Wow.

Google maps has completely removed I-40 and I-26 routes through Asheville. 😬

@AskTheDevil

Many of the communities in WNC are completely isolated by mud slides, rockslides, downed lines, washed out roads.

Lots of water and air rescue going on, but it's like trying to find people on 100s of islands,cut off from any communication, that are running out of food, water and medication.

Downtown Asheville is intact, though with the same water, power, gas, and cell issues, the rest of the region will never be the same.

In one of the most climate stable areas of the country.

@Cosmichomicide

And this was not a category 5 storm.

Nor is there any reason to think that in twenty year they won't feel the need to define categories 6 and 7 for hurricanes.

@AlphaCentauri @Cosmichomicide

This is partly why Republicans want control of NOAA - so they can redefine things. That's their idea of solving problems. Poverty? We'll just move the bar so fewer people fall in that group. Done.