NC town of Canton in 'apocalyptic disaster,' mayor says
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- The mayor of Canton tells WRAL News the western North Carolina town in Haywood County is experiencing "an apocalyptic disaster." In a one-on-one interview on Monday, Mayor Zeb Smathers said most of the floodwater has receded in the area, and the town is now in active recovery.
ham radio's could and should be used in a disaster...they're far superior than a cell tower...
Ham radio is still dependent upon repeaters to reach greater distances, which also requires power. Simplex only reaches line-of-sight. A mobile might hit 50 watts at best, but still not enough to reach greater distances. Not saying Ham is bad. It works. But Ham with some really good satellite phones is the way I would go.
Average citizens don't know about & can't use ham.
People may need to get ham radio licenses again
Ham is obsolete. Dumb licensing, and snobby men in their 70’s policing everything. Just get an aircraft radio, and tell the pilots what’s up. They can relay.
A Garmin Rescue Satellite Messenger is a good investment for town leaders that are responsible for lives. Cell towers can only work when their generators or batteries aren't under water. Helena caused historic, never seen before flood levels. Invest in satellite phones and portable power stations like the Jackery 1500.
As a Lahaina fire survivor, I know exactly what you folks are going through. No one was there for us for 24 hours even tho the military is 20mins away in Oahu. They could’ve saved more of our people. This will pass…I promise! We are proof 💕🙏
🙏✝️
hugs ❤God Bless You thanks
The worst part is that with 1990s technology, there would have been landlines that wouldn’t have gone out entirely. Praying for all these folks and the region.
Land lines used to go out all the time!
Ilive at the coast of nc now but lived in haywood for 35 years. I live at the coast now.The cell phone issue happened at the coast of NC in 2018 after hurricane Florence hit. This is the same year Zeb presided over my sisters death Jordan landt due to a drunk driver as our lawyer. He doesn't put up with BS. Hes a good man to get things changed.Tell them Smathers. We pay all this money for cell service and when I've really needed it ...gone. There is something these Hugh cell companies can do to remedy this issue moving forward. Good luck WNC.Write and call your congressman and women to address this cell phone issue....when ever you can communicate again.
Phone companies won’t upgrade their infrastructure resilience without regulations requiring them. Towers have to be able to withstand Hurricane force winds and have Solar /battery backup to electrical lines.
They are wind resistant and have backup generators.
It is not the towers and they have satellite with iphones
I hear Joe Biden say all the time he has sent internet access to rural America. I guess the soup cans didn’t work like intended.
What about the data cable the cellphone tower needs?
Data cables normally follow the road so engineers have easy access, but when roads and bridges are gone how's your cellphone tower suppose to function without a data cable?
The government should not have allowed these telecommunications monopolies to form.
so its others peoples fault you bought a cell phone from them and relied on them for everything? If you wait around for them to fix it you might have to wait for a long time. But, and I know this doesn't sound good, if you blame yourself then you can fix it right away. Isn't that stress worth your safety?
Ryan Hall ya’ll sending as many star links as he can to the area!
I figured Ryan Hall would be doing whatever he could. Good man!
Hey we all lost our cell phones in Katrina that’s why you need a low frequency radio for your loved ones and you so you could talk to them across the county and let others know that they’re OK
@@Callacman1234 I think it's a bit harder in the mountains.
@@sittingonarivergood point.
Do you mean like a walkie talkie,?
Like Nextel
you need line of sight for 2 m. If that’s what you want, get licensed, join your local Hamm, radio club, and help support them with their repeaters.
But yes, as long as you and the other radio can hit the repeater , and the repeater has got power, it’s like having a phone
Some people believe that government of the people for the people must perish however patriots know better. The federal government will help. Your and our tax dollars at work. May God watch over the good folk impacted by this tragedy and help them rebuild their lives and communities into far more robust versions capable of surviving massive weather catastrophe events in the future - sadly - highly likely. Amen. 🙏
verizon is a multi billion dollar company. They should’ve had helicopters on site, made repairs yesterday. The government gives them the band with to use for free. They are supposed to provide the service. Helicoptering in to remote sites should be a normal cost of doing business for them.
The mayor is 100% right on this being unacceptable
As a Lahaina fire survivor, I know exactly what you folks are going through. No one was there for us for 24 hours even tho the military is 20mins away in Oahu. They could’ve saved more of our people. Get yourselves Space X satellites. They SAVED us for the entire month we had no service, power, water, etc. This will pass…I promise! We are proof 💕🙏
Asheville is not the epi center! Its just getting the most attention. Come on America!!! 🇺🇲🇺🇸🇺🇲 There are thousands of communities that need food, water! They are loved and they are important!!! Stand strong Americans!!!
