East TN safety check?

[NariaDreaming]

Just wanted to post a check in to make sure all of our ladies in Eastern TN are safe. I'm absolutely gutted by the images of the fires in Gatlinburg and PF.

[thenialler]

Safe for now. The wind is supposed to pick up later today which could cause the fires to spread more.

[thenialler]

Can I leave the information for a text donation to the red cross if anyone wants to donate?

[NariaDreaming]

Nov 29, 2016 10:45:35 GMT -5 thenialler said:

Can I leave the information for a text donation to the red cross if anyone wants to donate?

please

I wish there were more that we could do. DH and I stayed at the westgate when I had to travel for work and he accompanied me. My heart is breaking seeing the footage from the resort last night.

Glad to hear that Ober Gatlinburg is still standing though.

[thenialler]

Text REDCROSS to 90999 for a $10 donation

[rach]

Safe here. The devastation is terrible. I grew up in this area and places I've loved my whole life are just gone.

You can text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. The Red Cross is also taking donations via their website. For anyone more local, donations of goods (food, blankets, water, etc) are also being taken up. Everyone is encouraged to make those donations at a drop point since untrained volunteers should really not be going any closer.

[thenialler]

Nov 29, 2016 10:48:56 GMT -5 NariaDreaming said:

Nov 29, 2016 10:45:35 GMT -5 thenialler said:

Can I leave the information for a text donation to the red cross if anyone wants to donate?

please

I wish there were more that we could do. DH and I stayed at the westgate when I had to travel for work and he accompanied me. My heart is breaking seeing the footage from the resort last night.

Glad to hear that Ober Gatlinburg is still standing though.

Its devastating. Most of Gatlinburg appears to be damaged. The aquarium is still standing as well.

[NariaDreaming]

Nov 29, 2016 11:09:02 GMT -5 thenialler said:

Nov 29, 2016 10:48:56 GMT -5 NariaDreaming said:

please

I wish there were more that we could do. DH and I stayed at the westgate when I had to travel for work and he accompanied me. My heart is breaking seeing the footage from the resort last night.

Glad to hear that Ober Gatlinburg is still standing though.

Its devastating. Most of Gatlinburg appears to be damaged. The aquarium is still standing as well.

Ive been on the Aquarium's Facebook page all day.

Any word on the distilleries? I'm assuming they're all total losses since they're buildings filled with highly flammable alcohol...

[rere26]

Thanks for the info. Anything we can do.

So sad. We go almost every year. I know that place as well as my own town. We just went in July. I hope the historic structures in the park are still there. Those are not replaceable.

Thoughts and prayers to you all and to all whose homes and livelihoods are destroyed.

[thenialler]

Nov 29, 2016 11:10:35 GMT -5 NariaDreaming said:

Nov 29, 2016 11:09:02 GMT -5 thenialler said:

Its devastating. Most of Gatlinburg appears to be damaged. The aquarium is still standing as well.

Ive been on the Aquarium's Facebook page all day.

Any word on the distilleries? I'm assuming they're all total losses since they're buildings filled with highly flammable alcohol...

I think everything on the strip is gone. So most likely. Its hard to get accurate reports because no one is allowed in.

[NariaDreaming]

Nov 29, 2016 11:17:55 GMT -5 thenialler said:

Nov 29, 2016 11:10:35 GMT -5 NariaDreaming said:

Ive been on the Aquarium's Facebook page all day.

Any word on the distilleries? I'm assuming they're all total losses since they're buildings filled with highly flammable alcohol...

I think everything on the strip is gone. So most likely. Its hard to get accurate reports because no one is allowed in.

I'm literally ill thinking of all of the amazing restaurants and small businesses on the strip. Not only to lose your livlihood- but so close to the holidays means that insurance money likely won't be seen until the new year.

The national weather service in west michigan has reported that the smoke we smelled in town yesterday was from the fires in TN. I just can't even grasp the magnitude of this.

[jackiep1023]

We went to Gatlinburg on our honeymoon and have been watching the news closely. We are devastated seeing the damage to such a wonderful place. Thinking of and praying for all involved.

[butlerfan]

Hope everyone stays safe.

[NariaDreaming]

There are videos on Facebook of the strip. It appears that there is some heavy smoke damage, but I was surprised to see most of the buildings are standing and still have exteriors

[theophania]

My thoughts are with all of you. We were just there in April. It's heartbreaking to have so much lost there. Please stay safe.

[tbonequeen13]

Safe here too....we live close but not close enough to be in any physical danger. It's absolutely gut wrenching to see places I've grown up visiting and a town I know almost as well as my own in flames....it appears at this time that most of the damage was residential structures, but thankfully right now the death count is standing at 0 and the injury count is remarkably low considering the speed that the fire moved

[bshelly]

Safe here as well. There are small fires in the counties surrounding mine and heavy enough smoke that we can't see the mountain ridge from our porch like normal, but nothing in our immediate vicinity thankfully.

[HelgaHuffle]

I'm in south east TN but Gatlinburg has been like my second home since I was very small. I've been so heartbroken all day. I'm happy to hear that the strip and the aquarium seem to be fine. My great great great grandfather's historic barn and cabin still stand just outside of Gatlinburg (Big Greenbrier). I have no idea if it's okay. It would be so very sad if it was gone after all this time.

[Deleted]

I'm north of Gburg, not in immediate danger.

There are 3 fires still burning in a triangle around our area but they are shrinking. The smoke is really affecting us. I think we are just finally getting back to green air quality after 2 weeks of yellow and red. We are trying to leave the house as little as possible.

[xxjen015]

I live about 2 hours south of Gatlinburg. Everything is good here, but my heart is breaking. I grew up going at least twice a year. I can't imagine the people who lost their homes and businesses. On top of all this, southeast TN got hit by tornadoes last night. We needed the rain, but not the severe storms that came with. We're ready for a break

[thebanich]

My heart is breaking for the loss of life. There was a man in the news showing pictures of his wife and daughters that are missing. It's possible they are at a different shelter.

[rvamama]

Glad to hear all are safe. My family took a memorable trip there a couple years back and we've been waiting for the youngest to get a little older so we can return. I'm so sad.

[HelgaHuffle]

Nov 30, 2016 7:56:11 GMT -5 xxjen015 said:

I live about 2 hours south of Gatlinburg. Everything is good here, but my heart is breaking. I grew up going at least twice a year. I can't imagine the people who lost their homes and businesses. On top of all this, southeast TN got hit by tornadoes last night. We needed the rain, but not the severe storms that came with. We're ready for a break

One tornado was just a few miles from my house. An old friend and her H died. I'm still so in shock about it. I can't stop thinking about that and the missing in Gatlinburg. What a horrible 2 weeks for TN.

I hope your area is okay.