Effects of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina

Last updated

Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
Disc Plain black.svg Tropical cyclone
Solid black.svg Subtropical cyclone
ArrowUp.svg Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

Meteorologist Ben Noll reported that about 1.5 times more moisture was transported to western North Carolina than in any prior recorded event in the region, with an estimated integrated vapor transport quantity of roughly 3,000 kilograms per meter per second that surpassed the prior record of 1,883 kg/m/s. The amount of moisture and rainfall deposited in the region was considered exceptional due to it being far inland of the East Coast and the Gulf Coast. [8]

The North Carolina State Climate Office at North Carolina State University reported that its Mount Mitchell weather station recorded 24.41 in (620 mm) of rainfall. The office referred to the total as "off the charts", comparing it to 16.5 in (420 mm) of rainfall being a once-in-1,000-year flood for the area. Asheville Regional Airport recorded 19.38 in (492 mm) of rainfall before losing communication. A North Carolina Forest Service weather station recorded receiving 31.33 in (796 mm) of rain from September 25 to 27, requiring further verification. [9]

Readings from the NWS Greenville-Spartanburg recorded 30.78 in (782 mm) of rainfall in Busick, and a minimal pressure of 972.2 millibars in Mount Mitchell State Park. [10]

Preparations

On September 25, Western North Carolina was placed under tropical storm warnings, [11] with Governor Roy Cooper declaring a state of emergency for the state. [12] Both Gorges State Park and Mount Mitchell State Park were closed due to the storm, with a shutdown also occurring on the Blue Ridge Parkway. [13] Significant closures also occurred on the North Carolina side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including on US 441. [14]

Impact

Effects of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina
2024 CIMSS 09L Helene visible infrared satellite loop.gif
Satellite loop of Helene over the Appalachian region on September 27.
North Carolina Impacts Associated with Hurricane Helene [15] [16]
CountyFatalitiesInjuriesEvacuations
Ashe County 1 [17] UnknownUnknown
Avery County 5 [15] UnknownUnknown
Buncombe County 43 [1] UnknownUnknown
Burke County 1 [17] UnknownUnknown
Catawba County 1 [1] 2≥25
Cleveland County 2 [1] Unknown≥12
Gaston County 1 [18] Unknown≥9
Haywood County 5 [19] UnknownUnknown
Henderson County 10 [15] UnknownUnknown
Macon County 2 [1] UnknownUnknown
Madison County 4 [17] UnknownUnknown
McDowell County 1 [20] UnknownUnknown
Mecklenburg County 3 [1] 1≥100
Mitchell County 2 [1] UnknownUnknown
Polk County 1 [1] UnknownUnknown
Rowan County 1 [1] UnknownUnknown
Rutherford County 4 [17] UnknownUnknown
Wake County 1 [1] UnknownUnknown
Watauga County 2 [17] UnknownUnknown
Wilkes County 1 [1] UnknownUnknown
Yadkin County 1 [17] UnknownUnknown
Yancey County 10 [15] UnknownUnknown

At least 103 people were killed in North Carolina, [a] while about 200 more were left unaccounted for in the state as of November 6. [21] The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) issued a statement on their website that all roads in western North Carolina should be considered closed. [22] A unit from the 1st Battalion of the 169th Aviation Regiment, part of the Connecticut Army National Guard, was deployed to help assist disaster relief efforts. [23]

Appalachian State's football game against Liberty was canceled due to flooding and was not rescheduled. [24] A mudslide and floodwaters from the Pigeon River swept a section of Interstate 40 at the North Carolina–Tennessee border away, forcing another closure. [25] The Pigeon River rose higher in Canton than during Hurricane Frances in 2004 and Tropical Storm Fred in 2021. [26] In Busick, rainfall totals reached 30.78 in (782 mm). [27] The University of North Carolina at Asheville canceled all classes through October 9, along with Appalachian State campuses of Boone and Hickory through October 5, and Western Carolina University through October 4. [28]

Areas in the Black Mountains region in western North Carolina were particularly devastated, with the Black Mountain Police Chief reporting that Montreat and Swannanoa were “gone” with neighborhoods destroyed, including homes that were on fire, along with numerous fatalities that could not immediately be dealt with. [29] The village of Chimney Rock was also largely destroyed. [30] More than 400 roads were closed in western North Carolina, and over 200 people had to be rescued from floods. [31]

Eight tornadoes were spawned by Helene in the state. [32] This included a brief but intense low-end EF3 tornado that impacted the north side of Rocky Mount, damaging 14 buildings and injuring 15 people, including four critically. [33] Five of the other tornadoes were rated EF1, while the remaining two was rated EF0. [32]

Avery County

Avery County likely experienced its worst flooding event in recorded history, with at least hundreds of dwellings damaged by flooding, likely destroying many of them. Landslides and floodwaters also carried away bridges and roads and led to extensive road closures, isolating many communities. A number of water rescues also occurred. [10] In Elk Park, a family's home was swept away by rapid floodwaters, which was photographed before it struck the riverbank and tore apart, leaving one person missing. [34] Winds downed many trees and powerlines, leaving nearly 100% of Avery County without electricity. [10]

Buncombe County

A flooded Swannanoa River Road (NC-81) and the adjacent Swannanoa River in Buncombe County, North Carolina, on September 27, 2024. NC 81 Buncombe Co.jpg
A flooded Swannanoa River Road (NC-81) and the adjacent Swannanoa River in Buncombe County, North Carolina, on September 27, 2024.

