Here in Western NC, all rail lines are gone. The old Clinchfield north out of Asheville has committed to repair 44 miles of washed out track, with a projected 4 month completion, the line that was the only way in and out of this area in the 1916 flood out to Murphy, NC, is a tourist line with most trackage removed. The Saluda grade had washouts that were never repaired, but now track and roadbed are gone. The line east out of Asheville is washed out along Hwy 70, and at Old Fort. I 26 was under major improvements, but now there is no way for the cement plants to get their 8-10 carlords of cement weekly, and locos and hoppers are trapped. Berkeley Mill gets carlords of plastic pellets, now hamstrung. l26 closed at Exit 37 in TN, with a 3/25 repair date, I40 washed out both East and West with a projected reopen date of 9/25.
The media has not covered this disaster adequately, as even now, bodies, cattle, horses, children, pets are floating down the Pigeon Swannanoa, and Nolachucky Rivers, thousands dead and missing. We are down to mule skinners and pack mules needed to reach some areas. Gas for vehicles to reach supplies if lucky enough to have roads, gas and propane for generators, and cash for transactions since all phone lines are down, cell service intermittant at best so credit cards don't work are the major pursuits. Why would anyone want to do away with gas, propane, and cash?
