It's gone, the old Clinchfield Railroad, incredible! I can't believe it. Yes take a break. I'm in Greeneville, TN. I understand when you say you need to take a break. When you are standing in the middle of it looking around. It's downright scary! The people in Florida had days to evacuate. All we got was, expect heavy rain. Well, we've been through that before. Expected to see some flash flooding and creeks overflowing. Nobody was expecting anything like this. These poor mountain folk. Nobody is saying it, I will. This tropical storm in the mountains is this countries worst national weather disaster! The death toll is way underestimated!
@@bamahama707 You had to turn it into a political issue. Jesus Christ, you fuckers need to get over yourselves and focus on things that need to be done!
@@bamahama707 Just stop with partisan BS. EVERY SINGLE ADMINISTRATION for decades has dealt with natural disasters and everyone has come up short in some way because natural disasters can be overwhelming to deal with. The extent of this natural disaster covered a much bigger area than previous disasters including Katrina's hit on New Orleans. Republican governors have come out in support of the Biden/Harris administration for doing as much as they could. In fact here is what Governor Bill Lee said a while back about the misinformation being spread for no good reason just like you're doing!! From republican Governor Lee of Tennessee, October 5, 2024: "There is a lot of misinformation on disaster relief right now. Look FEMA [and the Biden/Harris administration] are working along side local organizations to deliver relief to people. They are committed to serving the people in this state and it is deeply unfortunate that there are those spreading misinformation"!!
This is about 1/3 of the footage I captured yesterday. I will make another video...and it's equally intense footage. But I need a break. Better yet, a vacation from this insanity.
Thank you so much for the videos you have shared. I've over 300 trips through the Nolichucky Gorge and I hardly recognize my old friend as she is now. The flood washed a coffin up into a tree just downstream from Nolichucky Resort. (Rick Murray's old place.)
@@TreeLBollingTreeMan Wow. I was wondering if any cemeteries or old burials would turn up. In a tree. Wow. Do you have a photo I could see? designsinorbit@gmail.com
@designsinorbit Your footage is the best out there. I appreciate the music choices with no voiceover. US and North Carolina archives will want these. I'm donating to each of the communities you've linked to. Please take care of yourself. We've got widespread collective trauma. And trauma's got a long tail.
@@designsinorbit On a RUclips channel called Flow State Sup look for a video titled "Nolichucky River flood Erwin TN 160,000cfs DEVASTATION" and at the 3:40 time mark is the video of the coffin. Due to RUclips I'm unable to post link.
And you should take a break. Many of us keep saying it's a form of PTSD with all of this right now. It's overwhelming. Everyone has been on adrenaline for 3+ weeks and now it's starting to really hit home. Take care of yourself. We surely will be waiting to see more!
I guided rafts and paddled kayaks on the Nolichucky River back in the 80's and 90's. Seeing this is breaking my heart. My last kayaking trip on this river was back around 2003, but then life took in to a different part of the country, and I have missed it every since. Seeing a few videos now and knowing that so many of the Landmarks, and classic rapids are gone or totally altered forever is just too much to take. The damage along the Toe and Cain communities is beyond horrible as well as Erwin. We all know that 1000 and 10000 year floods come and change rivers, but who expects to actually live to see one like this.
Was a raft guide here for many years. Was even there during Ivan and Katrina. Year after year we’d notice tiny changes here and there when a rock would move and change a rapid… but this…. This…. is a completely new river. The idea that I’ll never be able to take my kids on the rapids I knew in my youth because, well, they’re gone, it’s rough. I hope everyone affected finds peace.
I feel very much the same way. The nolichucky gorge is forever different. "It is better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all." I feel like I'm grieving the loss of a loved one over this river.
This has affected so many people! Me included! This is in my home town, I now live a few miles below this, and the beauty that this storm destroyed was what I considered as so many great memories! My grandchildren swam in this area, and I am lucky to have those memories in the pictures my daughter in law took of them swimming there, but it will never be the same! I knew 2 of the people that died, who were from the plant further down, and I live less than a quarter mile from Bumpus cove.... thank you for showing this, some of the folks who live in 5he Bumpus Cove area are in tents because they have nowhere else to go.....I have prayed and cried so much....they need help so bad.....
Reach out to me and possibly I could come there in a few days and get footage of the state of your area and set up a GoFundMe or link to an existing one. Make a Bumpus video and get some attention to you. designsinorbit@gmail.com
I just can't help but think what an engineering marvel this train track through the gorge represents. The time, ingenuity, and sheer manhours required to build this, while managing to maintain the natural beauty of the area, is just unfathomable to me. Honestly, I'm not sure they could duplicate this today. Our modern world tends to destroy so much in the interest of speed and money. Honestly, I feel much of this region should perhaps be declared a national monument/memorial to the untold many who died in these floods, many of whom may never be found.
Excellent video, sobering to see such destruction....your choice of music made this video very heart felt.I have no words to express the horrific damage to this beautiful place and beautiful people who live there.
Superb work. Past and present side by side. Music is perfect. Unnatural levels of water were brought to bear upon these gorges. Your videos are valuable testimony.
Thanks for this video. I grew up in Erwin in a railroad family and spent a lot of time up in the gorge. I was hoping that someone would document the post flood Noli Gorge. When I saw the size of the rapids and volume of water flowing by the Erwin hospital and WXIS/WEMB I knew the Gorge was getting hammered. The scale of this storm is hard to imagine. One surprise was all the timber laydowns on the ridges. The immense power that was unleashed on this area and loss of life will forever scar the residents. I hope time will heal all wounds.