In Buncombe County, waterways associated with the French Broad River basin exceeded previous highest-ever heights by several feet, while many weather observation sites broke three-day rainfall total records. Floodwaters covered large swaths of I-40 and US 74, resulted in numerous road closures, and washed away some bridges and roads. This, as well as landslides, left communities isolated. At least hundreds of businesses and homes experienced some degree of water damage. High winds felled many trees and power lines. Nearly all of the county was left without electricity and water. As of October 30, 43 people were killed in Buncombe County alone, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), [1] while more than 200 people remain missing. [10] [21]

Asheville

Devastation at the intersection of Swannanoa River Road (NC-81) and Azalea Road in Asheville on September 27, 2024. Devastation in Asheville after Hurricane Helene.jpg
Devastation at the intersection of Swannanoa River Road (NC-81) and Azalea Road in Asheville on September 27, 2024.

A curfew was issued for Asheville due to the damage that occurred inside the city. [35] The city broke its record for two-day rainfall, recording 9.87 in (251 mm) of rain. [36] Almost the entirety of Biltmore Village and the River Arts District were flooded, and the city was largely isolated due to loss of power and cell service. [37] [38] Landslides around Asheville forced sections of I-26 and I-40 to close, and triggered a flash flood emergency for the location. [39] [40] Access to Asheville was cut off from September 27–28 via I-26 to South Carolina. [41]

The National Climatic Data Center was forced to shut down due to power outages and flooding caused by the storm. [8]

Fairview

Fairview in Buncombe County suffered severe damage from flooding, with the Garren Creek area deemed "completely devastated". One resident was forced to grab onto a pole to survive rapid flood waters, while two women were carried by floodwaters in their house until it crashed in a forest. [9]

Swannanoa

Floodwaters in Swannanoa caused the Davidson Road Bridge to collapse. Residents of the town reported to local media outlets that there were multiple missing persons who were living in rural areas. Residents also reported that no search and rescue operations had reached their location as of September 29, leaving several residents who had not prepared for the degree of flooding without food or drinkable water. At least one missing person was living near the Bee Tree Christian Church, which had been destroyed by flooding and fallen trees. [42]

Damage to the town included cars that had been lifted to the tops of trees by the elevated floodwaters, thick mud burying several businesses and roads, and several homes along the river that were destroyed and deposited far downstream. A resident reported that it took less than an hour for water in one residential area to rise by over 4 feet. [43]

Catawba County

In Catawba County, Helene produced wind gusts up to 52 mph (84 km/h) at the Hickory Regional Airport. Consequently, power outages occurred and numerous trees were toppled. Heavy rains caused one indirect death and two injuries due to a car accident. Although minor flooding was reported along streams, the release of water via the Oxford Dam resulted in major flooding on the Catawba River and Lookout Shoals Lake. Consequently, the latter crested at its height level since 1940 –9.45 ft (2.88 m). Downstream flooding prompted evacuations and damaged several homes. [10]

Haywood County

in Haywood County, the Pigeon River crested higher than in previous floods in 2004 and 2021. Canton mayor Zeb Smathers described the damage as "apocalyptic". [44] The Pisgah High School football field which had been flooded twice already in three years would have to be renovated once again, and relocation was being considered. [45] The sale of the Pactiv Evergreen plant was delayed and the sewage treatment plant was having problems. [46] Flooding in Bethel and Clyde was described as the worst ever. [47] In Waynesville, the Frog Level and Hazelwood sections experienced the worst flooding ever from Richland Creek. Frog Level had more structural damage. [48] Maggie Valley had some businesses flooded by Jonathan Creek. [49]

McDowell County

In Marion, the county seat of McDowell County, a couple's home was destroyed by a mudslide, requiring a rescue by a pulley system, leaving one missing. [9] A Baxter International manufacturing plant was heavily impacted by floodwaters, forcing its temporary closure and halting of the production of medications, dialysis solutions, and IV fluids for nationwide distribution. [34] The Town of Old Fort was particularly hit hard when the convergence of Mill Creek, and the Catawba River washed the center of the town away, causing significant damage to bridges, roads, and parts of I-40 along the Catawba River. [50] A primary road way, Catawba Ave, experienced a surge in flood waters due to multiple bridges across Mill River. One resident's rough estimation indicates nearly 820 have become homeless due to Hurricane Helene's devastating flood waters. The wind and water had tossed mobile homes hundreds of yards and washed away cars into the Catawba River, leaving the town's residents to wait for the restoration of cell service and the arrival of help from across North Carolina. [51] The Historic Mauney House, office space and meeting space for the Mountain Gateway Museum, was damaged significantly due to fallen trees in the rushing floodwaters. [52] Old Fort Elementary (built in 2020) experienced extensive flooding due to creek convergences, as such, closed with students relocating to nearby schools. [53] A section of I-40 at Old Fort mountain experienced a massive slide, in combination with other road closures, cut off access to the Town of Old Fort from other cities for several days. [54]

Mitchell County

Spruce Pine, the largest town in Mitchell County, was heavily inundated with 24.12 inches of rainfall and the swelling of the North Toe River, significantly damaging the downtown area and destroying several shops, roads, and connections to water and electricity. Due to Spruce Pine being one of the few places in the world with "ultra-high quality" quartz mines essential for semiconductor production, damage from Helene was predicted to hamper global microchip supplies and technological supply chains if the town's quartz mines were damaged and shut down for long periods. [55]

