Days after Hurricane Helene tore through the Southeast, a crisis unfolds in Asheville, North Carolina, as officials scramble to deliver vital supplies to flood-stricken areas isolated by power outages, collapsed roads, and communication failures, The Associated Press reports.
The storm’s death toll has climbed to nearly 100, with at least 91 confirmed fatalities across multiple states.
Buncombe County, home to Asheville, has reported 30 deaths, and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper anticipates the number will rise as rescue crews reach remote areas.
“The storm’s impact is devastating, and we are still in the early stages of assessing the damage,” said Governor Cooper. “Our hearts go out to all those who have lost loved ones, and we are working tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of our citizens.”
Supplies are being airlifted into the region surrounding Asheville, with Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder vowing to deliver food and water to the city by Monday. However, the task of rebuilding from the widespread destruction is expected to be lengthy and arduous.
President Joe Biden pledged to visit the region this week, as long as it doesn’t hinder rescue and recovery efforts.
Hurricane Helene made landfall late Thursday in Florida’s Big Bend region as a Category 4 hurricane with 140 mph winds. It rapidly weakened as it traversed Georgia before unleashing torrential rains on the Carolinas and Tennessee, causing rivers to overflow and dams to strain. The flooding in North Carolina is being described as the worst in a century.
Across the Southeast, hundreds of water rescues have taken place. In Unicoi County, East Tennessee, a helicopter airlifted dozens of patients and staff from a hospital rooftop. Over 2 million homes and businesses remain without power, with South Carolina experiencing the most outages. Governor Henry McMaster has urged patience as crews work to repair damaged power lines.
As the recovery effort begins, the focus is on ensuring the safety of those affected and providing necessary aid. Governor Cooper has urged residents in Western North Carolina to avoid travel, both for their own safety and to keep roads clear for emergency vehicles. More than 50 search teams are combing the region to locate those missing.
