I'm in Asheville and I am stealing internet and power from Whole Foods for 30. AMA

[Coexist]

I’ll answer what I can. I can never post pics to this site so I won’t bother but what you wanna know from the dirty, dirty ground here?

[jimfields33]

1. Is the art all completely destroyed the artists did

in their stores? I’ve heard it and reported it but haven’t gotten real confirmation.

[Coexist]

4. I can't get that far yet. Still a no drive rule - that

Everyone is breaking, but I’m conserving the gas I have in the car for charging and short trips to the store etc

But there were so many trees and branches down and shit just washed away its likely ☹️

[jimfields33]

10. Thank you for the update.

It’s awesome you are doing this for us. So many of us love the city of Asheville and are heartbroken over this.

[Srkdqltr]

37. My cousin lives in the area and posted pix of the art center and it is devastating. Looks awful.

[neohippie]

51. In the River Arts District very probable

Since the River Arts District housed a lot of artists studios, and stores I would say very likely.

Perhaps some who had their art downtown faired better.

The Biltmore area was definitely very much underwater as well

[Srkdqltr]

62. Looks like the buildings were flooded to the roof. Pix of the inside after the water went down was devastating.

[ificandream]

2. And you're proud of what you're doing?

[Coexist]

5. The internet and power? Yep

There are 20 of us here plugged in. The store knows we are here - also - wtf?

[yardwork]

18. Good for Whole Foods!!

My son is in Asheville and I'm cheering all of you who are coping and enduring!

[Coexist]

23. I'm assuming he's safe?

I sure hope so!

[yardwork]

34. He is, last I heard. He's helping out.

No power, water, food running low, but I feel that help is on the way.

Good to hear from you. Stay safe! ❤️

[Cha]

76. Good.. your son is safe and helping out, yardwork!

My sister and part of her family live in Asheville and they're safe, too. Yesterday they had to head out on the one open road to Virginia because my sister had just had surgery on her hand, because of an accident, and was running out of pain meds!

I imagine they'll be getting necessary supplies while they're there.

💙

[yardwork]

77. I hope they'll all be ok.

It's very, very sad.

[Cha]

79. Mahalo, yardwork.. So tragic and Surreal. We used to live

there in the '70s ( my young family) and I couldn't believe the videos of the flooding and devastation.

[KS Toronado]

21. I'll bet everyone who has power is sharing it for free

That's what communities do during disaster times!

[brakester]

40. Yes, it's a public service that stores do

esp. in times of trouble like right now. Or, anytime!
Living in the mountains here, we help each other out!
Internet is spotty here in the best of times and I thank the stores for this. We have a community center here with a public library in a very remote spot that always leaves its Internet on 24/360.

[LauraInLA]

43. I'm so glad the store is helping you all out! Perhaps you could reflect that by not saying you're "stealing"?

[brakester]

48. I guess if

that sets you off, I'm sorry.

People sometimes use loose speech and it's meant to convey informality. It's how we talk to friends.

If you don't understand the dire situation WNCarolina is in, research and ASK questions before dissing us, please.

[LauraInLA]

60. Doesn't bother me AT ALL. And I feel horrible about your all's situation. I asked the question because

as you’ve seen throughout the thread, people who are unaware are concerned about the mention of “stealing”. I was trying to make a helpful suggestion, nothing more.

[LisaM]

53. That's how people talk in Buncombe County.

They are funny and have a dry delivery that maybe doesn't come off on paper.

[JoseBalow]

50. Is it "stealing" if they're allowing you to have it?

[questionseverything]

57. It's just an expression

[Lunabell]

102. Wow, wtf is right!

That was a rude and unwarranted comment from whoever that is. I hope they delete it.

[BannonsLiver]

7. Are you proud of your petty comment about someone who has been displaced by a hurricane? I sure as hell wouldn't be

[PittBlue]

68. I totally agree with you.

What an awful thing to say.

[B.See]

108. Some people don't have a clue as to

the dire straits that are brought on by such disasters, until they have the occasion to experience it for themselves.

[SomedayKindaLove]

15. Better to save your judgements

For less rainy days

[marble falls]

16. I thought I knew you better than that.

[Scrivener7]

22. WTF??

[Hekate]

25. In an utterly devastated landscape? Mercy -- I'd do whatever it takes. And the store knows...

So it sounds like a neighborly act on the store’s part, not theft.

