Author of How to Prep When You’re Broke and Bloom Where You’re Planted online course
There’s a horrible humanitarian crisis afoot in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee, places that aren’t generally greatly affected by hurricanes. And the federal government, again, is late to the game.
On September 26, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida and then swept on an unusual path through Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee on the 27th. This isn’t to say that we in North Carolina, away from the coast, are never affected by hurricanes, but it’s usually heavy rain and a bit of wind. Certainly, folks 400 miles away from the coast are not accustomed to catastrophic hurricanes.
In fact, something like what’s going on in WNC right now is unprecedented – a once in a thousand year storm. We still have no idea of the death toll – current estimates are quite low from what is expected. People were caught in landslides, floods, their homes and cars washed away, and they’ve been stranded for more than a week.
The government response
It’s difficult to keep it PG-13 when discussing the “official response.” However much you hate your government, it isn’t as much as they appear to hate us.
It wasn’t until October 2, five days later, that “President” Biden ordered the military to help. They arrived on the sixth day but, as you’ll see, were given very specific orders. FEMA arrived to “help” on the Friday after the storm – a full week after it had originally hit the area. But their Search and Rescue units still hadn’t arrived. FEMA set up a lonely tent someplace hidden from view and expected folks with no power, no internet, sometimes no homes and no cars, to just magically find them.
And if you were among those lucky enough to find the tent, then…well…they “registered” you and gave you a flyer so you could go online and apply for aid.
How the heck are folks with no power, no water, no internet, and no cell signal supposed to go online?
For those able to go online and apply for $750 for immediate assistance…well, a bunch of folks stood in the ruins of their homes and discovered they were not eligible for the relief. And for those who are eligible, for many, it’s a loan that must be paid back.
To be clear – people will later be able to apply for additional aid from FEMA, who offers loans, housing, and other assistance. But that’s no guarantee they’ll be approved for it.
The real heroes
The real heroes in this situation have not come from the government or officials who seem to be big-dogging rescue and relief efforts of private citizens.
They’re the civilians who have poured into the area and made their way to every corner of these hills and hollers. They’re going on foot, by mule, by horseback, by ATVs, and using private planes and helicopters to save these folks stranded in the mountains without food or running water, and many without even a house left standing.
There are people like Elon Musk, who quickly dispatched a team to disperse Starlink units by helicopter to try to reconnect people to the outside world. There’s the racecar driver
Then there are the neighbors. Western North Carolina is a unique place in that it still has that sense of community. People are helping others – if they have a home standing, they’re letting their neighbors shelter with them. If they have a generator they’re offering up power strips to charge your phone. They’re out there slogging through the mud and trying to help because they have figured out that the government isn’t there to save them.
What’s the real story?
FEMA won’t tell you any of this. In fact, this webpage quickly popped up on FEMA’s website, “debunking” the rumors surrounding their response to Helene in some kind of weird pre-emptive strike. What they say is in direct opposition from what many people who have survived this disaster have experienced.
This video is the best compilation I’ve seen of the quick videos people have made sharing their experiences. If you want to know the real stories, ask the people who lived there, not the government. Some of this is hard to watch, especially for folks who have ties in the Appalachians. But I think it’s important to bear witness to what they’ve experienced.
It gets worse.
FEMA is actively getting in the way of relief. See the video below to see how they’re using their helicopters not to get out there and airdrop supplies or rescue people, but as runway blockades so that civilians can’t do it either.
VIDEO PROOF: FEMA Helicopters Are Blocking Greenville South Carolina Airport
Private citizens were flying aid to victims and FEMA came and BLOCKED THE RUNWAY to stop them
VIDEO PROOF: FEMA Helicopters Are Blocking Greenville South Carolina Airport
Private citizens were flying aid to victims and FEMA came and BLOCKED THE RUNWAY to stop them
“We’re at the airport today. Yesterday, they ran, like, 30 something planes — And FEMA has flown in, like,… pic.twitter.com/kx0qzljkXd
— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) October 6, 2024
There are a number of rumors with only word of mouth evidence of officials blocking rescue efforts and taking over donation distributions.