@@JudyGoodwin-l9b Biltmore village, Biltmore Estate Anderson Cooper (Vanderbilt) hub for human traffickers. Vast networks of tunnels
Dump Spectrum they are useless. Need Fiber-optics.
Fiber got washed away.
Couldn't agree with you more
Floods and other disasters will break fiber also. 😂
Starlink is the only way to go
Praying for your recovery North Carolina God bless and keep you during these hard times.
You, sir, have had one hell of an “interesting life” as mayor these past two years. You have also risen to the challenge. My family and old friends are still under your care. Thank you for all you do. Keep pushing forward. We have faith in you.
I live in upstate SC, and I still have no cell service
A few years ago, during a mega wildfire in California, Verizon was throttling the data speeds of the fire departments. This hindered the fire service's ability to conduct rapid deployment and organization of thousands of personnel and hundreds of fire engines, aircraft, and bulldozers. Verizon would not lift the throttling until the fire department paid the cell phone company more money.
Starlink.
If you got the money and electricity to power it, you’re 100% right
Telecommunications companies are overloaded and can't recover in the same way that normal services like power can. That's in part due to the fact that even if you got some of them back on the towers would be absolutely overloaded with people in the area. So the smarter thing once again is to prerpare by revitalizing copper infrastructure. Even pay phones--long derided as irrelevent, should be maintained (even if it's just a few per sqaure mile) as you never know when something like this will come in handy.
"Yes... And prayer" Lord have mercy on them. 🙏❤️
Help is on the way! Ryan Hall y’all sending star links to the area!!
Thank you for looking out for my friend and her family who is in your town.
I received my Verizon bill to. In fact they have included Oct bill which is not due until October 21st. No phone or text for 4 days!😡
If it were 1990's technology, you would have service. Satellite. We have a version of that today. Starlink and wifi calling. You can't blame the cellular companies. You can't blame anyone for this storm. Nobody was ready for something like this. If there were public Starlink systems, people could have wifi calling. Get a bunch of Starlink and solar flown in everywhere. There is your communication.
Step one should be locating everyone and making sure they have food and water to survive. Step two should be emergency shelters for everyone that needs it. Part of those first two steps is Medical care for those who need it. Taking care of people is first……Then, after people are safe and fed with their medical needs taken care of comes restoring cell phone service. Once that initial emergency response is accomplished then the community can come up with a longer term plan on what to do about utilities, clean up, and getting people back into their homes. Just a suggestion.
I was in the Blizzard of 93, there was no power for ten days, no cell phones were available at the time, but the water, we were cold, but the water and destruction. I could not conceive. God bless.
"I demand cell phone service." You "demand" cell phone service??! This is an act of God and more are coming--to heck with "proper cell phone service". SMH.
This is an act of man global warming.
Verizon is a multi billion dollar company. They should’ve had helicopters on site, made repairs yesterday. The government gives them the band with to use for free. They are supposed to provide the service. Helicoptering in to remote sites should be a simple normal cost of doing business for them.
Protect the corporations if you want, but the billionaires really don’t need your protection.
Zeb, You are a leader among men. You are more helpful than you will ever guess. Just as there is a ripple effect to the devastation, there is a ripple effect of the help you are offering. I hope you do more reporting.
Use your insights from the past to make your future better. Get through today and plan for tomorrow, and the day after until you can get to the next year.
Starlink
Sadly this will show how a lot of the modern tech we have at present doesnt hoold up in disasters. As smart as we all think we are, we need to use all this to improve all things hands down.
incredibly less people die in natural disasters since modern communications and tech than did before
Mayor is working hard to get those property tax bills out.
it's time we abolish property taxes, which is just forcing the people into slavery and extortion-ism. Not to mention if the local area meets an influx of people moving to your area you may be forced to sell your familial home because you can no longer pay the taxes on what should be your own property.
And if Trump was still president none of this would have happened, amirite there robby boy.
In Florida, those with hurricane damage should contact their county property appraiser office as soon as they possibly can because they will need to know what is required to get a change in their assessment. This is FL law. I do not know about GA, SC, NC, TN, VA.
Heavy hearts & lots of love from Southern California ~ May God Speed ~ Unprecedented destruction ~ May everything that can be done Be Done ~ 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
God Bless You ~.
Eliza ~ Southern California ~ Same Country ~ Same Love & Caring for Americans under Duress 💜💜💜💜🍃💜
Another one of my predictions seems to be panning out. For years I’ve been altering people to the fact that it’s a bad idea to be depreciating copper phone lines, as they’re a critical in an emergency. That has proven to be true many times, but Helene may be the most extreme example.
