Dray
At least 30 people have died, and many more remain unaccounted for in Buncombe County, North Carolina, after Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic flooding across the state. The storm, which began as one of the most powerful hurricanes to hit Florida’s Big Bend, has left a trail of destruction through Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee.
Severe Impact in Buncombe County 🚨
Buncombe County, home to the city of Asheville, has been the hardest hit, with emergency official Ryan Cole describing the devastation as “biblical.”
Nationwide, the death toll has reached at least 116, with the majority of fatalities occurring in North and South Carolina, where Helene made landfall as a tropical storm. The number of deaths is expected to rise as rescue efforts continue.
Widespread Destruction and Rescue Efforts 🚁🏠
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper stated, “This storm has brought catastrophic devastation… of historic proportions.” Crews across the state are battling widespread power outages, downed trees, and hundreds of closed roads. With around 1,000 people still missing in Buncombe County alone, rescue operations are ongoing, and supplies are being airlifted to inaccessible areas.
The North Carolina National Guard has already rescued more than 119 people, including one infant, and emergency shelters have been opened for over 2,000 displaced residents.
The Aftermath: Lives and Livelihoods Shattered 💔
Local residents returned to scenes of destruction on Sunday, with many homes and businesses destroyed. Erin Quevedo, a Buncombe County salon owner, described her business as “completely destroyed,” while she stood ankle-deep in mud, trying to salvage what she could.
As rescue and relief efforts continue, petrol stations remain closed, and supermarkets are overwhelmed as people scramble for essentials like bottled water. The damage caused by Hurricane Helene is estimated between $95 billion and $110 billion nationwide.
Government Response and Future Warnings 📢
President Joe Biden has declared a federal emergency in six states and directed FEMA to provide rapid support to storm survivors. The president called the devastation “overwhelming” and emphasized the urgency of rescue efforts. Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to visit the affected areas soon, while Donald Trump will visit Valdosta, Georgia, on Monday.
Although Helene has weakened, forecasters warn that the threat of flooding and tornadoes remains, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts up to 25 named storms this year, with the hurricane season extending until November.
Comments
Loading…