YANCEY COUNTY – As Tropical Storm Helene ripped through Western North Carolina Sept. 27, torrents of water, rocks, mud and debris tore through small, isolated communities, forever altering the landscape.
In Yancey County, north of Asheville, creeks and streams that once trickled down surrounding mountains, became raging rivers. In some areas, it looks like the sides of mountains could no longer hold on. They dropped to the ground, burying everything below.
In one single day, homes, businesses and families were destroyed.
Washed away
Pensacola, south of Burnsville in Yancey County, was hit particularly hard.
On Sept. 27, as Helene pounded the small, tight-knit community located near the base of Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River, the Cane River, which snakes through the valley along Highway 197, turned into a wall of water. All the roads leading in and out were washed away.
At least three people in Pensacola were killed as a result of Helene, residents told the Citizen Times. As of Oct 4., the death toll reached 115 in North Carolina and is expected rise as search efforts continue.