In 2005 with Katrina most people still had a real phone line at home (at least as a backup)-but now very few do. And even if they have one, phone companies that used to provide 48-hr backup generators in all their switching stations now may provide 1-2 hrs at best (just batteries, as they’ve removed the diesel generators.)
So it’s all been designed to make people more reliant on cellular technology (or at least VoIP lines that require the internet.) With that being the case, an unprecedented number of people in affected areas are without a reliable means of communication.
In FL , contact your county property appraiser office ASAP so you know what is required to get an assessment adjustment. This is FL law. Those in GA, SC, NC, TN & VA need to see if anything similar will help them. (Or if there is some type of extension to their tax payment due date)
Coastal mid-Atlantic states are praying for ya'll.
Help is on the way.
The word apocalyptic is very important..god be with all you people that going through this🙏❤️
It is misleading. Hurricanes are made by weather, not anything else. Biblical does not mean God did it.
my family is safe thank God! just know i have been crying for all n praying for all! its gonna be a long hard road harder for many n i’m gonna keep praying on!!!❤️❤️❤️
Honestly, if I faced something like that I would move off walk away and not come back.
Basing everything on a cell phone? Don't get caught out dude
Sylva made it through the storm a lot better than a lot of cities around here and we are greatfull. But we need gas and supplies in our grocery stores. A lot of people have evacuated to our area and we are greatfull for that but we need our supplies replenished
My iPhone 15 has satellite capability for these situations!
Blessings and a speedy recovery for Canton and its residents.
The hyper focus on cell service is strange Water is focus.
Exactly! "I demand cell phone service." You "demand" cell phone service??! This is an act of God and more are coming--to heck with "proper cell phone service". SMH.
If you’ve got no COMM, how do you know who needs water?
@@solarwind907who wouldn’t need water?
@@lovemesomeslippers water caused all this
@@solarwind907 Everyone needs water
I’m just learning all the towns.Im so sorry.
Keep your chin up Mr Mayor. You're doing the best you can with what you got.
What politicians could have done!
If the cell service being out is unacceptable.What is your recommendation to not let this happen again Mr.Mayor? And while your at it what can be done to stop the power from going out? 🤔
did you learn this time!
What about Clyde?
They are in bad shape too.
Less than sporadic
Praying 🙏
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🤗👍🏼🤗
Blood 👑 Jesus ✨ Christ 💖✝️🇺🇲🙏 Protection Prayers 🤲 for ALL humans😮😢 and animals, 😿🐕 nature 🌳🌻🌴 too. Praying help arrives soon. Praying for MIRACLES EVERYWHERE!!!❤🙌 🛡️🩹🩸🌎🕊️✨🛐
I find this complaint about cell service a little hollow. I mean how can the cell companies guarantee their services any better than the mayor can guarantee that all the roads will be serviceable?? That he goes on to make a snide comment about his Verizon bill further proves my point.
I agree. I thought I was the only one who found his (rather long) rant about cell service unnecessary, and deflecting from his own responsibility as, Oh, I don't know...MAYOR?! He was asked a question about the conditions in Canton and relief efforts, etc. What he gave was a personally vindictive tirade that only sounds whiny and irresponsible.
Guess what? Cell service providers are privately owned, not public utilities (which I really wouldn't have a problem with). They're only in it for profit, not the public good. Why don't you, as a politician, draft some proposals to provide for just such emergencies as this?
Infuriating.
Cellphone towers need power and a data cable, they have batteries but those batteries are not infinite. Also the towers need to stick up in the air where ghey are likely to be blown away.
Maybe the data cable went across a bridge that has been taken out, maybe the tower has collapsed, maybe the power lines are gone.
It might be 2024 but cell phone towers cannot be made indistructable, so you'll have to live without for now.
If you had an iPhone then you have satellite phone service
Donald, Braxton
Zanmary Dr
Canton, NC
This guy does not understand the power and scope of the disaster. This was a massive disaster, not a thing comms companies could have done to avoid this.
people not being allowed to build or live in areas with even a remote chance of flooding is the only way this type disaster could be avoided
what if it happens next year???
We still have two more months of hurricane weather to get through. The ocean is still warmer that it should be, sigh.
Where’s joe biden? Pathetic
Be quiet. Shame on you! Think about the logistics. Just stop the politicking.
@@FadedRoseStoriesRussia ur doing it too now
How bad was Jonathan Creek flooding in Maggie Valley? Did those on creekside have much damage esp. interested in Maggie Mountaineer? My favorite shop. Thank you!
I was in Maggie Valley over the weekend and it did not compare to other areas. Some RV parks had flooding.
