Hurricane Helené - Update for those who were asking

[Qapla]

The hurricane came on shore about 90 miles NE of us (straight line) while a CAT 4 storm traveling about 30 MPH. It slammed into the small town of Perry where we do have a KH

 

As you can see, there are not very many large trees that close to the KH so I hope it fared well.

 

While the eye of the hurricane was over Perry, the leading edge with all it's furry was hitting the small town of Madison. We also have a KH there

 

That KH also has plenty of open space around it, so I hope it fared well. I have worked on both of these KH's in the past

 

As the hurricane continued to head north, it hit Valdosta while still quite a powerful storm and we have multiple KH's there. I have not heard how they fared but did hear Valdosta had substantial damage.

 

All of these areas had power outages. The power companies that serve Perr and Madison had 100% of their customers lose power so there is quite a bit of extensive damage to restore the power to those area.

 

Were we live, we got 60 MPH winds and heavy rain. While we did not sustain any physical damage, we lost power Wednesday night and are still waiting for it to be restored. We lost our Internet early Thursday morning and just got it back about 90 minutes ago. We hope to have our power back on in the next few hours. Our power company sustained 73% customer outage and have already reduced that to about 15% still out - us being one of them

 

I'm sure in the next few days/weeks we will have some news about our friends and KH's in the area. The devastation in the "Big Bend" area of Florida is extensive and will take quite a while to clean up. I only hope the next hurricane does not come too soon and does not hit the same area.

 

Thanks to those who reached out to see how we fared ...

 

Qapla!

[Tia]

So relieved to know you and the families are safe!!!

[Qapla]

We just got our power back on

[hatcheckgirl]

Thanks John for the update! Happy you escaped the worst, and praying for our brothers and sisters that are affected 💗

[New World Explorer]

We needed that update, thanks John

[SUNRAY]

We live in Daytona Beach..very little rain...highest wind gust 51 mph. Tampa Bay had a 7 1/2' storm surge. We have friends who live on Treasure Island near St. Petersburg beach..The surge of water came in and over the island so fast, according to the weather news, boats that were washed from their moorings over the sea walls into the streets there, ended up in people's front yards up and down the streets!! We contacted our friends by text msg. as to if they were ok and received a thumbs up 👍, but since they live right on the bay in the closest apartment to the water on the first of 2 floors, knowing they must of evacuated, we are concerned their apartment must have flooded..waiting to contact them knowing they must be very stressed..😒

[Qapla]

Thanks for the update @SUNRAY

 

I also have some friends in the Tampa area but they fared with no damage.

 

BTW - I am inland, near Gainesville, so storm surge is not an issue

 

[Wanda Hill]

So, I am in Greeneville Tennessee and as the storm moved our way, it caused some damage in my area, mostly from the rain. In Erwin, around an hour from us, it caused flooding that took out a lot of the town, and the hospital there had to evacuate patients and staff from the roof ,that also was where the interstate was destroyed in both directions. Closer to us in Newport, the downtown had to be evacuated because of flooding, and now the best part...Here in Greeneville, we are known for our many bridges, and with the exception of one, (it being the one that leads to Newport, the soaked town) they are all either destroyed or have been compromised to the point of uselessness..The one most used housed our whole town's water pump station, and it is destroyed, so we are being warned that we have about 1-2 days of water left...and, that bridge is closed, but TVA says it's safe..even tho they sent a drone down last night to check it out and reported that it has been compromised. That bridge closure has split our congregation in half, with the friends there on the other side of the Nolichuckey river with no way to be helped, some with no electricity or water and no way off their property..so, folks, it's a bit tense here in my town, we'll have to have the governments help with some things, for even water has to be brought in...all that was for sale here was gone from the shelves very early this morning. Our town's and surrounding ones are all over Youtube, .. so, Friends,we could sure use some prayers..Thanks!

[ChrisW]

My sister lives in Charlotte, N.C and they had 1 brother from a neighboring congregation who died during the storm.  A tree fell on his house.  We happened to be zooming a special meeting they were having with brother Jesse Morris from Walkill when it was announced. 

[ChrisW]

18 minutes ago, Wanda Hill said:

So, I am in Greeneville Tennessee and as the storm moved our way, it caused some damage in my area, mostly from the rain. In Erwin, around an hour from us, it caused flooding that took out a lot of the town, and the hospital there had to evacuate patients and staff from the roof ,that also was where the interstate was destroyed in both directions. Closer to us in Newport, the downtown had to be evacuated because of flooding, and now the best part...Here in Greeneville, we are known for our many bridges, and with the exception of one, (it being the one that leads to Newport, the soaked town) they are all either destroyed or have been compromised to the point of uselessness..The one most used housed our whole town's water pump station, and it is destroyed, so we are being warned that we have about 1-2 days of water left...and, that bridge is closed, but TVA says it's safe..even tho they sent a drone down last night to check it out and reported that it has been compromised. That bridge closure has split our congregation in half, with the friends there on the other side of the Nolichuckey river with no way to be helped, some with no electricity or water and no way off their property..so, folks, it's a bit tense here in my town, we'll have to have the governments help with some things, for even water has to be brought in...all that was for sale here was gone from the shelves very early this morning. Our town's and surrounding ones are all over Youtube, .. so, Friends,we could sure use some prayers..Thanks!

