#water restoration damage services in Georgia

[casapazzo]

How to help western NC

Hurricane Helene wrought an astounding amount of damage from Florida to Tennessee, but especially in western North Carolina. (If you want to know why, this is a good explainer: https://slate.com/technology/2024/10/hurricane-helene-destruction-north-carolina-florida-georgia-climate-change.html)

If you'd like to help, Blue Ridge Public Radio has an extensive list of local organizations working in the area: https://www.bpr.org/bpr-news/2024-09-28/list-ways-to-donate-and-help-flood-victims-in-western-north-carolina-after-hurricane-helene

I'm cutting and pasting a few options here, but see the link for the full list.

Hope Mill, Inc - Helicopters Dropping Relief

Pilots are landing in areas of the mountains where road access is still cut off and/or where emergency crews have not yet reached with food and water.

The funds are being used to purchase water and critical supplies by a business based in the Charlotte region. Helicopters are primarily staging and departing out of Hickory, N.C.

BPR has confirmed the GoFundMe listed below is being managed by those directly involved in relief (the effort is also linked to the relief effort supported by Cletus McFarland, a helicopter pilot and YouTuber.).

A group of independent pilots with helicopters have been dropping off donated water, food, and supplies throughout the region for several days. GoFundMe: Support Hope Mill Inc's Hurricane Relief

Hearts With Hands (Swannanoa/Asheville)

A local-based organization that has been supplying food and essentials to Buncombe County shelters.

The group asks that you do not deliver supplies unannounced to their Swannanoa warehouse (they had to evacuate and are restoring services).

The request is for financial donations online. https://www.heartswithhands.org/

Manna FoodBank in Asheville

The organization’s warehouse was prepped prior to the storm.

There are many ways to get involved, volunteer, and donate - including online. Go here to give money to the Manna FoodBank online.

Foothills Food Hub

Working to source water and shelf-stable goods to distribute in McDowell County.

Requesting monetary donations, which can be made online here.

Community Housing Coalition of Madison County

The group will be helping fund emergency home repairs for Helene victims in Madison County.

The request is for online donations. Go here for more information or to donate.

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

I asked chatgbt to make an image of Florida running out of homeowners insurance and flooded by a hurricane.

* * * *

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

September 27, 2024

Heather Cox Richardson

Sep 28, 2024

Last night, at about 11:10 local time, Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida, where the state’s panhandle curves down toward the peninsula. It was classified as a Category 4 storm when it hit, bringing winds of 140 miles per hour (225 km per hour). The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane wind scale, developed in 1971 by civil engineer Herbert Saffir and meteorologist Robert Simpson, divides storms according to sustained wind intensity in an attempt to explain storms on a scale similar to the Richter scale for earthquakes. 

The Saffir-Simpson scale defines a Category 4 hurricane as one that brings catastrophic damage. According to the National Weather Service, which was established in 1870 to give notice of “the approach and force of storms,” and is now part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a Category 4 hurricane has winds of 134–156 miles (209–251 km) per hour. “Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.” 

Hurricane Helene hit with a 15-foot (4.6 meter) storm surge and left a path of destruction across Florida before moving up into Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky with torrential rain, flash floods, high winds, and tornadoes. A record level of more than eleven inches of rain fell in Atlanta, Georgia. At least 45 people have died in the path of the storm, and more than 4.5 million homes and businesses across ten states are without power. The roads in western North Carolina are closed. Moody’s Analytics said it expects the storm to leave $15 to $26 billion in property damage.

Officials from NOAA, the scientific and regulatory agency that forecasts weather and monitors conditions in the oceans and skies, predict that record-warm ocean temperatures this year will produce more storms than usual. NOAA hurricane scientist Jeff Masters noted that Helene’s landfall “gives the U.S. a record eight Cat 4 or Cat 5 Atlantic hurricane landfalls in the past eight years (2017–2024), seven of them being continental U.S. landfalls. That’s as many Cat 4 and 5 landfalls as occurred in the prior 57 years.”

President Joe Biden approved emergency declarations for Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina before Helene made landfall. Tennessee governor Bill Lee, a Republican, did not ask for such a declaration until this evening, instead proclaiming September 27 a “voluntary Day of Prayer and Fasting.” Observers pointed out that with people stuck on a hospital roof in the midst of catastrophic flooding in his state, maybe an emergency declaration would be more on point. 

After a state or a tribal government asks for federal help, an emergency declaration enables the federal government to provide funds to supplement local and state emergency efforts, as well as to deploy the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help save lives, protect property, and protect health and safety. Before Helene made landfall, the federal government placed personnel and resources across the region, ready to help with search and rescue, restore power, and provide food and water and emergency generators. 