Rutherford County

Chimney Rock

Chimney Rock was one of the most severely damaged of all the towns by Hurricane Helene. National Weather Service data indicated that over 19 inches of rain fell in areas upstream and to the west of Chimney Rock, leading to devastating floodwaters that destroyed half of the village according to rescue crew, including half of the businesses on the south side of the village near the Broad River. Most of Main Street and most of the businesses located on it were destroyed by the rapid floodwaters, with Pamlico County Emergency Manager Chris Murray remarking, "I’ve never seen concentrated damage like we’ve seen here... There’s nothing left." [56]

Pamlico County rescue personnel reported that they had rescued four people, and evacuated 106 more people in addition to two cats and two dogs. [57] Many of those isolated due to the lack of power and available communication were airlifted by Rutherford County Emergency Management to RS Central High School. [58]

Lake Lure

The National Weather Service stated that 19 inches of rain had fallen to the west of Lake Lure, leading to significant rising of its water levels by the morning of September 26 that caused extensive flooding. Marina docks and boats on the lake were carried down onto the remains of destroyed structures, many of which had been carried down from Chimney Rock. One woman was rescued with her dog after being stranded inside a collapsed house along a riverbank. [56]

Rutherford County officials issued a mandatory evacuation order to residents living downstream of Lake Lure for them to find higher ground, as the Lake Lure Dam's 124-foot-high barrier was entirely overtopped by water, had water pouring from around its sides, and was thus expected to suffer from imminent failure. Evacuation sirens sounded in settlements downstream of the dam and about 1,600 Lake Lure residents were given evacuation orders. Lake Lure Dam was later evaluated to have no imminent failure expected, although erosion on both sides of the dam and the compromising of the structural supports were reported. [59] [60] [61]

Secondary impacts in Tennessee

Walters Dam breach

As a result of prominent flooding across eastern Tennessee as a result of Tropical Storm Helene, the Cocke County Emergency Management Agency issued a statement for residents in the area: [62]

Please do not call central dispatch or E-911 unless experiencing an emergency. We are aware of road conditions and are actively working to place signage in affected areas. Road conditions are impassable at this time. Please shelter in place or go to a family or friends home. If you are displaced, please go to either of our emergency shelters located at the Newport Community Center at 426 Cosby Highway Newport TN, or Liberty Church of Cosby at 3541 Cosby Highway Cosby TN.

— Cocke County Emergency Management Agency

At 2:56 p.m. EST, Mayor of Cocke County Rob Mathis posted a statement on his Facebook page reporting the catastrophic failure of the Walters Dam: [62] [63]

"THE WATERVILLE DAM HAS SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. EVACUATION ALL OF DOWNTOWN NEWPORT IMMEDIATELY."

— Rob Mathis, Facebook

About a half-hour after his initial statement at 3:24 p.m, Mathis issued a state of emergency for Cocke County. [62] [63] The Morristown National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Emergency for the settlements along Pigeon River, which included Cocke County seat Newport and Hartford, stated that 20,017 people could potentially be impacted by life-threatening flooding, along with four schools and one hospital. [64]

River level probes recorded by United States National Water Prediction Service at the Pigeon River by Newport indicated that at 3:00 p.m. EST, immediately following the dam failure, water levels reached 26.17 feet, over twice as high as the highest "Major" warning level for the location at 12 feet. [65] Multiple inmates of Cocke County Jail were evacuated from the jail to the Cocke County Courthouse located on higher ground. [64]

Later, the National Weather Service (NWS) and state officials stated that reports of catastrophic failure were a false alarm according to Duke Energy, the operator of the dam, while still maintaining the evacuation order. [59]

Aftermath

Rescue and recovery

Flooding on U.S. Route 64, facing west, in Henderson County on September 27, 2024. 2024-09-27-us-64-henderson-county.jpg
Flooding on U.S. Route 64, facing west, in Henderson County on September 27, 2024.

Of the 241 people reported victims of Hurricane Helene in the United States, 119 people were in North Carolina, surpassing the state record of 80 deaths recorded in a 1916 flood. [9] [34] Of these, 72 residents of Buncombe County were among the deceased. The reported count of missing people was under 600 people by September 29, according to a Register of Deeds update. [66] Asheville officials reported on October 2 that 26 residents were unaccounted for. [34] A group of 34 students and chaperones from Girard College were located by rescuers after their week long partnership with the North Carolina Outward Bound School was cut short by the storm. [67]

North Carolina Sheriff's Association reported that two officers were killed by flood waters during rescue operations. [66] Pack mules were utilized to access areas inaccessible by other means in North Carolina. [68] Operation AirDrop and the Carolina Emergency Response Team helped deploy volunteer private helicopter pilots to assist in rescue efforts. [69] [70]

Henderson County issued a public statement urging tourists outside of the region to not come to visit the area, while instructing them to bring essential toiletries, water, and non-perishable food if they still decided to visit in order to aid those in need. [66]

Mayor of Canton Zeb Smathers referred to recovery efforts as being for a "21st century storm with 20th century technology” due to telecommunication and power outages forcing first responders to use pack mules and handwritten notes for communication and delivery. [34] Black Mountain residents resorted to using makeshift message boards to list missing residents and humanitarian aid details. [71]

