This is what the road looked like to my sister’s mountain home.
People couldn’t get in or out.
I’m still waiting to hear from a dear friend in Brevard. I’m heartened that others got out of there. Am assuming she doesn’t have internet or phone service right now. If anyone knows that area well, maybe send me a PM and I’ll tell you what street? Thank you.
Also waiting to hear from friends in Brevard :(.
We’re only 45 minutes from Brevard; the main roads from there to here are closed, so the estimated drive time is 2 1/2 hours. Our walmart was full of Brevard, Hendersonville and Asheville people today trying to find supplies, especially water and gas. There’s never service between here and there; we still have pretty spotty service here, and from what they were saying their service is worse or non existent depending on location. Hoping y’all hear from your friends and loved ones soon.
One of my Toledo friends has close friends in Brevard. In fact, she just returned from visiting them 2 days before the storm hit. These people were thankful they had just filled up with gas when they took them to the airport. She said they live in a gated community called Connestee Falls. The road that leads to Asheville was wiped out, but somehow they were able to leave on Sunday. On Monday. local officials closed all the roads due to potential landslides. As of Sunday, they had no power, water, or cell service. Trees had fallen on the cabin next door and cabin across the street.
I know with so many people in unlivable conditions in the Asheville area, it seems unimportant. But the Biltmore Estate has yet to issue any press on if it has sustained any damage.
Wasn’t there a Chihuli exhibit at the Biltmore. I hope there was not damage!
And hope so for the people in the area as well.
The Chihuli exhibit they currently have is at Amherst at Deerpark, which I believe is an indoor venue. So the works should not have been exposed to the elements. I saw an outdoor Chihuli exhibit there several years ago and that one would have been an issue with this weather.
I would check Facebook. I found many group pages where tons of people were writing in asking for updates on roads, people, etc. I am not good with FB, so I got my sister to look and she found the local Fire and Rescue page. Again, tons of people writing in, so she gave a vague description of my aunt and the street, and that’s what got the ball rolling. They privately messaged her to get exact info.
I’m not sure if I can post FB pages here, but I found this one. Brevard County Fire Rescue
And if you don’t FB, maybe ask a kid and/or friend who does.
Edit: and we most definitely followed up with a donation! They were the best
Here’s a screen grab from the Biltmore Estate Facebook page
Sounds to me that they don’t want to be the story but want the story to be about the members of their community
Yes, I had read their press release. It says they are closed due to area conditions, but does not say if they sustained any damage on the property. They shouldn’t be the story and their statement is very supportive of the community. But, I am still curious about the condition of the estate. The Biltmore is a huge tourist attraction and will be key to the area’s economic rebound after this tragedy.
I imagine the house itself is OK. Possibly a leaky roof, but it sits on top of a hill with no big trees towering over it. The carriage roads, OTOH. I expect there are a lot of wash-outs and trees down. They meander through the woods and hug a creek in spots. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Village got flooded from the river. That whole area is pretty flat and low.
Just me guessing (and hoping) from visiting about once every other year for the last 34… And I once ran the 15K they had through it…
I heard from my friend in Brevard! She is ok, her house is not damaged. They have no electricity or internet, but occasional/spotty cell service. Sounds like she is doing better than many. So relieved to see her name in my inbox.
Also heard through friends that Blowing Rock Conference Center, an ecumenical retreat center on Goforth Road, has trees down throughout the property but has power and wifi. They are welcoming anyone who needs to recharge devices and use their wifi signal.
Two cousins and families are okay. Multiple family members of a dear college friend are okay. Another college friend has a condo in Banner Elk and they were there. They were able to make a rather harrowing trip home to Charlotte. She said she had never been so scared. But they are okay.
I thought it was her aunt?
Is it, but that’s OK. I appreciate the good thoughts from everyone
Our friends just checked in after getting cell service restored! They are OK! Living in their camper in the driveway but OK since they have no power to the house. I’m beyond relieved!
We are headed to Tampa this weekend and found out that all rental cars in the area are already taken due to the hurricane. My sister is graciously letting us use her spare, but I feel sorry for all those people with damaged or ruined cars.
Just a boots on the ground story. My aunt has texted! I guess now that she can get to the community center down the road, she has a little service. She wrote that the military helicopter drops off food at the community center. Before that, she just had her granola bars. She is now washing her dishes there. But for baths, she’s been doing sponge baths outside using her neighbor’s outside hose. They have a generator. She’s hoping for a real shower soon and to be able to get to her real home in TN soon. But she sounds in good spirits from the texts.