Dazed Tennessee residents get first look at wildfire rubble

WRAL-TV - AP ^ | 12/3/16 | Adam Beam and Jonathan Mattise

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

GATLINBURG, Tenn. — Charlotte Moore needed a phone charger.

Then she remembered that her home was gone.

The realization came as she made the familiar drive up to the top of Laurel Mountain in the Roaring Fork neighborhood of Gatlinburg on Friday, where what lay ahead was anything but familiar. On the first day officials let property owners return to assess the damage from the wildfire that devastated their homes, the eastern Tennessee tourist destination was headed toward an uncertain future.

As people were allowed into the city, Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters raised the death toll to 13 and said the number of damaged buildings now approached 1,000. He also defended the response to the wildfires that spread rapidly Monday, saying it was not the time for "Monday morning quarterbacking." He promised a full review later.

Gatlinburg residents and business owners, meanwhile, got their first look at the wildfire destruction Friday, and many walked around the once-bustling city in a daze, sobbing.

[Tennessean4Bush]

My nephew designed this cool tee shirt and proceeds go to American Red Cross in support of the Smokies effort.
Smokies Strong Tee Shirt

[RegulatorCountry]

Nice. He’s a talented designer.

[metmom]

Sadly, there are likely more who perished who’s bodies haven’t been discovered. Lots of pets and wildlife, too.

Likely that's why they are keeping people out for the time being.

They don't need civilians finding bodies of their families.

They probably want to clear the dead out first before letting people sift through the rubble of their homes.

How tragic.

[weston]

http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2016/12/gatlinburg_fire_update_death_t.html

[luvie]

Of course he hasn’t. No muslims living there, ya know.

[Albion Wilde]

So sorry, TR. God bless you.

[telstar12.5]

Should not this FEMA inspection action be the job of the Insurance Companies instead?

FEMA causes as many problems as it solves.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

That’s a great T-shirt = your nephew is very talented. And I just ordered mine! So thanks for that info.

[haircutter]

B.Hussein Obama, THE CURRENT POTUS until Jan. 20, 2017 has not been on ‘alert TV’ TO SPEAK ONE WORD TO THE AMERICANS IN TENNESSEE.

YET he is secretly trying to give BILLIONS OF TAX DOLLARS to more refugees and his Muslims...that money should be going to rebuild TENNESSEE...

WE NEED TO DEMAND HE DO SO...HE IS SO EVIL...

[fella]

From the photos it doesn’t appear to have been a general burn, kind of hit or miss. Still plenty of trees left. One house burnt and the next one didn’t or houses on one side of street gone while across the street OK. Almost a tornado quality to it.

[Oldexpat]

Our citizens are hurting and the Rats and Rhinos would still rather give money to illegals and Muslims who want to kill us.

[flaglady47]

Wow, that’s a beautifully designed tee-shirt, and nice colors to boot. Your nephew is talented.

[luvie]

I would imagine the people of TN would rather hear from Donald Trump than obama. He’s worse than useless!

[trisham]

Wow! Very nice!

[VideoDoctor]

East Tennessee where these fires took place voted 80% fot Trump.

Don't expect any HELP or comments on the disaster from Obunga.

Thankfully, Tennessee being the volunteer state they are helping themselves and NOT whinging for a second.

Strong Americans.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Yes, indeed, - the people of East Tennessee are true patriots and will recover just fine. I hope everyone who can, though, will find a way to pitch in and help them recover. (Not the government - private citizens).

Dolly Parton is doing her best to help the affected citizens by donating $1000 per month to the affected families.

Her fund has already raised one million dollars! Wow.

http://www.wyff4.com/article/dolly-partons-my-people-fund-raises-dollar1-million-in-36-hours/8459778

Now that’s the American way of helping.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Meant to post the address of where people can send donations to Dolly’s fund:

My People Fund, c/o Dollywood Foundation
111 Dollywood Lane
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

[tiki]

I’d sure rather donate directly to someone than to p$ss my money away on Red Cross or any of the other fake charities out there.

[haircutter]

In WWII the Red Cross charged my Military Uncle for a cup of water~~~ as kids growing up we were never permitted to donate to Red Cross in our schools in Cleveland OH. My dad also served the Military in WW II and he had to make an emergency trip home once, due too my mom's ill health, and he too was LOANED MONEY..

My husband was in Berlin, Germany when his dad died, the Red Cross LOANED HIM some money to travel on, he was charged interest on the money when he returned back to Germany for 12 remaining months on his tour. I never let my kids donate to Red Cross either...

I will donate to Dolly Pardons fund, and thanks for the address.

[combat_boots]