Who would have thought that an anticipated natural disaster that quickly turned catastrophic would be the driving force that brings Americans together?
Hurricane Helene brought massive rainfalls and flooding at unprecedented levels, and from northern Georgia to the Southern Appalachians, to Western North Carolina, and parts of Eastern Tennessee, roads have been washed away, entire cities have been leveled, and populations devastated.
But had it not been for concerned citizens and loved ones, and some citizen journalists posting on X, the rest of the country would have been left in the dark. Up until this morning, the legacy media has all but ignored the destruction and never questioned when the worst of the weather started on Friday, why President Joe Biden was sunning himself at Rehoboth Beach, DE or why Vice President and selected Democrat nominee Kamala Harris was schmoozing with her donors in California, all while people lost their homes, their communities, and their lives.
From some reports on Sunday, despite federal emergency declarations being issued, FEMA had not even been activated. Not that they would have been much use at that point.
My brother delivered two plane loads of supplies this morning in Rutherford, NC, about 30 minutes from Lake Lure. I asked if he saw any government assets deployed, and he said NO — only volunteers.
America Last is on full display under the Biden/Harris administration. #Helene
— John Kane (@johnmkane1776) September 30, 2024
As former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich observed, the scale of the disaster is too massive for the slow-moving FEMA.
The United States government has to activate all its military assets to help with Americans in the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee. Because of the geography this hurricane has created a human crisis which will require a national response larger than the scale of the…
— Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) September 30, 2024
The United States government has to activate all its military assets to help with Americans in the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee. Because of the geography this hurricane has created a human crisis which will require a national response larger than the scale of the disaster. This is way beyond fema.
Where government continues to fail, the American people stand tall and do what we do: unite, mobilize, save the day, and work to save each other and our republic. As our lifelong North Carolina resident Sister Toldjah has reported, the minute the viral videos and alerts were issued, people from the surrounding Southern states and across the country reached out and took action.
Perhaps the most important thing he noted was that relief supplies are in fact pouring in and are being dropped in by air, with the locals stepping up all over NC and the NC National Guard doing their thing as well (and with Guardsmen from states like Florida coming to the rescue, too – thank you, Gov. DeSantis!).
Further, utility crews and first responders are filtering in from all over the country to help with the relief and recovery efforts. He also said he was confident we’d see more coverage from the national press in the coming days as electricity, wifi, and road accessibility were restored in the places they could be.
The air-dropped supplies and communication connections have been crucial. Private citizens have established Starlink networks, augmenting emergency response efforts and allowing people to deliver or receive messages from their stranded loved ones.
First round of @Starlink terminals are airborne. We’re working with local officials to make sure they get to the remote areas that need them as quickly as possible. We’re also paying for unlimited data plans for each one. This is one of many things @TheYallSquad is doing thanks… pic.twitter.com/LOfiSjYtS6
— Ryan Hall, Y’all (@ryanhallyall) September 30, 2024
Operation Airdrop and other private citizens have spearheaded this endeavor to rescue as many people as possible and deliver much-needed resources to the affected areas.
Some good news. This was the last airlift out of Banner Elk, The Vistas subdivision. For those worried about their loved ones. Here’s some people who were rescued. pic.twitter.com/gRLgzWgLBY
— Sassafrass84 (@Sassafrass_84) September 30, 2024
Today, with help from so many, but especially Cindy Ambrose , Krissy Cline Swaim, and Procoaters, Inc. , we were able to deliver thousands of dollars of supplies to Operation Airdrop in Statesville NC, who are carrying the supplies by air to the affected communities. I am proud… pic.twitter.com/1yRQ3eovcQ
— Durk_NC (@derrick_swaim) September 29, 2024
One event place in the Carolinas had no choice but to abandon their animals, expecting their imminent death because of the flood waters. Instead, a bridal party that was still on the property rescued them.
Hidden River Events in Swannanoa, NC, left their animals penned up to die in the floods. They were rescued by a bridal party that was on the property. #Helene #ashevilleflooding pic.twitter.com/rsz7RXG9es
— Kim Wexler’s Ponytail 🐝💛🎗 (@MadisonKittay) September 30, 2024
From local counties to state governments, the resources are being rallied in order to save as many lives as can be, and to ensure that no one is left behind to die.
Heartwarming story of family rescue in #northcarolina from Madison county
People are being actively saved and I’m so thankful to start seeing some of these reports.
