Helene unleashed widespread devastation throughout the Southeast, stretching from Florida to the Carolinas. The storm demolished homes and caused rivers to swell to unprecedented heights.

Dozens of lives were tragically lost as Helene swept through the Southeast, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Hospitals were scenes of chaos as patients frantically sought refuge on rooftops, awaiting rescue by helicopters. Local leaders, including mayors, urged residents to evacuate immediately as the storm bore down on their communities. In a desperate attempt to avoid catastrophe, authorities rushed to evacuate inmates from a jail that lay directly in the path of the rising floodwaters. The region faced unrelenting challenges as Helene unleashed its fury.

Helene’s initial impact was felt in Florida, where it struck as a powerful hurricane with winds reaching up to 140 mph. The storm’s force was enough to flatten entire buildings, leaving behind scenes of widespread devastation. As it moved further inland, Helene weakened to a post-tropical cyclone, with wind speeds dropping to 25 mph. However, the danger was far from over. The heavy rains and relentless flooding continued to wreak havoc across parts of North Carolina and Tennessee. Rivers swelled beyond their banks, drowning towns and causing unprecedented damage to communities.

Western North Carolina was particularly hard-hit, with hundreds of roads rendered impassable due to flooding and debris. Buncombe County, in a somber announcement, declared the event a “catastrophic natural disaster.” By Saturday morning, the situation had become even more dire, with the county of over 250,000 people left without cellular coverage. This left many residents cut off from emergency services and loved ones as they struggled to deal with the aftermath of the storm. The lack of communication added another layer of complexity to the already overwhelming disaster response efforts.

In Asheville, a city at the heart of Western North Carolina, the impact of Helene was captured in a chilling video shared by ABC 11. The footage showed a house floating away, carried by the raging floodwaters, before it ultimately collapsed into the torrent. The destruction was a stark reminder of the power of nature, as homes and livelihoods were washed away in an instant. Across the region, communities were left to grapple with the immense challenges of recovery, with many still facing the immediate dangers of flooding and unstable infrastructure.

As Helene continues to dissipate, the Southeast is left reeling from the storm’s unprecedented destruction. The floodwaters, though receding in some areas, have left behind a landscape altered beyond recognition. Roads, homes, and businesses will need to be rebuilt, and the long-term economic and emotional toll on the affected communities will be profound. As rescue and recovery efforts continue, the resilience of those impacted by the storm will be tested, but their resolve to rebuild remains strong in the face of such overwhelming adversity.

Buncombe County faced a disaster of immense proportions as Helene swept through the Southeast, leaving behind devastation comparable to some of the most catastrophic storms in recent history. Homes and businesses were submerged under floodwaters, roads were destroyed, and entire communities were cut off from vital services. Emergency crews worked tirelessly to rescue those trapped by rising waters, using helicopters and boats to reach those stranded. The scale of the destruction across the county left officials grappling with the overwhelming task of coordinating rescue and relief efforts.

North Carolina’s governor, Roy Cooper, confirmed that the storm had already claimed 10 lives within the state. The loss of life highlighted the deadly nature of the storm as it moved inland, bringing not only strong winds but also heavy rainfall that caused widespread flooding. Rescue crews, both on the ground and in the air, worked around the clock to save as many people as possible, with over 200 individuals rescued by water and helicopter teams. Despite these heroic efforts, the sheer magnitude of the disaster meant that many were still awaiting help as the storm continued its rampage.

As rescue operations continued through the night, the challenges of recovery loomed large. While immediate rescues remained the priority, the longer-term impacts of the storm were becoming clearer. Communities across the region were left devastated, with homes destroyed, infrastructure in ruins, and lives upended. The task of rebuilding was expected to be a monumental challenge for the state, as officials turned their attention to providing aid and support for those affected by this unprecedented natural disaster.

In Tennessee, authorities urged around 100,000 residents to evacuate to higher ground on Saturday morning as concerns grew over the possible failure of the Nolichucky Dam in Greene County. The National Weather Service reinforced this warning, issuing a flash flood emergency as the situation appeared critical. The potential breach of the dam threatened to flood nearby areas, prompting widespread evacuations and heightened alert across the region.

However, hours later, the National Weather Service lifted its flash flood emergency, signaling that the immediate danger had passed. By Saturday afternoon, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency confirmed that the Nolichucky Dam remained intact, alleviating fears of a catastrophic failure. Despite the close call, the dam held firm, and no reports of dam failures were recorded.

