thanks for sharing your story, the video was a glimpse of what others experienced before their homes and vehicles washed away, I hope they all had found peace with God before or in that storm
Someone or somehting was looking out for you Jon! How that camper didn't get picked up and float away is absolutely mind blowing! Glad you were able to tell the tale!
Agreed! I had no idea how lucky until I saw cars, houses, and tractor trailers washed up downstream a couple days later. That could very well have been me 😨
Thank you for sharing a REAL experience , it put it in perspective. You do a really great job of narrating your experience. May God Bless each and every one of y’all on the mountain and all others.
Thank you for your video im amazed & seeing the water rush around the camper was heart wrenching thinking its going to wash you away. Terrifying for sure. But the Lord was watching over what a blessing for are safe and others didn't get washed away. God Bless all people who made it through with their lives in this hurricane that devastated so many states & counties.
In your place I would have been absolutely terrified. Agree with gstar7686 you were very lucky. Unforunately the news media didn't show any of this. So many areas loved ones lived they never said anything about. Have brother in Georgia and couldn't get any information and there was no way to contact him. Lights, phones, everything was out. It was days before I was able to get through and all he said was he was trying to get through to paramedics and had to go to hospital, then we were cut off. It was terrifying for me, and others I'm sure, not knowing how their loved ones were. As terrifying as that was, I can't imagine what people going through it felt. Lives have been destroyed and will take years before they able to half way get back to where they were before the hurricane. One video I watched said there was not only the hurricane but also tornado (which news said nothing about whatsoever) that hit some areas. And the misinformation that was put out from some just made things worse. My heart goes out to everyone there.
I was the only tent camper at that campground. Another camper stayed in the camper down the hill. He left once we got the road open. Nanda (the woman in some of the video) lived in the second camper, and she relocated that week to Boone with her son, but eventually will need to get her camper out.
I cant believe you just sat there it looked to me on the video that you could have just walked past your car and up on that hill you are very lucky you didn't go tumbling down that mountain inside that thing
Traveling you might consider getting an FCC Technician Amateur Radio license. A small $35 handheld transceiver might come in handy. There was a repeater on Mt Mitchell that had very wide spread coverage. You will find these repeaters wherever you travel.
I found a yt channel that was broadcasting the Ham radio feed from Mt. Mitchell on like sat or Sunday after the storm, what a great group of guys on there helping in anyway they could
I would encourage everyone to get a radio regardless if they have a license, and learn how to use it, they could still use it in an emergency without a license. If nothing else, they could listen to it and use it for gathering intel.
@@kayte13 Out of the maybe two dozen properties on that mile stretch of Dark Ridge Rd., only 5-6 were occupied by residents at the time. When we set out, we had no idea who had stayed and who had fled before the storm.
I finally got off the mountain and back to society on Sunday, the third day after Helene passed. The roads were clear enough to get to Boone, so I drove with Nanda (Curtis's camp assistant) to get gas and supplies for a neighbor, and we were finally able to get cell service to message our families. We went back to the camp for a couple more days to help who we could and clean up before we packed our cars and left. Nanda had to leave her camper (her "bus" as she called it) and move her dogs to another temporary place. I got word that FEMA had put Curtis up at a Best Western in the area after I left (Oct 1), but I don't know how long that was for.
@@julievan6579 Yes, his house survived, but with no power or services. He ran a generator for the few days I was there after the storm, but had no driveway up the hill to the house, and I think it became too difficult to walk up because of his bad leg.
@@jonrayalongthewaythank you for letting me know. I am surprised fema is paying for his hotel. I wonder if it comes with strings attached. I know they want some of those areas for the lithium. Hope he isn't getting into a bad situation down the line with fema.
Was enjoying the video till you were in your trailer. When you couldn't open the door enough, why would you look at the rear emergency rear door & never tried opening? When you finally got the door opened your stairs were gone. You questioned the depth of the water. Why be concerned about that ? I may be the only person thinking of just getting out fast ? Ive been in many floods due to living on a small river. & the water was freezing cold in New Hampshire. I'm extremely happy you made it out finally! 😊😊
I wasn't planning on going out on foot once the mountain flooded, I was just watching and praying at that point. There were no roads open - the immediate one was a river by the camp exit. So hunkered down and thought positive thoughts (or I was just in complete denial because I was scared out of my wits - definitely that too). And Thanks! I'm super glad I made it out too :)
You can read the story here: jonpaulray.com/he-told-it-on-the-mountain Thanks for watching
Thankful for Curtis and all the local assistance!
thanks for sharing your story, the video was a glimpse of what others experienced before their homes and vehicles washed away, I hope they all had found peace with God before or in that storm
Someone or somehting was looking out for you Jon! How that camper didn't get picked up and float away is absolutely mind blowing! Glad you were able to tell the tale!
I didn't realize how close I came to that until the day after, seeing what the flood had done everywhere. Thanks, glad to be here!
Thankyou for sharing this horrific experience. So glad you made it through .
Thank you
Omg how that camper didn't wash away I don't know. I know it was nervous laughter but I would be having a heart attack.
Yeah definitely, I wasn't letting myself believe it was real or something. Nervous denial, maybe? lol
You were very lucky that the camper you were in wasn't swept away.
Agreed! I had no idea how lucky until I saw cars, houses, and tractor trailers washed up downstream a couple days later. That could very well have been me 😨
Thank you for sharing a REAL experience , it put it in perspective. You do a really great job of narrating your experience. May God Bless each and every one of y’all on the mountain and all others.
Thanks so much!
