Western North Carolina suffered flooding, road closures and widespread power outages as a result of Hurricane Helene.
Helene, the third deadliest Hurricane in the last 50 years in the United States, surpassing Hurricanes Sandy and Harvey with a death toll of 47 in North Carolina and a total of more than 133, according to CNN. North Carolina has the highest death toll from Helene.
As of Monday, the death toll in Buncombe County is 35 and could “go much higher,” Weaverville Mayor Patrick Fitzsimmons told CNN.
Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller said Monday morning, “Today, we can confirm 35 losses of life in Buncombe County. Devastation does not even begin to describe how we feel.”
In a press conference Monday, President Joe Biden said Helene is “a history-making storm,” adding, “My first responsibility is to get all the help needed to those impacted area.” Biden said the federal government will assist those in need, but might need additional help from Congress.
He decided against visiting affected areas today or Thursday, as those areas can’t handle the logistics involved with a presidential visit. As of Monday, 455,056 customers were still without power in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
States of emergency
The storm, which The Weather Channel called “super-sized,” made landfall at 11:10 p.m. as a category 4 Hurricane with 140 mph winds, National Weather Service Director Ken Graham said Friday.
Helene remained a hurricane for six hours after landfall. Graham said the forecast was accurate and only about 40 miles off of their original prediction on Sept. 23. He added that this is the fourth landfall this year.
On Sept. 25, Gov. Roy Cooper issued a state of emergency for North Carolina in preparation for Helene’s impact.
Two tornados did touch down that day in western North Carolina, the National Weather Service confirms. One was in Rutherford County at 8:07 p.m., while the other was in Watauga County at 10:35 p.m.
Around noon Sept. 26, the U.S. Forest Service announced the entirety of the Blue Ridge Parkway would be closed until the storm passes.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency released a statement Thursday, prior to the hurricane making landfall, saying FEMA was prepared for the multi-state impacts of Helene, with the Biden-Harris Administration approving pre-landfall emergency declarations for Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. The declarations allow FEMA to provide federal resources to protective measures, like reimbursement for evacuations and sheltering, and to aid initial response and recovery efforts.
FEMA urged people in the path of the hurricane they say is “massive” and “dangerous” to take immediate action to stay safe as the storm approached, including evacuation. For local resources such as evacuation, shelter and important storm updates, visit FEMA.gov.
Cooper released a statement Sept. 26 saying state leaders were urging residents to prepare for “life-threatening flooding as well as high winds, tornadoes and heavy rain.” The heaviest rainfall was expected in the mountains and foothills, with amounts of 9-20 inches.
Using all resources
Multiple state groups were deployed, including the State Emergency Response Team, N.C. Swift Water Rescue Teams and Urban Search & Rescue Teams, as well as more than 200 N.C. National Guardsmen.
Cooper’s statement shared state resources, including ReadyNC.gov, where you can go to get information on how to build an emergency kit; as well as DriveNC.gov, where you can get information on road conditions and closings.
Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Macon and Swain counties, as well as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, are some of those listed as receiving federal funding to state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, according to a FEMA release.
State Rep. Karl Gillespie (R-Franklin) released a statement Monday.
“‘Our office is actively utilizing all available resources to provide assistance to our region. We are coordinating closely with local, state and federal officials, as well as the private sector, to ensure a swift and effective response given the challenging road conditions,” he said.
“Other areas in far-western North Carolina have experienced significantly more damage than the 120th House District. We will do all we can to assist our fellow citizens in the aftermath of this unprecedented event.”
Gillespie represents the 120th District, which includes Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell is in the state and will remain there until the situation has stabilized, as directed by Biden, a FEMA statement said. Criswell was also in Florida and Georgia.
More than 3,500 personnel from across the federal workforce have been deployed in response efforts in impact areas. More than 1,000 are from FEMA. In the impacted states, FEMA has shipped 1.9 million Meals Ready to Eat, more than 1 million liters of water, 30 generators and more than 95,000 tarps.
Former President Donald Trump spoke Monday in Valdosta, Ga. He said he brought “truckloads” of supplies for south Georgia residents affected by Helene.
Flooding
Excessive rain threatened Lake Lure Dam, which prompted mandatory evacuation around 11 a.m. Residents were asked to evacuate to Rutherfordton Presbyterian Church.
A flash flood warning was issued in Jackson and Macon counties after the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers reached dangerous levels Friday. There was significant flooding in and around Buncombe and Haywood counties. Flooding of the French Broad led to advisories in Buncombe, Henderson, Madison and Transylvania counties.
As rain continued, these rivers overflowed. Many areas in western North Carolina have been dealing with severe flooding – including Bryson City, which is only one hour from Cherokee County.
The Ingles distribution center in Black Mountain has been directly affected by the hurricane and its aftermath, which includes severe flooding in the area. The distribution center is used for roughly all 200 locations. As a result, Ingles customers could only pay with cash as of Monday.
Water is also being airlifted in due to numerous road closures. The National Guard is working with local officials to get necessities to those affected by the storm and its aftermath.
“People are desperate for help – and we are pushing to get it to them. Please know that we are sending resources, and coordinating closely with local governments, first responders, state and federal partners, and volunteer organizations to help those impacted by this tragic storm,” Cooper said. “This is an unprecedented tragedy that requires an unprecedented response.”
N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein announced Sunday that the N.C. Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Division phone line is open for people to report price gouging or other Helene-related concerns. To report price gouging, visit ncdoj.gov/pricegouging or call 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.
Cooper is encouraging donations to help those in need in the western part of the state. To donate, visit nc.gov/donate.