Although the worst-case scenario was avoided, a flood warning remained in place to address the effects of elevated water levels. While the immediate threat had subsided, residents were still advised to remain cautious as high water levels continued to pose a risk to low-lying areas. The focus shifted to monitoring the aftermath and ensuring the safety of those in the affected regions.

Flooding concerns escalated as President Joe Biden authorized emergency disaster relief for Tennessee on Saturday, offering critical support to the state in its time of need.

Simultaneously, record-breaking rainfall totals were reported in the mountains of North Carolina, where Busick received a staggering 29.6 inches of rain. Mount Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi River and a notable site along the Blue Ridge Parkway, recorded 24.2 inches of rainfall. These unprecedented figures contributed to severe flooding and heightened concerns across the region.

Helene made landfall around 11:10 p.m. ET on Thursday near Perry, Florida, marking the first recorded Category 4 hurricane to strike the Big Bend area since record-keeping began in 1851. After wreaking havoc in Florida, the storm continued its journey across western Kentucky on Saturday. According to the National Hurricane Center, Helene was projected to move slowly southeast before shifting east along the Kentucky-Tennessee border throughout the weekend.

Authorities and media outlets across the Southeast have reported that Helene’s devastating impact has resulted in dozens of fatalities. By Saturday morning, the death toll had neared 50, with officials warning that the number could rise further as search and rescue teams conducted door-to-door checks in the storm’s aftermath.

President Biden was briefed on the storm’s death toll, widespread property damage, and the impact across multiple states by a senior official from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the White House’s homeland security adviser, according to a statement from the White House.

As of Saturday afternoon, over 3 million customers remained without power across five states. Authorities cautioned that it could take several days for full restoration of services. The most significant outages occurred in South Carolina, where more than 1 million homes and businesses were affected, followed by Georgia with 750,000 outages, and North Carolina, which saw nearly 620,000 residents still without power by Saturday evening.

In response to the devastation, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis authorized the Florida National Guard to deploy air assets to North Carolina to assist in the ongoing hurricane relief efforts.

Several fatalities have been reported in Buncombe County as rescue teams work to recover bodies amidst ongoing recovery efforts

Several people lost their lives in Buncombe County due to the destruction and chaos brought by Helene, according to officials during a Saturday afternoon news briefing.

Authorities did not specify the number of fatalities in Buncombe County caused by the storm.

They confirmed that search and rescue efforts in the Western North Carolina region would persist throughout the night. Many rescue workers, running on little to no sleep, have been tirelessly conducting operations for the past 72 hours, officials reported.

The sheriff’s department is currently working to compile accurate information regarding the number of fatalities.

Asheville Police Chief Michael Lamb mentioned that his team had identified approximately 60 individuals whose relatives had been out of contact. The department intended to conduct “welfare checks” at the homes of those individuals to ensure their safety.

County Manager Avril Pinder stated that efforts were underway to establish water distribution locations, with plans to announce the sites once they received supplies and became operational. As of 4 p.m. on Saturday, none of the distribution points had opened yet.

The city of Asheville implemented an overnight curfew from 7:30 p.m. on Saturday until 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, due to widespread power outages that continued to affect much of the city.

UNC Asheville has canceled classes as downtown hotels reach full capacity

The University of North Carolina at Asheville announced through its student alert system on Saturday that classes are canceled until October 9.

UNC Asheville spokesperson Michael Strysick reported that about a quarter of on-campus students had evacuated before the storm, leaving approximately 1,200 students still residing on campus. Following the storm, university staff conducted door-to-door wellness checks to ensure student safety.

Strysick also noted that the university is working closely with other schools in the UNC system and is exploring the option of bringing mobile Wi-Fi to campus.

In downtown Asheville, most hotels are fully booked, while those with limited availability are unable to accept additional guests due to a lack of running water.

Jeff Elstro, general manager of the Flat Iron Hotel, reported that the hotel is currently without water or internet and is not accepting any new guests. Yesterday, locals seeking accommodations were turned away due to these issues, and today, most guests at the hotel are attempting to leave.

Jordan Hicks, a valet at the Restoration, confirmed that all 60 rooms in the hotel are fully booked.

Other downtown hotels, such as the Haywood Park Hotel, are also at full capacity and dealing with water shortages. The Downtown Inn and Suites remains closed because of the lack of running water.

The Cambria Hotel Downtown Asheville, which had offered a displacement rate for locals affected by Tropical Storm Helene, has no available rooms left.