Yours remain the most well done and visually informative videos concerning this event. Seeing one of my home rivers completely changed is hard to wrap my head around. Thank you for giving us a look at what is left.
So many small mountain communities absolutely decimated. Asheville, Boone, Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, Marshall, Hot Springs, Buncombe County, that's just the tip of the iceberg the list goes on and on.
I spent so much time in the mountains growing up and as an adult and now with my children and wife. I still get teary eyed and cry sometimes because these mountains our home, those that introduced me to the mountains are long gone (stepdad, grandparents) so it holds a lot of sentimental value and ive also spent the most time there when i was at my lowest. Id drive 3hrs just to sit down and take in the beauty at night, im able to breathe out there and its the only way i can clear my mind and get away. The mountains are healing and it kills me to see the devastation. if i could volunteer everyday i would but its really complicated with children, pets etc so me and my wife help on the weekends (we live outside of charlotte so its a long drive). The mountains are healing but also destructive and deadly if not respected, i feel for everyone whose homes are completely gone, lives completely lost. Its going to take a very long time to repair physically but mentally for these people and il help however and whenever possible. Rest in peace to those lives lost.
I have managed to step aside from the rage for just a wee minute or two. Its unbelievable the force of water that did that. Thats rock that hasnt seen daylight for thousands of years conservatively.
There is some of it that has never seen daylight period. Only reason its that close to the surface is it got pushed up when the Appalachians were formed.
Thank you for your efforts in providing the world with your videos. The destruction is devastating and heart breaking. Your videos are the best I’ve seen at truly revealing the power of raging water and wind.
I also live in Greene County Tennessee. The Nolichucky has changed forever. A lot of destruction here. Including the Kinser bridge. I used to swim under that bridge in my youth.
I look at all this destruction and am reinforced in my amazement that the Nolichucky Dam in Greene County stood throughout this disaster. A miracle that it did, considering the absolute devastation wrought by this river.
The engineers who designed the TVA dams built during the Great Depression by the WPA and the CCC clearly exceeded all imaginable specifications for strength and stability of the dams they built. We, today, are deeply in their debt, because thanks to their diligence the disaster unleashed by Helene would be many times more catastrophic than it is. And the devastation is horrific, nonetheless.
The Nolichucky River around Unaka Springs was always a favorite place to go rafting and camping with my family. The trains roaring down the gorge in the middle of the night only added to the unique ambiance. Will miss it. Hard to imagine the forces at play here.
How many metric tons of material that was scoured out through just that section, let alone the entire amount of material that was removed, is in credible. Prayers for the people that survived & thoughts for the ones who didn't.
Thank you for these videos. Always loved seeing the before and after pictures. These are so powerful and also hard to watch. I helped in the Katrina aftermath in Mississippi those people had time to get out where our mountain neighbors did not
This is quite hard to digest such devastation as this, from a hurricane so far from the ocean...this fills my eyes with tears and my heart breaks .. peace to you my friend ..
I’m an East Tennessee gal and it’s heartbreaking to see my area so devastated. We live in a beautiful part of the country, but it’s forever changed. Mother Nature always wins.
Stunning, just sobering stunning, the now calmness of the waters, surrounded by such devastating destruction. It's tragic that how things that once was, they may never be again, but then again, somehow, life as we know it, must go on...
I live in Fletcher. Our section of the railroad is gone too. Off Hendersonville Road behind Goodwill, a mudslide took a section now floating in mid-air.
I am still so amazed that there is even still a river there! SO MUCH rain & debris! The power of the water! Prayers continue for everyones mental & physical health
Truly amazing how mother earth can clean herself. Like a huge magic eraser going through the area cleaning and scrubbing the river beds to never before seen levels. Just amazing the power and force of nature.
Genisus 50:20! "They meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.... that many people should be kept alive". Perhaps in the days to come, those broken roads and train tracks may keep the Appalachians safe. My heart breaks for. our West Carolina brethren. I have no words
This is a hard watch, so sad.Total devastation hard to comprehend what happened that day. It will take months & years to re build, thank you for sharing even though its taking a toll on you.Take a break. ❤ & 🙏🏻from UK.
Thank you again for this great footage. I rafted the north toe a lot, and the nolichucky once, had a life changing moment on that water but I love it. I lived across the peninsula from green mountain would love to see what happened on whitson branch. But you do need to take a break, it’s too much to take in, it’s too hard. I have a friend still missing from Yancey. It’s all so heartbreaking. All over these mountains. ❤
Mind blowing footage ! I knew it was bad , but this is beyond bad. It will take years , not months to rebuild this line ; mark my word on that. It amazes me it was built in the first place. Again , well done vid .
This gorge, at roughly 200’ feet wide, took 100% of the runoff that the mighty Cane and both Toes took in from the highest peaks east of the Mississippi. She then hurled it down onto the flats of Erwin, TN where, after taking in both Indians tumbled an estimated 1.3 million gallons per second (per second!!!) over the Nolichucky Dam…which, from an engineering standpoint, did exactly as intended. Also, imagine someone throwing a gallon jug of water (8.3 lbs) and hitting you square in the chest (at maybe 35mph). That’d hurt pretty bad. Now multiply this times roughly 160,000. That’s why you see what looks like bleached bed rock and boulders, that most likely have never seen the light of day, ever!!!. Literally sandblasted by the flow. Unfortunately, It’s a new geological chapter of a River that’ll never be the same. I was born and raised in the valley beautiful, miss her terribly…Thoughts and prayers to all effected.
