Scheduled our next mini vacation trip to Watauga Lake, Butler, TN, September 17th through the weekend to scout out some properties on the lake. Again, we scheduled a vacation rental by owner on the lake without knowing we would be there during hurricane Helene!
Beautiful property and lake. Here is an image taken before the storm as we arrived on Wednesday. Thursday was raining and the wind started to pick up. We visited the town of Mountain City and did some sight seeing that day. Power went out in the evening for about three hours, but came back on.
Friday began the heavy rain and winds. Water was rising on the lake and about up to the house. We lost power, water and communications. We were only getting the SOS weather alerts on our phones telling us to shelter in place due to flash flooding. At 5:00 pm we were cleared to drive. We ventured out to see what was going on and to find cell service.
Hwy 321 was washed out south of where we were staying and we had to turn around. We drove north and saw houses, trailers and other property flooded! We turned back and packed up and headed out. Everywhere we turned the roads had washed out, down trees and still no communications.
Finally got onto Hwy 421 north going toward Holsten Valley, TN to high ground. Uphill twisty roads with down trees at every turn. Shelley had to get out of the truck to walk ahead to get us out of there. 4x4 had to be used. We eventually got to Bristol, TN onto Hwy 81 and was able to travel to Hwy 77 south where there was power to stop and fuel up.
We were fortunate to get out when we did. But, for those who live in that area, our hearts go out them as they were devastated by this hurricane.
Comments