People you know, who know other people, who know other people... [View all]

Same for all of us. In the little western NC county I once lived in, and it's neighbors, the degrees of separation are small. My partner has contacted all our old compadres. All are safe. Some with harrowing stories from the great flood. But the further down the line of acquaintances we go, people are missing. No one knows where they are. I'm just heartbroken. Seems like one small victory is followed by one more tragedy.

A little place called Loafers Glory in Mitchell County. We've passed through a thousand times going to and from NC and TN. An old grist mill there on Cane Creek was remodeled into a residence years ago. Really, being an old mill, it's virtually in the creek. It changed hands a couple times when we lived in the area. Figured it was destroyed, but no, it's flood damaged but still standing. A small victory.

Then come the tragedies. People missing. One of my partner's contacts of contacts does white water rescue. The Toe River (Cane Creek flows into the Toe) is completely rearranged and unrecognizable to those who know the river. It is, or was, part of the border between Mitchell and Yancy counties. Now it's not in many places. The entire river moved, putting bits of Yancy and Mitchell counties on either side. Worse. Nat Guard has been working the area. Much of it difficult to access except on foot, ATV or horseback. They've marked more spots than I need to think about as body recovery points. White water people have volunteered to help with recovery, but have been warned that it's horrible. People buried in sediment and sand. Bodies crushed and mangled. Bodies in trees.

Not sure how much more of this I can take. I'm beyond heartbroken. Just needed to let it out.