Wow....Im a local and camped at the top of quarter mile the weekend before this happened...Had a place there i hung my hammock...Been going in this gorge since i was young...This is really hard for me to see...This is some awesome footage but difficult for me... Thinking i probably spent my last night there is heartbreaking...
I was reading some press releases and other info from CSX a day or two ago. They are estimating $200 million to repair the damage to the Blue Ridge Subdivision (that's the line in this video). There's a bunch of speculation that they WON'T repair it, but the best analysis I've seen shows how they have kind of painted themselves into a corner by closing lines and not having redundancy, making this section of track more important in case of closures elsewhere in the Eastern US. Basically, they're going to have to repair because this line is one of the very few redundant links that allows freight to keep moving if they have closures in other parts of their system on the East coast.
It's hard to wrap your head around this devastation. It breaks my heart thinking about the people that lost everything. And the people that were swept away. I know there were thousands that didn't make it. My prayers to all. 🙏🙏🙏✊✊✊🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
No, it wasn't thousands and wasn't even hundreds. To date there have only been 72 confirmed deaths although there was reports of close to 200 missing between NC, VA, and TN. It was the worst flood for the Smokey Mountains but would rank at number nine or ten as the worst historical flood in America's recorded history based on the final tally of those deceased.
Good to see the before pics for comparison. @8:54 they're already at it but I'd love to know how they're going to fix those really bad places further down. Would like to see that when they get there!
Man's endeavors pale in comparison to nature's power. When the levee breaks momma, you got to move, but mountain people have the strength to persevere when times are hard. They've had it hard for a long time. They'll rise again.
What's really sad is a lot of the damage and loss of lives could have been prevented if the power company had lowered water levels in 2 of the lakes/reservoirs before Helene hit.
I live north of Chattanooga and its hard to believe this is the storm that passed over us. It was still moving fast and we didn't see the wind or rain. TVA lowered the Chickamauga Lake 3 feet in preparation for the storm and it rose 2 feet. The current on the main river was obviously strong and as muddy as I've seen it. That shows ya how focused it was on this area. IF it is rebuilt it needs to be better than before or this could happen again, unlikely but possible. I think its changed forever, at least for our lifetime. By not living in the area I don't know if the tourism is there enough to justify the investment? May God bless these folks and He will but He could be doing it through your donation. If everyone gave $5 or $10 what a difference that would make. God won't judge you for how the donations were used, only that you gave so don't worry about that. Don't say God bless and pass on by like the hypocrites.
The thing that blows my mind is how low the water is now after all the destruction. I don't think I have ever seen the nolachucky that low. I've been to the lost cove and devils creek a bunch of times and the river was always higher than this.
😅I live in Lincoln County NC. We have destruction. But it is nothing, NOTHING compared to our mountain counties. I pray that the peace that only comes from God cover them all. May Jesus bear their burdens. People don’t stop the aid and help. Keep volunteering. Let’s be the hands and feet that show up. In Jesus’ name. Amen
I live in Mayo SC about 100 yards from the Clinchfield Railroad that runs from Irwin Tn to Spartanburg SC. My Grandfather retired from the Clinchfield Railway after around 45 years of service. I Believe he went to work for them in 1922 and retired at age 65 late in 1967.My understanding is they are working on getting the track repaired from Spartanburg to Spuce Pine NC.
Thank you for sharing this important perspective. The mountains cry out for her people. In viewing the area shown @11:00 mark, I can't help but wonder, HOW...and WHERE did all that water originate on the top of that ridge to take down so many trees? I firmly believe geoengineering/steering/empowering was (has and continues) being employed through SAI, HAARP, Lasers and NEXRAD. Looking at the terrain of WNC and other places makes me wonder too what exactly all the Lidar mapping of the U.S. and other parts of the world was/is intended be used for...what plans are on the books. Preparedness was never more important. All that being said, my first husband (may he rest in peace) and me traversed the Nolichucky many times on river raft adventures back in the mid '80's. As another post states: this... is a different river.
This is Utter destruction. We were So Damn lucky to be on high ground. I'm Spruce Pine and my childhood home has changed. I'd Just been talking with friends overseas how nothing much changes...
I have watch a lot of the aftermath videos and i am in shock at the devastation on display... Mother Nature doesn't screw around, and I can remember when Hurricanes were not as common as they are now, The last Cat 5 I remember was Andrew in 1991 or 1992, and it leveled southern Florida. even 2 years later in 94 when I went for Spring break there were areas that were still in a ravaged state. Katrina was another Cat 5 that did a lot of damage and 7 years later when I visited new orleans in 2012.... the 9th ward was still a wreck. I believe most of it is leveled now and the land is dirt cheap but who wants to risk getting blasted again. I am not going to say Climate Change is to blame but we have to recognized that weather patterns have changed and the storm intensity of these hurricanes has become more significant then int he past
If I lived there, I'd start digging a tunnel halfway up any of those mountains, to hide when the cat 6 hurricanes arrive in the coming years. Figure halfway up, you'd avoid landslides and flooding, but you gotta get into the center of the mountain.
Keeping you and all there in our prayers. Thank you for sharing this. Beautiful mountains and I pray this will not turn out to be like Maui. Is it off to have all the trees layed flat on west slope of a mountain? I have more questions than answers at this stage. Take care of you and know many of us support your well being.
I was looking at a short video I took of the Nolichucky at Allen's Bridge and also the dam at ~4pm that Friday. The river was flowing fast, but I had no idea that night it was going to do what it did.
