If was, at bare minimum, a category 2 hurricane once it reached the upstate of SC. I watched mature oak trees bend over during this storm. This is the fastest moving hurricane I have ever witnessed. I will not believe the lie that it was merely a "Tropical Storm". We have had many in the past, nothing like this.
Most of the time, it's a slow moving, soaking rain that had occasional wind gusts that could reach 60mph or so. Not safe to be out in, but nothing that would cause almost 100% power outages in counties. Something is definitely not what it seems.
Why were most of our resources sent to Florida? Why not better preparations beforehand? If these people can predict landfall of a hurricane weeks out, what stops them from giving a higher warning level? You can't prepare emergency service this way.
Feel free to add any additional context or opinions. A lot to question here and many things already brought up.
I'm in Marietta. We were hunkered down and expected the worst, since we have tons of huge trees all around our house. I was so relieved it didn't hit us, but I really feel for the people who were hit. I grew up in east TN and my grandparents lived outside of Asheville and we went there a lot, so I'm pretty familiar with the area. My parents went to Chimney Rock NC just two weeks ago. They love the place. My Mom was heartbroken when I sent her the news it was wiped off the map. I hope your son is doing ok and can get to the resources he needs.