Towns throughout western North Carolina, including Swannanoa, were transformed overnight by the massive storm.
Muddy floodwaters lifted homes from their foundations. Landslides and overflowing rivers severed the only way in and out of small mountain communities. Rescuers said they were struggling to respond to the high number of emergency calls. Anxious relatives took to Facebook to search for loved ones they hadn’t heard from.
“This is looking to be Buncombe County’s own Hurricane Katrina,” said Avril Pinder, the manager of the county, which includes Asheville.
The death toll grew throughout the Southeast as the scope of Helene’s devastation came into clearer view. At least 49 people had been killed in five states — Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. By early counts, South Carolina suffered the greatest loss of life, registering at least 19 deaths. Georgia has reported 11 deaths; Florida, 11; North Carolina, 7; and Virginia, 1.
The toll from the storm is likely to rise. Taylor Jones, Buncombe County’s director of emergency management, said there had been multiple fatalities there, though he declined to provide exact figures. He said officials were resorting to their “mass fatality plan” and trying to notify relatives, a process complicated by service outages.
Officials asked anyone looking for friends or family members to fill out a form that county leaders will use to try and locate the missing.
In Asheville, authorities said there were 60 people unaccounted for.
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Let's not jump to conclusions about climate change being responsible for this hurricane. Storms have been hitting the Southeast for centuries. We should focus on helping the victims instead of pushing alarmist environmental agendas
Devastation like this is becoming all too common as climate change intensifies. We need to shift toward sustainable practices, renewable energy, and strong climate policies to protect communities from the worsening effects of extreme weather
This is a tragic reminder of the consequences of our reckless disregard for the environment. Climate change is fueling these storms, and until we take real action to reduce carbon emissions and protect our planet, disasters like this will keep happening, with innocent lives paying the price
This is a tragic reminder of the consequences of our reckless disregard for the environment. Climate change is fueling these storms, and until we take real action to reduce carbon emissions and protect our planet, disasters like this will keep happening, with innocent lives paying the price
We need to invest in smarter infrastructure, early warning systems, and sustainable energy solutions that can help prevent or reduce the impact of such catastrophic events in the future.
ordinary working people who suffer the most from these disasters, while the wealthy and corporations continue to thrive. We need a government that puts the safety and security of its citizens first, with real investment in public infrastructure and disaster relief.
This storm is a powerful reminder of God’s control over nature and our need for faith. It’s tragic, but we must turn to God in times of crisis. We should pray for the victims and for strength as we rebuild, trusting in His plan
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