@@matthewcrockett288 Thank u for update.
This guy sounds like a big baby. You cant just snap your fingers
There’s no reason a cell tower can’t be built to withstand power outages and severe rain. The anger is that the investment has not been made to make critical communication infrastructure more resilient than it is.
@@FriedChairs Yes there is. They are hardened against wind and power outages. How do you think those towers communicate with the rest of the world?
@@Hakuna_Frittata Everybody says cell service was down for days.
@@rtqii Yes. I'm trying to lead the poster to the reason. It isn't the tower, it's the infrastructure that connects the tower to the outside world. Fiber cuts.
It's sad that people have allowed themselves to become so dependant on cell phones.
I mean, a disaster like this would also put down landline phones, for sure. But, the KAREN attitude about cells is pitiful.
We need ham radios..and licenses
...NO MATTER what Trump says.....
.....We love y'all.....hearts goes out to ALL storm victims 💙💙💙💙
Do you even know what exactly Trump said? He's doing nothing but providing starlink and goods. Let go of the TDS for 1 minute
You mean you don't want Trump donating a bunch of supplies and starlink?
@@QueenieFresh Taking a tragedy and trying to make political points shows the world what kind of person you are. Dispicable!
@@manandatractor Trump would dance on a pile of dead bodies if he could get the media to cover it live. That's the kind of person he is, and he's going to prison.
Right now Trump and Elon are the ones taking action. Hillary calls us deplorables. Trump cares about everybody to the point of risking his life.
It sounds like this mayor is trying to position himself as a defender of his community, possibly playing up a bit of populism by demanding what he sees as essential services for his "mountain family." The rhetoric of "demanding" service restoration emphasizes urgency, frustration, and perhaps a bit of regional pride. He likely wants to be seen as standing up for the rights of a rural, perhaps underserved, community that feels neglected by larger corporations or government services.
However, this kind of approach can come off as overly dramatic if it’s more about grandstanding than practical solutions. Cell phone service is a vital utility, especially in rural areas, but demanding it without understanding the complexities of infrastructure-particularly in mountainous regions-can seem a bit disconnected from reality.
Key Points to Consider:
Local Pride: The mayor is likely tapping into a sense of regional identity and pride, portraying himself as the protector of the community. Mountainous areas often have strong local cultures, and people there may feel neglected by larger telecom companies, so the mayor's fiery rhetoric might resonate with them.
Theatrics vs. Solutions: While the frustration is understandable, the effectiveness of his "rant" depends on whether it’s backed by practical action. Is he working with service providers, advocating for infrastructure investment, or just venting? Theatrics can be appealing but ultimately hollow if they don’t lead to real improvements.
Challenges of Rural Infrastructure: The mayor’s tone doesn’t seem to acknowledge the real logistical and financial challenges of providing cell service in difficult terrains like mountains. It’s important to recognize that restoring or improving service might require more than just demands-it involves cooperation with telecom companies, potential subsidies, and perhaps government support for infrastructure.
Defending his "Mountain Family": This phrasing plays on a sense of "us vs. them"-pitting his rural constituents against outsiders or corporations. It’s an effective way to rally local support, though it risks over-simplifying the issue. The emphasis on "mountain people" creates an image of a proud but underserved community, which may resonate emotionally even if the actual solutions are more complicated.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (often referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) signed by President Biden includes specific provisions for expanding broadband and communication services to underserved rural areas. Part of the $65 billion allocated for broadband could be directed toward rebuilding or improving cell networks in areas like this. Biden could also prioritize grants and loans to companies willing to invest in rural wireless infrastructure.
USDA ReConnect Program: This program focuses on providing funds for broadband service in rural areas, but it could be adapted to include more emergency funds for mobile network improvements. Biden’s administration could direct the USDA and other federal agencies to include mobile infrastructure in these rural support programs, especially in areas affected by natural disasters.
Incentivize Telecom Companies: The government could offer more incentives for telecom companies to invest in rebuilding rural areas. This could include tax breaks, direct grants, or public-private partnerships that reduce the financial risk for companies investing in less profitable regions. This would encourage providers to prioritize rural and mountainous regions when rebuilding infrastructure.
National Guard or Army Corps of Engineers: In the case of severe infrastructure damage, the Army Corps of Engineers could be called in to help repair roads, bridges, and communication lines. Their expertise in dealing with infrastructure in tough terrains could speed up the recovery process.
4. Road Damage and Accessibility:
Immediate Road Repairs: The damage to roads makes it difficult for repair crews to access cell towers and other infrastructure. Emergency funding for road reconstruction could be prioritized to ensure that repair crews can reach key areas. If crews can’t get to the sites, restoring cell phone service is impossible, so the first step is ensuring access.