Animals

Animals were ferried from North Carolina shelters to other shelters in Louisiana, Virginia, Washington D.C, Mississippi and other locations as many of the shelters in the area were damaged or completely destroyed. [72] [73] [74] Specific search and rescue teams were deployed to search for missing animals such as horses, dogs, cats, and guinea pigs. [75] Workers and rescuers found that the animals at the Western North Carolina Nature Center were unharmed and the majority of the damage was to surrounding trees and fencing. [76]

Flooding in western North Carolina has caused many yellow jackets, bees, and other insects in underground nests to be disrupted causing many of them to swarm in and around areas where residents are attempting to recover. The resulting insect stings has caused a reported surge in Benadryl and epinephrine injectors through hospitals, emergency medical officers and doctors. [77]

45,000 chickens died in one North Carolina facility alone as a result of Helene. [78] Damage to poultry facilities in North Carolina and Georgia have raised concerns about manure runoff into water supplies. [78] North Carolina is a major supplier of poultry to the United States, and the storm is expected to have an impact on the nation's overall poultry supply. [78]

Effect on 2024 elections

Prior to the storm, election officials had already mailed out more than 200,000 absentee ballots, including about 39,728 the day the storm hit to the 25 western counties that were part of the federal major disaster declaration for the storm. Only about 1,499 of those ballots had been returned before the storm hit. [79]

The North Carolina State Board of Elections reported that at least ten election offices were closed as a result of flooding, causing difficulties in voter registration by the October 11 deadline and possible prevention of early in-person voting in affected regions, beginning October 17. The state board expressed that its officials were attempting to reopen impacted election offices in order to process new voter registrations and absentee ballot requests before their deadlines pass. [9]

Healthcare

Physician and Obama administration worker Dr. Kavita Patel described healthcare in the affected regions as being in "Third World conditions" due to supply shortages and power outages hindering care, reporting that several doctors in the region resorted to using Amazon Wishlist products such as water-sanitizing tablets to make water drinkable. 1,200 North Carolina Department of Adult Correction inmates were relocated due to power and water shortages. [9]

In addition, a Baxter International manufacturing plant in Marion was closed as a result of the storm's impact, which analysts predicted could lead to significant disruptions to national medical supply chains, causing shortages of medications, dialysis solutions, and IV fluids nationwide. [34]

Power and utility outages

On October 1, Governor of North Carolina Roy Cooper reported that 460,000 North Carolinians suffered from power outages. Of these, over 100,000 people across Buncombe County suffered from power outages lasting into October 1. These, in addition to destroyed, damaged, and blocked bridges, destruction of utilities such as power and water, and the “complete infrastructural failure” across several settlements, significantly complicated rescue efforts and aid delivery. North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein received over seventy complaints about the price gouging of groceries and hotel rooms, prompting him to compel businesses to provide support to those in need. [66] Only one school out of 53 in Buncombe county had running water, forcing their closures. [34]

Duke Energy reported that the degree of destruction to power infrastructure would require "significant replacement". [66] On October 2, Duke Energy reported that 370 substations in western North Carolina were damaged or destroyed by the impacts of Helene, with several having been underwater. [9]

On October 2, Verizon reported that while it had recovered cell coverage to 60% of all regions affected by Helene, that western North Carolina's thick forests, mountainous terrain, destroyed or blocked roads, and ongoing flooding made fixing cell towers in the region difficult, causing them to resort to use drones to provide temporary coverage. T-Mobile also noted difficulties in restoring coverage in North Carolina due to access challenges, resorting to distributing Wi-Fi connectivity stations and mobile generators to the region. Starlink announced that its satellite internet service would be free for all regions impacted by Helene for 30 days. [34]

Following the storm, the webcam and weather station atop Mount Mitchell ceased transmitting data since the hurricane. [80]

Road damage

The North Carolina Department of Transportation reported that 400 roads in western North Carolina, including hundreds of state and national routes, were closed or deemed impassable due to landslides, flooding, and destroyed bridges caused by Helene. Westbound I-40 and I-26 were initially closed, and were later reopened only for evacuations. Several roads were in areas that were either difficult to reach due to Appalachia's mountainous terrain or from closed roads preventing other roads from being accessed, making it difficult to assess every road that was damaged and resulted in an estimate of several months time for some roads to be fixed. The department declared that all roads in western North Carolina should be considered closed to non-residents who were not providing aid. Florida's Department of Transportation sent its own personnel and portable bridges to aid in road assessment and reconstruction. [81]

Parts of the eastbound I-40 section in the Pigeon River Gorge collapsed into the Pigeon River due to its swelling and rapid flow, and this section was considered by the department to be the most challenging section of road to fix. [81] The Blue Ridge Parkway was indefinitely closed due to damage between mileposts 217 to 469 – the entirety of the North Carolina segment. [82]

Tourism

As of October 3, much of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was open. [83]

