Early estimate say that Tropical Storm Helene will cost North Carolina $53 billion in damage.
Western North Carolina felt the brunt of it, when the storm devastated counties and left thousands without power and water. In Buncombe County alone there are 43 confirmed deaths as of Nov. 16.
Here’s what we know in numbers about Helene’s impact on housing, businesses, and the workforce in Buncombe County.
Helene destroyed or significantly damaged roughly 400 commercial buildings in Buncombe County
Almost 400 commercial buildings in Buncombe County were destroyed or significantly damaged in Helene, including buildings that housed multiple tenants, according to Clark Duncan, the executive director of the Economic Development Coalition of Asheville-Buncombe County.
Businesses not physically destroyed by the storm were hurt by the area’s water system’s closure.
The city of Asheville has been under a boil water advisory for more than a month and a half. Staff and public officials indicated Nov. 15 that they may be able to lift the boil water advisory the week of Nov. 20.