The floods that left 54 people stranded a hospital roof in Erwin, TN also completely swept away the studios and tower of Jet Broadcasting’s News “Livewire 103.9” WXIS and “Sports Radio 1420” WEMB Erwin.
Jet Broadcasting owner Maria True told Australia’s ABC News that she intends to rebuild as quickly as possible, “The station’s been a staple here for 68 years. We’ve got a lot of wonderful other radio stations that are always quick to help.” She continued, “They don’t consider it as a competition, but as their brother and their sister.” She noted that their tower was also destroyed by a flood in 1977 under her father’s ownership.
MARC Radio Hip Hop “Magic 101.3” WTMG Williston/Gainesville FL is currently off-the-air as its tower was destroyed by Helene.
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Up in the much devastated Asheville area, iHeartMedia’s seven station cluster is doing around-the-clock news coverage streaming here. Saga Rock “105.9 The Mountain” WTMT morning hosts Rizzo and Jeff are doing cluster-wide coverage as well as of this writing as is the “Blue Ridge Public Radio” network.
The storm issues extend as far east in North Carolina as Wilkes Broadcasting’s “Mix 97.3” WKBC-FM North Wilkesboro states, “Helene’s impact has been widespread, and has affected us as well. We are currently off the air due to power outages which has disrupted our broadcast due to fallen trees. We anticipate resuming our programming tomorrow.”
Curtis Media’s Classic Hits 100.7 WZJS Banner Elk and Country “Highway 102.3/106.1” WMMY Jefferson/WWMY Beech Mountain are off with the remainder of the company’s Boone cluster providing a pre-recorded local updates at the top and bottom of each hour. General Manager Erica Lackey said, “We are attempting to update this announcement once daily at least, as our systems are in disrepair and cell service and internet are not reliable.”
Curtis Media’s Lenoir NC cluster is off-the-air as well.