On October 3, Gov. Roy Cooper told the Asheville Citizen-Times that only those providing help should travel to Western North Carolina. This was a problem for an area dependent on tourists coming to see fall leaves, but the priority, Cooper said, was "meeting people's immediate needs, saving lives". [84] Visit North Carolina warned people not to come because of power and water outages, shortages of food and gas, and closed roads. [84] Messages such as "It's too dangerous to travel to Haywood County" were necessary in the early days after the storm, but much of Waynesville and Maggie Valley were ready for tourists two weeks later and tried to change the message. Opponents of the change pointed out that many areas were not back to normal. Businesses, however, needed tourists to spend during the fall season before winter. [85] Another area dependent on tourism was Blowing Rock, which had few effects, but nearly three weeks after the storm, few people during what was normally a busy fall leaf season. Despite problems with the Blue Ridge Parkway and other attractions, Blowing Rock was ready for tourists and inviting them to come. [86] While the parkway drew 2 million visitors in October 2023, none of it was open until twenty miles opened in the northern part of the state on October 23. All of the southernmost 57 miles except for a short section near Devil's Courthouse opened October 30. About six more miles near Asheville opened November 1. [87]

In the Asheville area, with tourism representing 20 percent of the economy and contributing $3 billion [88] in 2023, North Carolina Arboretum reopened October 28 and Biltmore Estate started its Christmas season November 2. Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority and Explore Asheville resumed marketing, though VisitNC's Travel Advisory Map put the area under a yellow alert on October 19, meaning visitors should make sure they can get to where they want to go. One forecast cited by the authority estimated lodging taxes would be down 40 percent or more during the next three months. And the tourism industry in Asheville had already lost its busiest month. [89] The authority preidcted that for the last quarter of 2024, tourism would be down 70 percent, with the predicted revenue loss $584 million. [88]

Long-term impacts

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reported that only 0.8 percent of households in disaster-declared counties in North Carolina held FEMA flood insurance policies. Environmental and insurance experts stated that the lack of flooding insurance would significantly slow the rebuilding and repairing of flood-damaged properties, as well as the recovery of entire communities. Lack of flooding insurance can also force many of the impacted to deplete their savings or abandon their homes entirely. Experts stated that low-income communities would suffer the worst due to lacking substantial savings and potentially not qualifying for credit from banks or from Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans. [90] FEMA plans to update flood maps in 2026 after having been restricted by Congress to only look at past events for determining which properties are required to get flood insurance. Many communities and property owners appeal and contest flood risk findings by FEMA not wanting to make required protections or pay for insurance, leading to maps that underestimate risk. [91] In some places in Western North Carolina impacted by Helene, maps by First Street found roughly 10x the number of properties would have been in a 100-year flood zone category, if FEMA had been allowed to use more comprehensive and modern forecasting. Better maps could have resulted in more insurance coverage and flood prevention measures. [91]

These predictions were partly based on a 2023 study examining the aftermath of Hurricane Florence in 2018, which found that uninsured losses, when coupled with declining property values, caused significant increases in the risk of mortgage default and abandonment of housing. Similar patterns were observed following Hurricane Harvey in 2017. [90]

Response

Governor of North Carolina Roy Cooper stated on October 1 that “The devastation brought by Hurricane Helene is beyond belief” and that, “Communities were wiped off the map.” He further reported that over 57,000 people applied for FEMA assistance. He commended the first responders and healthcare workers who traveled to devastated areas to assist those in need, especially since many were departing from their own homes which had been severely impacted by the storm. Director of Emergency Management for North Carolina William Ray instructed people to not use drones in the area due to the potential hazards it could bring to rescue and response operations. [66]

The lieutenant governor of North Carolina Mark Robinson, tweeted on October 1 false claims that United States President Joe Biden had stated that the federal government had "no more supplies" for the state. When asked for proof of the statement, Robinson's office sent over a video clip of Biden on September 29, being asked if there was anymore resources from the federal government for the state. Biden responded, "no...we have pre-planned a significant amount of [resources], even though they hadn’t asked for it yet." [92]

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell was directed by Biden to stay in North Carolina until the region was stabilized, with Biden intending to visit Raleigh. Over 1,200 personnel entered North Carolina, along with ten search and rescue teams. [66] Biden also directed Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to send 1,000 active-duty military personnel to the region. [34]

Governor of Florida Ron Desantis sent resources and personnel from Florida to North Carolina to assist with rescue operations. [66]

During the October 1 Vice Presidential debate, Republican J.D. Vance called the hurricane's impact “an unbelievable, unspeakable human tragedy” and stated that both he and Democrat Tim Walz "want as robust and aggressive as a federal response as we can get to save as many lives as possible. And then, of course, afterwards, to help the people in those communities rebuild”. Walz concurred and called the hurricane a "horrific tragedy". [9]

Eric Church and Luke Combs put together the "Concert for Carolina" on October 26, 2024 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, which raised over $24 million for hurricane relief. [93]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ On October 9, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services decreased the death toll of North Carolina from the previously reported 119 to 89. This decrease was noted by media outlets to be lower than previous reports. [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Floyd</span> Category 4 Atlantic hurricane in 1999

Hurricane Floyd was a very powerful tropical cyclone which struck the Bahamas and the East Coast of the United States. It was the sixth named storm, fourth hurricane, and third major hurricane in the 1999 Atlantic hurricane season. Floyd triggered the fourth largest evacuation in US history when 2.6 million coastal residents of five states were ordered from their homes as it approached. The hurricane formed off the coast of Africa and lasted from September 7 to 19, becoming extratropical after September 17, and peaked in strength as a very strong Category 4 hurricane. It was among the largest Atlantic hurricanes of its strength ever recorded, in terms of gale-force diameter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Agnes</span> Category 1 Atlantic hurricane in 1972

