One of my favorite people (Brenda, who lives in NC) sent this message to our group yesterday. Any and all help is appreciated.
“Hey friends! If you haven’t heard the western part of North Carolina, even as close as 45 min west of us, have been flooded, small towns washed away, people missing, no power or food since Friday. It’s a war zone out there. My sis in law in Utah told me they haven’t seen or heard very much about it which is surprising to me. It’s really bad. Tons of dead bodies are just floating around because they don’t have the resources to clear them. I think FEMA just got involved but what’s amazing is the people here, regular citizens, just got right to work. We have been working with this small airport that has volunteer pilots flying to all these tiny towns that haven’t seen help at all. We have been collecting items to pack and send on trailers and small planes/helicopters. We’ve bought our own donations and people here have been so generous however we are seeing our own local stores depleted of basic goods for our own towns. Water, diapers, formula etc are out. People still need so much help. I can’t even imagine what they are going through just what I’ve seen and it’s hard to imagine. I’ve seen people strapping their horses with supplies, friends taking their side by sides into the mountains, driving crazy roads just to get to people and get them supplies. This is my home, these are my people that have adopted me as a Carolinian. I’m heartbroken for all the small towns we’ve traveled to and loved. I wouldn’t normally ask but these are people that would drop everything and help us, too, because that’s the kind of people they are. If you are able to please use this Amazon wish list (https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3R45PD0O48IKE?ref_=wl_share ) to buy items they need. You can use the address they have or ship them to me (225 Cove Creek Loop, Mooresville, NC, 28117) and I can bring them. I go there everyday so I can bring them asap. If you can’t, please pray and pass this along to family/friends. I love you all.”
The pilots (on their own dime) are flying to the remote areas no one can reach, taking aid, and coming back telling people what more the families need who live out there. If people cannot contact loved ones, the pilots go out searching. Moms might have formula but no bottles. Shelves in neighboring towns are being emptied because everything is sent to those who lost all. Workers chopping trees are being attacked by yellow jackets. It is dire in every way. Every day new needs arise. Here is a link to know what is needed that day:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566554308647&name=xhp_nt__fb__action__open_user
Pictures of life in our new home.