Fire in the Fall

Most falls here in the south are decorated with changing leaves, the smell of campfire, and a light breeze that makes you want to draw close to the flames for warmth. Last fall, a northeasterly breeze turned into a full fledged hurricane that left many members of the state with flood damage, wind and tree damage, and without power for over a week. Many communities were able to rebuild over the course of the year, but many scars of that time, still remain. 

The creek behind our house was at least 10 ft out of its banks

One scar that is still evident in the streams of North Carolina is on the state’s fish hatcheries. According to NCWRC Hatcheries website, at Armstrong State Fish Hatchery “over 600,000 fish were lost, including broodstock. Severe damage to the infrastructure, facility roads, and debris deposition resulted in temporarily closing the facility until repairs are complete.” Thankfully, this project is anticipated to be completed in November 2025. However, the state has estimated that the economic impact of trout fishing was over $1.38 billion dollars and many communities that were hit hard from the hurricane are still not fully operational. 

Before Helene, notice all the trees along the Green River...

One of those communities in Saluda, NC sits along our beloved Green River. Due to a landslide at the Tuxedo Hydo station, the river is now free flowing for the first time in many years. However, homes were washed away down to their foundations and trees no longer line the banks of the river, which looks more like a western river with sand deposits and boulders in the stream. On a positive note, the river is accessible downstream and will be stocked during the beginning of October for the delayed harvest trout season. 

Few trees now line the stream, houses are stripped down the their foundations

It’s hard to look at some before and after pictures online and the “memories” section of social media. But there is no better choice than to move forward. Here at the Two Dog home, we had four large oak trees fall during the intense winds of the hurricane. We have since chopped them into firewood that has been aging since the storm. I for one, am ready for cool nights, and fires in the fall.