TN - Gatlinburg/Smoky Mountains wildfire, 14 confirmed dead, 23 Nov 2016 *Arrests/Charges Dropped**

[Alice253]

Memphis couple confirmed dead; 3 sons hospitalized from Sevier Co. fires

http://www.wbir.com/news/local/wild...ll-hospitalized-parents-missing/360984430?n=s

"I am sorry to report that a 4:45 pm CST the Sevier County Sheriff's department has reported that the Medical Examiner has confirmed that two of the bodies found in North Chalet Village were Jon and Janet Summers," Jim Summers, Jon's brother, wrote on Facebook.

The Summers, both 61, and their three sons were in Gatlinburg for a birthday celebration, and had been staying at the Chalet Village a little west of the city’s downtown. But when the wildfires spread, the Summers tried to flee by car. However, friends said, their path was blocked by debris. The Summers then left their car and tried to flee on foot, but became separated."


As critically injured as the 3 sons were, I was really afraid this was going to be the outcome for the parents. The 3 sons are the ones at Vanderbilt.

 

[Tulessa]

So heart breaking!

http://www.wymt.com/content/news/Missing-Memphis-couple-killed-in-wildfire-404147416.html :tears: :tears:

 

[Alice253]

TEMA: Death toll rises to 11 in Gatlinburg wildfires

http://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/...work-goes-after-gatlinburg-wildfire/94727388/


It is so very heartbreaking.

 

[Gardenista]

I wonder if the people/person who set the fire can be charged with murder

 

[Gardener1850]

Some of the missing (Jon and Janet Summers found deceased):

https://www.facebook.com/MissingPie...175764455263/1608670596105779/?type=3&theater

 

[Jax49]

Update: Ohio family arrive to support Michael Reed

http://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/...-family-arrive-support-michael-reed/94770624/

A new update regarding Michael Reed and his family has been posted on the Facebook page of JayDee Niles. Niles, a friend of Reeds, has been posting updates since Nov. 29.
In the latest notification, added to Niles page by Heather Morey, it states that family from Ohio has driven down to be with Reed. A request to leave Reed's phone free of messages and phone calls is made so that he can maintain contact with search and rescue personnel.

 

[Alice253]

Some of the missing (Jon and Janet Summers found deceased):

https://www.facebook.com/MissingPie...175764455263/1608670596105779/?type=3&theater

Thanks Gardener! Alice Hagler was also identified as one of the deceased. Don't know if that was posted yet.

http://www.wbir.com/mb/news/local/first-victim-of-sevier-county-fires-identified/360376216

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk

 

[Spellbound]

Thanks Gardener! Alice Hagler was also identified as one of the deceased. Don't know if that was posted yet.

http://www.wbir.com/mb/news/local/first-victim-of-sevier-county-fires-identified/360376216

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk

Jon and Janet Summers are also deceased.

Melissa Ownby was found alive.

An updated list can be found here:


http://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/local/tennessee/2016/11/30/list-missing/94681070/

ETA
there is a FB page devoted to missing/deceased
https://www.facebook.com/gatlinburgfire2016/

 

[Aeronomy]

Death toll now at 13 and press conference to be held at 4. http://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/...linburg-wildfire-death-toll-reaches/94799884/

Officials confirmed the deaths of the Summers couple at Friday's news conference and released the names of three others.

John Tegler, 71, and Janet Tegler, 70, a couple from Canada, also died in Chalet Village, said Vincent Tolley, an assistant medical examiner.

May Vance died of a heart attack due to smoke inhalation.

 

[neesaki]

Death toll now at 13 and press conference to be held at 4. http://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/...linburg-wildfire-death-toll-reaches/94799884/

Officials confirmed the deaths of the Summers couple at Friday's news conference and released the names of three others.

John Tegler, 71, and Janet Tegler, 70, a couple from Canada, also died in Chalet Village, said Vincent Tolley, an assistant medical examiner.

May Vance died of a heart attack due to smoke inhalation.

So tragic, if they had only been warned earlier. :cry:
http://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/...linburg-wildfire-death-toll-reaches/94799884/

"We did the best we could, and we're sorry."
Questions have been raised about what local authorities knew about the real danger of the fire and when officials alerted residents and visitors to flee as the wildfire raced toward town. Although an emergency management system sent out an alert, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said that alert never went to all local mobile devices due to the constraints of the system.
The fire headed toward town around 6 p.m. The first alert went out after 9 p.m.

 

[Aeronomy]

Great interactive map of structural damage in Sevier County. (Homes and businesses are individually assessed)
http://www.arcgis.com/apps/PublicInformation/index.html?appid=8c18c70f55ac4f81b683454fc7573d76

 

[Gardener1850]

Live Presser in a few minutes here: http://wjhl.com/2016/11/28/downtown-gatlinburg-evacuated-for-wildfires/

 

[Gardener1850]

Number of fatalities remains at 13.
One new body has been ID'd and family has been notificed.
Alice Hagler found deceased in Chalet village
85 people have been treated for medical injuries.
A soft search of every area in the city and county will be completed by 7 PM today.
TBI has closed 150 leads in the search for missing persons.
By 12 noon tomorrow Beech Branch, Wylie trail and Walker Drive will be open for home owners to inspect their property.
If anyone is affected by the fire and need items, Boyd's (Sp?) has supplies....

I lost my connection.

 

[Gardener1850]

Another live link here: http://www.wbir.com/news/live_breaking/wbir-breaking-news/52481093

 

[watcher9]

Number of fatalities remains at 13.
One new body has been ID'd and family has been notificed.
Alice Hagler found deceased in Chalet village
85 people have been treated for medical injuries.
A soft search of every area in the city and county will be completed by 7 PM today.
TBI has closed 150 leads in the search for missing persons.
By 12 noon tomorrow Beech Branch, Wylie trail and Walker Drive will be open for home owners to inspect their property.
If anyone is affected by the fire and need items, Boyd's (Sp?) has supplies....

I lost my connection.

Of the 13 deaths, the following six have now been identified.

Alice Hagler
Jon and Janet Summers
John and Janet Tegler
May Vance

 

[Aeronomy]

It has not been confirmed by authorities as of yet, but Reverend Ed Taylor's body was identified this evening. (Family is posting and confirming via FB)

 

[Aeronomy]

Family confirms death of well known Reverend, Ed Taylor

http://www.local8now.com/content/news/Family-confirms-death-of-well-known-reverend--404466776.html

 

[Aeronomy]

NWS: Evacuation alert never sent to mobile users through NWS system

-On Friday, a Sevier Co. official said a text alert telling people to evacuate went out at 9:04 p.m. Monday.
-The National Weather Service confirmed dispatchers asked the NWS to relay the evacuation message.
-However, a text alert was NOT sent.

"Cavallucci says the federal Wireless Emergency Alert service provided by FEMA does not include the option to send alerts to cell phones unless in the event of a tornado warning, flash flood warning, hurricane warning, tsunami warning, dust storm or excessive high wind."

Apparently the NWS does not send evacuation alerts to cell phones in the event of a wildfire that's threatening life and limb... unacceptable.
How could they not think to implement a generic text of "DUE TO IMMINENT WEATHER CONDITIONS, EVACUATE NOW"

http://www.local8now.com/content/news/NWS-Evacuation-alert-never-sent-to-mobile-users-404366696.html

 

[rsd1200]

Reverend Ed Taylor found dead after Gatlinburg fires
http://wate.com/2016/11/30/reverend-...linburg-fires/

 

[rsd1200]

News update on the Reed Family :tears:

https://www.facebook.com/WBIRChannel10/videos/10154360097764775/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED​