the NW.

It will be quite cold.  It will be very windy.  Power outages are quite likely given the strong wind fields moving in, knocking down weakened trees.  I just don't see the water content needed for multiple inches here in ACA, that's all.

Early tomorrow morning, Thursday, if I see some significant changes, I'll post them before heading down the mountain at 7:30am.

Bob

MY VISIT TO FEMA

 On my lunch break Thursday I went by the FEMA station.  It's located at the HCC building as you turn into the Industrial Park, located just downhill from Shoney's and Junaluska Vet office.  Their hours are 8am-7pm daily, 7 days a week. Click HERE to go the site if you want to read more.

You go in to an initial table to give the basic information.  I told them we have an endangered road that if it gives way will trap those of us above 661 Apple Creek Road without a way out.

They'll send you to another table where someone enters your information and gives you a piece of paper with a number on it, and they will direct you to the chairs where you will wait to be called.  

The FEMA tables and agents are all along the walls, and when called, you'll go to that table and start a long list of questions, descriptions, etc.

The key is to tell them that this issue is at 661 Apple Creek Road.  If you had additional impacts on up where our mudslides were, you can add that information.

Apparently the rules have changed just in the past week.  At first, Apple Creek could only file for a SBA loan, but they have opened that up to residents being able to  file and the money go to the HOA (I hope I understood that correctly).  

This process is only the beginning, as you will be instructed to gather some forms, bills, statements and email/scan them to a FEMA address for further continuation of the application.  That's where I am at the moment.

They will mention that an inspector will need to visit the site and that a phone call will come from one at some time and that it may come across as an unknown number...but to answer all such calls to make sure it's an inspector.  [Personally, I'll find that difficult as I am fast approaching 65 and am already swamped with everybody and their brother, sister, cat, and dog trying to sell me plans.  Plus, I can't answer calls at work, so I'll try and keep my message box cleared].

The key to all of this is for EACH LOT/HOMEOWNER TO GO THE FEMA STATION AND FILE.  The more money we can funnel to the HOA lessens the potential assessment that might be made on all lot owners to help shoulder the clean-up bill from our damages in our HOA.

Bob

FEMA AND APPLE CREEK CONCERNS

 

Barred Owl by home on Staymon Road

The following is from Keith Patton, concerning the dangerous slump that is precariously close to the edge of the road on the upper hairpin curve.  If you've seen the orange cones there, give them a wide berth. 

The slump at the orange cones

 

"I have been in contact with Joyce Wells at 661 Apple Creek Road concerning the road bank washout on her property. We have both been to the FEMA headquarters to file claims in hopes of getting financial assistance from them to help fix this problem. They told her that the residents of ACA who live above 661 Apple Creek Road should come in and file individual claims since they would be affected if the road bank were to cave in stranding them. I don't know what our chances of getting help are but this certainly seems worth the effort."

With the mudslides damages and clean-up on upper Apple Creek and Tannehill Roads, Apple Creek lot owners may well be facing an assessment that has yet to be determined.  Our coffers are empty, and the idea is that, as suggested, those of us above the upper hairpin curve go apply at FEMA, which is located in the industrial park just downhill from Shoney's/Junaluska Vet.  The basis for filing is that if the road gives way, everyone above it would be stranded with no alternate route to get out.  Any payments can go back into the HOA to offset our losses.  It would be a start, anyway.  If the HOA as one entity were to file, it would require 100% of lot owners to support it, which is simply out of reach.

Too, it's unclear what is even possible to shore up that slump area and prevent further erosion and potential damage.  There will be more information forthcoming, I'm sure, and I'll pass it along accordingly.  When I get the opportunity to go by FEMA myself, I'll pass on my experience.

Bob

QUICK UPDATE

October 10 just before midnight, NW sky

Last Thursday night the Aurora Borealis was visible in the southeast, and the internet has many much better pictures than mine.  I happened to wake up around 11:30pm and took this picture, but most of the color was in the NW sky, which for me is blocked by trees. 

 It probably comes as no surprise that with the road issues from our Hurricane Helene mudslides, paving will be tabled due to costs.  HOWEVER, the culvert cut down low will be patched before too long.  I'm told there will be news forthcoming about the damage that was done and what was involved in mitigating the situations.  