Hurricane Agnes was the costliest hurricane to hit the United States at the time, causing an estimated $2.1 billion in damage. The hurricane's death toll was 128. The effects of Agnes were widespread, from the Caribbean to Canada, with much of the east coast of the United States affected. Damage was heaviest in Pennsylvania, where Agnes was the state's wettest tropical cyclone. Due to the significant effects, the name Agnes was retired in the spring of 1973.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Storm Tammy (2005)</span> Atlantic tropical storm

Tropical Storm Tammy was a short-lived tropical cyclone that affected the East Coast of the United States in October 2005. The 19th named storm of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season, Tammy formed on October 5 off the east coast of Florida from the interaction of a tropical wave and a trough. After strengthening to a peak intensity of 50 mph (85 km), the storm made landfall in northeastern Florida. Tammy moved into the U.S. state of Georgia, degenerating into a remnant low pressure area, which was absorbed by an extratropical cyclone over the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Tammy and its remnants contributed to ten fatalities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Cindy (2005)</span> Category 1 Atlantic hurricane

Hurricane Cindy was a tropical cyclone that made landfall in the U.S. state of Louisiana in July 2005. The third named storm of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season, Cindy developed from a tropical wave on July 3, off the east coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. Soon after, it moved over land before emerging into the Gulf of Mexico. Cindy tracked toward the northern Gulf Coast and strengthened to reach maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h), making it a Category 1 on the Saffir–Simpson scale. The hurricane struck near Grand Isle, Louisiana, on July 5 at peak intensity, but weakened by the time it made a second landfall along southern Mississippi. Cindy weakened over the southeastern United States and transitioned into an extratropical cyclone as it merged with a cold front on July 7. The remnants of Cindy produced an outbreak of 42 tornadoes across six states. Eventually, the remnants of Cindy moved into Atlantic Canada, dissipating on July 13 over the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Helene (1958)</span> Category 4 Atlantic hurricane in 1958

Hurricane Helene was the most intense tropical cyclone of the 1958 Atlantic hurricane season. The eighth tropical storm and fourth hurricane of the year, Helene was formed from a tropical wave east of the Lesser Antilles. Moving steadily westward, the storm slowly intensified, attaining hurricane strength on September 26. As conditions became increasingly favorable for tropical cyclone development, Helene began to rapidly intensify. Nearing the United States East Coast, the hurricane quickly attained Category 4 intensity on September 26, before it subsequently reached its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 930 mbar. The intense hurricane came within 10 mi (16 km) of Cape Fear, North Carolina before recurving out to sea. Accelerating Helene gradually weakened, and transitioned into an extratropical cyclone as it passed over Newfoundland on September 29. Helene's extratropical remnants traversed eastwards across the Atlantic Ocean before dissipating near Great Britain on October 4.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Storm Bill (2003)</span> Atlantic tropical cyclone

Tropical Storm Bill was a tropical storm that affected the Gulf Coast of the United States in the summer of 2003. The second storm of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season, Bill developed from a tropical wave on June 29 to the north of the Yucatán Peninsula. It slowly organized as it moved northward, and reached a peak of 60 miles per hour (97 km/h) shortly before making landfall in south-central Louisiana. Bill quickly weakened over land, and as it accelerated to the northeast, moisture from the storm, combined with cold air from an approaching cold front, produced an outbreak of 34 tornadoes. Bill became extratropical on July 2, and was absorbed by the cold front later that day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flash flood warning</span> Weather warning indicating observed or imminent flash flooding in the warned area

A flash flood warning is a severe weather warning product of the National Weather Service that is issued by national weather forecasting agencies throughout the world to alert the public that a flash flood is imminent or occurring in the warned area. A flash flood is a sudden, violent flood after a heavy rain, or occasionally after a dam break. Rainfall intensity and duration, topography, soil conditions, and ground cover contribute to flash flooding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Floods in the United States (2000–present)</span>

Floods in the United States (2000–present) is a list of flood events which were of significant impact to the country during the 21st century, since 2000. Floods are generally caused by excessive rainfall, excessive snowmelt, storm surge from hurricanes, and dam failure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">October 2015 North American storm complex</span> Extratropical storm in 2015

The October 2015 North American storm complex was an extratropical storm that triggered a high precipitation event, which caused historic flash flooding across North and South Carolina. The incipient cold front traversed the Eastern United States on September 29–30, producing heavy rain in multiple states. The system subsequently stalled just offshore. Tapping into moisture from the nearby Hurricane Joaquin, a developing surface low brought heavy, continuous rain to southeastern States, with the worst effects concentrated in South Carolina where catastrophic flooding occurred. The event culminated in South Carolina on October 4 when numerous rivers burst their banks, washing away roads, bridges, vehicles, and homes. Hundreds of people required rescue and the state's emergency management department urged everyone in the state not to travel. Some areas of the state saw rainfall equivalent to a 1-in-1000-year event.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Effects of Hurricane Floyd in New Jersey</span>

Hurricane Floyd in 1999 was the costliest natural disaster in New Jersey's history, until it was surpassed by Hurricane Irene in 2011. Damage in the state totaled $250 million (1999 USD), much of it in Somerset and Bergen counties. Seven people died in New Jersey during Floyd's passage – six due to drowning, and one in a traffic accident. A police lieutenant took his life after coordinating floodwater rescues for nearly 48 hours.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Storm Alberto (2018)</span> Atlantic tropical storm