CSX has already contracted a company to rebuild the line. Construction has already started with crews working from both the Poplar NC side and the Erwin TN side and working to meet in the middle.
How will the people of this region face winter? FEMA is missing in action? Where will the survivors go with the first winter freeze, no heat, no food, no house?
It’s not like any railroad bed was there before first tracks were laid! Engineers had to design, and workers had to work. They just have to start over, as you said, cuz the geology has changed. Oh, and labor has changed too…never mind.
WAIT!… HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? … (were clean up & reconstruction is being done with equipment- at the bridge & RR) The view of, up the mountain, were rows of trees are ALL laid downhill in 1 directions. Was that caused by water too!? …. Or is that a separate operation of clearing the land! ?
Water cut the valleys, man walked near the riverside to make the trails, rails followed built both but higher and more secure for longevity and damn the cost, then highways were an afterthought built by the lowest bidder...
@@DonaldAtherton-l7u I thought the same but there's a video showing construction dump truck rail riders going up tracks from Chestoa going over Devils Creek bridge at North Carolina TN State line. Now is the activity just to remove track debris and not rebuild is an option. CSX web site says in so many words,the verdict is still out
It's a great effort to push back the river to where it used to be, but mother nature has decided where it flows now. We humans need to make the adjustments not the other way around, if she wants it she'll take it again and again.. I hope all the people affected by this give great consideration to where to rebuild.
Unfortunetaly they won't. Mans desire to live along rivers, on beachfronts, in fire prone forests, on hillsides prone to landslides in the west, and along tornado alley will continue to amaze us at the destruction, power, and beauty of nature. Humans don't seem to make the adjustments even after hurricanes, they still rebuild on the sand closest to the beach, just as many will rebuild along the riverbanks of the many streams and rivers that brought devastation.
I knew about all the water, but it is hard to believe how much of the forest has been laid flat. Seems to be mostly on one side of the valley in every area that I see.
@@designsinorbit There is no place I have ever been that calls to be like the NC mountains, so hard to see it torn up like this, all the peoples lives uprooted and lost...
CSX got hand full on this.They will have sheet piling&concrete walls on back.They need push back all rock on bank.CPKC 2013 got floods in calgary alberta spends bundle money on rebuilt.They will need crew work work 24/7.This is testing ground for MOW crew pure simple.This huge planning work on this.This not cheap on cost.Thanks video😮
@@Dudemieser This section is south of Erwin Tn on the CSX Blueridge Division, it continues to Spruce Pine NC down the mountain to Marion then to Spartanburg SC. I used to transport CSX and NS traincrews in this area for over 15 years.
It's gone, the old Clinchfield Railroad, incredible! I can't believe it. Yes take a break. I'm in Greeneville, TN. I understand when you say you need to take a break. When you are standing in the middle of it looking around. It's downright scary! The people in Florida had days to evacuate. All we got was, expect heavy rain. Well, we've been through that before. Expected to see some flash flooding and creeks overflowing. Nobody was expecting anything like this. These poor mountain folk. Nobody is saying it, I will. This tropical storm in the mountains is this countries worst national weather disaster! The death toll is way underestimated!
I say the same! Such a shame how so many don't even care to listen.
Of course it is...look who is in charge...
@@bamahama707 You had to turn it into a political issue. Jesus Christ, you fuckers need to get over yourselves and focus on things that need to be done!
@@bamahama707 Just stop with partisan BS. EVERY SINGLE ADMINISTRATION for decades has dealt with natural disasters and everyone has come up short in some way because natural disasters can be overwhelming to deal with. The extent of this natural disaster covered a much bigger area than previous disasters including Katrina's hit on New Orleans.
Republican governors have come out in support of the Biden/Harris administration for doing as much as they could. In fact here is what Governor Bill Lee said a while back about the misinformation being spread for no good reason just like you're doing!!
From republican Governor Lee of Tennessee, October 5, 2024: "There is a lot of misinformation on disaster relief right now. Look FEMA [and the Biden/Harris administration] are working along side local organizations to deliver relief to people. They are committed to serving the people in this state and it is deeply unfortunate that there are those spreading misinformation"!!
@@bamahama707 Ignorant.
This is about 1/3 of the footage I captured yesterday. I will make another video...and it's equally intense footage. But I need a break. Better yet, a vacation from this insanity.
Thank you so much for the videos you have shared. I've over 300 trips through the Nolichucky Gorge and I hardly recognize my old friend as she is now. The flood washed a coffin up into a tree just downstream from Nolichucky Resort. (Rick Murray's old place.)
@@TreeLBollingTreeMan Wow. I was wondering if any cemeteries or old burials would turn up. In a tree. Wow. Do you have a photo I could see? designsinorbit@gmail.com
@designsinorbit Your footage is the best out there. I appreciate the music choices with no voiceover. US and North Carolina archives will want these. I'm donating to each of the communities you've linked to. Please take care of yourself. We've got widespread collective trauma. And trauma's got a long tail.
@@designsinorbit On a RUclips channel called
Flow State Sup
look for a video titled "Nolichucky River flood Erwin TN 160,000cfs DEVASTATION" and at the 3:40 time mark is the video of the coffin. Due to RUclips I'm unable to post link.
And you should take a break. Many of us keep saying it's a form of PTSD with all of this right now. It's overwhelming. Everyone has been on adrenaline for 3+ weeks and now it's starting to really hit home. Take care of yourself. We surely will be waiting to see more!
