Storm Aftermath in Abingdon, Virginia: A Community Bounces Back
ABINGDON, Va. — It’s been quite a wild weekend for the residents of Abingdon, and the echoes of Tropical Storm Helene are still being felt in the community. After storms blew through on Friday, leaving many without power, our beloved town is gradually getting back on its feet.
Power Outages and Flooding
According to Town Manager Mike Cochran, the power was out across much of Abingdon following the storm, but there’s a silver lining. “Most of our residents are back to normal by Monday,” he reported with relief. Some pockets of the town, like Valley Street, had to endure a slightly longer wait for their power to return, while areas brimming with fewer trees enjoyed uninterrupted electricity.
Interestingly, a commonly flood-prone stretch of US Highway 11 saw only a brief six-hour flood this time around. In past storms, it has suffered enduring closures for days, so this is a definite improvement!
Business as Usual
By early Monday afternoon, the spirit of Abingdon was evident, as most businesses began restoring their operations. Cochran noted that traffic lights were back in action thanks to generators, allowing traffic to flow smoothly. The local fast-food joints, particularly the Wendy’s near I-81 exit 17, experienced a surge in clientele. It seems that everyone was eager to grab a bite after the chaos!
Virginia Creeper Trail Update
On the outdoor fun front, the famous Virginia Creeper Trail remains closed as safety precautions are underway. You could still spot some brave walkers and bicycle riders ignoring the signs on Sunday, but it’s essential to put safety first. Cochran is currently working with engineers to conduct necessary safety inspections on the trail and its trestles.
Did you know that the town manages the trail between Abingdon and Damascus? They even oversee trestle 47 located in Grayson County! Sadly, two trestles between Green Cove and Creek Junction were washed out because of the storm. Lisa Quigley, the Executive Director of the Virginia Creeper Trail Conservancy, confirmed this concerning news.
Looking Forward
But let’s keep our chins up! Cochran is basically hopeful that we’ll see the trail reopened by the end of the week, at least from Abingdon to Damascus. However, he expressed a little worry about the trees along the rock cuts situated between Smith Farm and Alvarado, an unincorporated village that’s pretty much halfway to Damascus. Safety always comes first!
Meanwhile, shelters over at Alvarado, which were installed by the town, appeared to have held up relatively well. Still, some debris left in the wake of the storm serves as a reminder of the chaos we just faced.
Community Resilience
Damascus has taken quite a hit, especially with floodwaters pouring into homes and businesses on the outskirts. Unfortunately, there’s more bad news, as American Merchant, a textile manufacturer in Bristol, is closing soon, leaving around 50 workers without jobs. These changes can be tough on a community, but let’s remain hopeful and support one another during this time.
So there you have it, friends! Though Tropical Storm Helene challenged our community, it’s inspiring to see how we band together to bounce back. From residents helping each other out, to local businesses reopening and planning ahead, Abingdon is truly showing us the power of resilience.
