Asheville-Anybody know what's going on with all the helicopters? At first

[patricia92243]

I thought it was just "Big Momma" - the chopper from the hospital. Now I've heard them flying overhead more than a dozen time. Anybody know what is going on? (Don't get local news on TV)

[unrepuke]

1. Bunches of helicopters up? Ho-Hum. Here it's noticeable when they AREN'T

chasing some minority kid in a stolen Toyota

[YDogg]

2. Perhaps related to North Fork Reservoir water release?

I imagine the city doesn't want to get caught "dry" again (water system damage), and with the approach of rains from Katrina, perhaps there is activity related to storm preparedness.

[patricia92243]

3. They seem to be going the direction of Canton. I was wandering if there c

could be a chemical spill or something. My sister turned on the local news and didn't see anything. That is the reason I'm asking here. I gess no news is good news in this case. :)

[Yellow_Dog]

4. but Asheville is not

releasing water from North Fork, they only do that when 6+ inches in 24 hours is forcast, and it isn't.

[Yellow_Dog]

5. Other sightings

Saw a Coast Guard (big orange slash that identifies the CG) 4 engine prop plane go over Thur or Friday.

The next day I saw a 4 engine prop plane, perhaps what the Navy calls the P3 Orion, with the 'stinger' out the rear used for detecting submarines.

We are a long way from the coast, and both were heading the same direction, NWN

[Streetdoc270]

6. staging...

Going to central areas for post Katrina SAR operations.