I guided rafts and paddled kayaks on the Nolichucky River back in the 80's and 90's. Seeing this is breaking my heart. My last kayaking trip on this river was back around 2003, but then life took in to a different part of the country, and I have missed it every since. Seeing a few videos now and knowing that so many of the Landmarks, and classic rapids are gone or totally altered forever is just too much to take. The damage along the Toe and Cain communities is beyond horrible as well as Erwin. We all know that 1000 and 10000 year floods come and change rivers, but who expects to actually live to see one like this.
Was a raft guide here for many years. Was even there during Ivan and Katrina. Year after year we’d notice tiny changes here and there when a rock would move and change a rapid…
but this….
This…. is a completely new river.
The idea that I’ll never be able to take my kids on the rapids I knew in my youth because, well, they’re gone, it’s rough.
I hope everyone affected finds peace.
I’m really sorry for your loss. I hope you eventually get to discover new rapids to enjoy with your kids. Hugs from Long Island NY.
I feel very much the same way. The nolichucky gorge is forever different. "It is better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all." I feel like I'm grieving the loss of a loved one over this river.
This documentation of history is priceless. Wow.
This has affected so many people! Me included! This is in my home town, I now live a few miles below this, and the beauty that this storm destroyed was what I considered as so many great memories! My grandchildren swam in this area, and I am lucky to have those memories in the pictures my daughter in law took of them swimming there, but it will never be the same! I knew 2 of the people that died, who were from the plant further down, and I live less than a quarter mile from Bumpus cove.... thank you for showing this, some of the folks who live in 5he Bumpus Cove area are in tents because they have nowhere else to go.....I have prayed and cried so much....they need help so bad.....
Reach out to me and possibly I could come there in a few days and get footage of the state of your area and set up a GoFundMe or link to an existing one. Make a Bumpus video and get some attention to you. designsinorbit@gmail.com
I just can't help but think what an engineering marvel this train track through the gorge represents. The time, ingenuity, and sheer manhours required to build this, while managing to maintain the natural beauty of the area, is just unfathomable to me. Honestly, I'm not sure they could duplicate this today. Our modern world tends to destroy so much in the interest of speed and money.
Honestly, I feel much of this region should perhaps be declared a national monument/memorial to the untold many who died in these floods, many of whom may never be found.
Excellent video, sobering to see such destruction....your choice of music made this video very heart felt.I have no words to express the horrific damage to this beautiful place and beautiful people who live there.
There's some excellent violin in there in mournful speak.
Superb work. Past and present side by side. Music is perfect. Unnatural levels of water were brought to bear upon these gorges. Your videos are valuable testimony.
The fact that the core of the roadbed is still there is a testament to engineering a rail line through a narrow gorge.
Thanks for this video. I grew up in Erwin in a railroad family and spent a lot of time up in the gorge. I was hoping that someone would document the post flood Noli Gorge. When I saw the size of the rapids and volume of water flowing by the Erwin hospital and WXIS/WEMB I knew the Gorge was getting hammered. The scale of this storm is hard to imagine. One surprise was all the timber laydowns on the ridges. The immense power that was unleashed on this area and loss of life will forever scar the residents. I hope time will heal all wounds.
The fact the tracks and rails are still intact says something, was a well built train track.
Yours remain the most well done and visually informative videos concerning this event. Seeing one of my home rivers completely changed is hard to wrap my head around. Thank you for giving us a look at what is left.
So many small mountain communities absolutely decimated. Asheville, Boone, Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, Marshall, Hot Springs, Buncombe County, that's just the tip of the iceberg the list goes on and on.
I spent so much time in the mountains growing up and as an adult and now with my children and wife. I still get teary eyed and cry sometimes because these mountains our home, those that introduced me to the mountains are long gone (stepdad, grandparents) so it holds a lot of sentimental value and ive also spent the most time there when i was at my lowest. Id drive 3hrs just to sit down and take in the beauty at night, im able to breathe out there and its the only way i can clear my mind and get away. The mountains are healing and it kills me to see the devastation. if i could volunteer everyday i would but its really complicated with children, pets etc so me and my wife help on the weekends (we live outside of charlotte so its a long drive). The mountains are healing but also destructive and deadly if not respected, i feel for everyone whose homes are completely gone, lives completely lost. Its going to take a very long time to repair physically but mentally for these people and il help however and whenever possible. Rest in peace to those lives lost.
I love this river and gorge.
My best rafting trips were on that beaitiful river. So sorry for the people downstream of the gorge.
Thanks for all of these wonderful videos with the before and after footage all mixed together. Beautiful work.
It stunning and heart wrenching.
I have managed to step aside from the rage for just a wee minute or two. Its unbelievable the force of water that did that. Thats rock that hasnt seen daylight for thousands of years conservatively.
There is some of it that has never seen daylight period. Only reason its that close to the surface is it got pushed up when the Appalachians were formed.
@@thearmourboy3254 That's true
Thank you for your efforts in providing the world with your videos. The destruction is devastating and heart breaking. Your videos are the best I’ve seen at truly revealing the power of raging water and wind.
I also live in Greene County Tennessee. The Nolichucky has changed forever. A lot of destruction here. Including the Kinser bridge. I used to swim under that bridge in my youth.
Thank you so much for your hard work. I know the old timers, like myself could never believe the destruction to the railroad.
Completely mind-boggling. The railroad bed and track really show just how much sheer force and power water has.
Very sad to think of the lives lost and changed forever. May God have mercy on us all.
tragic scenery post storm, thank you for the before shots of many areas, was majestic, now changed forever
Thanks for posting this revealing video of the devastation caused by Helene as it moved north. The music was apropos as well.
