Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Area Wildfires

First, I want to thank the bloggers that were worried about us in wake of the wildfires in the mountains near us.  We are safe as we are in the surrounding foothills.

Gatlinburg last night around 11 p.m.

However, we're asking for your prayers for the evacuees from Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. And also for the firefighters and other personnel. The fires have jumped from ridge to ridge.  We did get some rain last night, which helped, but the fires are still burning.  The rain has moved out, though, and the sun is out, again.  Again, prayers please.

On the Spur between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge

As of 9:30 a.m. EST on the news they are saying no reports of fatalities, a MIRACLE.
Update:  Five people are unaccounted for.

  Some hotels have burned, but there's no reliable assessment available yet.   The news footage is not encouraging, but we know you're interested as we are.

FINAL UPDATE:

Officials: 13 dead, 85 injured from devastating Sevier Co. wildfires

http://www.local8now.com/content/news/Great-Smoky-Mountains-National-Park-issues-air-quality-advisory-403402976.html

EDIT:  12/1/16:

7 dead, 74 injured, over 400 buildings damaged from devastating Sevier Co. fires


Source:  Knoxville News-Sentinel


Update 11/30/16:   Gatlinburg under curfew 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
                               Raining.  Thank the Lord!

Update 11/29/16:

TEMA: More than 100 buildings destroyed; 1,400 evacuated

Earlier I told you Ober Gatlinburg is gone since our news had broadcast that it was completely burned.
EDIT:  TEMA said earlier that Ober Gatlinburg is gone, but now reports say it's still there.
We simply must wait for the final assessment.

Even the news stations are asking for your prayers.
Here's the link to our local station with live feed:
http://wate.com/     ...such as it is....
EDIT:  I know this post is not very forthcoming, but I was urged by a couple of readers to post what I could.  The truth is we are sitting, glued to the news and Facebook hoping for reliable news, as everyone else is.
 http://wate.com/2016/11/29/gatlinburg-father-searches-for-wife-daughters-after-fire/

Thank you for your prayers!
And please, please remember:


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25 comments:

  1. Linda at To Behold The BeautyNovember 29, 2016 at 10:42 AM

    I'm so glad to hear that you're safe, at least for now. I had just sent you an email before I discovered your post. It looks so bad there. My heart aches for all of you who live there and others, like us, who love to visit the area.

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    1. magnoliasnteaNovember 29, 2016 at 10:49 AM

      Thank you, Linda. It's extremely sad, but there are yet no reports of fatalities so we are praying the unaccounted for will soon be located. Please keep the area in your prayers.

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  2. JaneNovember 29, 2016 at 11:11 AM

    Glad you are safe, Toni. Since I don't have a TV. I wasn't aware of the fires. How sad! Of course we will keep you and all in your area in our prayers.

    Courage!
    Jane

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    1. magnoliasnteaNovember 29, 2016 at 11:16 AM

      Thank you, Jane. We don't have a TV, either. We get all our news on the computer & Facebook. I don't do FB officially, but it was helpful last night since some folks took their own videos and shared. They said the temperature in street in Gatlinburg last night got up to 120 degrees F at one point. I hear the firefighters are worn out.
      Thank you for your prayers!

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    2. JaneNovember 29, 2016 at 1:44 PM

      Oh wow! Bless the firemen. There certainly are some courageous people in the world. Comcast finally reported the fires. Too busy with recount news and Kayne West. Boy! If I could ever find another internet provider, Comcast would be out the door in a New York second!

      Hugs
      Jane

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    3. magnoliasnteaNovember 29, 2016 at 2:06 PM

      I hear that! We have Comcast, also, but I don't even bring up their page, ever. FEMA finally showed up, and 3 Black Hawk
      helicopters are helping with dumping water on the fires. Still the fires rage. It's really warm today so we're hoping the rains come again as they are saying they will.

      Delete
  3. handmade by amaliaNovember 30, 2016 at 12:12 PM

    I'm glad you're safe! We've just had some fires around here as well, there are no words to describe the horror of it.
    Amalia
    xo

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  4. SandraNovember 30, 2016 at 12:22 PM

    Glad to hear you are safe. I feel so badly for the people who are in the area of the fire. Watching the destruction on the news is heartbreaking :(

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    1. magnoliasnteaNovember 30, 2016 at 3:03 PM

      Thanks for stopping by Sandra. I believe it's under control now as we've had several inches of rain in the past 12 hours.

      Delete
  5. eileeninmdNovember 30, 2016 at 12:28 PM

    Hello, first I am glad you are safe. I will pray for all in the area of Gatlinburg and the Smokey Mtn Nat'l park. I feel sorry for all those who have lost their homes and the animals. Thanks for the update.

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    1. magnoliasnteaNovember 30, 2016 at 3:04 PM

      Thank you for your prayers, Eileen! It's really sad as some people are not accounted for yet.

      Delete
  6. LaurieNovember 30, 2016 at 7:11 PM

    Sending prayers! Glad to hear you are okay.

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    1. magnoliasnteaDecember 1, 2016 at 7:43 AM

      Thank you, Laurie. It's been a surreal nightmare for the folks involved in every aspect of the fires, but thankfully the 4 inches rain yesterday gave much needed relief.

      Delete
  7. Debby RayNovember 30, 2016 at 8:02 PM

    So glad to hear you are safe. This devastation is just so heart wrenching...the images just make me ill. We spent our Christmas in Gatlinburg last year and it is just so unbelievable that this is happening. Prayers for your continued safety and for the rains to help extinguish these horrible flames.

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    1. magnoliasnteaDecember 1, 2016 at 7:38 AM

      Heart wrenching, indeed, Debby. Thank you for your prayers. It could have been much worse than it was.

      Delete
  8. StephanieDecember 1, 2016 at 9:35 AM

    My sweet friend, I am so glad you're safe, but oh how my heart goes out to these dear people. Praying for your safety and for blessed rain!

    Hugs to you!

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  9. AlhanaDecember 1, 2016 at 2:37 PM

    I had no idea of the wildfires in you area! I am so sorry to hear about them and all the casualties and at the same time, glad to know you're safe. Sending a big hug your way. Keeping you in my prayers.

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  10. DebDecember 1, 2016 at 7:39 PM

    Toni, so glad that you weren't near the fires! When i was growing up, we went to Gatlinburg EVERY July on vaction. I have many wonderful memories there, so it's hard to think it's not the same place anymore.

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  11. krishnaDecember 2, 2016 at 11:10 PM

    Hope everything is fine now. Hope the fire is in control.. glad to know that you are safe...7 years back I visited Gatlinburg.. it was very nice picturesque town...

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  12. krishnaDecember 2, 2016 at 11:10 PM

    Please visit: http://from-a-girls-mind.blogspot.com

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  13. likeschocolateDecember 6, 2016 at 8:47 AM

    So devasting! We were there back in August and visit often as it is just 3 1/2 hours from our home. Glad you are safe!

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    1. magnoliasnteaDecember 6, 2016 at 8:59 AM

      Yes, it's been horrific, Kelleyn, but hope and caring are helping heal the scars. I was just looking to see if you have a blog, but I couldn't find it if you do. Please give me a link if you have one. Thanks!

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  14. JESDecember 9, 2016 at 3:06 PM

    Oh my goodness! I have been busy with family and am late in reading! Thank God you are all okay in your home and for the courageous people who helped to fight this fire! Sending a warm embrace your way!

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Thank you for your comments!