[Coexist]

29. Agreed

🥰

[mahatmakanejeeves]

35. I'm going to guess that what Coexist means is that

he is sitting on the sidewalk outside the store, or maybe in the store, if it's open, using the store's wifi, with his charger plugged into a duplex receptacle.

Reply #30 seems to confirm my guess.

[brakester]

46. Do you live in this area?

In the mountains here we help each other out! Esp. in times like this.

These stores leave their Internet going 24/7 as a public service.

I wonder if you post things without researching or thinking first, as a habit?

Vomiting ugly opinions is what has led to all the ill-feeling and violence in America.

Just because you think you can hide behind anonymity, doesn't make it ok.

Open up your heart and let some healing light and warmth in.

[NutmegYankee]

47. They even do that on the Coast.

It's normal everywhere in major storms.

[soandso]

100. Thank you for saying that

I often see things said about how people come together, to help each other, in this or that place, as though they're different form someplace else. You see it all over the world because it's part of human nature. I wish humans were always at their best as most are during disasters.

To the OP: Glad you're okay. Is your home (the structure) damaged?

[kerry-is-my-prez]

81. We do that in Florida. You can die from the heat and you've gotta eat.

We had rules in my development against using grills but I was grilling up a storm. No one was really around and no condo cops complained.

[littlemissmartypants]

93. ❤️

[niyad]

52. Is everything okay? Everyone else seemed to understand what the OP meant,

without making disappointing, ugly assumptions. I am more than a bit surprised.

[sheshe2]

54. ???

[littlemissmartypants]

92. IKR. Where's the raise one eyebrow emoticon when you need it?

❤️

[johnnyfins]

56. wow. way to judge someone in the

Middle of a disaster.

[FarPoint]

58. I feel the urge to ask you the same question regarding your post...

For me, community compassion rules here and we know Whole Foods is a community resource.... I think you posted a bit of a mean question for a hurricane victim.... just my thoughts..

[dem4decades]

61. How could you even ask that question?

[RubyRose]

64. Stores normally provide access to charging outlets

And internet for survivors of hurricanes.

[PittBlue]

67. Why would you ask that?

These are desperate times in Asheville.

[pfitz59]

69. Really?

Your comment is unneeded

[Cha]

70. Why woulnd't she be? And, what kind of Question is that

at a time like this?

[obamanut2012]

75. There is nothing at all wrong with what they are doing -- what do you think is wrong?

Your judgemental tone is misplaced here.

[littlemissmartypants]

87. Lots of colorful people and colorful words originate from North Carolina. We have a very long diverse history.

After all, we're one of the original thirteen colonies, so we've had a long time to embrace diversity and evolve, and we're not done yet.

WNC and Asheville, in particular, have a special vibe unlike any other.

Lots of colorful language. So, not hearing words like "stick it where the sun don't shine" doesn't mean that those same words haven't crossed a mind.

I've heard tall tales and fish stories. Many long elaborate stories stretch the truth through the time-space continuum, too. But I haven't ever heard a storyteller be called out for being entertaining or generous with their gift of gab.

But optimists are seldom surprised by trouble.

The most "difficult" among us may be hard to love but may need to be shown grace so that they know what it looks like.

Not everyone is a Longfellow or an Emily Dickinson. Some of us are more like Dorothy Parker.

The gift of gab and forethought aren't parts of everyone's communication style. Some communicators don't have any style at all.

We're all DUers, though whatever our communication style, our similarities most probably out number our differences.

And of course, the real message here is that this OP was started by "coexist." Let's let that sink in.


❤️ pants

[Drum]

95. Well..bless your heart.

😒

[redstatebluegirl]

104. Good grief!

Have ever been in a natural disaster??? You survive, people who have power or food, or water share it with those who don't.

[ret5hd]

106. i came just to see if there was a reply like this!!!

oooh…my bingo card is almost full!

[nolabear]

3. Thanks! I just heard 40 is open again.

What do you see as evidence of aid being given? Who’s there? I saw a report that the death toll is much higher than officially stated. Any evidence of that?

Hang in there. I’ve got people in Boone and Blowing Rock. They’re okay but damn. I love that place. Stay strong. ❤️

[Coexist]

6. Death toll is 40 in Buncombe county so far

But search and rescue is still ongoing. Mudslides were bad.