Tropical Storm Alberto was a destructive pre-season tropical cyclone which caused $125 million in damage in the Gulf Coast of the United States in May 2018, the costliest for any pre-season tropical cyclone. The first storm of the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season, Alberto developed on May 25 near the Yucatán Peninsula as a subtropical cyclone. As it entered the Gulf of Mexico, Alberto intensified and transitioned into a tropical cyclone. Early on May 28, Alberto reached its peak intensity, with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 990 mbar. Afterward, however, dry air caused Alberto to weaken before it made landfall near Laguna Beach, Florida, with winds of 45 mph (75 km/h). Alberto maintained a compact area of thunderstorms as it progressed through the central United States, entering southern Michigan as a tropical depression on May 31. That day, Alberto weakened further and dissipated over Ontario.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Florence</span> Category 4 Atlantic hurricane in 2018

Hurricane Florence was a powerful and long-lived tropical cyclone that caused catastrophic damage in the Carolinas in September 2018, primarily as a result of freshwater flooding due to torrential rain. The sixth named storm, third hurricane, and the first major hurricane of the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season, Florence originated from a strong tropical wave that emerged off the west coast of Africa on August 30, 2018. The wave steadily organized, and strengthened into a tropical depression on the next day near Cape Verde. Progressing along a steady west-northwest trajectory, the system gradually strengthened, acquiring tropical storm strength on September 1. An unexpected bout of rapid intensification ensued on September 4–5, culminating with Florence becoming a Category 4 major hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale (SSHWS), with estimated maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h). Strong wind shear then led to rapid weakening, and Florence weakened to tropical storm strength on September 7. Shifting steering currents led to a westward turn into a more suitable environment; as a result, Florence reintensified to hurricane strength on September 9 and major hurricane status by the following day. Florence reached peak intensity on September 11, with 1-minute winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 937 mbar (27.7 inHg). An unexpected eyewall replacement cycle and decreasing oceanic heat content caused a steady weakening trend; however, the storm grew in size at the same time. Early on September 14, Florence made landfall in the United States just south of Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina as a Category 1 hurricane, and weakened further as it slowly moved inland under the influence of weak steering currents. Florence degenerated into a post-tropical cyclone over West Virginia on September 17 and was absorbed by another frontal storm two days later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Effects of Hurricane Floyd in North Carolina</span>

The effects of Hurricane Floyd in North Carolina was the costliest natural disaster in the state's history until it was surpassed by Hurricane Florence in 2018, and later by Hurricane Helene in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1916 Charleston hurricane</span> Category 3 Atlantic hurricane in 1916

The 1916 Charleston hurricane was a tropical cyclone that impacted parts of the Southeastern United States in July 1916. Torrential rainfall associated with the storm as it moved inland led to the Great Flood of 1916: a prolific and destructive flood event affecting portions of the southern Blue Ridge Mountains. This flood accounted for most of the damage and fatalities associated with the hurricane; most of these occurred in North Carolina. The hurricane was first detected as a tropical storm 560 mi (900 km) east of Miami, Florida on July 11. It took an unusually straightforward path towards the Carolinas and strengthened into a hurricane on July 12. The storm's peak sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h)—equivalent to a modern-day Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale—were attained on July 13. It made landfall near Charleston, South Carolina, the next morning, and weakened as it continued inland before losing its tropical cyclone status on July 15 over western North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Storm Fred (2021)</span> Atlantic tropical storm

Tropical Storm Fred was a tropical cyclone which affected much of the Greater Antilles and the Southeastern United States in August 2021. The sixth tropical storm of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season, Fred originated from a tropical wave first noted by the National Hurricane Center on August 4. As the wave drifted westward, advisories were initiated on the wave as a potential tropical cyclone by August 9 as it was approaching the Leeward Islands. Entering the Eastern Caribbean Sea after a close pass to Dominica by the next day, the potential tropical cyclone continued northwestward. By August 11, the disturbance had formed into Tropical Storm Fred just south of Puerto Rico, shortly before hitting the Dominican Republic on the island of Hispaniola later that day. The storm proceeded to weaken to a tropical depression over the highly mountainous island, before emerging north of the Windward Passage on August 12. The disorganized tropical depression turned to the west and made a second landfall in Northern Cuba on August 13. After having its circulation continuously disrupted by land interaction and wind shear, the storm degenerated into a tropical wave as it was turning northward near the western tip of Cuba the following day. Continuing north, the remnants of Fred quickly re-organized over the Gulf of Mexico, regenerating into a tropical storm by August 15. Fred continued towards the Florida Panhandle and swiftly intensified to a strong 65 mph (105 km/h) tropical storm before making landfall late on August 16 and moving into the state of Georgia. Afterward, Fred continued moving north-northeastward, before degenerating into an extratropical low on August 18. Fred's remnants later turned eastward, and the storm's remnants dissipated on August 20, near the coast of Massachusetts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Helene</span> Category 4 Atlantic hurricane in 2024

Hurricane Helene was a devastating tropical cyclone that caused widespread destruction and numerous fatalities across the Southeastern United States in late September 2024. It was the strongest hurricane on record to strike the Big Bend region of Florida, the deadliest Atlantic hurricane since Maria in 2017, and the deadliest to strike the mainland U.S. since Katrina in 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Effects of Hurricane Helene in Georgia</span>