Glory to God, Faithful and True. #ncwx #helene pic.twitter.com/Z3G96OxXfR
— Frank Fighting For Freedom 🇺🇸 (@thinktankfranks) September 29, 2024
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been the hero of the moment with the rapid response and mobilization of Florida’s assets in order to meet the needs of North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia.
At the direction of @GovRonDeSantis, we have been deployed, along with other state agencies, to assist in areas affected by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina & Tennessee. Operation Blue Ridge also aims to help Floridians needing rescue in Western North Carolina, the Blue Ridge… pic.twitter.com/S815GWgKw6
— MyFWC (@MyFWC) September 30, 2024
And other state leaders have followed suit. Missouri, Alabama, Central and Western Tennessee, and Louisiana have stepped up and mobilized in creative and effective ways. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has deployed their National Guard to help with the relief and rescue efforts, and Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt praised the efforts of the state’s Task Force 1, which has been commissioned to work rescue missions across Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, and South Carolina.
HELP TENNESSEE: I don’t know what is going on with FEMA but @robbystarbuck came up with a way we can all help families in East TN directly. Just go to your Amazon account and put together a shopping cart with some of the items recommended by Robby. Change your delivery address to… https://t.co/jrpujufDkf pic.twitter.com/fD64b7DEAF
— @amuse (@amuse) September 30, 2024
I have deployed the @AlabamaNG to North Carolina.
Hurricane Helene left warzone-like devastation in its path, and Alabama is here to lend a helping hand as our neighboring states begin responding and recovering. #alpoliticshttps://t.co/sUhozth0MG
— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) September 30, 2024
Missouri Task Force 1 currently has 65 members working rescue missions in Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, and South Carolina.
Thankful for these brave Missourians that have stepped up and answered the call. pic.twitter.com/b4RnZUr3EZ
— Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) September 30, 2024
Stay strong #NorthCarolina, the LOUISIANIMALS are here!#NCStrong #CajunNavy #Helene pic.twitter.com/YKAhqcfv0N
— United Cajun Navy (@Unitedcajunnavy) September 30, 2024
Part of this silver lining is that the fake leadership of the Biden-Harris administration is even more exposed, but real leaders are given their opportunity to shine. Republican TN Congressman Tim Burchett has suspended fundraising for his campaign and directed the money to the relief efforts.
We are suspending our fundraising and urging everyone to send any available funds to flood relief for these folks hit by this horrible devastation. pic.twitter.com/ckIZVOxrdi
— Tim Burchett (@timburchett) September 30, 2024
And a week ago, NC Republican Mark Robinson, Lt. Governor and gubernatorial candidate, was considered dead candidate walking. But he has been on the ground in the midst of his state’s disaster, showing more leadership and connection than the current Democrat Governor Roy Cooper.
As the news media FINALLY begins covering the severity of the issues out west, there will be a heavy focus on Asheville and the greater Buncombe County area. Rightly so, as I am sad to report that the loss of life in that area is expected to be significant. We hope and pray for a… pic.twitter.com/Zgp5GOFnax
— Mark Robinson (@markrobinsonNC) September 30, 2024
As the news media FINALLY begins covering the severity of the issues out west, there will be a heavy focus on Asheville and the greater Buncombe County area. Rightly so, as I am sad to report that the loss of life in that area is expected to be significant. We hope and pray for a better outcome, but we are prepared for the worst. What the media will probably not be reporting on are the dozens of smaller communities across western North Carolina that too find themselves without water and life-saving supplies. Many of these communities have received virtually ZERO state or federal support. We are working tirelessly to ensure that these areas are not forgotten. Our team has a growing number of leaders on the ground working hand in hand with law enforcement to execute search and rescue missions, as well as to deliver life-saving assets not only to Buncombe County, but to all areas that otherwise may have been overlooked. Please continue to pray for the people of western North Carolina and their loved ones.
And lest we forget, the former President and GOP nominee Donald Trump did more than our sitting president to bring words, aid, and comfort to Hurricane Helene victims and the volunteers who are assisting in the relief efforts. The second aspect of this silver lining is that Kamala Harris was once again weighed in the balance and found wanting.
The legacy media cannot cover up the abject failure of her vice presidency or her presidential campaign. You cannot claim you care for all Americans when you completely disregard them in their hour of greatest need in order to get money and strokes from your rich friends. It’s not a good look, and we will remember in November.
What most comes to the fore is how ineffective and inefficient the federal government is, and how essential and ingenious the local community is. This is what the fabric of America is comprised of, and despite the incessant meddling by this government to try and tear that fabric apart, we remain strong and even more bonded. We are going to be who we are, and the hell they wish to unleash in communities and electorally cannot change that.