Aid: water disto centers at schools for several hours a day. Henderson got power back (the road) Dominos opened and is handing out free pizzas. I heard WCK is here but I haven’t seen them yet

[nolabear]

44. Thanks so much. I'm trying to gather info from locals

but as you say, there’s so little getting out. Hang in there.

[brakester]

55. I've heard thru the grapevine

such as it exists, that Boone got blasted.
My heart goes out to them!

[GumboYaYa]

8. First good luck to you and everyone else in your community.

Brunk Auctions had one of eight original copies of the Constitution up for sale soon. Do you know if they saved the copy of the Constitution?

[Coexist]

12. I'll look into that when I can

That’s a bit beyond my spotty coverage and it hasn’t been in the news here (I don’t have tv or internet or electric or water so I’m getting my news via an email digest I check once a day when I’m here or there is a spot at Publix

BTW - Publix has been a lifesaver. For real. People here didn’t plan for this. They had no water aside, no gas in their cars, and no food stores. So Publix having a generator for their entire store was a godsend to them. The line to get in was 3 hours long on Saturday. Their poor employees are looking exhausted but in good spirits.

[GumboYaYa]

17. Good luck, I grew up in South Louisiana and have been through many hurricanes and floods

I can appreciate how hard life is for you right now. When we found ourselves in a post storm situation it was always my goal to make one thing better each day. You will get through it and will have normalcy at some point.

[Coexist]

24. Spirits remain high for now

Got a text from Duke - I will Have power by noon on Friday

[GumboYaYa]

85. That is great news.

After Andrew, some neighborhoods near us went 3-4 weeks with no power. From what we see from the outside it looks like they are attacking the problems aggressively. Is tat what you see on the ground?

[littlemissmartypants]

90. I heard that there are like crews from thirty or forty

Different states and Canada working around the clock to restore power. Friday sounds excellent!

Great job!!

[LeftInTX]

38. It makes sense that they didn't stockpile water because they weren't expecting it to be like this.

Once Helene turned into "extratropical", it's harder to predict what it was gonna do and where it was gonna go etc. Everyone knew there would be flash floods, but assume the inconveniences would last a day or so etc.
They had the low going to TN, but instead it went to WNC.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

89. With this climate change everyone is going to have to start being like Floridians.

During hurricane season (June-Nov) way ahead of any hurricane you never have less than 3/4’s of your gas tank filled you always have at least 5 gallons of water on hand, you have a ton of tuna fish, peanut butter and protein bars on hand, you have about 6-7 mini lanterns on hand, with a ton of batteries, portable radio. When I had a landline, I had a princess phone that you could plug into a phone outlet that might work when you are out of power if phone service was up. You always have a decent amount of cash on hand. You need to know of a place that you can move your car to that is on higher ground. Everything will be gone from the stores if you wait until the last minute to get your supplies so start buying your stuff early. I also try to eat everything out of my freezer. You have all those supplies where you can find them in your house. There will be more and more hurricanes in the usual spots and now in all areas of the south. You might want to have a fan that operates with batteries. If you are near the shore, on an island, in low lying ground or have big trees that might fall on your house, you will need to move into a shelter or if you have the money., go to another area a few hour away from where the eye will hit and get a motel/hotel there and pray the hurricane doesn’t tilt and hit you there. The restaurants or stores near hospitals will open first so go there if you need to. Have several coolers and frozen ice packs and pray that you can find ice somewhere. Also, have a portable grill.

[littlemissmartypants]

94. Great advice. May I suggest oil lamps, camp stoves, medicine and

Clean your bathtub well, fill it with water you can boil to cook with or even drink if you run out.

I usually don't evacuate. But I live on high ground and have animals. Plus, I've heard too many stories of folks who had a terrible time trying to get home.

Thanks so much for sharing this!

❤️

[littlemissmartypants]

41. Great question! ❤️

[malaise]

9. I just hope you have food, water and a dry spot to sleep:

[Coexist]

13. I do thank you. I lived in Florida for 30 years and

The Caribbean for 2. I over prepared for the storm and my home survived just fine. A few roof shingles gone and many trees over

[malaise]

19. Yes we know about preparation

So glad your home survived it all . This one was really bad.