Flooding cuts off Western North Carolina, causing closures of hundreds of roads

Authorities in Asheville, North Carolina, have declared Helene a “catastrophic natural disaster.” As of 8 a.m. on Saturday, all rivers remained at “major flood status,” according to a news release from Buncombe County.

As of Saturday morning, cellular service was down across Buncombe County, home to over 250,000 residents. Officials in Black Mountain, a town within the county, reported that most internet, cell phone, and landline connections were unavailable, and the local water system was out of service, according to a social media update.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation advised that all roads in the western region of the state should be treated as closed. Statewide, more than 400 roads were reported impassable due to the storm’s impact.

Haywood County implemented a curfew from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., urging residents to remain off the roads and conserve fuel.

Since September 26, Buncombe County’s 911 services have received over 5,000 calls. Officials have asked the public to refrain from using the emergency line to report downed trees, power lines, or outages.

The area has also experienced over 130 water rescue operations due to the severe flooding.

The 911 center announced it would not offer updates on road conditions, power restoration, or internet services.

Public safety officials emphasized the need for caution on the roads. The Highway Patrol specifically advised drivers to avoid the eastbound lanes of Interstate 40 near Asheville.

For those traveling south from Buncombe County, the North Carolina Highway Patrol recommended taking I-40 to I-240 and then onto I-26. Interstate 26 has since reopened, allowing travel between Asheville and South Carolina.

Drivers were urged to stay off local highways and roads unless traveling for emergencies.

At Asheville Regional Airport, most airlines planned to cancel Saturday flights, according to an official social media update. Although the airport remains open and capable of handling arrivals and departures, operational challenges have arisen due to power outages and staff shortages, as many employees are unable to reach the airport.

The projected cost of the damage is expected to reach billions

Helene’s devastating winds and severe flooding are estimated to have caused between $95 and $110 billion in damages and economic losses, placing it among the most expensive storms in history, according to an early assessment by AccuWeather.

This estimate accounts for damage to homes, businesses, infrastructure, and vehicles, as well as the impacts of power outages, lost wages, flight cancellations, disruptions to the supply chain, and other economic factors, as noted in AccuWeather’s statement.

Other historically catastrophic storms include Hurricane Ian in 2022, which caused an estimated $180 to $210 billion in damage; Hurricanes Harvey and Irma in 2017 with a combined cost of approximately $270 billion; Hurricane Sandy in 2012, which totaled $210 billion; and Hurricane Katrina in 2005, whose damages reached around $320 billion. AccuWeather’s estimates have been adjusted to reflect inflation.

What made Helene produce such an extreme amount of rainfall?

A convergence of weather patterns over the eastern U.S. triggered historic flooding that forced residents to flee their homes late Friday night along Tennessee’s Nolichucky River, as officials issued warnings about potential dam failures and raging floods devastated communities.

Earlier in the week, meteorologists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) highlighted a band of moisture ahead of Helene, a phenomenon known as a predecessor event. This setup, which has been observed before tropical storms and hurricanes, often results in heavy rainfall before the storm itself even arrives.

In North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains on Wednesday and Thursday, Asheville recorded nearly 10 inches of rain, while Tryon saw 8 inches, according to preliminary weather data. Meanwhile, Tennessee towns like Bristol-Johnson and Knoxville experienced 6 inches and over 4 inches of rainfall, respectively, over the same period. As Helene’s massive system moved in with additional rainfall, it transitioned into a post-tropical cyclone. Studies suggest that some hurricanes, fueled by the warming Gulf of Mexico, absorb more moisture, intensifying rainfall totals.

By Friday evening, some parts of the Southeast were experiencing record-breaking rainfall, with over a foot of rain reported in Georgia and South Carolina. Widespread amounts ranging from 4 to 7 inches were recorded across Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

As rain poured into rivers in the mountainous regions, the water rapidly transformed into catastrophic flooding. In Tennessee, the Pigeon River in Newport reached a record high, while Asheville saw unprecedented levels on both the French Broad and Swannanoa Rivers near the Biltmore Estate. At least three flood records shattered on Friday had stood for over a century, dating back to July 1916, when a series of tropical systems produced similarly heavy rains.

Rising death toll reported

Fatalities from the severe weather brought by Helene have been reported throughout the storm’s path, with officials warning that the death toll is likely to increase.