The federal government sent 1,500 federal personnel to the region, as well as about 8,000 members of the U.S. Coast Guard and teams from the Army Corps of Engineers to provide emergency power. It provided two health and medical task forces to help local hospitals and critical care facilities, and sent in more than 2.7 million meals, 1.6 million liters of water, 50,000 tarps, 10,000 cots, 20,000 blankets, 70,000 gallons of diesel fuel, and 40,000 gallons of gasoline to provide supplies for those hit by the catastrophe. 

FEMA was created in 1979 after the National Governors Association asked President Jimmy Carter to centralize federal emergency management functions. That centralization recognized the need for coordination as people across the country responded to a disaster in any one part of it. When a devastating fire ripped through Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the day after Christmas in 1802, Congress agreed to send aid to the town, but volunteers organized by local and state governments and funded by wealthy community members provided most of the response and recovery efforts for the many disasters of the 1800s. 

When a deadly hurricane wiped out Galveston, Texas, in 1900, killing at least 6,000 residents and destroying most of the city’s buildings, the inept machine government proved unable to manage the donations pouring in from across the country to help survivors. Six years later, when an earthquake badly damaged San Francisco and ensuing fires from broken gas lines engulfed the city in flames, the interim fire chief—who took over when the fire chief was gravely injured—called in federal troops to patrol the streets and guard buildings. More than 4,000 Army troops also fed, sheltered, and clothed displaced city residents. 

When the Mississippi River flooded in 1927, sending up to 30 feet (9 meters) of  water across ten states, including Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana, killing about 500 people and displacing hundreds of thousands more, President Calvin Coolidge appointed Commerce Secretary Herbert Hoover to coordinate the federal disaster response and pull together the many private-sector interests eager to help out under federal organization. This marked the first time the federal government took charge after a disaster. 

In 1950, Congress authorized federal response to disasters when it passed the Federal Disaster Assistance Program. In response to the many disasters of the 1960s—the 1964 Alaska Earthquake, Hurricane Betsy in 1965, and Hurricane Camille in 1969—the Department of Housing and Urban Development established a way to provide housing for disaster survivors. Congress provided guaranteed flood insurance to homeowners, and in 1970 it also authorized federal loans and federal funding for those affected by disasters. 

When he signed the Disaster Relief Act of 1970, Republican president Richard Nixon said: “I am pleased with this bill which responds to a vital need of the American people. The bill demonstrates that the Federal Government in cooperation with State and local authorities is capable of providing compassionate assistance to the innocent victims of natural disasters.”

Four years later, Congress established the process for a presidential disaster declaration. By then, more than 100 different federal departments and agencies had a role in responding to disasters, and the attempts of state, tribal, and local governments to interface with them created confusion. So the National Governors Association asked President Carter to streamline the process. In Executive Order 12127 he brought order to the system with the creation of FEMA.

In 2003, after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the U.S., the George W. Bush administration brought FEMA into its newly-created Department of Homeland Security, along with 21 other agencies, wrapping natural disasters together with terrorist attacks as matters of national security. After 2005’s Hurricane Katrina required the largest disaster response in U.S. history, FEMA’s inadequate response prompted a 2006 reform act that distinguished responding to natural disasters from responding to terrorist attacks. In 2018, another reform focused on funding for disaster mitigation before the crisis hits.  

The federal government’s efficient organization of responses to natural disasters illustrates that as citizens of a republic, we are part of a larger community that responds to our needs in times of crisis.

But that system is currently under attack. Project 2025, a playbook for the next Republican administration, authored by allies of the right-wing Heritage Foundation and closely associated with Republican presidential candidate Trump and vice presidential candidate Ohio senator J.D. Vance, calls for slashing FEMA’s budget and returning disaster responses to states and localities. 

Project 2025 also calls for dismantling the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and either eliminating its functions, sending them to other agencies, privatizing them, or putting them under the control of states and territories. It complains that NOAA, whose duties include issuing hurricane warnings, is “one of the main drivers of the climate change alarm industry and, as such, is harmful to future U.S. prosperity.” 

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

[tidalwaveresponse1]

When faced with water damage restoration service in Kennesaw, Atlanta, Roswell, Alpharetta, Duluth, or other areas in Georgia, Tidal Wave Response is the company you can rely on. We provide complete water damage restoration services, which include cleanup, repair, water removal, and water extraction.

[kimberlyharrisus]

Fast and Effective Water Leak Repairs in Newnan, GA

GoRapid, Inc provides fast and effective water leak repairs in Newnan, GA, addressing issues promptly to prevent damage. Expert team ensures efficient solutions to restore your plumbing system quickly and reliably. Visit at 833gorapid.com to know more.

