In Erwin, the missing count is now 70+, and the search teams are starting to find bodies... word of mouth is that they are having trouble ID-ing the dead because what they are actually finding are body parts. A raging river full of debris is a powerful force.
The facility where I work was about 25% flooded, but my understanding is that we weathered it relatively well with little damage and no environmental concerns. The facility has no power, water, sewer, or wastewater discharge. They are hoping to have power restored by Thursday. No word yet on water or sewer. The big problem is the city's wastewater processing plant; it's buried under a massive amount of silt and other debris and the public statement is that it may never be functional again. FEMA/TEMA is trying to get a mobile wastewater solution put in place, if that's even possible. Accordingly, no plant in Erwin, including the one where I work, can discharge any water at the moment - which means that we're shut down, possibly for a very long time.
So in addition to all the devastation and loss of lives, people aren't able to work & earn money. My facility (and prob all the others in town, I don't know) is shut down. We temporarily laid off our entire hourly workforce (except for essential personnel required for recovery efforts). Salaried folks like myself are "working from home" with pay - for however long that lasts; the company won't be able to afford to do that forever. We're in bad shape.
And we're only one town of many in the region which suffered similar damage.
So, as a man of faith, I'm asking for prayers for the families that are being affected by this. Also, and I might be violating ATOT rules here but I'll risk it anyway, please consider donating to relief organizations like the American Red Cross. There is a lot of desperate need at the moment.
Thanks,
Dean (NuclearNed)