Additional Coverage:
Hurricane Helene Devastates North Carolina
Hurricane Helene, the deadliest storm to hit the U.S. mainland since Katrina, recently struck North Carolina, killing over 240 people. The storm left a path of destruction in its wake, particularly in western North Carolina, which is unaccustomed to hurricanes.
The remnants of Helene funneled through the Appalachian Mountains, causing flash floods and landslides. In Green Mountain, a town nestled among the mountains, the North Toe River overflowed, destroying homes and sweeping away businesses.
Jane Whitson Peterson, a local store owner, witnessed the devastation firsthand. She and her family were trapped inside their store as the water surged in, reaching the seventh step.
Jeff Howell, the emergency management coordinator for Yancey County, described the situation as terrifying, with communication systems down and roads washed out. In Asheville, the city’s rivers reached historic levels, flooding homes and businesses.
Rescue teams from across the country rushed to North Carolina to assist with search and rescue operations. More than 500 roads and 100 bridges remain closed, making access to affected areas difficult.
Despite the challenges, local communities are coming together to help each other. The NuWray Hotel has become a hub for missing person information and food distribution. FEMA has set up processing centers and distributed over $100 million in aid.
However, misinformation and conspiracy theories are also spreading, hindering the work of relief workers. A neighboring county investigated reports of an armed militia searching for FEMA workers.
In the area known as Relief, residents are struggling to rebuild their lives. James Warrick and his mother, Jewel, lost six neighbors in the flood and their home is now buried in mud.
Despite the devastation, the community remains strong. Jewel Warrick says, “There’s hope. And when you have hope, you move on.”