[georgiasproofing]

Reliable Roof Repair Services in Georgia: Protecting Your Home from Damage

A well-maintained roof is essential for protecting your home from Georgia’s unpredictable weather, including heavy rain, hail, and strong winds. At Southern Premier Roofing, we offer expert roof repair services across Georgia to keep your home safe, dry, and structurally sound. Whether it’s a minor leak or storm-related damage, our experienced team is here to ensure your roof stays in top condition.

Why Timely Roof Repair Matters

Your roof is the first line of defense against the elements. Even small issues, like a missing shingle or a minor leak, can quickly escalate into significant problems if left unaddressed. Timely roof repair is crucial to prevent:

Water Damage: A damaged roof can allow water to seep into your home, leading to structural issues, mold growth, and even costly interior repairs.

Energy Loss: Damaged roofs with gaps or missing shingles let warm or cool air escape, making your HVAC system work harder. This raises energy bills and reduces your home’s energy efficiency.

Reduced Curb Appeal and Property Value: Visible roof damage impacts your home's appearance and can lower its market value, especially if you plan to sell.

Common Roof Repair Needs in Georgia

Roof repair in Georgia is commonly needed due to the state's varied weather patterns. At Southern Premier Roofing, we specialize in addressing a range of roofing issues, including:

Shingle Replacement: Strong winds or hail can dislodge or damage shingles. We offer fast, efficient shingle replacement services to restore the integrity of your roof.

Leak Repair: Leaks can occur around skylights, chimneys, or vent pipes. Our team can quickly locate and seal leaks to prevent water intrusion and further damage.

Storm Damage Repair: Hailstorms and high winds are common in Georgia, and these storms can leave roofs with dents, broken shingles, or punctures. We assess and repair all types of storm damage to keep your home safe.

Flashing Repair: Flashing around chimneys and roof edges can deteriorate over time. We repair or replace damaged flashing to prevent leaks and maintain a waterproof seal.

Our Roof Repair Process

When you choose Southern Premier Roofing for your roof repair needs, you can expect thorough, quality service every step of the way. Here’s what you can expect from our roof repair process:

Comprehensive Inspection: We start by conducting a detailed inspection of your roof to assess the damage and identify any hidden issues.

Detailed Estimate: After the inspection, we provide a transparent, detailed estimate for the repair work. We believe in no surprises, so our quotes cover all aspects of the job.

Expert Repair Work: Our skilled team handles all repairs with attention to detail, using quality materials to ensure a lasting fix. We work efficiently, completing most repairs in a timely manner to minimize disruption to your daily routine.

Final Inspection and Clean-Up: Once repairs are complete, we conduct a final inspection to ensure your roof is in excellent condition. Our team also cleans up any debris, leaving your property as tidy as we found it.

Why Choose Southern Premier Roofing for Roof Repair in Georgia?

Experienced and Certified: As an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor, we have the expertise and qualifications to handle all types of roof repairs.

Responsive Service: We understand the urgency of roof repairs, especially after a storm, and respond quickly to all repair requests.

Quality Materials: We use only top-grade materials, ensuring each repair provides lasting durability and performance.

Customer-First Approach: We treat each customer like family, providing honest advice, clear communication, and dependable service every step of the way.

Schedule Your Roof Repair Today

Don’t wait for roof damage to escalate. Protect your home and family with timely, professional roof repair services from Southern Premier Roofing. Contact us today for a free inspection and let us handle the repairs needed to restore your roof’s strength and reliability. Whether it’s minor repairs or extensive storm damage, our team is ready to help.

[transition-with-the-torah]

For Jewish communities in areas battered by Helene, High Holidays take a backseat to basic safety (originally published 30 Sept 2024, shared here on 1 Oct):

(JTA) — It’s been days since Hurricane Helene struck her community, and the CEO of Jewish Greenville still doesn’t know who is OK and who still needs help. “It’s very much a crisis situation for many people here,” Courtney Tessler told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, about the Jewish community she serves in South Carolina’s upstate region. “Our focus right now is just confirming the safety and identifying the immediate needs,” she said. “Without power and without Internet, and with spotty cell service, it’s been tough to do that.” Tessler’s community was in better shape than many in the storm’s path. The Jewish community in hard-hit Asheville, North Carolina, remains largely cut off from communication, with the timeline for restored electricity and running water stretching in some places until after Yom Kippur nearly two weeks from now. The local Jewish Family Services canceled its planned delivery of Rosh Hashanah meals owing to unsafe road conditions but reopened its offices Monday as a donations center.

Helene charted a path of destruction north from the Florida Gulf late last week, doing particular damage to Asheville but also lashing nearby cities including Greenville. Entire cities have flooded; roads have been rendered impassable; utilities failures are widespread; and the death toll topped 121 across six states on Monday, a number expected to rise. Hundreds of thousands of people may not have access to running water for days.

