Climate Risk and Resilience • Geographer • Appalachian • Ph.D. from @UNC
Old Fort, NC
Joined March 2009
- Tweets4.9K
- Following1.6K
- Followers2K
- Likes9.4K
Pinned Tweet
What was the wettest/driest month of 2020 in your backyard? Of course, the answer to this is heavily influenced by seasonal weather patterns and local geography. Yet, we can still see significant intraannual variability and distinct spatial patterns in southeast precip last year.
I know it’s been a while, but with the anniversary of Helene approaching, I’m asking those who still want to support WNC recovery to consider helping our volunteer group in Old Fort.
With our small town staff focused on roads, water, sewer & critical repairs, we’ve stepped in to tackle projects that have fallen down the list from restoring our town welcome sign and flower beds to replacing broken light posts and more.
This fall, we’re raising funds for new planters around town. Sponsor one here: paintersgreenhouse.com/event…
Or reach out to me if you’d like to support our other projects. Every little bit helps us keep the progress going.
Montana Eck retweeted
THIS RIVALRY DOES NOT DISAPPOINT ‼️
SETH TRIMBLE GAME-WINNER FOR NORTH CAROLINA 🔥
Quick reminder that western North Carolina is open for business and remains beautiful as ever. Great morning hike at Catawba Falls!
Great news overnight! The fire is now 50% contained, and firefighters successfully protected all homes. While some barns and outbuildings were damaged or destroyed, all lives and homes were saved. Power has also been restored to most of the community.
Fire departments are working hard to protect homes as high winds continue to spread the Crooked Creek fire in Old Fort tonight.
Crooked Creek fire continues to spread. Flames come and go with the wind which remains quite strong.
I’ve had a few people reach out asking for an interview or updates. Similar to Helene, everyone on our road is without power and I have very limited service.
Fire continues to spread. 0% contained and more than 150 acres burned. Multiple mandatory evacuations underway.
Old Fort and WNC can’t catch a break. Out of control wildfire here in the Crooked Creek community. Flames are about 1/4 mile from my house. Evacuations underway.
Capped off this cold spell with a very slippery hike up to a frozen Catawba Falls. Exciting to see so many trails starting to reopen in WNC.
Montana Eck retweeted
Western North Carolina is still recovering after Hurricane Helene. I dug into the important history behind the region's distrust toward the federal government - and how Appalachian communities continues to rally together. @BlueRidgePublic
bpr.org/bpr-news/2024-12-17/…
It’s been a month since Helene, and parts of Asheville are still pretty rough. This video was taken today on the road I used to take to my apartment in Biltmore Village. The Swannanoa River devastated this entire stretch.
Montana Eck retweeted
🧵 The wind damage northeast of Asheville is unfathomable...
With all of the trails closed, I journeyed up to a quiet overlook that I knew would be open. I've seen footage of this area since the storm, but I wasn't prepared for how bad it truly is.
Montana Eck retweeted
Today we traveled to NC 80 near the Blue Ridge Parkway to check on recovery efforts. Over 1,900 landslides occurred across WNC due to Helene. This debris flow was the largest one in McDowell causing catastrophic damage in the valley below.
Montana Eck retweeted
Nearly 4 weeks out here in WNC from Helene and the scars are deep. Here are a few before and afters. First set shows 8 homes along the Swannanoa River that were all swept away and the second set shows an apartment complex where a portion washed away. Just surreal for my hometown
Things are still rough in WNC, but I know I’m luckier than many who lost everything. Still, it’s tough seeing damage to the house I inherited from my mom—the childhood home I spent months renovating. This week, I’ve been ripping out floors and cabinets. It’s a gut-punch.