If you want to help, and you want to make sure your donation goes to actually assist the folks who need it, I recommend Samaritan’s Purse or a local church there in the area.
This is a disgrace.
I could go on and on about how the government has fallen short on this, but I don’t want to take away from the real crisis happening now. Kamala Harris is to busy announcing a crap ton of money being delivered to the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, and helping them rebuild, to care about our own citizens.
The people of Lebanon are facing an increasingly dire humanitarian situation. I am concerned about the security and well-being of civilians suffering in Lebanon and will continue working to help meet the needs of all civilians there.
To that end, the United States will provide…
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) October 5, 2024
We shouldn’t be surprised. It happened in Maui too. The government demonstrably made things worse.
Help is not coming. We can only count on ourselves. This is just more proof.
What do you think?
Later we’ll talk about some potential reasons that there are entities which might not want to see the area rebound, but for today, I want to focus on those who are struggling in the aftermath of Helene, no matter where they may be. I know that a number of our readers are in that area, and I really hope to hear from you soon.
What do you think about the clusterf*ck of a government response? Do you have any firsthand knowledge of the situation?
Let’s discuss it in the comments section.
About Daisy
Daisy Luther is a coffee-swigging, adventure-seeking, globe-trotting blogger. She is the founder and publisher of three websites. 1) The Organic Prepper, which is about current events, preparedness, self-reliance, and the pursuit of liberty; 2) The Frugalite, a website with thrifty tips and solutions to help people get a handle on their personal finances without feeling deprived; and 3) PreppersDailyNews.com, an aggregate site where you can find links to all the most important news for those who wish to be prepared. Her work is widely republished across alternative media and she has appeared in many interviews.
Daisy is the best-selling author of 5 traditionally published books, 12 self-published books, and runs a small digital publishing company with PDF guides, printables, and courses at SelfRelianceand Survival.com You can find her on Facebook, Pinterest, Gab, MeWe, Parler, Instagram, and Twitter.
It is intentional. The hill people have always been independent and impossible to control. This our rulers’ chance to empty the hills, destroy the culture and grab the land and resources. There needs to be trials and punishment for the creeps that did this.
I’m a descendant of NC and TN mountain people and proud of it. They do not deserve to be treated like this.
you’re right sally, NO ONE DOES
My fiancés ancestors were the Greens of Green Mountain, the Green Mountain Boys, and still hard working folks.
My first non native ancestor of record arrived in Virginia in 1609.
unbeknownst to tons of folks, there is very, very large cache of priceless quartz and some lithium up in those mountains!!! doesnt it make sense to eliminate as many as possible up there, and eminent domain all those lands?
Those minerals are essential to produce microprocessors. The lithium for modern batteries.
Have you all forgotten how Kamala wants us all begging her for a loaf of bread?
I’ll starve and die before I beg for anything from her…or her admin
If anyone is indifferent,unsympathetic or calloused towards the folks of WNC after this. You are my enemy.
You all need to understand that t his was not a natural event. Virtually the instant gov. DeSantis stated that the state of Florida was going to investigate the golf course assassination attempt on Trump, this storm was literally fired up, from nothing, then rapidly seeded, energized with laser and norad, then steered via norad, energized more and steered along the entire path it traveled. NO, this is not conspiracy. This is fact. There are many patents that show you the military technology that performs these functions. NORAD radars have been retrofitted with extreme electric cables so as to allow extreme energy to supply the needs of these energy weaponized radars. There is a military paper titled controlling the weather by 2025 or 2024……an army paper written decades ago. All of the horrific hurricanes of the last 20 years have been due to this weaponized military behavior. You can learn much about weather warfare etc at geoengineeringwatch.org.
Alex Jones did an excellent report on this, yet again, just these past several days.
Wake the hell up people.
Kick FEMA to the curb. Get them out of your area
agree again, there’s much evil underfoot….and now another hurricane? they want to do ANYTHING to stop this election from happening!@!!! weather has been weaponized!
I wish Elon could direct Hurricane Milton to steer directly over D.C. and Rehoboth Beach while the comatose one and his cackling side kick are there. An impeachment like no other….
Amen.
