Mandatory evacuations in Gatlinburg,TN due to fires

a reply to: TNMockingbird
Thank you for the pictures. I don't have facebook so miss a lot of them. Is this the back street in Gatlinburg? It is so hard for me to get my bearings. On a good note I did read where downtown seems to have missed most of the damage somehow.

Thanks for posting this. I've been trying to get information on this since I have family near there. I can't find much from MSM. My cousin is a firefighter and I believe he is there. I haven't wanted to bother his family since I am sure they are stressed enough without me asking questions.

a reply to: Khaleesi
I hope your cousin is safe. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the "front liners" (EMT, fire fighters, volunteers) that have been working so hard!

a reply to: Khaleesi

Friend, here is a link for the Red Cross website where you can register and search for friends and family.
Safe and Well Red Cross

Facebook also has a safety check feature.
Safety Check

Hoping the best for you!

originally posted by: TNMockingbird
a reply to: Khaleesi

Friend, here is a link for the Red Cross website where you can register and search for friends and family.
Safe and Well Red Cross

Facebook also has a safety check feature.
Safety Check

Hoping the best for you!

Thank you so much! My main concern is my firefighter cousin. I'm sure I would have heard about other family members by now. But he may be in the thick of it.

In spite of all of the loss of life and destruction, there is still good in the world and we are fortunate when we see it.
Dolly Parton has been the brunt of many a joke over the years but, has remained a hometown hero in Tennessee.
Although I have never met her, folks I know who have describe her as ever humble, approachable, sweet and down to earth. Someone who hasn't forgotten where she came from.

“I’ve always believed charity begins at home and my home is someplace special. That’s why I’ve asked my Dollywood Companies—including the Dollywood theme park, and DreamMore Resort; my dinner theater attractions including Dixie Stampede and Lumberjack Adventure; and my Dollywood Foundation—to help me establish the My People Fund," Parton said.

The fund will provide $1,000 each month to Sevier County families who lost their homes "until they get back up on their feet," she said.

WBIR-TV

American Patriot Getaways is offering 50% cabin rentals to anyone who donates to local charities.

Show Your Support For The Smokies
Donate & Get 50% Off
We are thankful for a new day in the Smokies. The wildfires are out, and Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge were spared. While surrounding neighborhoods suffered significant damage, our prayers were answered, and the rain has extinguished the fires. Fires consumed about 15,000 acres locally, accounting for about 4% of our total land area.

Our mountains will quickly recover, but many of our area’s residents lost their homes and livelihoods. We have many guests asking how they can help. We need your support more than ever. Show the Smokies how much you care this fall. Make a donation to help our residents in need and get 50% OFF our nightly rates excluding holidays.

Pigeon Forge is currently open for business and Gatlinburg hopes to be accessible and operational by the end of this week. Our area needs your support! Our mountains are still beautiful!

Some Suggested Local Charities where contributions are needed:
Pathways Church Sevierville - 100% of money goes directly to displaced families. Choose "give without setting up an account" then choose "Sevierville Campus" and a special fund for the fire relief will appear. Church has connections with principals of schools whose students have lost their homes.

Sevier County Food Ministries

Pets Without Parents - Caring for displaced pets until owners can bring them home.

Smoky Mountain Area Rescue Ministry

Have some questions or need some help picking the perfect cabin for your stay? Call one of our friendly reservation specialists today at 1-866-586-8359. We look forward to you being our guest.

I have used this company for many many years and they are wonderful. What better way to show your support. They are begging for reservations. You don't have to use the company that I listed but please show your support. If you live close to there stop by for lunch or dinner. Visit a local store and buy some merchandise. Too far away, thank goodness for the internet. Many of these stores have websites. Please contribute to the local economy and help them to rebuild this beautiful area!!!!

This whole situation is so suspicious it's making me ill. From Monday morning to the present time, things have been just wrong. People are wondering why we're being stonewalled. A friend was nearly arrested trying to go to his house. The fires were deliberate yet no mention of the arsonists.

We also fear that a very much loved member of Gatlinburgs local community is among the fatalities. Her name is Pam Johnson, and what we are hearing I s that she refused to leave her apartment and it burned. She was living at Travellers. The news is confirming all of this except names. I am on a phone or I'd say more. Tons of people are saying the same thing. There was no evacuation. each death and injury from this was avoidable. The way it's being handled is just proving that

Now I hear we won't be let in til Monday at the earliest.

a reply to: Aqualung2012
They aren't letting you back in town? Why? Wouldn't they want the locals (I understand keep tourist and looky loos away) to go home and report on damage, etc?

I am so sorry you are going through this AL. I just can't imagine what it must be like.
I find it maddening the mix of information. They had listed that one whole side of downtown street and stores were gone...then someone posted this.

(Don't misunderstand, I know there was major loss and devastation but why exaggerate?)

I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I hope that you are able to return home soon. I am so sorry about your friend Pam.

a reply to: Martin75

I found the exaggeration frustrating also. Gatlinburg is gone, Ober Gatlinburg is gone, the whole resort is in ashes, things of those nature left a lot of misinformation on the web.


AquaLung, it really sucks that you guys can't get back in to town. People want to check on their homes and businesses. Not to mention relieve the strain from the shelters. However, I have read press releases that state there may be remaining hot embers that could flare up again. Please be safe.

a reply to: Doodle19815

Yeah plus quite a few propane tanks have exploded since they went in. Things like that.

a reply to: Aqualung2012

Whoa! Hadn't heard about that. I can imagine power lines still down and unsteady tree and such also falling. Geez, what a mess.

a reply to: Aqualung2012

I really feel for you guys. I can't even imagine the stress and heartache.

originally posted by: Aqualung2012
This whole situation is so suspicious it's making me ill. From Monday morning to the present time, things have been just wrong. People are wondering why we're being stonewalled. A friend was nearly arrested trying to go to his house. The fires were deliberate yet no mention of the arsonists.

I've been chasing that issue since the first night. When there was no MSM coverage, I started looking just to understand what started the fires in the first place. I had no idea I'd find as much material as I did on the number of arsons in the area in the weeks prior.

I feel like the story is being intentionally spiked.

There are two other threads on these fires. One on the lack of MSM coverage here, where I make that point, and another I started that night on the arson aspect of the story.

I just don't get many things that are happening down there.

Stay safe.

Such a beautiful part of the country and a shame to see this for the people living there. I suppose that is nature though.

a reply to: fnfnfnfn24
To what degree is arson natural? Interesting question...

We will be going in tomorrow morning. Supposedly property owners will be allowed into the city as of 10am.

a reply to: Aqualung2012

Man = Nature. Better or worse.

I wish you the best.

a reply to: Doodle19815

Not to mention the landslides now from the rain we have had. The closer it gets the less I actually want to see it. I want to get back to work but that could take weeks. My apartments gonna be covered in soot and both of my jobs -if still standing- won't have business for months. This entire city is down, it's a big deal for all of us

a reply to: Aqualung2012
I hope that tomorrow you find things are better than what you expect. Please stop by and give us an update when you are able.

I just called and made reservations for July. We are going to take the whole family...about 35 of us! I am going to try to plan a quiet getaway after the beginning of the year also. I figure the best way to give back is to show up and spend!

a reply to: Martin75

Wow that's really generous. One of my jobs is front desk at a hotel, no idea when we can get back to work. Pigeon Forge is fine

a reply to: Aqualung2012
I might have to hit you up....I have been wanting some new ink....