In Florida, at least 11 deaths have been confirmed as a result of the storm, according to an update from Governor Ron DeSantis on Saturday morning. In Pinellas County, which includes Clearwater and St. Petersburg, five people lost their lives due to storm-related incidents, as reported by Cathie Perkins, the county’s director of emergency management, during a Friday press briefing. DeSantis also noted that a resident in Dixie County, located along the Big Bend coast, was killed after a tree fell on their home. Additionally, a storm-related traffic accident claimed a life in Ybor City, Tampa, on Thursday night.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s office confirmed that at least 15 people lost their lives during the storm, including a first responder. “One of our finest gave his life while trying to save others,” Kemp stated during a press conference.

The fallen first responder was Vernon “Leon” Davis, the assistant chief of the Blackshear Fire Department. Pierce County Coroner William Wilson informed The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Davis was killed when a tree struck his city truck around 1:30 a.m. on Friday. In another tragic incident, a 27-year-old woman and her 1-month-old twin boys died when a tree crashed through their mobile home in McDuffie County, according to Coroner Paul Johnson.

In South Carolina, the Post and Courier newspaper reported at least 19 fatalities, based on information from local officials. Among the victims, two people were killed when trees fell on their homes, as confirmed by the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office and the coroner’s office. Additionally, two firefighters in Saluda County lost their lives, as announced by Governor Henry McMaster at a press briefing. In Newberry County, two more deaths were confirmed by Sheriff James Lee Foster, while Aiken County Coroner Darryl Ables reported four fatalities.

In North Carolina, a 4-year-old child died and others were injured in a crash on Thursday as Helene’s outer bands hit the state. In Charlotte, another fatality occurred when a tree fell on a home early Friday morning, resulting in one death and another person being hospitalized, according to the Charlotte Fire Department.

Virginia also reported its first storm-related death. Governor Glenn Youngkin shared via a Facebook video that a person died when a tree caused a building collapse in Craig County.

Florida towns devastated by unprecedented winds

Helene first struck Florida’s Big Bend region, bringing with it powerful sustained winds of 140 mph. This small stretch of the Gulf Coast near Tallahassee has weathered numerous storms in the past, but none with the intensity and force that Helene delivered.

Peters, owner of Crabbie Dad’s bar, is among those who saw their property flattened by the storm in Steinhatchee, a small town just miles from where Helene made landfall. The town experienced an unprecedented storm surge of 9.63 feet, leaving areas once dry now submerged under 40 to 50 inches of water, as reported by Bowen of the State Guard.

Local resident John Kujawski shared with USA TODAY how the storm reignited painful memories of Hurricane Idalia, which hit the town in August 2023. Roofs that had just been repaired were destroyed once again, docks were thrown ashore, and boats were overturned and jammed into marina pilings.

The storm also caused severe damage in Horseshoe Beach, a coastal town south of Steinhatchee, where dozens of homes were wrecked. Some were pushed off their concrete foundations, while others had their roofs torn apart by the ferocious winds.

Helene’s winds tore away the staircases leading to Bill and Debbie Dotson’s home, forcing the couple to camp in a tent beneath their elevated house. Like many homes in the area, their house is built on concrete footings to withstand floodwaters.

The Dotsons believe Helene caused more damage to the region than Idalia, which destroyed around 40 homes and took out one of their staircases, with repairs costing $15,000. Unfortunately, Helene undid those recent repairs, leaving them facing more devastation. The couple has now endured four hurricanes since moving to the area in 2021.

Torrential rainfall floods Tennessee

As Helene moved inland into Tennessee and North Carolina, its winds weakened, but the storm unleashed torrential rains that flooded entire communities. The deluge was so intense it nearly engulfed a hospital, sent rivers surging to historic levels, and forced officials to urgently call for evacuations to higher ground amid fears of dam failures.

Authorities across multiple states, from Florida all the way to Virginia, issued warnings for residents to evacuate and seek safety on elevated terrain.

In Erwin, Tennessee, the Nolichucky River, near the North Carolina border, surged dangerously close to sweeping away the Unicoi County Hospital. The rapidly rising floodwaters left no choice but to evacuate 54 staff members and patients. Emergency crews transported them to safety, using helicopters and boats, as the hospital faced imminent peril from the overflowing river.

The Pigeon River in Newport surged to unprecedented heights, soaring past previous records to reach 27 feet. Similarly, the French Broad River was anticipated to approach near-record levels by Saturday morning.

Rising floodwaters in downtown Newport forced officials to evacuate the Cocke County Jail, located along the banks of the Pigeon River. Around 60 inmates were transferred from the Cocke County Jail to the Jefferson County Jail, according to a representative from Jefferson County.

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