The devastation caused by Hurricane Helene continues to escalate as search crews uncover more bodies and floodwaters slowly recede, revealing neighborhoods devastated by the storm. As of Monday, the death toll across six states has surged to 135, following Helene’s landfall in Florida as a powerful Category 4 hurricane. Almost 2 million customers remain without power, and countless families are left in limbo, uncertain about the fate of their loved ones due to the storm’s destruction of communication infrastructure.
North Carolina Faces Severe Losses
Most of North Carolina’s 56 fatalities occurred well inland, with Buncombe County reporting at least 40 deaths, according to County Manager Avril Pinder. This county encompasses Asheville, which is currently submerged in murky brown floodwaters.
“As the water recedes, we are witnessing piles of destroyed homes, overturned cars, and collapsed buildings,” Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer stated. “The power lines resemble spaghetti, and the chaos is unimaginable, resembling a post-apocalyptic scene.”
Basic Necessities in Short Supply
Many residents are unable to begin the difficult process of rebuilding due to a lack of essential resources such as clean drinking water, food, cell service, and electricity. On Monday morning, three tractor-trailers filled with water arrived in Buncombe County, but it was only enough to provide each resident with one day’s supply.
Compounding the crisis, crucial roads and bridges needed to deliver aid or reach trapped victims are now impassable or non-existent. Mayor Manheimer emphasized, “We are cut off from highway access to three of the four major highways leading into Asheville. Some resources are being flown in, and it’s impossible to estimate the time required for recovery.”
Rising Death Toll and Missing Persons
The death toll is expected to rise further as hundreds of people are reported missing, leaving uncertainty about how many have perished or are simply cut off from communication. “We know the death toll will increase,” Mayor Manheimer added. “We’ve received accounts of people seeing houses floating down the river with individuals inside.”
The current death toll includes 56 victims in North Carolina, at least 30 in South Carolina, 25 in Georgia, 11 in Florida, four in Tennessee, and two in Virginia.
Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller expressed the overwhelming grief in the community, stating, “Devastation does not even begin to describe our feelings.” Tragically, three North Carolina sheriff’s deputies lost their lives during Helene’s onslaught.
Urgent Appeal for Aid
Officials are urging residents to stay away from hard-hit areas to allow emergency responders to reach those in need. “Consider the roads closed in western North Carolina,” Governor Roy Cooper warned. “We do not need sightseers coming in to observe the damage. Please do not come unless you are on a specific mission to help with rescue efforts.”
Community Resilience Amid Catastrophe
While the imagery from western North Carolina appears catastrophic, residents report that the reality is even more devastating. Marion resident Krista Cortright shared her experience, noting that her boyfriend and she had to take a 2.5-hour detour to deliver supplies to his grandmother, whose neighbor’s driveway had vanished. “There aren’t enough resources to reach everyone,” she said. “My heart is broken for our people here.”
Governor Cooper and the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency visited affected areas on Monday, while thousands of National Guard members have been activated to assist recovery efforts across the East Coast. However, the urgency for help is palpable, as Mayor Manheimer remarked, “We need emergency relief right now, including food, water, portable toilets, and baby formula.”
Power Outages and Recovery Challenges
As of four days after Helene swept through northern Florida to Virginia, approximately 1.9 million power customers remain without electricity, according to PowerOutage.us. This number could be even higher since each power customer could represent a household or business.
Local middle school teacher Ben Sharp in Weaverville reported total destruction of power lines and stated, “We’re not expecting power for a long time.” Asheville’s Mayor also acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding power restoration, saying, “This is an unprecedented, catastrophic event. We cannot yet estimate how long it will take to restore power to everyone.”
President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit some of the hardest-hit areas later this week, pending emergency response operations. He has approved disaster relief and remains in communication with governors of the severely impacted states.
Community Support and Generosity
In Asheville, residents are stepping up to help each other by delivering water, diapers, and other supplies to neighbors in need, including a family with a newborn. “Helene’s destruction is the most devastating thing I’ve ever seen in our city,” said Michelle Coleman, executive director of the Asheville Dream Center. “Our hope is that people do not lose faith, as our community is coming together.”
One example of this community spirit is Gary O’Dell, a disabled Vietnam War veteran, who generously shared his oxygen tank with a neighbor in need, saying, “You don’t realize how important oxygen is, but I didn’t hesitate to help.”
Ongoing Weather Challenges
The storm deposited “staggering” amounts of rainfall—12 to 14 inches in South Carolina, 12 to 16 inches in Florida, and 12 to 14 inches in Georgia, according to Ken Graham, the National Weather Service director. While most showers on Monday are expected to be light, any additional rainfall could worsen flooding and hinder recovery efforts.
With approximately 90 river gauges across the affected area still in flood stage, many will take days to return to normal levels, complicating the rebuilding process. North Carolina Governor Cooper stated, “We must ensure that we are smart about rebuilding, doing it in a more resilient way,” as hundreds of roads have been destroyed and entire communities have been wiped off the map.
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