Also not helping matters: Widespread Verizon cell-phone outages the company reported Monday, affecting not just the regions hit by Helene but also other parts of the country.

For the thousands of Jews in the storm’s path, Helene and its “biblical devastation” also hit days before Rosh Hashanah, one of the holiest days of the calendar. It’s an added stressor that, for some, is now taking a backseat to personal safety.

“As much as I would like to say High Holidays are the priority, for a lot of these people it’s being able to get access to hot water or a shower,” Tessler said of the region she serves, where days of rain prior to Helene meant that centuries-old trees in the region were uprooted by the storms and caused massive damage.

Her federation serves between 4,000 and 5,000 Jews spread across 11 counties, making the simple act of trying to verify their safety when communication lines are cut a daunting task. South Carolina is also prioritizing getting businesses back on the grid before residential neighborhoods, meaning that Greenville’s synagogues are currently without power — and may not be up and running by Wednesday evening, the start of Rosh Hashanah.

“It is still up in the air, and we may not know until Tuesday if services will go on on Wednesday,” Tessler said, adding that some pockets of the area aren’t expecting to regain power until Oct. 14 — after Yom Kippur. In communication sent this week, she wished her hard-hit community a happy Rosh Hashanah.

Synagogues in other hard-hit regions also shuttered in the face of the storm, the fiercest inland storm in recent U.S. history and part of a trend of intensification that scientists associate with climate change. Several synagogues in eastern Tennessee and northwest Georgia reported power outages and canceled services over Shabbat on Friday and Saturday.

But as bad as the situation is in those areas, it’s far worse in Asheville and its environs. Entire neighborhoods and small towns in western North Carolina — a region of around 3,400 Jews, according to a 2010 demographic survey commissioned by the regional federation — have been washed away by Helene. Most Jewish communal leaders in Asheville remained unreachable Monday.

The website of the city’s Jewish community center displayed the same message on Monday that it had since Thursday: “Due to roadway flooding and forecasted continued rain with a possibility of tornado warnings, ALL JCC programming, Aquatics included, will be closed tomorrow Friday, September 27. We hope everyone stays safe.”

Asheville’s Jewish community includes a handful of congregations, a Jewish Community Center and a Chabad house; a handful of lay-led synagogues dot the surrounding area. The region’s Jewish population has grown in recent years.

While the synagogues are located some distance from the Swannanoa River, which swelled far beyond its banks during the storm, a current flood map on Monday suggested that at least one, Temple Beth Israel, remained within the boundaries of the flooding. The synagogue typically holds Tashlich, the Rosh Hashanah ceremony in which Jews away cast symbols of their sins, at a stream on its property.

Local Jewish organizations, including Jewish Family Services of Western North Carolina and Chabad of Asheville, were mobilizing online in their efforts to provide food, water and other basic needs to the region’s Jews.

“We are heartbroken for Western North Carolina and all those impacted by the devastation, but we will get through this together,” JFS wrote on Facebook Sunday. “Please continue to stay safe.”

Chabad of Asheville posted photos of hot meals and water bottles its rabbi planned to deliver to Jews across the region, asking followers to share details about elderly family members to check up on.

A few hundred Jewish college students also attend school in western North Carolina, most of them at the University of North Carolina-Asheville and Appalachian State University, in Boone. Those schools closed their campuses this week.

A staffer at North Carolina Hillel who oversees Jewish life on those campuses in an advisory capacity told JTA those students “had been looking forward to celebrating Rosh Hashanah in their communities,” but were now pivoting to seeking out volunteer opportunities.

“It has been inspiring to see students using our Hillel group chats to find places they can volunteer, share resources with one another, and offer each other support; our Hillel students are amazing and, like every Jewish community, shine when things look the darkest,” Ginny Vellani, director of NC Hillel Link, wrote in an email Monday.

Jewish communities from nearby and farther afield are stepping up to organize relief efforts. Temple Beth El in Charlotte, 120 miles east and largely unaffected by the storm beyond sporadic power outages, had begun to organize a fundraiser for Asheville’s Jews. The temple’s senior leadership was not yet able to share details about its concrete relief efforts Monday.

Farther-flung Jewish groups have launched fundraisers for Helene relief, including the Greensboro Jewish Federation further to the east in North Carolina and the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, which has also grappled with catastrophic weather attributed to warming seas and worsening storms.

The High Holidays have always fallen around peak hurricane season, which is growing longer and more volatile. Two years ago, small Jewish communities along Florida’s west coast were battered by their own “biblical” storm just before Rosh Hashanah.