Temporary Solutions: While long-term repairs are underway, temporary communication infrastructure like mobile cell towers (also known as COWs - Cells on Wheels) could be deployed to restore at least minimal service. These are used in disaster zones to provide coverage until permanent towers can be repaired or rebuilt. Biden’s administration could direct FEMA or the National Guard to set up COWs in affected areas.
Conclusion:
Restoring cell phone service in this mountain town is likely hindered by a combination of weather-related infrastructure damage, difficult geography, and a lack of economic incentives for telecom companies. The Biden administration could help by directing disaster relief funds, accelerating infrastructure investments through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and incentivizing telecom companies to prioritize rural service restoration. Additionally, using temporary mobile towers and expediting road repairs would help get the town back on its feet while longer-term infrastructure solutions are put in place.
Cell towers gonna cell tower - not sure why the mayor thinks that disasters can't destroy technology. It's up to people to prepare for themselves.
Man up or call trump
WHERE IS BIDEN ??? WHERE IS KAMALA ???
😮😮😮
MISSING IN ACTION !!!!?
Shame on you! They can't come in without getting in the way right now. You know that! No one needs that extra work while crisis is in the middle of searching for bodies. Think!
@@FadedRoseStoriesRussia ur still doing it
I live in the mountains of Wyoming. Cell service is spotty. This guy lives in the mountains. Maybe he should move on down near the coast.
Maybe you should stop watching fox and leave the Trump cult.
Now it’s not the time to talk about climate change in America, let us pray
Where are the bootstraps? These people need boot straps to lift themselves up!
Why don't you pray that these things never happen. Your imaginary wishes help nobody.
WRONG
ITS WAY PAST TIME TO TALK ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE
WE AREN'T GONNA PRAY OUR WAY OUT OF THIS NOW
TOO LATE
@@tobyradenbaugh8965 if too late then why worry?
Way to go, Mayor! Speaking for your people. Demanding the help they deserve.
I wonder if the mayors could band together and research any evidence of weather manipulation. HAARP, etc.
😂😅
You do not have to go to conspiracies to get this severe weather. Just measure the temperature of the ocean where the Hurricane began . It is warmer than it should be.
It's bad but nothing compared to what America is doing to Gaza. A time for reflection.
Seriously, fact, no one cares about Gaza, not even all the Muslim countries that are right there......😮
Welcome to climate change beaches couldn't happen to a better country 😅
That's kind of dark. Thanks for that. 🙄
😂😂😂😂
I guess you crossed the line with that comment. 😂😂😂😂😂 I feel you Geoffrey 😂😂😂
Ukraine has it better
Yes comrade 😅
@@geoffreykeating8172he ain't wrong
@@eurodiaz3712 Sure thing Vlad.
@@rtqii Vlad would love Harris as president. He can do whatever
@@rtqii at least we dont worship is...lamb tear...ist leaders...
I have family in Jackson County, yes SYLVA, no phone service, no internet ... and they work from home. They are focused on food and water right now ... oh, and helping people in Asheville. Sylva had several trucks in town today accepting donations for anything extra folks have ... that they can send to Asheville. Sis says Walmart shelves are more bare than during covid; and, they're the only ones accepting cards ... and in a week or two, the food situation may be even worse. Some areas it already is!!! The local and regional attempts to share news and info on radio and iHeart ... is helping ... And a channel out of Franklin ... 105.1 is reaching them. Thank you all for pulling together and advocating for ALL of Western NC ... and please, help find the missing and get meds, oxygen and water to those in need. Thank you!
Im a truck driver for Prime and i would love to help somehow. I asked my dispatch if prime was organizing anything for relief and he said he didnt know.
I drove fema loads with Celadon during Harvey. Regardless i have requested a load towards the area and ill be filling up my truck cab with bottled water and formula abd diapers which i heard was very much needed. Please comment if you have any other ideas of things. As a driver i find baby wipes great for everything. Maybe non perishable canned foods like ravioli and I'll get bread and peanut butter and jelly for sandwiches. Ill just see if i can drop it off somewhere where it can be helpful. If anyone knows of any collection stations please let me know.
They are so desperate my sister said in Hendersonville, NC they were asking for undergarments even if used. Things like new packaged underwear (even if cheap brand ) is needed for those who lost everything. Heard Morgan Wallen was helping E. TN, Luke Combs plans something for NC (his home state), Tpa Bay Bucs owners donated million to FL relief, but it is people like you who make things happen! I know all will be appreciated. It is going to be a long road to recovery.
What state(s) will you travel through??