You are 100 percent correct thanks for sharing that
You are definitely right. If you want to sway anyone’s mind on weather control, this CBS broadcast from the past is a good mainstream source.
https://leohohmann.com/2024/10/07/watch-video-is-it-climate-change-or-climate-control-cbs-news-gave-us-the-answer-9-years-ago-and-yes-it-involves-hurricanes/
Watch Milton and perhaps the one following quickly after…. A horror show.
Do not allow these fema thugs to leave. Teach them a lesson they will never forget. Show them how brutal you can be.
Aparently one FEMA thug tried to interfere and was “roughed up a bit” by locals, and the cops just watched.
My home is western NC, and Daisy is correct, that GovCo is slow, stupid, and inefficient at best, and indeed, a hindrance in the moment when people need information and help Now. Local AM talk radio has been by far the best source for information. I was very glad to have my emergency radio in my preps. For those of us in the area who were prepared, it’s a great opportunity to teach the many, many unprepared people a bit about preparedness. I even got to correct one guy on the fallacy of so-called price gouging. The situation is, for sure, a terrible one for many who lost everything, and in spite of my relatively good situation I am shell shocked by the magnitude of destruction and the plight of the people. The scale of damage to water, electric, sanitation, communication, and transportation infrastructure boggles the mind. It’s hard knowing that people are still missing. There’s one person I still don’t know about. But a lot of people are helping their neighbors and engaging in various efforts to assist in the many needs that abound. If you are inclined to donate to relief, Daisy has good suggestions, and I would add the following:
Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry https://www.abccm.org/
Also, the Salvation Army and Red Cross have relatively low overhead/administrative costs so donations do largely get to the people.
Would love your prayers.
Thanks
You have my prayers. I’m wondering if a visit from the Redneck Air Force would be possible. https://nypost.com/2024/10/07/us-news/redneck-air-force-is-bringing-aid-to-nc-when-fema-came-up-short/
God Bless, stay safe.
Fema and united way won’t allow nurses or NP in. NP, RNs and Lpn’s have the skills to triage and help those affected. They only want the brain washed Red cross nurses. Sound familiar? They only want healthcare staff they control.
Deep ties in the area. Holy God, Katrina II – Helene in Appalachia NC/TN
I remember the horror and grief I felt when I realized the federal government was abandoning Katrina survivors in New Orleans. I was sick with grief. I talked to an old man at the post office, expressing my turmoil. He said “They’re letting them go.” Today I feel the same, realizing the Feds are intentionally standing down aid and rescue op’s to Western Carolina, East Tennessee, and parts of Georgia and other states.
Black Mountain and Chimney Rock, Lake Lure, were hit with 20 inches of rain. I have kin in these areas and in these mountains. Reports are there are 19 private choppers to 1 government helicopter flying missions. Word is local “officials” ordering civilian teams to exit the areas. Their aid and help is being refused – Just like the Texas school shooting not long ago, where a heroic mother leapt the school fence and rescued her two children while police “officers” stood doing nothing but block people from entering.
– Just like Katrina, when the mayor flew his buddies and very-wealthy individuals out on a chopper, leaving everyone else to die. While the police and feds went door to door confiscating weapons. Where one heroic lady Preacher pointed her sidearm at the lawless police and said “I’m gonna letcha have it, buddy.” She backed them down and upheld the Constitution – they did not rob her.
– Just like in Hawaii so recently when a lower working class area was wiped out (by weather warfare, it is sure), and the government told the people “your homes now belong to us. You can’t go back.” Where people were arrested for trying to return to their abodes. Where hundreds of children disappeared without a trace or explanation.
This is evil in our midst, and Satan thy name is “Government”. They’re going to weather warfare us all, and “let us go”. Chemical plant us. Confiscate our property and kidnap our children, leave us to die. It is going to get very grim indeed from here on out, my friends. Praise be to Jesus, to God and to your God, by whatever name you call him or her.
God is my Saviour. Please pray to yours. Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. God helps those, it is said, who help themselves. We are all on our own now, standing as children before God. Choose your way wisely and build your craft carefully. Your vessel will carry you until God calls you home to Heaven.
