Tropical Storm Helene has left a path of destruction across the mountains of western North Carolina, with communities struggling to recover from catastrophic flooding and landslides. The storm, which made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, brought unprecedented rainfall to the southern Appalachians, triggering widespread devastation.
In Asheville, the flooding was especially severe as the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers surged through the city. Biltmore Village and the River Arts District, two of the city’s most iconic areas, were inundated, with floodwaters sweeping through homes and businesses. The damage in these historic neighborhoods is extensive, and the recovery process is expected to take months, if not longer.
Boone, a picturesque college town in the northern part of the region, also faced significant flooding. King Street, which is normally filled with students and tourists, was transformed into a rushing river, causing widespread damage to local businesses and residential areas. With power outages affecting much of the region, Boone and other mountain communities remain cut off from critical services.
The situation became even more dire Friday morning when the National Weather Service issued a warning that the Lake Lure Dam was in imminent danger of failing. Residents living downstream were told to evacuate immediately. After nine hours of uncertainty, the warning was lifted when engineers determined the dam was stable, but the scare underscored the severity of the storm.
Emergency crews have been working around the clock to respond to calls for help. Buncombe County officials reported more than 3,000 emergency calls and over 130 swift water rescues as floodwaters trapped residents in their homes. The county declared the situation an “active natural disaster,” with emergency services stretched thin.
In addition to the flooding, landslides have caused significant road closures throughout the region. Interstate 40, a major transportation route, has been severely damaged, with entire sections of the road washed away near the North Carolina-Tennessee border. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has advised residents to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary, as most roads in the area remain impassable.
As of Friday afternoon, the storm had claimed at least 40 lives across four states, with many more still missing. Gov. Roy Cooper has called for federal assistance as the state begins the long process of recovery. With more than a foot of rain falling in some areas, and nearly 30 inches in parts of Yancey County, the full extent of the damage won’t be known for days.
