I live about 5 miles up the Widerner Valley from Damascus. It's so heartbreaking to see the devastation but find promise in the slow return of normalcy. Continued prayers for those affected.
Damascus has been near and dear to my heart for decades. The many adventures that my son and I have had, either beginning or ending (or both) in “Trail Town”, are forever etched in my mind as our best times together! Blue Blaze Shuttle and Mt. Rogers Outfitters were always favorites! The value of this town for hikers, cyclists, paddlers, fisherman etc is huge, and I pray that they can rebound both from a business and personal aspect!
My husband and I are riding the creeper from Abington to Damascus tomorrow. We had made plans several months ago to do the creeper from Whitetop. Praying for this sweet town of Damascus.
Recently discovered from watching RUclipsrs the entire AT attraction. I am obsessed with all things AT now and my and husband I planned to come down in spring 2025 to do trail magic and enjoy Damascus hostels etc . At first I thought we would not be able to follow through with this vacation plan ; but from what I am hearing we just may be welcome there after all in Spring 2024 . We lost our home to Sandy in 2012 . I grew up with hurricanes . Now that we are retired we will have no problem being one of the first tourists to return as soon as they are ready for us . Hang in there !
They are making great progress but are still removing debris. The Creeper Trail is now open from Abingdon to almost Damascus. It's a pretty ride as well, about 17 miles, and the shuttle companies are up and running.
Thank you for shedding light on this jewl of a town! I love Damascus! I live in Bristol and am in Damascus a lot! I consider it Abingdon and Bristol my home! ❤️
Let there when I was a kid. I still go back when I can had a Lotta good times I will be praying for everyone there. Wish I could be there to help me. God bless each and everyone of you.
10/26 town is open, please go and support those remarkable people who will be back, go and provide some help, your business. They as always are extending a warm welcome to anyone.
I love the Virginia Creeper Trail. I’ve been going there every fall for the fall foliage. As a mountain biker I’ve completed the entire trail 3 times from Whitetop Mountain to Abington. I will come back next time when the trail is back open for the next fall season. I’m from Asheville NC and yes it was very devastating to see everything destroyed both Flooding, landslides, and uprooting trees.
This is crushing! My wife and I have so many great memories of Damascus , it's people, The Creeper Trail, Hwy 58, Whitetop, The Highlands. Did Helton Creek area get destroyed? God please help these great people.
They are showing tremendous resilience. I don't know about Helton Creek, but it was a historic rainfall. We'll be going. back in a few weeks to document the progress.
The creeper trail has to come back. Its one of the most unique experiences I have ever had. Love the people Damascus and surrounding towns. IF YOU BUILD IT WE WILL VISIT
@@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV yeah ik that. We will be there in a little while. Just sad past that 😪. We absolutely love the trail up whitetop Mountain. Dogs also
There is a command center just as you come into town from the Abingdon side, but I would contact United Way of SWVA, which is coordinating a lot of things like that.
Too much emphasis and aid resources have been going straight to North Carolina this Area IS Not Getting the Same Attention treatment of DISASTER status as there.
We're in touch with folks in Damascus and theyseem to have plenty of supplies. The best way to help is to either send money or go ride the part of the Creeper from Abingdon that is open and spend your money in Damascus. We'll go back in a few weeks to learn more about what the real needs are.
I don’t know about Backbone Rock. Taylor’s Valley was hit hard but everyone is safe. We were unable to go there but hope to go back. I do know that the Green Cove Collective store survived but lost a lot of inventory.
You can find a list of places to donate on our main website, blueridgepbs.org, and our friends at PBS Appalachia recommend a local non profit, Appalachian Voices.
We aren't saying don't come help. Just check in before you come. They need a lot of help but on the day we were there, they really wanted volunteers to hold off and not just show up to help but to volunteer through one of the organizations that are already on the ground. There are still a lot of wires down and some roads are unstable, so there are places it's dangerous.