God’s will thy be done,
Amen
AMEN
Do not be a dumbass, organic prepper. There is captured video showing how this storm was created, strengthened, and steered.
agreed, that needs to be put out there in public, to fox, or whomever you trust, it needs to be spread around immediately!!! pass the word, pass the video, the website, whatever you have
geoengineeringwatch.org.
I’ve seen this before in the Virgin Islands, St. Croix, with the Red Cross / FEMA.
I’m going to deploy the next few days to Asheville, NC to survey the scene as a shelter worker. Demoralization has its cost, so I stand up, show up and speak up. I did 10 years Red Cross DAT, Disaster Action Team / Mass Care. I live one hour west of Asheville and we were affected also. As a prepper my cup is running over. Feeling like a trained race horse/bird dog, about to do for it.
God bless and be safe
much the same here in the UK, central govt is slow to respond and just makes things worse, local govt do what they can but their resources are limited and constrained by central govt lack of funds. so you folks arent the only ones.
The same happened here earlier this year during the storms and floods in Rio Grande do Sul state, from the population´s reaction down to the government´s response.
It´s crazy to read and watch all that in the news, it´s even bizarre after what I wrote in those two articles here on TOP. It´s also surprising how similar everything is despite the differences between the US and Brazil.
However, if we look at things in the perspective of the Fourth Turning the pieces start falling into place. I´m not sure it´s intentional, in my humble opinion i´ts more a result of Thirdworldization.
Governments – devoted to maiming and murder. Your whole world changes when you realize this. May they all burn in eternal hell.
Our government and Fema are so beyond evil and letting people die and suffer.
Keep speaking out against all this everyone and do our best to try to make a difference. Find ways to get help in and supplies somehow that isn’t stopped or confiscated by Fema!!
I’ll post above as well . . . EVERYONE in the U.S. can mail packages of clothes, jackets, necessaries, Pampers. We have contacts in Asheville who pick up and distribute to ppl and groups who need it the most. SHIP YOUR BOXES TO:: Asheville Post Office, “Donations Linda” General Delivery, Asheville NC 28801 … Pass this on. Send what you can. Winter comes early in the Mountains. God Bless you.
What is the street address?
George, I have a box all ready to ship out, but I feel like the address is incomplete. Please post the street numbers of the Post Office. I would like to send it out as soon as possible. Thanks, Bonnie
Contrary to popular belief, FEMA’s only roll is to protect the continuity of government, DO NOT TRUST THEM.
I will never donate to the Red Cross again. Wake up people the government we now know is not your friend. Vote accordingly!! Kamala has abandoned you. Other countries mean more to the government.
https://www.facebook.com/mountainmulepackersranch/ is a group that is helping since the gov will not. I know someone in the city of Asheville. They state even tho they have electricity, they said it will be weeks before there is running water and no internet unless they try to get it outside.
The guys with the mules, the Cajun Navy, Samaritans Purse and hundreds of locals are the hero’s. I fear to see what will happen with Milton and the storm following.
Can you make this video downloadable? I tried to copy the link and paste it to share and it says unavailable. I’d really like to share this
Here’s a link to it on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XlLjFMXTKY&t=2006s
Never mind, I figured it out- needed to do it in a computer instead of my phone.
One guy may have explained it. Helene just DUMPED water over there and that explains the sudden flooding, wiping out everybody from the mountain top to the towns below.
Totally unexpected even if you prepped and most of them did being isolated mountain people.
And if your home gets swept away with all your preps in it, like many homes did…well, you’re really on your own.
EXCELLENT and heartrenching video, very well done!~ this needs to be put out to Fox, Glenn Beck etc. and made PUBLIC!! GOD BLESS the people who are out there helping in any way they can, doing a video like this to get the REAL word out. Media just doesnt show the devastation, the real stories of what people/animals go thru. I live in coastal NC and cant believe our asinine governor is so “tied” to bidum/harris regime. I hope and pray we get a gop gov this time around, and I hope too that NC will get to somehow vote if they can and want. WE NEED LEADERSHIP! gOD BLESS all those who are suffering…..you are in everyone’s prayers every day….
I remember that old-time typing exercise line: “Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country”. Well, it is. Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country. It is long past time for the people to take control of their own destiny. It is time for somebody to recognize what the .gov people are intentionally doing to finish off those people who have already been so devastated by all this, and run the government bullies out of town.