I look at all this destruction and am reinforced in my amazement that the Nolichucky Dam in Greene County stood throughout this disaster. A miracle that it did, considering the absolute devastation wrought by this river.
The engineers who designed the TVA dams built during the Great Depression by the WPA and the CCC clearly exceeded all imaginable specifications for strength and stability of the dams they built. We, today, are deeply in their debt, because thanks to their diligence the disaster unleashed by Helene would be many times more catastrophic than it is. And the devastation is horrific, nonetheless.
Hi kidding!
Absolutely! Seems no reason it should still be standing.
The Nolichucky River around Unaka Springs was always a favorite place to go rafting and camping with my family. The trains roaring down the gorge in the middle of the night only added to the unique ambiance. Will miss it. Hard to imagine the forces at play here.
How many metric tons of material that was scoured out through just that section, let alone the entire amount of material that was removed, is in credible. Prayers for the people that survived & thoughts for the ones who didn't.
Go have a look at the debris and fallen tree field in Lake Lure. Beyond comprehension.
Thank you for Sharing Keep sharing the Truth!!
Oraying for everyone with love&Prayers across the Miles..,😇❤🙏
Thank you for these videos. Always loved seeing the before and after pictures. These are so powerful and also hard to watch. I helped in the Katrina aftermath in Mississippi those people had time to get out where our mountain neighbors did not
This is quite hard to digest such devastation as this, from a hurricane so far from the ocean...this fills my eyes with tears
and my heart breaks .. peace to you my friend ..
The devastation is surreal!! I can't wrap my head around how the flood touched so many!! RIP 🙏
Great drone work.
I’m an East Tennessee gal and it’s heartbreaking to see my area so devastated. We live in a beautiful part of the country, but it’s forever changed. Mother Nature always wins.
Stunning, just sobering stunning, the now calmness of the waters, surrounded by such devastating destruction. It's tragic that how things that once was, they may never be again, but then again, somehow, life as we know it, must go on...
I live in Fletcher. Our section of the railroad is gone too. Off Hendersonville Road behind Goodwill, a mudslide took a section now floating in mid-air.
Tears. And prayers. 🙏
I am still so amazed that there is even still a river there! SO MUCH rain & debris! The power of the water! Prayers continue for everyones mental & physical health
Truly amazing how mother earth can clean herself. Like a huge magic eraser going through the area cleaning and scrubbing the river beds to never before seen levels. Just amazing the power and force of nature.
Genisus 50:20! "They meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.... that many people should be kept alive". Perhaps in the days to come, those broken roads and train tracks may keep the Appalachians safe. My heart breaks for. our West Carolina brethren. I have no words
It's amazing how thoroughly the riverbed was scoured clean and sterile. How terrifyingly fast that water must have been flowing to do such a thing...😢
Yes indeed. Well said.
The debris (boulders and trees) the water was carrying did the scouring of the river bank and ripped out the tracks.
USGS gage Embreeville, TN downstream broke at 30 PLUS feet above flood stage, USGS estimates were 650,000 cfs or higher through gorge...
This is a hard watch, so sad.Total devastation hard to comprehend what happened that day. It will take months & years to re build, thank you for sharing even though its taking a toll on you.Take a break. ❤ & 🙏🏻from UK.
Thank you again for this great footage. I rafted the north toe a lot, and the nolichucky once, had a life changing moment on that water but I love it. I lived across the peninsula from green mountain would love to see what happened on whitson branch. But you do need to take a break, it’s too much to take in, it’s too hard. I have a friend still missing from Yancey. It’s all so heartbreaking. All over these mountains. ❤
thank you for showing the devastation. everyone needs to know about this!!
extraordinary and heart breaking. Hope the damage can be fixed and people's hearts can heal from the awful losses that they have to bare.
I showed this to my parents who live in Johnson City. My father said that your explanation really helps to explain why so much damage happened.
Mind blowing footage ! I knew it was bad , but this is beyond bad. It will take years , not months to rebuild this line ; mark my word on that. It amazes me it was built in the first place. Again , well done vid .
Such a sobering, humbling video of the power of what Mother Nature can do, so much tragedy, loss and heartbreak yet the human spirit stands strong
Amazing footage, thank you for sharing this. Take a break. 🙏🏻❤️
Wow look at those trees ❤️🩹
powerful visuals and music. thank you.
This gorge, at roughly 200’ feet wide, took 100% of the runoff that the mighty Cane and both Toes took in from the highest peaks east of the Mississippi. She then hurled it down onto the flats of Erwin, TN where, after taking in both Indians tumbled an estimated 1.3 million gallons per second (per second!!!) over the Nolichucky Dam…which, from an engineering standpoint, did exactly as intended.
Also, imagine someone throwing a gallon jug of water (8.3 lbs) and hitting you square in the chest (at maybe 35mph). That’d hurt pretty bad. Now multiply this times roughly 160,000. That’s why you see what looks like bleached bed rock and boulders, that most likely have never seen the light of day, ever!!!. Literally sandblasted by the flow. Unfortunately, It’s a new geological chapter of a River that’ll never be the same.
I was born and raised in the valley beautiful, miss her terribly…Thoughts and prayers to all effected.
@@O2bPar Unicoi neighbor here saying I feel ya.
LOVE YOUR CHOICE OF MUSIC !
Wow....Im a local and camped at the top of quarter mile the weekend before this happened...Had a place there i hung my hammock...Been going in this gorge since i was young...This is really hard for me to see...This is some awesome footage but difficult for me... Thinking i probably spent my last night there is heartbreaking...