[LiberalLoner]

111. Me too!

[Solly Mack]

11. Glad you're OK. No questions. Stay safe.

[Coexist]

14. Thanks!

[hlthe2b]

27. Best wishes to you and may all the help that arrives be those who are actually trained to do so...

As one who just went through our massive wildfires a few weeks ago, I cannot stress the need for that. Well-meaning people who had never been around horses out there trying to load a horse trailer or who'd never hiked our mountains taking off on foot trying to check for survivors who failed to evacuate (and that's the "short of it..." )

This too shall pass, but until then take it one day at a time. Things will get better..

[GAdem2016]

20. Sending you positive vibes...

We love Asheville so much. My parents spent their honeymoon at Grove Park 65 years ago (less than $30/night, including breakfast!!). We live in Athens GA and enjoy visiting Asheville 1-2x/year. So many favorite places. Heartbroken about Chimney Rock. We're sending positive vibes to all the wonderful people there and we'll be back when the time comes!

[Coexist]

26. I love chimney rock!

I hope the Grove is ok. That place is so beautiful and historic. I’m sure I would I’ve heard if it’s a loss. It’s made out of boulders, so it should be?

[GAdem2016]

39. I know there are newer parts of Grove Park and older parts.

If memory serves, the wings on either side are newer additions (my dad doesn't like them, lol). Different parts may have fared differently. However, it's all pretty high up, so that's a good sign.

Some of our favorite Asheville places include Pie.ZAA, Chai Pani, and Woolworth Walk. We also love wandering around the River Arts district. We've bought several pieces there, and they have some great coffee shops. I heard River Arts is under water.

[Scrivener7]

28. So glad you are safe. Does your area have access to drinkable water?

[Coexist]

31. Yes! Thanks

[Coexist]

30. Ok gotta go there are others waiting for outlets

Stay strong!

[Scrivener7]

33. Update us when you can!

[littlemissmartypants]

42. We love you! ❤️

[Hekate]

32. Glad you are able to checkin here. Stay safe.

[greatauntoftriplets]

36. Stay safe!

[blogslug]

45. Good wishes for you

May all go better than expected

[niyad]

49. Blessings to Whole Foods, and all who are helping in whatever ways they can.

So glad you are able to check in, even if only briefly. Please take good care of yourself, and check in when you can.

[LoisB]

59. Glad you are safe. I hope everyone who is

safe now remains so. I don't think pictures can fully portray the devastation on the ground.

[Lochloosa]

63. Info to share. Helene dropped 40 TRILLION Gallons of water.

[LittleGirl]

82. Only 40 Trillion???

Wow 😵

[sheshe2]

65. Please stay safe, Coexist. 💙

My heart goes out to all of you in these times. It sounds like you have a great community that is pulling together to help one another.

[AllaN01Bear]

66. re: welcome back , sort oof .

[LilElf70]

71. I have a friend who lives in Lexington

He has a daughter that lives in Ashville. She lost everything. The town is a total disaster, from what I hear.

[._.]

72. Listen..

Post your image to one of your other s/m sites, then click on it and do "copy url", you can post that on d/u and it will generate your image. I'm sure there are other ways to do it, but this is the one I figured out, after it took way to long to figure SOMETHING out. fyi.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

73. easy pic posting site:

https://postimages.org/

[Think. Again.]

74. Glad you're ok, my best to all there (wish I could do more).

[duncang]

78. My wife and I visited the area several times.

One of our favorite places to go. Also our most visited vacation spots going there was great. We even talked about moving there. I love the area and people. Hoping for a speedy recovery for you and the area. Stay safe and take care.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

80. Good for you. All is fair when it comes to Hurricanes.

Just hope they don’t end up sending you a bill!

[Warpy]

83. I just got done watching a video that made me want to reach through the screen and shake the guy

Please tell people who are collecting supplies like shampoo, diapers, toothpaste and other comfort items to buy them before they leave their own areas, DO NOT strip the shelves of the local Sam's Club or visit multiple groceries to make a quota.

People who live there and are unable to travel are going to need things that are in local shops.

ALSO, before you go on that shopping spree and leave, call the local shelter/local authorities and verify what items are needed instead of going in half blind, half cocked and half assed.