If I were in that mess, I’m afraid I couldn’t standby and allow that crap to happen to my fellow citizens who are in such desparate need of help. As old as I am, I could at least drive an airport tug, and help to drag those government – owned helicopters off the runway, so other civilian aircraft could land and takeoff. When the government gets this corrupt, the people must do something besides cower down and allow themselves to be slaughtered by government bullies.
I have said I thought it’s coming. I think it’s here. At least, for those who are in that mess in Western NC and Eastern Tennesee, the S has already hit the fan. Now they must do what they can to survive! And somebody has to help them.
Y’all keep your heads on a swivel. Pray for those who are now in such desparate situations. Donate whatever you can. Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country. Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country. Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country. Okay. Everybody. All together now. Practice typing. Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country. Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country. Now is the time…..
God bless Appalachia,
OD
This has been a new normal for a number of years in the USSA unfortunately. Its a bad blood conflict waiting to happen if survivors get pissed enough.
You and yours are on your own unless you have a like minded local community together. There is no in between.
Don’t forget the latest one being steered to Florida. Looks worse than Helene. Could cut Florida in half.
There is a special place in Hell for the people/Demons behind this. Maybe a special place in this life as well.
My daughter is near Jacksonville and my fiancés daughter and family and grandkids she’s raising are south of Cape Canaveral. My daughter’s neighbor is a new hire driver for FEMA. Nice neighbor. He left a case of water on each of his close neighbors front porches this morning. I hope the new job doesn’t mess his head up. He will want to help people.
People are always looking for a savior in time of upheaval. So, they look to the government as an immediate savior. They have not learned that no government is a savior. What they give is expected to be returned —- and more. This one of the things that Communism does once a country is destroyed from within. They claim to be the savior and people flock to them without thinking what they will have to give up to be “saved.” They don’t realize it’s only a temporary panacea that brings a worse living experience than they had before. As the saying goes: “You don’t know what you’ve got until you lose it.”
Surreal. We travel those areas when we go to SC multiple times per year. This is heart wrenching & deeply angering. Good ole down home people who’d give you the shirt of their backs kind of people suffering so much.
Since this administration has been in place, being as skeptical as I am, I’ve noticed the billboards & advertisements about ‘Prepare, have a plan’. It’s just always struck me as odd, out of the blue type of billboards & TV ads. Especially since ‘they’ tell us what they are planning ahead of time in some cases.
People should refamiliarize themselves with HAARP.
Yeah, we went through Andrew in Miami in ’92 (Cat 5), and now live in the Blue Ridge mountains, about 20 min from NC.
My mom commented the other day about the similarities between how we all banned together back after Andrew, and how the people in WNC are banding together now.
To be quite honest, they are completely different experiences because the people in S FL vs WNC are inherently completely different kinds of people. I’m not even going to try to put it into words because it feels impossible to do. Suffice it to say that in the mountain areas, it is just who they are. In the bigger cities, I feel as if it is moreso dictated by need.
I’m currently stuck in Miami, unable to get past Milton that is bearing down on FL. We had come down to celebrate my dad’s 89th birthday on Sunday with plans to leave on Wednesday evening. Dad’s in a wheelchair and mom is elderly too so as much as I want to leave now and just go home to my mountains, we will stay to get them through the storm, which should be fairly simple since Milton is targeting central FL at the moment.
But yes, the stories of FEMA and the embarrassing failure they have exhibited and the shenanigans they’re pulling is actually a good thing to witness. While we all ‘know’ what’s up with these entities, there is always value is seeing it unfold. I actually find humor in the fact that FEMA is attempting to mess and subvert the needs of the victims in WNC. What they don’t know (or perhaps they think they are so smart and all) is that the people in these areas will totally disregard their commands. They will brush them off like a mosquito who was stupid enough to land on their arm. Nothing will stop those stuck at ground 0, and nothing will stop those who try to help and support them.
That is the reality that we don’t necessarily see that often. It’s a quiet strength, a silent determination, that could care less what the government tries to declare.
I personally find it very encouraging.