The affected Jewish communal leaders are also in touch with each other, with Tessler telling JTA she has spoken with Asheville’s JFS — although “we just don’t know enough at this point” about the extent of the storm’s impact on the city’s Jewish community.

Yet hopes of celebrating a sweet new year in the region haven’t entirely dimmed. Vellani is planning to drive a truck full of supplies, including challah, honey cakes, apples and honey, to Boone on Tuesday. There, she says, students will hand out the holiday goods to Jewish community members using the area’s synagogue, Temple of the High Country, as a distribution spot.

“We hope to bring holiday joy, even in the midst of this incredibly difficult time,” she said.

[weather-usa]

The deadly aftermath of Helene lingers in Asheville, North Carolina: 'I never could have imagined this.'

Helene made landfall along Florida’s Gulf Coast late Thursday night as a Category 4 hurricane, but its devastating effects were felt in western North Carolina. There, numerous rare Flash Flood Emergencies were declared as relentless rain caused rivers and streams to overflow their banks. The resulting landslides and torrents of water cascaded down mountains, destroying roads and bridges and cutting off access to several communities.

Weather Forecast For 33316 - Fort Lauderdale FL

The catastrophic impact of Hurricane Helene continues to be felt in North Carolina, underscoring the devastating consequences of hurricanes even hundreds of miles from their point of landfall.

The remnants of Helene have drenched the state, delivering nearly 30 inches of rain in some areas—equivalent to about four months' worth of rainfall in just three days.

The Category 4 storm made landfall in Florida, leaving a path of destruction that stretches through Georgia, the Carolinas, and the Tennessee Valley. With over 120 confirmed fatalities across six states, the toll from Helene is truly staggering.

President Joe Biden has declared a major disaster for North Carolina, where nearly 40 lives have been tragically lost. More than 450,000 residents are still without power, and countless others have been displaced by flooding. Rescue efforts are ongoing, but many communities remain cut off due to impassable roads, power outages, and communication disruptions.

"My team and I are in constant contact with governors, mayors, and local leaders. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell is on the ground in North Carolina and will remain in Asheville for the foreseeable future," Biden stated. "Reports indicate over 100 deaths due to the storm, and up to 600 people are unaccounted for because they cannot be reached. God willing, they are safe. However, we can't contact them due to the lack of cell phone coverage."

In Asheville, one of the most severely affected areas in Buncombe County, search and rescue operations are in full effect. Over three days, the region experienced nearly 14 inches of rain, breaking all previous records. The relentless downpours caused the Swannanoa River to exceed its historical crest, which was set in 1791.

"It's shocking," said resident Russell Jones. "It's one of those situations where you don't expect the river to be that overwhelming."

Despite the challenges posed by damaged infrastructure, emergency responders are using helicopters, ground teams, and various resources to reach those in need.

Climate and Average Weather Year Round in 80026 Lafayette CO:

https://www.behance.net/gallery/202434527/Weather-Forecast-For-80026-Lafayette-CO

Residents are coming to terms with the extent of the destruction as they assess the damage to their homes and businesses.

"I never could have imagined this," said Oele Trump, a resident of Candler, who shared her experience of the storm with FOX Weather and its impact on her art gallery in Asheville. While her gallery seemed to have fared relatively well, the overall devastation in the community was clear.

Footage captured by Thomas Mabry shows Asheville's arts district submerged in floodwaters on Friday morning.

City officials report that Hurricane Helene severely damaged Asheville's water system, and it will take weeks to fully restore service.

See more:

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-30079

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-30080

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-30081

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-30082

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-30083

Residents are advised to boil any water they use for drinking. While shelters are open, some are reaching capacity. Food and water supplies are limited and will be distributed at designated locations as they become available. Bus service has been suspended, and firefighters at fire stations are available 24/7 to provide medical assistance.

As the recovery process gets underway, North Carolina faces a long journey ahead.

[yourreddancer]

Heather Cox Richardson

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON 9.27

Last night, at about 11:10 local time, Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida, where the state’s panhandle curves down toward the peninsula. It was classified as a Category 4 storm when it hit, bringing winds of 140 miles per hour (225 km per hour). The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane wind scale, developed in 1971 by civil engineer Herbert Saffir and meteorologist Robert Simpson, divides storms according to sustained wind intensity in an attempt to explain storms on a scale similar to the Richter scale for earthquakes. 

The Saffir-Simpson scale defines a Category 4 hurricane as one that brings catastrophic damage. According to the National Weather Service, which was established in 1870 to give notice of “the approach and force of storms,” and is now part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a Category 4 hurricane has winds of 134–156 miles (209–251 km) per hour. “Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.” 

