Most of our city has been without water for days

[G_j]

We are at the western end of NC in the mountains.
All the local rivers flooded from the Hurricane.
Many lost their homes.

http://www.citizen-times.com/cache/article/news/61229.shtml

Government declares WNC a disaster area; federal aid on way to victims


By Clarke and Ostendorff Morrison, staff writers
Sept. 10, 2004 11:02 p.m.

ASHEVILLE - The federal government late Friday declared 15 Western North Carolina counties a disaster and pledged immediate aid for people who lost homes and businesses to this week's massive flooding.

The federal aid will focus on short-term needs such as housing, food, water and money to replace damaged property.

The declaration came as many Asheville residents suffered through another day of little or no water - and with no firm promises of when repairs will be done.

A Presidential Major Disaster Declaration is expected to follow the emergency declaration, state leaders say. That declaration will focus on long-term rebuilding costs.
..more..

[lpbk2713]

1. Ironic isn't it?

Massive flooding all around you and you can't get any water when you want it. I know how you must feel. Where I live we're getting ready for our third hurricane in about a month. Hope it all works out for the better for you soon.

[G_j]

5. we are fine

We are about to go help some friends today who had water in their house up to their shoulders.

[matcom]

2. my parents live in Hendersonville

they told me last night that Biltmore Village was all but destroyed.

so sad

[G_j]

4. Hendersonville had lots of flooding too

We watched on TV the evacuation of an animal shelter there. They had to rescue 500 animals in boats. Hope your parents escaped the flooding.

Swananowa, a town next to us, got something like 16 inches of rain.

We are lucky we live on a small mt. ridge.

[matcom]

6. they live at the very top of Carriage Park

no water problem for them. hope Ivan doesn't rain down on you too. that would be a real mess (like it isn't already)

[G_j]

7. they say it is a possibility

perhaps by Wednesday. We'll have our fingers crossed!

[spinbaby]

10. A shame about Biltmore Village

It it's what I think I remember, it's really charming. Those are the houses and buildings right outside Biltmore Estate that were originally built for the estate workers, right?

My folks used to live in Hendersonville, too, and I made many a pleasant excursion over to the Biltmore estate. Unbelievable how the robber barons lived.

[Rhiannon12866]

12. Really?! My cousin lived there until recently, near my grandmother,

in Black Mountain, and I love anything Biltmore. This really is sad. And I am sorry for your parents and really hope that they're okay.;(

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. All the news is about Florida. There's hardly any mention of

how these hurricanes are affecting other parts of the States. Thanks for the information. We did without power for two days and were thankful we still had water.

What I find interesting is that the flooding effect doesn't really occur until days after. At least that's how it's happening here. Sanford (a real den of inequity as far as local government goes) is about to get breached by the rising waters of the St. John's River which is the basin for all the drainage from the creeks around.

Now that's God working. All that water from overdevelopment which was instigated by insiders in Sanford, is now coming back home to roost.

[IowaGuy]

8. I empathize...

In the floods of 93, here in Des Moines, Iowa we lost our water treatment plant. It was the largest water treatment plant loss in the history of the country. (kind of hard to believe anything from DM could be the "largest"; but I guess in this case we got the award). We went weeks without water....the National Guard, FEMA and the rest of the nation were absolutely incredible with the help that was given and volunteered.

Remember the coming together of this nation on 9/11? That is essentially the same feeling we felt we were recipients of (on a much smaller and less traumatic scale of course). Prayers are with you....let us know if there are any needs we all could help out with...

[G_j]

9. thanks for your good thoughts!

yes it is good to see how people help each other out. There are lots of volunteers helping to distribute bottled water, etc.

Our house still has a trickle of water which needs to be boiled before using. We are also on high ground and feel quite lucky.
The city has no idea when water will be restored and says there is a signifigant chance of further water line breaks.

[Rhiannon12866]

13. Welcome to DU, IowaGuy!

And thank you for your compassion. It seems that you fit right in!:toast:

[Rhiannon12866]

11. Mother of God, I am so sorry!

I have spent a lot of time in NC, since my grandmother lived in Black Mountain, just outside of Asheville. I know the area well. I always thought that this area was safe, away from the coast and near the mountains. This is a real tragedy. They tend to totally panic if there is a dusting of snow, so I cannot imagine how they are handling this. I really am sorry. This is one of my favorite places, beautiful country and the people are the best. Hang in there, our thoughts are with you.:grouphug:

[UrbScotty]

14. The things that are so easily taken for granted...

This reminds me to be grateful for the things I have.