To begin the devastation of Helene is more than any current government entity can deal with alone. Conservation Corps are required to save lives. However, rebuilding in these areas of NC and Tennessee are in question.
This is a link to one of the films by Mr. Mark Huneycutt. He is a very brave, rather brilliant surface geologist and the Army Corp should task his insight.
Link: https://youtu.be/dC35v2I73LY?si=f7ScE1UsKCOJzEEr
The link shows the headwaters of a small meandering creek turned into an enormous mudslide. The “thing” is this: These lands at the headwaters are highly unstable areas. They are continuing to be highly unstable. Rebuilding in this entire area is out of the question. There is no way of stabilizing these mountain areas now that they have been devastated and loosened from former stability.
THESE MOUNTAINS, for as beautiful as they are, ARE COMPLETELY UNSTABLE to think anyone within them, or near them are safe going forward.
There were whirlpools of mud and debris where creeks met each other. The land is permanently altered. If storms of any intensity roll through the devastation and erosion will continue. The entire area should be condemned from redevelopment. It will be a century before these mountains can be considered even close to stable. There were enormous rockslides. Trees were shredded. SHREDDED.
Mr. Honeycutt could present his findings to the public to facilitate understanding. He is great.