Hurricane Helene hit with a 15-foot (4.6 meter) storm surge and left a path of destruction across Florida before moving up into Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky with torrential rain, flash floods, high winds, and tornadoes. A record level of more than eleven inches of rain fell in Atlanta, Georgia. At least 45 people have died in the path of the storm, and more than 4.5 million homes and businesses across ten states are without power. The roads in western North Carolina are closed. Moody’s Analytics said it expects the storm to leave $15 to $26 billion in property damage.

Officials from NOAA, the scientific and regulatory agency that forecasts weather and monitors conditions in the oceans and skies, predict that record-warm ocean temperatures this year will produce more storms than usual. NOAA hurricane scientist Jeff Masters noted that Helene’s landfall “gives the U.S. a record eight Cat 4 or Cat 5 Atlantic hurricane landfalls in the past eight years (2017–2024), seven of them being continental U.S. landfalls. That’s as many Cat 4 and 5 landfalls as occurred in the prior 57 years.”

President Joe Biden approved emergency declarations for Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina before Helene made landfall. Tennessee governor Bill Lee, a Republican, did not ask for such a declaration until this evening, instead proclaiming September 27 a “voluntary Day of Prayer and Fasting.” Observers pointed out that with people stuck on a hospital roof in the midst of catastrophic flooding in his state, maybe an emergency declaration would be more on point. 

After a state or a tribal government asks for federal help, an emergency declaration enables the federal government to provide funds to supplement local and state emergency efforts, as well as to deploy the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help save lives, protect property, and protect health and safety. Before Helene made landfall, the federal government placed personnel and resources across the region, ready to help with search and rescue, restore power, and provide food and water and emergency generators. 

The federal government sent 1,500 federal personnel to the region, as well as about 8,000 members of the U.S. Coast Guard and teams from the Army Corps of Engineers to provide emergency power. It provided two health and medical task forces to help local hospitals and critical care facilities, and sent in more than 2.7 million meals, 1.6 million liters of water, 50,000 tarps, 10,000 cots, 20,000 blankets, 70,000 gallons of diesel fuel, and 40,000 gallons of gasoline to provide supplies for those hit by the catastrophe. 

FEMA was created in 1979 after the National Governors Association asked President Jimmy Carter to centralize federal emergency management functions. That centralization recognized the need for coordination as people across the country responded to a disaster in any one part of it. When a devastating fire ripped through Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the day after Christmas in 1802, Congress agreed to send aid to the town, but volunteers organized by local and state governments and funded by wealthy community members provided most of the response and recovery efforts for the many disasters of the 1900s. 

When a deadly hurricane wiped out Galveston, Texas, in 1900, killing at least 6,000 residents and destroying most of the city’s buildings, the inept machine government proved unable to manage the donations pouring in from across the country to help survivors. Six years later, when an earthquake badly damaged San Francisco and ensuing fires from broken gas lines engulfed the city in flames, the interim fire chief—who took over when the fire chief was gravely injured—called in federal troops to patrol the streets and guard buildings. More than 4,000 Army troops also fed, sheltered, and clothed displaced city residents. 

When the Mississippi River flooded in 1927, sending up to 30 feet (9 meters) of  water across ten states, including Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana, killing about 500 people and displacing hundreds of thousands more, President Calvin Coolidge appointed Commerce Secretary Herbert Hoover to coordinate the federal disaster response and pull together the many private-sector interests eager to help out under federal organization. This marked the first time the federal government took charge after a disaster. 

In 1950, Congress authorized federal response to disasters when it passed the Federal Disaster Assistance Program. In response to the many disasters of the 1960s—the 1964 Alaska Earthquake, Hurricane Betsy in 1965, and Hurricane Camille in 1969—the Department of Housing and Urban Development established a way to provide housing for disaster survivors. Congress provided guaranteed flood insurance to homeowners, and in 1970 it also authorized federal loans and federal funding for those affected by disasters. 

When he signed the Disaster Relief Act of 1970, Republican president Richard Nixon said: “I am pleased with this bill which responds to a vital need of the American people. The bill demonstrates that the Federal Government in cooperation with State and local authorities is capable of providing compassionate assistance to the innocent victims of natural disasters.”

Four years later, Congress established the process for a presidential disaster declaration. By then, more than 100 different federal departments and agencies had a role in responding to disasters, and the attempts of state, tribal, and local governments to interface with them created confusion. So the National Governors Association asked President Carter to streamline the process. In Executive Order 12127 he brought order to the system with the creation of FEMA.

