Wildfires

[exfed12825]

I know there are a few members that live in and around Eastern Tennessee, sure hope everyone is safe.

[MGBV8]

Not good for the Gatlinburg area.  My repost.


Gatlinburg, TN, host for MG2006 is burning. They evacuated Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge yesterday. Many homes & businesses have burned.

I live 90 minutes away. A note I sent to friends.

"Sun is shining here this AM. The weather has passed. Hopefully it is still raining in the Gatlinburg/Smoky Mountains area.

The high winds ahead of the rain fanned the existing wildfires. We had local fire fighters from Kingsport, Sullivan County, & lots of volunteer fire departments head down late last night.

The damage is great. Lots of homes & businesses are gone. Ober Gatlinburg is said to be gone. Park Vista (the big, round 300 room hotel on the hill has burned. Downtown Gatlinburg may be okay, but the surrounding area has been hit hard.

Here's the unedited video of the two brothers escaping the fires.

http://www.wbir.com/news/local/shock-horror-hope-residents-visitors-describe-fleeing-flames/357657353


Map of what has burned. I'm sure it is incomplete.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?ll=35.69351931912903%2C-83.51775803996583&z=13&mid=1j7dJNKio1QPbslWy4PDNMsQkUes

[MGBV8]

Amazing in this day & age that timely news is still unavailable.  Can't seem to find out very much.  Webcams are down & Sevier county is being told to not use cell phones.

Ober Gatlinburg was misreported.

[kstevusa]

Cked on Mickey & Janet this AM.  Tree down in drive but they are OK.  Fires not close but could have been.  Townsend is not too far from G'Burg.  Some damage listed in Wear Valley.  Hope it POURS rain for the people in fire area.

[Mickey Richaud]

All things considered, we're fine.  A bit worried about tonight, as high winds are predicted again.  The contractor who built our house came by this morning and sent a crew out this afternoon to clean up the fallen trees and patch the holes in the roof of the garage.  Temporary fix, but will need at least 1/3 of the roof replaced.

Really lucky, actually; could've been much worse, and thankfully no fires close by.

[britcars]

Terrible news.  Reporting on CNN that three dead, people burned out of their homes and many businesses destroyed. I wasn't aware that the area was suffering such a drought.  
Mickey, good to hear that you are OK.  We've booked a week at a Gatlinburg resort May 6-13th.

[Mickey Richaud]

Yeah, we got power back yesterday afternoon and saw pictures of the Gatlinburg area - really devastating.  Our problem with a couple trees seems insignificant.

Called the contractor who built our home and garage, and he was out here with a crew within a couple hours.  Cleaned up the two fallen trees and hauled away the mess.  Cut the damaged gutter away and took it as well, and put a temporary patch on the two holes in the roof.  Insurance claim filed, but I would imagine it will be a while before an adjuster can get to us, with all the other, more serious claims to handle.

Phil - great news that you'll be here in May.  Our local car show is the 12-14th.  

Mickey

[MGBV8]

A number of places that were reported burned remain intact including Ober Gatlinburg, Park Vista Hotel, & Sugarlands Visitor Center. 15,000 acres & over 250 building damaged or destroyed, including 70 homes in the Wears Valley area.


http://www.wbir.com/news/local/gatlinburg-fires-whats-damaged-destroyed-and-intact/357891924

[BlownMGB-V8]

Sorta puts the tree that blew down on my carport in perspective. I'll at least get firewood out of the deal. That's a lot more than can be said for those burned out of their homes. Edith had that happen to her when she was about 14. Many, many things you never get back that aren't even missed at first. Family pictures, keepsakes, gratitude for making it out alive is well and good but doesn't begin to cover the losses.

Jim

[MGBV8]

I would cry. Pics of kids, Harley, MGV8, guitars, records & CDs...    Fire dept would not go near with all the gasoline, oil, solvents, & ammo.

More aerials.

http://wate.com/2016/11/29/video-aerial-video-of-gatlinburg-fire-damage/

[britcars]

I looked at the list of properties that have burned or were damaged.  Noticed that the time share resort that we booked for early May, Tree Tops Resort,  might have been destroyed..............will have to wait and see.

[Mickey Richaud]

Keep us posted, Phil, and let me know if I can help locate a possible alternative for you if needed.

Mickey

[britcars]

{ Keep us posted, Phil, and let me know if I can help locate a possible alternative for you if needed. }

Thanks very much Mickey.  I'll wait a bit to see the final status at Tree Tops and contact the time share folks.
Phil

[Dan B]

We stayed at Tree Tops Resort once. It was nice.  I hope it is still intact.