How about a bit of snow?  Tonight, a weak cold front may well give us the first flurries of the season, with a possible dusting for the upper half of Apple Creek.  We'll also see our first temps below freezing, as well. 

 'Tis the season...

Bob

THURSDAY 1PM UPDATE

 Outside of a rare exception, there is power on the mountain.  Cell service has been good up at the end of Staymon as there is a line-of-sight to the towers on Chambers Mountain.  Cell service down low is still spotty, as is any internet, and as a result there are still a lot of cash-only establishments.  Following is what I know if you don't know already....

Ingles at Russ is still limiting people in and cash-only.  The Hazelwood Ingles is taking cards (weird trick they'll show you how to make it work).  Publix had been taking cards, but some stores have been closing late afternoon.  Food Lion is now taking cards, but limiting people in the store.  Plenty of empty shelves as they are awaiting truck deliveries.  Ingles' massive supply hub in Swannanoa was devastated in the flood, so they are slow to get supplies.  Walmart is taking cards, and lots to restock sitting in the aisles.

Gas is slowly trickling back in.  Topped off one car yesterday at the Shell on Russ, with a $60 limit for regular unleaded.  Topped off mine this morning with a lower $40 limit.  Ingles on Russ has yet to get a gas shipment, but pumps may not run without internet.  Hazelwood Ingles has had gas, but ran out as of 1030am today.  Exxon near Mauney Cove was out of gas when I passed it noon-ish today.  But ever so slowly gas is getting delivered here.

Mountain Credit Union on Russ was letting non-members get a $300 limit for a $2.50 fee this morning (not sure if they are waiving fees or not).  I bank at Champion which flooded in Canton, and the office off Russ finally opened this morning (at least the ATM), and the line was all the way down to the round-about, so I passed.

That's the essentials as I know them.  We have had a band of angels known as residents in ACA that have done yeoman's work clearing mass gravel wash-outs and mudflow debris.  I'll take another spin up that way for updated pictures, and I understand someone saved our HOA a TON of money by cutting through the massive mudslide on Tannehill, trapping the residents at the end.  There are lots of those good stories out there, and I know I speak for everyone in thanking those of you that could pitch in.

I also spoke with two volunteers with the Junaluska Fire Dept. that were riding to all the houses in ACA in their UTV, doing wellness checks.  Makes you feel good that we live in a great place. 

I'll update as I get more pertinent information.

Bob

APPLE CREEK ROAD UPDATE

Watering hole on Hall Top

Electricity may be out all week, so says Duke Energy.  No power means no water, so if you're looking to fill jugs/containers, there is a long-standing free spring water fill up on the right soon after you head down and turn right onto Hall Top.  Or hit up a neighbor with a generator. Or simply stay with friends somewhere else.  I'm just full of good ideas...

Apple Creek Road itself is now PASSABLE to the top, thanks to efforts by some residents to clear a path through some huge mudslides.  Tannehill is still not passable, though, best I can tell.  

The downed tree and power lines at the lower hairpin have been cleared to the sides. Noteworthy is the debris slump on the downhill side of the upper hairpin curve that cut right to the edge of the pavement, a particulary major concern for the future.

So thanks to everyone that helped in the clearing.  I'm updating from my cell phone, so keeping this short (a relative term...).

 

Approaching lower hairpin going down

  

Slump on upper hairpin curve

Tannehill at intersection with Apple Creek

Upper mudslide 1 at a driveway

Upper mudslide 2 of Apple Creek Rd.

Another part of a mudslide

Lower mudslide on Apple Creek Rd.

Bob

2pm UPDATE: FRIDAY

 

Flooding along Mauney Cove Rd. at 7:30am

Lower hairpin before partial clearing.

Someone cut a path through the trees down on the lower hairpin curve, though wires are still on the ground, and you have to slowly take the outside of the curve to go around a suspended wire. I did make it back up to Staymon.

Reports are of more serious road and erosion issues up past Staymon Road, as well.  I don't have any other particulars at this time.

There are LOTS of power outages, and we are only a very small part (red circle below). This will probably be the longest outage we've seen in many years.

Many roads were/are closed throughout the county, thanks not only to overflowing  waterways but road damage to boot.  The extent of damage in Haywood County should be a shocker when it comes to light.

Bob