Hi just heard on a video and they said Kamala and biden showed up there truth or lie i have been praying for the people and i have not seen those two any where
We know they've both been to NC, but not sure if they've been to Damascus. Both of our senators and the governor have toured the area. The federal government is definitely on site though, and has been coordinating relief along with state and local officials. It's a slow process, and is tied up with determining whether people have private insurance. Most of the work so far has gone toward restoring water and electricity, and a lot of progress is being made there.
This town is our favorite town!! We travel there four times a year. We will continue to support this wonderful town.
I live about 5 miles up the Widerner Valley from Damascus. It's so heartbreaking to see the devastation but find promise in the slow return of normalcy. Continued prayers for those affected.
The people of Damascus and the Mt. Rogers area have shown incredible resilience.
Thank you so much for this informative and timely update!
Glad it was helpful!
Damascus has been near and dear to my heart for decades. The many adventures that my son and I have had, either beginning or ending (or both) in “Trail Town”, are forever etched in my mind as our best times together! Blue Blaze Shuttle and Mt. Rogers Outfitters were always favorites! The value of this town for hikers, cyclists, paddlers, fisherman etc is huge, and I pray that they can rebound both from a business and personal aspect!
My husband and I are riding the creeper from Abington to Damascus tomorrow. We had made plans several months ago to do the creeper from Whitetop. Praying for this sweet town of Damascus.
I hope your ride was lovely. We're having fantastic fall weather right now.
@@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV yes, the ride was perfect... ate lunch at Wilson's Cafe next to Sundogs. The trail was immaculate.
Recently discovered from watching RUclipsrs the entire AT attraction. I am obsessed with all things AT now and my and husband I planned to come down in spring 2025 to do trail magic and enjoy Damascus hostels etc . At first I thought we would not be able to follow through with this vacation plan ; but from what I am hearing we just may be welcome there after all in Spring 2024 . We lost our home to Sandy in 2012 . I grew up with hurricanes . Now that we are retired we will have no problem being one of the first tourists to return as soon as they are ready for us . Hang in there !
They are making great progress but are still removing debris. The Creeper Trail is now open from Abingdon to almost Damascus. It's a pretty ride as well, about 17 miles, and the shuttle companies are up and running.
Hurricane Helene cut a wide and long swath of destruction across the Southeast USA. Thanks for your coverage of Damascus VA
Thanks Tom! This is devastating. We did send supplies to Damascus. Will be watching to see what else they need as the days pass.
Thank you, Dina!
Thank you for shedding light on this jewl of a town! I love Damascus! I live in Bristol and am in Damascus a lot! I consider it Abingdon and Bristol my home! ❤️
Let there when I was a kid. I still go back when I can had a Lotta good times I will be praying for everyone there. Wish I could be there to help me. God bless each and everyone of you.
I hope everyone stayed safe! ❤❤❤❤🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🙏🙏🙏🙏
As a Shenandoah Virginian ……. I had to search for damage to VA ……. All eyes are on NC right now …….🙏 ….. God Bless
Count me in to come support this town.
I’ve Never been before but always wanted to go
Just let us know in the future when you’re ready for US👍♥️♥️
The trail is now open from. Abingdon to Damascus. Several bike rental/shuttle companies in Damascus are now open. Plan your trip today!
Americans helping Humanity
Thank you everyone who is helping in any way ! The destruction is massive
10/26 town is open, please go and support those remarkable people who will be back, go and provide some help, your business. They as always are extending a warm welcome to anyone.
I love the Virginia Creeper Trail. I’ve been going there every fall for the fall foliage. As a mountain biker I’ve completed the entire trail 3 times from Whitetop Mountain to Abington. I will come back next time when the trail is back open for the next fall season. I’m from Asheville NC and yes it was very devastating to see everything destroyed both Flooding, landslides, and uprooting trees.
The trail is open from Abingdon to Damascus. Come on back!
@@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV okay, but maybe next year or 2.