Thank you for the video. The power of water is amazing.
We stayed in that camper only two years ago. Grateful that you are safe and not washed down the mountain. With.
That's wild! Thanks, me too :)
Praise God ❤ i hope you are out of there! You are one lucky man to be alive to tell your story❤❤❤ Wishing you the best!
Thank you so much. I certainly feel lucky to be here!
Oh gosh, what a devastation !I'm praying for everyone. God bless you all
Thank you for sharing your experience and video with us. Very well presented.Paise the Lord you survived♥️🙏
Thank you, thank you :)
Thank you. I'm glad you are all safe. Sending thoughts and prayers from Yorkshire, uk.
Thank you!
Thank you for your video im amazed & seeing the water rush around the camper was heart wrenching thinking its going to wash you away. Terrifying for sure. But the Lord was watching over what a blessing for are safe and others didn't get washed away. God Bless all people who made it through with their lives in this hurricane that devastated so many states & counties.
Definitely blessed, thank you!
Guess it was meant to be that you had this experience, and lived thru it. What a cool guy you are.
You make me smile. Thanks, I'm fortunate to be here for sure :)
30:23 Helping is a good way to start healing.
That’s insane!
In your place I would have been absolutely terrified. Agree with gstar7686 you were very lucky. Unforunately the news media didn't show any of this. So many areas loved ones lived they never said anything about. Have brother in Georgia and couldn't get any information and there was no way to contact him. Lights, phones, everything was out. It was days before I was able to get through and all he said was he was trying to get through to paramedics and had to go to hospital, then we were cut off. It was terrifying for me, and others I'm sure, not knowing how their loved ones were. As terrifying as that was, I can't imagine what people going through it felt. Lives have been destroyed and will take years before they able to half way get back to where they were before the hurricane. One video I watched said there was not only the hurricane but also tornado (which news said nothing about whatsoever) that hit some areas. And the misinformation that was put out from some just made things worse. My heart goes out to everyone there.
Wow. Not sure how you had the stones to stay in that camper…not recommended but glad you’re alive.
You were fortunate there 19:38
Indeed.
Thanks for sharing your story. Do you know if any other campers made it to safety?
I was the only tent camper at that campground. Another camper stayed in the camper down the hill. He left once we got the road open. Nanda (the woman in some of the video) lived in the second camper, and she relocated that week to Boone with her son, but eventually will need to get her camper out.
I cant believe you just sat there it looked to me on the video that you could have just walked past your car and up on that hill you are very lucky you didn't go tumbling down that mountain inside that thing
Traveling you might consider getting an FCC Technician Amateur Radio license. A small $35 handheld transceiver might come in handy. There was a repeater on Mt Mitchell that had very wide spread coverage. You will find these repeaters wherever you travel.
I found a yt channel that was broadcasting the Ham radio feed from Mt. Mitchell on like sat or Sunday after the storm, what a great group of guys on there helping in anyway they could
I would encourage everyone to get a radio regardless if they have a license, and learn how to use it, they could still use it in an emergency without a license. If nothing else, they could listen to it and use it for gathering intel.
Thanks for the info!
Odd no one else is out looking around😮
@@kayte13 Out of the maybe two dozen properties on that mile stretch of Dark Ridge Rd., only 5-6 were occupied by residents at the time. When we set out, we had no idea who had stayed and who had fled before the storm.
22:09 and how did the picnic table stay upright 😮
It must have been difficult just sitting there watching the water rise and being powerless to do anything about it.
How long did you stay there before you could get out?
Absolutely beautiful there!
I feel so bad for Curtis.
I finally got off the mountain and back to society on Sunday, the third day after Helene passed. The roads were clear enough to get to Boone, so I drove with Nanda (Curtis's camp assistant) to get gas and supplies for a neighbor, and we were finally able to get cell service to message our families.
We went back to the camp for a couple more days to help who we could and clean up before we packed our cars and left. Nanda had to leave her camper (her "bus" as she called it) and move her dogs to another temporary place. I got word that FEMA had put Curtis up at a Best Western in the area after I left (Oct 1), but I don't know how long that was for.
@@jonrayalongtheway why was Curtis put in a hotel by fema.... didn't his house survive?
@@julievan6579 Yes, his house survived, but with no power or services. He ran a generator for the few days I was there after the storm, but had no driveway up the hill to the house, and I think it became too difficult to walk up because of his bad leg.
@@jonrayalongthewaythank you for letting me know. I am surprised fema is paying for his hotel. I wonder if it comes with strings attached. I know they want some of those areas for the lithium. Hope he isn't getting into a bad situation down the line with fema.
@@julievan6579 Good to know. I will pass that on.
Was enjoying the video till you were in your trailer. When you couldn't open the door enough, why would you look at the rear emergency rear door & never tried opening? When you finally got the door opened your stairs were gone. You questioned the depth of the water. Why be concerned about that ? I may be the only person thinking of just getting out fast ? Ive been in many floods due to living on a small river. & the water was freezing cold in
New Hampshire. I'm extremely happy you made it out finally! 😊😊
I wasn't planning on going out on foot once the mountain flooded, I was just watching and praying at that point. There were no roads open - the immediate one was a river by the camp exit. So hunkered down and thought positive thoughts (or I was just in complete denial because I was scared out of my wits - definitely that too).
And Thanks! I'm super glad I made it out too :)
I hope he can move that camper so that "river" won't get under it again. They say this was a 100 yr. flood but I wouldn't risk it.
Old beech mountain rd
You move your camera too fast, its dizzying