Glad you're ok sis. Definitely praying for all of our brothers but thank you for the specifics to add. Take care. ❤️ 

[cme]

Sorry to hear about all of this.  We were worried and continue to do so and, pray that Jehovah gives you the fortification and the calmness needed in this disaster.

 

We are not there physically but, spiritually.  All of you are in our prayers.....with tears I might add.

[BLEmom]

North Carolina mountains are a mess. While towns have been wiped out. I40 closed in both directions for a while cutting off Asheville from the outside world. 
Reports of people cut off in every direction in smaller mountain towns. They are still airlifting people out. No cell service at all for the most part. 
The flooding is something they haven’t seen in decades. 
A couple we know from our area who works with LDC, collected gas cans and asked for our dehumidifier and took off towards the area yesterday. They were trying to head to the KH in Swannanoa. Not sure they made it yet. As of 9:30 last night they hadn’t. 
It’s bad and not sure when we are going to hear reports and numbers. 

[Qapla]

For a hurricane that hit Florida's west coast, this storm has sure done an almost unbelievable amount of destruction and damages in areas far north and east of that west coast and further inland than most tropical systems reach without ever having gone back out over open water.

 

[Wanda Hill]

And just a quick update, we lost water around 11am this morning, but our main bridge has been reopened and deemed safe for travel...our county has already opened water distribution points and so it continues..lol

[Tortuga]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/hurricane-helene-live-updates-84killed-including-mom-and-her-twin-infant-sons/ar-AA1r7nUR?ocid=socialshare&cvid=91a4a1d9454f45928159f0ec44e94a69&ei=19

 

Hurricane Helene live updates: 84 killed

[Foxes53]

Our circuit here in Florida covers Bradenton, Riverview, Brandon areas. Our CO reports that at least 25 homes suffered some damage.

8 homes received major damage with some of those now unlivable.

Just one sister in our congregation got several inches of water inside her home due to storm surge from a creek at the rear of her property.

The island communities here have been devastated with many homes flooded from the storm surge. Not only water but sand from the

beaches covered many of the roads and work crews currently working on removing this. 

[Tia]

On 9/29/2024 at 5:58 PM, Tortuga said:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/hurricane-helene-live-updates-84killed-including-mom-and-her-twin-infant-sons/ar-AA1r7nUR?ocid=socialshare&cvid=91a4a1d9454f45928159f0ec44e94a69&ei=19

 

Hurricane Helene live updates: 84 killed

 

 

I am so saddened to hear about the families and friends of those in affected areas above. 

 

My husband and I have families in those areas.  I have been texting my niece since I heard of Helene approaching, 

she lost her home, but was able to escape out of water up to her waste, there is much confusion of course

in those targeted areas, as many still await FEMA and aid. And many are still frantically looking for family

members! 

Sadly the toll is rising!

 

Many prayers for ALL

[Qapla]

As a point of interest ... we have probably heard of the devastation in North Carolina, especially Asheville - There are/were two KH's in that town

 

70 Cedar Hill Rd, Asheville, NC 28806

 

25 Forest Lake Dr, Asheville, NC 28803

 

Maybe we will hear soon how many KH's and homes were affected by this hurricane.

 

[BLEmom]

Our CO requested a supply of new gas cans full of gas from our congregation. We are prepping them I believe to all be ready by 7pm today

[jazz]

I have family in Asheville. I can only speak for their congregation. All are safe. KH was flooded but is able to be used as a staging center for supplies. It’s already stocked with donations from another congregation. Disaster Relief is expected tonight. Will be bringing supplies and gas. LDC is on the scene starting repairs.  No water or power yet. They are staying calm and trusting in Jehovah 🙏

[BLEmom]

A couple of our elders took the gas to the KH in Swannanoa. 
They have already removed carpets, cleaned as best they can, set up generators and have a supply of food, water and now gas. Sisters are organizing supplies and brothers doing security.  
It’s possible some laundry will be brought back for us to help with by another sister and her husband headed there for disaster relief. I think they went yesterday too. 

[Qapla]

A friend of mine near Augusta, Ga got his power back this morning - it was not expected to be restored until the weekend

 

[ChrisW]

1 hour ago, BLEmom said:

A couple of our elders took the gas to the KH in Swannanoa. 
They have already removed carpets, cleaned as best they can, set up generators and have a supply of food, water and now gas. Sisters are organizing supplies and brothers doing security.  
It’s possible some laundry will be brought back for us to help with by another sister and her husband headed there for disaster relief. I think they went yesterday too. 

Praying for all of those suffering and those providing relief efforts. 

[SUNRAY]

Update on couple on Treasure Island..They are situated across from Gulf Blvd. and did not get as much storm surge as the other islands there..Before they left, they put plastic in the front door way which acts like a membrane and put sandbags at the bottom. They only got a couple of inches of water in the apartment..Friends came..they took out some wet carpet..They got power back in 2 days so have AC..The rest of the islands may not get power back for weeks! He is an elder in the Russian congregation.

[booboo]

Hurricane Helene update

https://www.jw.org/en/news/region/united-states/Hurricane-Helene-Slams-Southeastern-United-States/

 

so sad we lost 3 brothers🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