The height of the railroad bridge piers suggests the floodwaters were at least 30 feet over usual river level, coming thru the gorge.
I was reading some press releases and other info from CSX a day or two ago. They are estimating $200 million to repair the damage to the Blue Ridge Subdivision (that's the line in this video). There's a bunch of speculation that they WON'T repair it, but the best analysis I've seen shows how they have kind of painted themselves into a corner by closing lines and not having redundancy, making this section of track more important in case of closures elsewhere in the Eastern US. Basically, they're going to have to repair because this line is one of the very few redundant links that allows freight to keep moving if they have closures in other parts of their system on the East coast.
Ye plus there is a few quarts mines that need them for export
Atlas Shrugged
It's hard to wrap your head around this devastation. It breaks my heart thinking about the people that lost everything. And the people that were swept away. I know there were thousands that didn't make it. My prayers to all.
🙏🙏🙏✊✊✊🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
No, it wasn't thousands and wasn't even hundreds. To date there have only been 72 confirmed deaths although there was reports of close to 200 missing between NC, VA, and TN. It was the worst flood for the Smokey Mountains but would rank at number nine or ten as the worst historical flood in America's recorded history based on the final tally of those deceased.
I had many experiences there. Evacuated a kayaker off the river, running across the trestle with the litter board. and hikes up Devil's creek.
Good to see the before pics for comparison. @8:54 they're already at it but I'd love to know how they're going to fix those really bad places further down. Would like to see that when they get there!
I'll be on that insanity for sure.
Walked them tracks many many times fishing the Gorge! Unbelievable the force!
Man's endeavors pale in comparison to nature's power. When the levee breaks momma, you got to move, but mountain people have the strength to persevere when times are hard. They've had it hard for a long time. They'll rise again.
I think my ears are ready for some Zeppelin.
What's really sad is a lot of the damage and loss of lives could have been prevented if the power company had lowered water levels in 2 of the lakes/reservoirs before Helene hit.
@@designsinorbit😂When the levee breaks…love that song.
So heartbreaking. Dont think anyone could have foreseen this level of destruction.
It was a beautiful country. The beauty will return, but in a different way.
I live north of Chattanooga and its hard to believe this is the storm that passed over us. It was still moving fast and we didn't see the wind or rain. TVA lowered the Chickamauga Lake 3 feet in preparation for the storm and it rose 2 feet. The current on the main river was obviously strong and as muddy as I've seen it. That shows ya how focused it was on this area. IF it is rebuilt it needs to be better than before or this could happen again, unlikely but possible. I think its changed forever, at least for our lifetime. By not living in the area I don't know if the tourism is there enough to justify the investment? May God bless these folks and He will but He could be doing it through your donation. If everyone gave $5 or $10 what a difference that would make. God won't judge you for how the donations were used, only that you gave so don't worry about that. Don't say God bless and pass on by like the hypocrites.
The thing that blows my mind is how low the water is now after all the destruction. I don't think I have ever seen the nolachucky that low. I've been to the lost cove and devils creek a bunch of times and the river was always higher than this.
Yes, I noticed that too.
We have been in a drought... 30 days before the storm and now going on 30 days after.
@@designsinorbit Probably can change quickly.
Some tributaries have been diverted along with a prolonged droughtiness.
Noli not Nola
I feel like I’m seeing anomalies here that cannot be explained with simply the "power of water."
Those mudslide area's are the most shocking I did not think that was even possible
😅I live in Lincoln County NC. We have destruction. But it is nothing, NOTHING compared to our mountain counties. I pray that the peace that only comes from God cover them all. May Jesus bear their burdens. People don’t stop the aid and help. Keep volunteering. Let’s be the hands and feet that show up. In Jesus’ name. Amen
I live in Mayo SC about 100 yards from the Clinchfield Railroad that runs from Irwin Tn to Spartanburg SC. My Grandfather retired from the Clinchfield Railway after around 45 years of service. I Believe he went to work for them in 1922 and retired at age 65 late in 1967.My understanding is they are working on getting the track repaired from Spartanburg to Spuce Pine NC.
Erwin TN to Spruce Pine. And they are...which is a mind numbing undertaking.
Thank you for sharing this important perspective. The mountains cry out for her people. In viewing the area shown @11:00 mark, I can't help but wonder, HOW...and WHERE did all that water originate on the top of that ridge to take down so many trees? I firmly believe geoengineering/steering/empowering was (has and continues) being employed through SAI, HAARP, Lasers and NEXRAD. Looking at the terrain of WNC and other places makes me wonder too what exactly all the Lidar mapping of the U.S. and other parts of the world was/is intended be used for...what plans are on the books. Preparedness was never more important.
All that being said, my first husband (may he rest in peace) and me traversed the Nolichucky many times on river raft adventures back in the mid '80's. As another post states: this... is a different river.
Mount Mitchell recorded 106mph winds. It was wind that took them down.
@@designsinorbit Aye, I used to think the balds were mainly fire born, but now...
This is Utter destruction. We were So Damn lucky to be on high ground. I'm Spruce Pine and my childhood home has changed. I'd Just been talking with friends overseas how nothing much changes...
I dread every time I have to drive somewhere new up here now. My world has grown very small now. It's all getting a but much.
I understand that so very well. It's exhausting just living here let alone being productive as well. The more I see the more my brain turns to mush.
I walked that traintrack from the boat landing in Poplar every Thanksgiving for several years, into the gorge. I wondered what it looks like now.
Didn't you watch the video?