I’m beyond angry. And here comes Milton, followed quickly by another storm. We have daughters who’ve been through the hurricane that went on to devistate so many southern areas. In a predicted 24 to 48 hours Florida will be hit again. This time by what appears to be a rare hurricane of record proportions headed at them. Do I expect FEMA to do or be better in Florida than Tennessee, Georgia, the North and South Carolinas, Virginia or anywhere else?
Hell No! But American will be the initial rescuers. And as far as I’m concerned if they aren’t helping they had best get out of the way!
I read a comment on here that said something like, “show FEMA how brutal you can be.” I think that’s a great idea. They are trying to hinder anything that is good for the people of that Locale. The government did direct that storm’s path. It’s no longer a conspiracy, it is a fact.
https://www.geoengineeringwatch.org/documents-library/
Give FEMA the boot.
Blessings to you,
OD
I live in NC but not in an area that was severely impacted by Helene. There were several out of state rescue teams propositioned prior to the storm as well as (I think) 400 national guardsmen. By Sunday, Sept 29, I was questioning why resources from our military bases in NC weren’t activated. There’s USCG, Army, Marine, and USAF bases within NC. Military members with family in WNC were denied leave requests to search for their families & one stated they were getting ready to be deployed overseas.
Monday, Sept. 30, Gov Cooper’s office released a presser, “An Unprecedented Response: State, Local, and Federal Partners Surge Resources… .” If by “unprecedented,” they mean absolutely abysmal in relation to the catastrophic damage and humanitarian crisis, then I agree. The governor’s press release for Oct 8 cites “more than 3,000 Soldiers and Airmen” deployed to the mountains. This is the combined number for NC National Guard and active duty military. I find that appalling. So many people are still stranded on mountains and haven’t been reached while temperatures have dropped to the 30’s and 40’s.
My son runs with our local volunteer fire dept & they sent a crew out last week to assist in clearing trees and cleanup. They expect to rotate crews through the next year. He said every FD in the state is doing this.
This is monumental and NC’s governor as well as our our president are jokes. It’s a good thing that our people are strong, resilient, and resourceful.
All that being said, it’s worth mentioning that Asheville seems to be getting most of the attention and that it is a sanctuary city, which the media doesn’t mention. I have not heard legacy media mention looting, but I have heard that from citizens. The people have come together and are providing aid to communities. I’ve heard FEMA has tried to take over in a few areas but were sent packing.
There’s two sides to FEMA. The search & rescue (SAR) and emergency medical (DMAT) teams are on one side and then there’s the side that handles the initial disbursements and processes those registering for FEMA assistance.
I was talking with someone I know in eastern TN and we both think something is “off” about the response to Helene. What that is or why is nothing we could concretely identify.
I apologize for the rambling and disjointed post. I could probably go on and on.
I listen to a James Westley Rawles interview. He called FEMA Foolishly Expecting Meaningful Assistance. I totally agree. There is evidence that the US is in bed with the world forum plan to decrease the world’s population and using this to advance their plan.
Daisy, I want to tell you something. We were supposed to be at prepper camp. I was getting ready to buy my tickets and I heard a small quiet voice say “sit this one out”. You were unable to go also, due to your injuries. I just saw the photos from the email I got from the people running prepper camp. Thank God they were OK. And able to help out. They r still without electricity and very sketchy internet service. I am going to say our guardian angels were looking out for us. Im also going to tell u that my daughter lives in sarasota and could not evacuate. She is fine, her car still runs and NO damage to her home whatsoever. Ive heard miraculous stories everywhere. Praying for all affected in these evil terrible geo engineered storms. If yall can, please donate to Samaritans purse, as they r only 1 reliable I can find. God bless each one of you.
SC here.My power was out for 5 days-I did OK with eating the perishable foods first,then the canned foods.
Getting accurate info as to what was going on afterwards in the area and trying to power up my cell phone were my two concerns.
I’ve bought two battery banks and a larger solar panel.More chicken in a pouch for the pantry and ice packs for the freezer and cooler.
Once I got my internet up and watched videos of the destruction from FL to NC/TN and the lack of leadership of roy cooper/feds.I did donate to the private pilots fund to pay for fuel.