Grounded Boots Relief

10/18/2026

📰 The next Grounded Gazette is almost here.

This edition gets into mission creep, the launch of our new Rolling to the Polls program, what it really costs to keep a growing nonprofit moving, and one voting fact from American history that may surprise you.

We’re also talking about where Grounded Boots Relief is headed, what we’re intentionally leaving behind, and why growth only works when it stays tied to the mission.

📬 Subscribe to the Grounded Gazette on our website so the next edition lands directly in your inbox.

10/15/2026

🗳️ SHOULD GROUNDED BOOTS RELIEF OFFER FREE RIDES TO THE POLLS? WE WANT YOUR INPUT!

Grounded Boots Relief is conducting an internal poll among our volunteers to gauge interest in providing free transportation to and from polling locations for people who otherwise have difficulty getting there.

Transportation is one of our organization's capabilities, and we're exploring whether we can put our volunteers and vehicles to work helping community members exercise their right to vote.

To be abundantly clear, this would be a completely nonpartisan service. No political discussions, endorsements, or affiliation requirements. Anyone eligible to vote who needs transportation would be welcome to request assistance, regardless of political beliefs.

🥾 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

🚗 SHOULD WE OFFER THIS SERVICE? Do you think there's a need for free transportation to polling locations in our communities?

🙋 WOULD YOU VOLUNTEER? Would you be willing to drive, coordinate rides, or otherwise help us make this possible?

💚 WOULD YOU HELP FUND IT? Fuel is one of our largest operating expenses, and providing these rides would require financial support. Would you consider donating or contributing fuel cards to help make this service available?

We're still exploring the idea, and no decision has been made. Volunteer availability, funding, logistics, and applicable election requirements will all factor into whether we can move forward.

💬 WHAT DO YOU THINK?

We'd love to hear your thoughts, suggestions, and concerns in the comments. Your feedback will help us determine whether this is a service our community needs and whether Grounded Boots Relief has the resources to provide it.

10/11/2026

Two rounds of tornado warnings in the Carolinas this weekend, and Sunday’s isn’t over yet. On Saturday, one storm tracked from the Savannah River to Newberry with 11 warnings and 8 tornado reports. A home near Appleton in Allendale County was destroyed.

On Sunday, two storm lines crossed North Carolina. One ran from Anson County to the Virginia line, and a building was destroyed in Candor. The other ran from Marion, SC toward Kinston, with four structures destroyed near Clarendon in Columbus County. Warnings are still in effect in eastern NC this afternoon.

That’s 41 tornado warnings and 12 tornado reports since Saturday morning. All reports are preliminary until NWS damage surveys are done.

Data: NWS via Iowa Environmental Mesonet

10/11/2026

12:05pm We just had a TDS west of Raleigh thats the radar confirming a tornado, as it's hitting debris, not rain.

10/11/2026

10/11/2026

A Tornado Watch has been issued for North Carolina counties and adjacent coastal waters, valid from 9:55 AM to 5:00 PM EDT today. Conditions are favorable for tornadoes. Know your shelter location, monitor updates, and be ready to act quickly if a Tornado Warning is issued.

Make sure to keep following me here and on WCNC for the latest.

10/11/2026

🌳 DOWNED TREES? BLOCKED ROADS? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! 🥾

As WNC recovers from Isaias, Grounded Boots Relief volunteers remain on standby to help restore access to affected communities.

🚧 NEED A ROAD CLEARED?

Have you encountered a fallen tree, washed-out roadway, or another obstruction preventing travel?

📍 Send us a message with the road name, location, description, and photos if safely available. We'll assess requests based on safety, equipment, and volunteer availability.

🥾 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Chainsaw operators, off-road vehicle owners, and general volunteers are encouraged to join our team!

👉 groundedbootsrelief.org/volunteer

💚 HELP FUEL OUR RESPONSE!

Fuel is one of our largest expenses. Donations and fuel cards help keep our vehicles, chainsaws, and equipment operational when communities need us.

👉 Donate at groundedbootsrelief.org/donate.

⚠️ Never approach downed power lines or enter flooded roads. Call 911 for emergencies.

📢 SHARE THIS POST! Help us identify roads that need attention and connect with people willing to help.

Access Restored. Hope Delivered.

10/11/2026

🌧️ ISAIAS UPDATE: RAIN SUBSIDING, LANDSLIDE RISKS REMAIN

The heaviest rainfall is largely behind us, but saturated slopes, damaged roads, and flooding remain concerns across Western North Carolina.

🌦️ From the Desk of Meteorologist Jackie:

"The rain threat for post tropical cyclone Isaias is mostly past, although the NWS is still calling for the possibility of an inch of rain. Past 24 hour rainfall totals are included with the scale, these are radar estimated totals. Next is the CoCoRaHS reported totals from users across W NC. We see high totals over 9 inches, north of Marion, but there are plenty of areas with over 5 inches in the past 24 hours, which is the criteria for landslides in W NC. I have circled two areas of concern on the map as these have received heavy rainfall and have very sloped surfaces."

⚠️ KEY CONCERNS:

⛰️ LANDSLIDES: Several areas exceeded 5 inches of rainfall in 24 hours, increasing the risk of slope failures.

🌊 FLOODING: Swollen waterways and saturated ground remain hazardous.

🚧 ROAD DAMAGE: Downed trees, washouts, and a confirmed landslide on NC 226-A have affected travel.

🥾 VOLUNTEERS ON STANDBY!

Grounded Boots Relief volunteers are prepared to assist with chainsaw operations to clear fallen trees from roadways where conditions permit.

📍 HAVE YOU SEEN A BLOCKED ROAD?

Let us know about downed trees, washed-out roads, or impassable routes. Comment below or message us with the location and details.

⚠️ Avoid flooded roads and downed power lines. Call 911 for emergencies.

📢 Share to help us identify areas needing assistance!