[fintstone]

I was visiting my second home in Asheville the day before the storm hit...but it was just a stop and I continued on I 40 headed west. We finally were able to talk to family. It has been pretty bad for them, but they are a hardy lot. Probably much worse for the recent transplants and homeless as many congregate in the worst hit areas. Unlike many that were not prepared, my wife and I have emergency stuff, a lot of food and water, etc....as well as emergency cash which are needed when registers/computers don't work. Even in vacation places.

There was no access in or out of where my house is (due to hundreds of downed trees on the road) until they cut through yesterday. The power and internet are still out, but a relative went by and said they did not see any damage (other than a massive tree down that missed the house by inches). No water got into the house, but not sure if the crawlspace is flooded...or if the well or septic tank were impacted.

Several similar trees came down on my property a few years back (one huge hardwood high up on the mountain above my house fell and took down others like dominos. Fortunately, the damage to my house was minimal then...but it took a couple years to saw up the trees and drag them out by myself (working on it when I was there).

I also have a rental in the older part of the city, but no idea if it sustained damage. It was built in 1927 and I renovated/updated it about 15 years ago. It seems to sit in a pretty safe location, but who knows? Hopefully my management company is on that.... but they manage many properties, so their hands are likely full, and may not be able to contact me.

I have been told that much of my small hometown in the mountains is essentially gone, but I am not sure if that is accurate since you still cannot really travel in that area except by foot still.