In 2003, after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the U.S., the George W. Bush administration brought FEMA into its newly-created Department of Homeland Security, along with 21 other agencies, wrapping natural disasters together with terrorist attacks as matters of national security. After 2005’s Hurricane Katrina required the largest disaster response in U.S. history, FEMA’s inadequate response prompted a 2006 reform act that distinguished responding to natural disasters from responding to terrorist attacks. In 2018, another reform focused on funding for disaster mitigation before the crisis hits.  

The federal government’s efficient organization of responses to natural disasters illustrates that as citizens of a republic, we are part of a larger community that responds to our needs in times of crisis.

But that system is currently under attack. Project 2025, a playbook for the next Republican administration, authored by allies of the right-wing Heritage Foundation and closely associated with Republican presidential candidate Trump and vice presidential candidate Ohio senator J.D. Vance, calls for slashing FEMA’s budget and returning disaster responses to states and localities. 

Project 2025 also calls for dismantling the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and either eliminating its functions, sending them to other agencies, privatizing them, or putting them under the control of states and territories. It complains that NOAA, whose duties include issuing hurricane warnings, is “one of the main drivers of the climate change alarm industry and, as such, is harmful to future U.S. prosperity.” 

[bllsbailey]

Biden and Harris' Response to Hurricane Helene Is Part of a Disturbing Pattern

Hurricane Helene dissipated over the weekend, but not before smashing into Florida’s Big Bend as a category four storm, inflicting “biblical” damage

across the southern United States. After landfall, the heavy rains led to catastrophic flooding that’s killed almost 100 people so far. In the Newport area of Tennessee, about 60 miles outside Knoxville, residents were forced to scramble after the Waterville Dam failed.

And where’s Biden and Harris throughout this crisis? It’s part of an unseemly pattern with this administration: when disaster strikes, everyone runs away. A train derails in East Palestine, Ohio—the Biden White House drags their feet. Severe wildfires strike Maui, the deadliest in 100 years, and it takes Joe forever to get out there. Joe’s mind is applesauce. Kamala is too stupid to know what to do—and the rest of this government is stacked with incompetents and other invalids. Meanwhile, there are reports that hundreds of thousands of people in Ashville, North Carolina, could be without access to water for weeks.

Yes, this is a campaign issue because we have an administration that can’t do disaster response.

— Oilfield Rando (@Oilfield_Rando) September 29, 2024

— Real Mac Report (@RealMacReport) September 29, 2024

— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) September 30, 2024

Pray for North Carolina. This is absolutely devastating. pic.twitter.com/hqiJqozLUb— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) September 29, 2024

Does Biden even know there’s been a hurricane?

 USA Today has more on the damage: 

More than 2 million people remained without power late Sunday across the Southeast in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, including more than 430,000 in North Carolina, where the deadly storm pulverized homes, trapped residents, spawned landslides, and submerged communities under raging floodwaters.  At least 90 people have died across multiple states since the record-breaking storm hit Florida's Big Bend as a Category 4 hurricane with 140-mph winds Thursday, before moving north through Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas and weakening to a post-tropical cyclone. The death toll is expected to rise.  On Sunday, North Carolina officials were still trying to grasp the level of devastation. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said at a news conference that at least 11 people died in the devastated state, "and tragically we know there will be more."  Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder said more than 1,000 people were reported missing through the county’s online portal but added that she expected the number to drop dramatically when cell service is restored. Rescue crews are “still trying to save every single person we can” in the hard-hit community, Pinder said.  Hundreds of roads were washed away, cellular service for over 250,000 people was cut off, and vast swaths of cities such as Asheville were left underwater. Cooper said Helene had become "one of the worst storms in modern history for parts of North Carolina."

— Ryan James Girdusky (@RyanGirdusky) September 29, 2024

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[weather-usa]

The death toll from Helene rises to over 125 as catastrophic flooding leaves North Carolina towns isolated.

Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida's Big Bend region late Thursday night as a Category 4 storm, bringing 140 mph winds.

Crews continue working to clear debris, restore power, and deliver supplies to isolated communities in North Carolina following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in Florida last week and has claimed over 125 lives across several southeastern states.

The Category 4 hurricane struck Florida's Big Bend region late Thursday night with 140 mph winds and a massive storm surge. As Helene moved inland, it left widespread destruction from Florida through Georgia, into the Carolinas, and the Tennessee Valley.

At least 128 people have been confirmed dead across six states: Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee.

President Joe Biden is scheduled to arrive in Raleigh on Wednesday before traveling to Asheville to survey the damage. He will also visit affected areas in Florida and Georgia.

Millions were left without power as the hurricane toppled trees, downed utility lines, and devastated homes, businesses, and infrastructure. By Monday, power outages in the states hardest hit by Helene had fallen below 2 million for the first time since the storm struck last week.

While power restoration is gradually progressing, first responders and residents continue to face numerous challenges as recovery efforts move forward.