I have watch a lot of the aftermath videos and i am in shock at the devastation on display... Mother Nature doesn't screw around, and I can remember when Hurricanes were not as common as they are now, The last Cat 5 I remember was Andrew in 1991 or 1992, and it leveled southern Florida. even 2 years later in 94 when I went for Spring break there were areas that were still in a ravaged state. Katrina was another Cat 5 that did a lot of damage and 7 years later when I visited new orleans in 2012.... the 9th ward was still a wreck. I believe most of it is leveled now and the land is dirt cheap but who wants to risk getting blasted again.
I am not going to say Climate Change is to blame but we have to recognized that weather patterns have changed and the storm intensity of these hurricanes has become more significant then int he past
Wow!!! Thanks for sharing.
train engineer gonna miss that route. 7:13/7:14-15. gone now. born in johnson city/lived in newland thru 1st grade.
If I lived there, I'd start digging a tunnel halfway up any of those mountains, to hide when the cat 6 hurricanes arrive in the coming years. Figure halfway up, you'd avoid landslides and flooding, but you gotta get into the center of the mountain.
Thanks! I was wondering how much of the track was left. I can no longer hike that track. The hike from Erwin to the state line was fun.
Keeping you and all there in our prayers. Thank you for sharing this. Beautiful mountains and I pray this will not turn out to be like Maui. Is it off to have all the trees layed flat on west slope of a mountain? I have more questions than answers at this stage. Take care of you and know many of us support your well being.
I was looking at a short video I took of the Nolichucky at Allen's Bridge and also the dam at ~4pm that Friday. The river was flowing fast, but I had no idea that night it was going to do what it did.
The Old Clinchfield will be rebuilt, and carry on its rich history.
I'd be so amazed. Man doesn't work like that anymore and machines can't get in there.
economics will tell
CSX has already contracted a company to rebuild the line. Construction has already started with crews working from both the Poplar NC side and the Erwin TN side and working to meet in the middle.
@@jhaun05241963 Yes they are already working on it
How will the people of this region face winter? FEMA is missing in action? Where will the survivors go with the first winter freeze, no heat, no food, no house?
Thank You. I'm Spruce Pine and Well, All of this is home
My heart aches.
It’s not like any railroad bed was there before first tracks were laid! Engineers had to design, and workers had to work. They just have to start over, as you said, cuz the geology has changed. Oh, and labor has changed too…never mind.
I wonder how many times that river has been flooded like that over the millions of years. So sad for the families and their loved ones.
This is breaking my heart....
WAIT!… HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? … (were clean up & reconstruction is being done with equipment- at the bridge & RR) The view of, up the mountain, were rows of trees are ALL laid downhill in 1 directions. Was that caused by water too!? …. Or is that a separate operation of clearing the land! ?
Water cut the valleys, man walked near the riverside to make the trails, rails followed built both but higher and more secure for longevity and damn the cost, then highways were an afterthought built by the lowest bidder...
My heart weeps.
Looking at this vid it crosses my mind that this rail line will never be repaired
@@DonaldAtherton-l7u I thought the same but there's a video showing construction dump truck rail riders going up tracks from Chestoa going over Devils Creek bridge at North Carolina TN State line. Now is the activity just to remove track debris and not rebuild is an option. CSX web site says in so many words,the verdict is still out
I really hope the trout survive
It's a great effort to push back the river to where it used to be, but mother nature has decided where it flows now. We humans need to make the adjustments not the other way around, if she wants it she'll take it again and again.. I hope all the people affected by this give great consideration to where to rebuild.
Unfortunetaly they won't. Mans desire to live along rivers, on beachfronts, in fire prone forests, on hillsides prone to landslides in the west, and along tornado alley will continue to amaze us at the destruction, power, and beauty of nature. Humans don't seem to make the adjustments even after hurricanes, they still rebuild on the sand closest to the beach, just as many will rebuild along the riverbanks of the many streams and rivers that brought devastation.
Was there fishing before in this river. I wonder how it is now
Apocalyptic it the word that comes to mind, except for those of us living here, it’s not just a video, movie, or dream 😢
I knew about all the water, but it is hard to believe how much of the forest has been laid flat. Seems to be mostly on one side of the valley in every area that I see.
Yup, northeast facing.
@@designsinorbit There is no place I have ever been that calls to be like the NC mountains, so hard to see it torn up like this, all the peoples lives uprooted and lost...
CSX got hand full on this.They will have sheet piling&concrete walls on back.They need push back all rock on bank.CPKC 2013 got floods in calgary alberta spends bundle money on rebuilt.They will need crew work work 24/7.This is testing ground for MOW crew pure simple.This huge planning work on this.This not cheap on cost.Thanks video😮
Where does that line go to from?
@@Dudemieser This section is south of Erwin Tn on the CSX Blueridge Division, it continues to Spruce Pine NC down the mountain to Marion then to Spartanburg SC. I used to transport CSX and NS traincrews in this area for over 15 years.
Warren Buffett can afford to rebuild. The costs will only add to his depreciation schedule (aka tax write offs).
@@rt3box6tx74 Warren Buffett doesn't own this rail line, this is owned by CSX.
@TreeLBollingTreeMan Who owns CSX?
Ever heard of Berkshire Hathaway? What is their common stock worth today?
great job
To all the families rebuilding your going to need to go back further and go higher because with climate change this will happen again😢
The way the topography is in NC feeds three rivers into the Nolichucky and the into Tennessee…….
A lot of railroad destroyed and wonky. Miles and miles will have to be replaced and repaired in Tennessee and North Carolina. 🙏❤️