Grape Creek – Savvy drivers in the mountains of western North Carolina don’t leave home without a chainsaw.
After a large tree fell and blocked Joe Brown Highway in the Grape Creek area of northern Cherokee County on Sunday afternoon, traffic was blocked in both directions for about three hours. Smaller cars were able to pass beneath the fallen tree, but 14-16 larger cars were blocked.
The tree fell at about 3:30 p.m. Sunday. More than two hours passed, and then the chainsaws came out – from car trunks and the back of pickups – wielded by a swarm of men taking matters into their own hands.
“People with smaller cars were able to get under it until the cutting started, but many were stuck with little children in their vehicles, groceries, all just trying to get home,” said DJ Brown, who witnessed the incident.
“Everyone stuck there was so patient, and all applauded loudly when the local men cut and pushed the tree out of the road. There was no lack of helpfulness and appreciation.”