Article Summary –
Hurricane Helene’s remnants caused catastrophic damage in the Southeast, with a death toll nearing 140. Western North Carolina, especially Asheville, saw severe devastation with over 40 deaths. Flooding, power outages, and impassable roads have hampered rescue efforts. President Biden will survey the damage.
Devastation in Blue Ridge Mountains: 40 Dead in Asheville, NC
Rescuers combed western North Carolina Tuesday for those unaccounted for since Hurricane Helene’s remnants wreaked havoc. The death toll nears 140, with Asheville, a tourism haven, among the hardest-hit areas.
The storm left many without electricity or means to call for help. Asheville residents resorted to charcoal grills and hiking to find a signal. Swannanoa saw cars stacked and trailer homes displaced by floodwaters. Roads were blocked by mud and debris.
Emergency crews worked tirelessly to clear roads, restore power, and rescue stranded individuals. Over 50 hospital patients and staff in Tennessee were airlifted.
President Biden is set to survey the damage. North Carolina’s death toll includes tragic stories of flood victims and those trapped by falling trees. Rescuers saved dozens, including an infant in Atlanta.
How Hard-Hit Areas Are Coping
North Carolina faced its worst flooding in a century. Rainfall estimates exceeded two feet in some areas. Main routes into Asheville were damaged, including a section of Interstate 40.
Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins urged people to avoid travel in western North Carolina. Locals like Elizabeth Teall-Fleming lined up for nonperishable food and collected creek water for basic needs. Helene hit Florida as a Category 4 hurricane before moving north.
Why Western North Carolina Was Hit Hard
Helene’s remnants brought heavy rain to western North Carolina due to the Appalachian Mountains’ elevations. Asheville, built in valleys, was vulnerable to flooding. Climate change and saturated ground worsened conditions, said meteorologist Christiaan Patterson.
Destruction from Florida to Virginia
In Florida, Helene forced evacuations at Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Georgia saw power outages and long lines for water. South Carolina, with 31 deaths, faced its deadliest cyclone since Hurricane Hugo in 1989.
Tropical Storm Kirk Could Become Major Hurricane
Tropical Storm Kirk in the eastern Atlantic could become a hurricane soon, possibly a major one by Thursday. Located 1,010 miles west of the Cabo Verde Islands, it poses no immediate threat to land.
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