Lineman working north of Tryon post images, video demonstrating challenges crews are facing
Published 11:27 am Thursday, October 3, 2024
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Linemen working tirelessly to restore power have been sharing their experiences on social media, providing a window into the immense challenges they are facing in the Western North Carolina mountains.
The posts on Twitter from one lineman, who was with crews north of Tryon on Wednesday, demonstrate the immensity of the situation for those tasked with bringing electricity back to storm-ravaged areas.
In one video, @Jnkerr13 panned the camera up and down a portion of the highway north of Tryon, showing the whole road with large chunks missing and guardrails hanging dangling off the edge.
“The roads going into the mountains are wrecked. No way to get poles in,” the lineman said. “This is just disastrous. This is unbelievable, all the way up the road.”
This is just north of the town of Tryon NC. #HurricaneHelene pic.twitter.com/6J3Hdoycvl
— Sharkpatriarch (@Jnkerr13) October 2, 2024
In another tweet, @Jnkerr13 posted another image of a road blocked by fallen trees and debris.
“This is what us linemen are up against,” tweeted lineman @Jnkerr13. “The people here are amazingly resilient and always kind in spite of their hard times,” he added, acknowledging the gratitude and strength of local residents despite the widespread destruction.
#HurricaneHelene this is what us lineman are up against. The people here are amazingly resilient and always kind in spite of their hard times. pic.twitter.com/Vhgq2kSq6T
— Sharkpatriarch (@Jnkerr13) October 3, 2024
Navigating through the terrain has made the recovery process slow and arduous for @Jnkerr13 and other linemen.
Another tweet showed an impassable mountain road.
Hurricane Helene has left entire regions without power. Downed trees, landslides, and washed-out roads make it nearly impossible for repair crews to access certain areas. In some locations, linemen have been forced to take long detours around the mountains, adding hours to an already grueling process.
“It’s slow going but this is what we’re up against. Our line crews are trying to get through, but we often have to take alternate routes around the mountains just to patrol and get to our work,” he tweeted.
#HurricaneHelene it’s slow going but this is what we’re up against. Our line crews are trying to get through but we often have to take alternate routes around the mountains just to patrol and get to our work. As you can see the road is impassable. We’re pushing forward though! pic.twitter.com/GmqcsT8gdZ
— Sharkpatriarch (@Jnkerr13) October 2, 2024
Despite the obstacles, linemen remain committed to reconnecting isolated communities.
“We’re pushing forward though!” @Jnkerr13 posted.