This is crushing! My wife and I have so many great memories of Damascus , it's people, The Creeper Trail, Hwy 58, Whitetop, The Highlands. Did Helton Creek area get destroyed? God please help these great people.
They are showing tremendous resilience. I don't know about Helton Creek, but it was a historic rainfall. We'll be going. back in a few weeks to document the progress.
Yes!! ❤❤❤❤
Hi from isolated and tourist destination hurricane prone Puerto Rico, where we basically suck it up financially and prepare and recover on our own.
We so sorry aboot this 'Inconvenient Truth' - Be Safe & Luv thy Neighborz 🍀🇨🇦⚜️
That hurts my heart God bless you guys praying for you
💔sending prayers from Stony Creek
The creeper trail has to come back. Its one of the most unique experiences I have ever had. Love the people Damascus and surrounding towns. IF YOU BUILD IT WE WILL VISIT
Was just there in April and walked the creeper trail and laurel. Wild that it's all gone
The trail is open from Abingdon to Damascus. Come on back!
@@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV yeah ik that. We will be there in a little while. Just sad past that 😪. We absolutely love the trail up whitetop Mountain. Dogs also
We were just there for a visit last April. So sad to see this😢
Our Boy Scout Troop is doing a good and supply drive this week. Does anyone know how we can best get the collected items to those in need in Damascus?
There is a command center just as you come into town from the Abingdon side, but I would contact United Way of SWVA, which is coordinating a lot of things like that.
Too much emphasis and aid resources have been going straight to North Carolina this Area IS Not Getting the Same Attention treatment of DISASTER status as there.
We're in touch with folks in Damascus and theyseem to have plenty of supplies. The best way to help is to either send money or go ride the part of the Creeper from Abingdon that is open and spend your money in Damascus. We'll go back in a few weeks to learn more about what the real needs are.
Prayers for my hometown
Kermit God bless you sir 💖 my jeart is with you.
this area is so beautiful we have been going here for a few years i want to find ways to donate.
Don't donate to FEMA or redcross. Donate to church or sheriffs dept.
Is Trail Days on for next May?
A little early to say, but I'd guess it depends on whether the AT is open again by then, which hopefully it will be!
Guess the tourist don't get the red wrist band
Tourists aren't allowed in...
Correct. Officials want to keep people safe, and there is a lot of heavy equipment at work.
Damascus is back on its feet
Are the folks stranded in Taylor's Valley and Whitetop? Did Backbone rock survive?
I don’t know about Backbone Rock. Taylor’s Valley was hit hard but everyone is safe. We were unable to go there but hope to go back. I do know that the Green Cove Collective store survived but lost a lot of inventory.
Where do I donate
You can find a list of places to donate on our main website, blueridgepbs.org, and our friends at PBS Appalachia recommend a local non profit, Appalachian Voices.
We have a list of agencies to donate to at blueridgepbs.org
❤🙏🏻
Did people lose their homes there?
Absolutely, but they are already cleaning up and preparing to rebuild.
It seems that the river shifted
It did, when a logjam blocked it at a bridge.
I live there
Bible: Damascus will be destroyed in one hour!! Could this be it!?😮
Sauer Ports
How dare you say people who want to help come and help um …
We aren't saying don't come help. Just check in before you come. They need a lot of help but on the day we were there, they really wanted volunteers to hold off and not just show up to help but to volunteer through one of the organizations that are already on the ground. There are still a lot of wires down and some roads are unstable, so there are places it's dangerous.
What ???
Hi just heard on a video and they said Kamala and biden showed up there truth or lie i have been praying for the people and i have not seen those two any where
We know they've both been to NC, but not sure if they've been to Damascus. Both of our senators and the governor have toured the area. The federal government is definitely on site though, and has been coordinating relief along with state and local officials. It's a slow process, and is tied up with determining whether people have private insurance. Most of the work so far has gone toward restoring water and electricity, and a lot of progress is being made there.