The National Weather Service warned on Monday of the potential for additional landslides in parts of western North Carolina, as rain showers could trigger further runoff, endangering already unstable slopes in the mountainous regions.

Climate and Average Weather Year Round in 33314 - Fort Lauderdale FL

Communities in western North Carolina are ‘desperate for help’ as the death toll continues to rise. The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has caused catastrophic flooding, destroying hundreds of roads and bridges, and leaving many areas isolated.

Crews have been unable to deliver essential supplies like food, water, and fuel to residents in these cut-off regions.

Dozens of deaths have been confirmed in North Carolina, while hundreds remain unaccounted for due to widespread power outages and communication failures.

At a Monday morning news conference, Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder announced that the City of Asheville is partnering with Verizon to deploy a mobile cell tower in the area.

"This tower will provide limited cellular reception within several blocks of its location," she explained.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper emphasized that people are "desperate for help" and assured that the state is working to mobilize all available resources.

"Many people are cut off because roads are impassable," Cooper said. "They lack power and communication. Rest assured, we are sending resources and coordinating closely with local governments, first responders, state and federal partners, and volunteer organizations to assist those affected by this devastating storm."

The torrential rain from the storm triggered dozens of rare Flash Flood Emergencies, prompting officials to urge residents to move to higher ground as rapidly rising waters inundated communities.

"This unprecedented storm brought 10 to 29 inches of rain across the mountains, causing life-threatening floods and landslides," said Governor Roy Cooper.

Over the weekend, President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration for North Carolina, leading to the deployment of more than 800 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) personnel, along with distribution centers and equipment, to the states affected by Helene.

As crews continue cleaning up the aftermath, shortages of food, water, and fuel are causing long lines at gas stations, and tensions are beginning to rise.

Local media reported that arguments erupted among residents in the long lines, as many were exhausted and running out of options while desperately seeking help.

When asked about the delays in supplies and the situation in Buncombe County, Miller explained that the destroyed roads were causing the holdups. The Sheriff’s Office is considering assigning deputies to gas stations to help prevent further disputes among residents.

While crews work to repair the roads, helicopters have begun airlifting supplies to those who remain isolated until access routes can be reopened.

"There are helicopters actively delivering supplies. We observed them when we arrived last night," said FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray. "Yet, there are still people in dire need. The situation remains very complicated and fluid."

Food and water distributions are set to begin in Buncombe County.

At least 40 people have died in Buncombe County due to the impact of Hurricane Helene, which includes the city of Asheville.

While repairs to roads and infrastructure are ongoing, Pinder announced that food and water distribution would begin later Monday afternoon.

Weather Forecast For 80021 Broomfield CO:

https://www.behance.net/gallery/202434209/Weather-Forecast-For-80021-Broomfield-CO

"A one-day supply of food and water will be available to households," she stated.

The distribution sites are set up for drive-through pickups, but individuals who walk to the sites will also receive supplies.

These sites will remain open as long as supplies last.

Pinder added that the county recognizes that not everyone can access the distribution sites, and plans are being developed for mobile distribution efforts.

Biden: We Will Stand By You ‘Until the Job Is Done’

During a press conference at the White House on Monday, President Biden stated that he has been in contact with leaders from several affected states and plans to visit the impacted areas as soon as possible.

"Communities are devastated," he said. "Loved ones are left waiting, uncertain about the well-being of those they can’t reach due to disrupted cellphone connections."

Biden assured those affected by Helene that his administration would provide support "until the job is done."

"I’m committed to traveling to the affected regions as soon as I can," he noted. "However, I’ve been informed that doing so now would be disruptive. We will not risk diverting or delaying the necessary response resources for this crisis."

He also mentioned that FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell is currently in North Carolina and will remain in Asheville "for the foreseeable future."

The storm surge has caused catastrophic damage along Florida's Gulf Coast.

See more:

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-32125

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-32126

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-32127

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-32128

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-32129

The storm surge from Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic damage along Florida's Gulf Coast, with the Big Bend region experiencing inundation levels exceeding 15 feet. Cities like Tampa and Clearwater Beach recorded their highest storm surge levels in decades.

The small barrier island of Treasure Island was especially hard-hit, facing widespread flooding and significant property damage. According to Treasure Island police, four people lost their lives due to the storm's impacts.

Residents of Keaton Beach are also dealing with the aftermath of Helene and are still working to recover.

"I've seen a lot of severe storms on this river and watched many people rebuild," Steven Hatchett told FOX Weather's Robert Ray. "But I've never encountered anything of this magnitude—not even the 1993 Storm of the Century or any of the hurricanes."

Hatchett noted that buildings that had stood for his entire life have been destroyed.