Yeah, I know this seems harsh but trust me, it isn't. It doesn't do to give someone in a disaster area a bag of shampoo and towlettes when what they really need is a tarp and a couple of rolls of duck tape.

This is why disaster relief often sounds crass as they request cash donations instead of STUFF. It's the only way decisions can be made on short notice and one family at a time, so they get that tarp and duck tape.

(No, this isn't aimed at you, it's aimed at people who don't think and don't ask)

[2naSalit]

84. Thanks for checking in!

Glad you're okay for now. I hope that relief comes in quickly and everyone is found. I've worked recovery and relief before, it's a hard task.

Sending lots of good juju to you and everyone in your area.

[Baitball Blogger]

86. What is the current report for missing versus loss of life?

Sorry about what you're all going through.

[littlemissmartypants]

98. FEMA workers are still literally going door to door with ipads

Doing surveys on the spot also registering missing persons and counting people as accounted for but there are still rescues going on. Most of them by helicopter. Many are cut off either with washed out roads or roads blocked by trees and mudflow.

If you got a number it's going to be different shortly after. They are updated frequently but deceased persons aren't officially counted until the next of kin are notified. The real number of casualties may never be known because some people were trapped in entire houses that were demolished with them inside going down the rivers in mudflows.

I learned this watching news conferences by Governor Cooper and other officials both state and federal.

❤️

[Baitball Blogger]

99. This is sounding far more tragic than any of us realized.

Thank you for responding.

[littlemissmartypants]

103. It's bad. Historic and catastrophic were the words Governor Cooper used.

Devastating was another. One of the emergency services speaker's voice cracked and he had to take a moment when he was trying to give his report. I think he was from ncdps which is public safety.

The mountains are still moving. The mudslides are ongoing. It's indescribably horrible. Two EMS workers were killed trying to rescue someone when a tree fell on their truck. I won't say anything more.

If you can, give blood to the Red Cross
They need to replace the supply of blood from what they transferred to WNC. The supply was low before the storm.

Take care of yourself, Baitball Blogger.

❤️🙏

[LeftInTX]

109. A friend of mine is there with FEMA. She says it's devastating.

[littlemissmartypants]

110. Please tell her North Carolina DUers said Thank You!

I hope that everyone is getting the emotional support that they need.

Although it might not be exactly for the same reasons, whether working for an agency or as an affected resident, no one walks into and out of any disaster without some level of trauma.

I hope they have the mental health professionals that they need for both groups. Especially, for the children.

Please thank her on my behalf. Thank you.

❤️🙏

[ancianita]

88. Good for you. It costs Whole Foods nothing, so go to it. Glad you can check in.

Hang in there!

[jls4561]

91. Glad you're OK.

My momma’s people are from Asheville and the surrounding area. I spent a lot of time up there when I was young. I still have a ton and a half of cousins there. I have sent texts asking if they are OK, but told them just get back to me when you can.
One thing you can help me with if you would be so kind. I wanted to donate to flood relief, but am not sure to whom to send it. I went with Red Cross and World Central Kitchen, on the assumption that even if the money will not go directly to Buncombe , will be put to good use.
Asheville Citizen Times was no help-they had a bunch of Babtist churches and I’m still mad at them. I have met many good people in the Babtist churches but the leadership should read more of
Jesus’s teachings and less of Paul’s. Don’t even get me started on Franklin Graham.
Anyway, do you know of any organization that is helping people directly? I’m would also like to donate to an animal shelter that’s local.

Your help is greatly appreciated. Please forgive me if you or your family are Babtist. Yes, that’s deliberately misspelled.

[littlemissmartypants]

97. The Red Cross is asking for blood donations to replace the supply that they transferred to WNC. ❤️

Last edited Tue Oct 1, 2024, 07:03 PM - Edit history (1)

[jls4561]

105. That's doable.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[Lunabell]

101. I am so sorry for what you are going through!!

I hope all of your family and pets are accounted for!!!

[SheltieLover]

107. Report from Charlotte region

Electrical crew trucks, Cable repair trucks, etc. are about all that is traveling west bound. They are staging in or near Old Fort while they are awaiting their permits to enter and begin work.

Good vibes on the way to all in that region! I lived in Asheville for a few years and am broken hearted at the devastation I've seen and read about.

[malaise]

112. Thanks

[SheltieLover]

113. Yw!

Just trying to offer hope to those in need.