Georgia was severely impacted by Hurricane Helene during late September 2024, causing over 30 reported deaths and significant rainfall across the state. After making landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida on September 27, the hurricane began to traverse over land across Georgia as a Category 2 hurricane prior to tracking into the Appalachian mountain range as a tropical storm.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Hurricane Helene Storm Related Fatalities | NCDHHS". www.ncdhhs.gov. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  2. ↑ "1969 Monthly Weather Review" (PDF). NOAA. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 4, 2011. Retrieved May 28, 2006.
  3. 1 2 Williams, Garnett P.; Guy, Harold P. (1973). Erosional and Depositional Aspects of Hurricane Camille in Virginia, 1969 (PDF). United States Department of the Interior (Report). Geological Survey Professional Paper 804. Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office. p. 1. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  4. ↑ David Roth (May 2, 2007). "Hurricane Andrew – August 23–28, 1992". Tropical Cyclone Point Maxima Rainfall Data. Weather Prediction Center (Report). College Park, Maryland: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  5. ↑ Grant Goodge (August 1992). "Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena with late reports and corrections" (PDF). Storm Data. 34 (8): 31–35, 42, 69–72, 88–89, 93, 123, 146–147, and 161. ISSN   0039-1972. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 1, 2017. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
  6. ↑ Romano, Lisa. "Hurricane Camille". Encyclopedia Virginia. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Could updated building codes reduce risks from future storms? Some experts say yes". NPR. November 10, 2024.
  8. 1 2 "We're only beginning to understand the historic nature of Helene's flooding". Ars Technica. September 30, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Hurricane Helene live updates: Biden directs up to 1,000 soldiers to assist in aid efforts as 176 people dead in storm aftermath". NBC News. October 2, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "Post Hurricane Helene Report for the Western Carolinas and Northeast Georgia". www.weather.gov. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  11. ↑ Johncox, Cassidy (September 25, 2024). "Tropical storm warnings active across Charlotte Metro due to Helene: What to know". WBTV. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  12. ↑ "State of emergency declared in NC ahead of effects to state from Hurricane Helene". ABC11 Raleigh-Durham. September 23, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  13. ↑ State Parks Closures Due to Hurricane Helene, Including Monarch Festival Cancellation, NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, September 26, 2024
  14. ↑ "Newfound Gap Road/US 441, visitor centers and other park areas close in preparation for tropical storm impacts". NPS.gov. September 26, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 Lankford, Ciara (October 8, 2024). "89 verified storm-related deaths in North Carolina following Helene: NCDHHS". Queen City News. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  16. ↑ US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "Post Tropical Cyclone Reports". www.weather.gov. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "North Carolina live updates: Death toll rises to at least 115, new state report shows". The Asheville Citizen Times. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  18. ↑ Marusak, Joe (September 26, 2024). "Girl, 4, killed in wreck during Hurricane Helene rains, NC State Highway Patrol says". The Charlotte Observer. Archived from the original on September 28, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  19. ↑ Hodge, Rex (October 2, 2024). "Haywood County grapples with Hurricane Helene aftermath; 4 confirmed dead". WLOS. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  20. ↑ "North Carolina live updates: Death toll in triple digits as search, recovery continues". The Asheville Citizen Times. October 4, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  21. 1 2 Yablonski, Steven (October 2, 2024). "Helene's deadly toll mounts as search for victims across Southeast enters its second week". FOX Weather. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  22. ↑ Stradling, Richard (September 27, 2024). "NCDOT says all roads in Western NC should be considered closed, even the big ones". The News and Observer. Archived from the original on September 28, 2024. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  23. ↑ "Connecticut National Guard unit to provide Helene disaster relief in North Carolina". NBC Connecticut. September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  24. ↑ Backus, Will (September 27, 2024). "Appalachian State vs. Liberty canceled: Effects from Hurricane Helene nix nonconference clash in Week 5". CBS Sports. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  25. ↑ Raby, John (September 27, 2024). "A mudslide and floodwaters wash out interstate at the North Carolina-Tennessee state line". AP News. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  26. ↑ Johnson, Becky (September 28, 2024). "'Complete devastation': Canton ravaged by the worst flood yet". The Mountaineer .
  27. ↑ Greenville - Spartanburg, National Weather Service (September 28, 2024). "Here are the rainfall totals starting at 8 AM EDT Tuesday, September 24th through 8 AM Saturday, September 28th, following Hurricane Helene's departure". X (Twitter) .
  28. ↑ Dean, Korie (September 28, 2024). "Some western NC universities to close doors for at least a week due to Helene rampage". The News & Observer. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  29. ↑ https://x.com/tymetwx/status/1840038786077446615
  30. ↑ Jackson, Drew; Marusak, Joe; Quillin, Martha; Oehrli, Ryan (September 28, 2024). "Devastating Helene: 400 roads closed in Western NC, 200 people rescued from floods". The News & Observer .
  31. ↑ Faheid, Dalia; Watson, Michelle (September 28, 2024). "Over 50 dead as Helene unleashes life-threatening flooding". CNN. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  32. 1 2 Various National Weather Service offices (2024). "Damage Assessment Toolkit" (Interactive map and database). DAT. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
  33. ↑ Moore, Mary Helen; Wagner, Adam (September 27, 2024). "4 critically hurt after tornado associated with Helene hits Eastern NC city". The News & Observer. Archived from the original on September 28, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  34. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Sutton, Joe; Wolfe, Elizabeth; Faheid, Dalia; Gilbert, Mary; Rose, Andy (October 2, 2024). "Relief efforts continue after Hurricane Helene kills at least 180". CNN. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  35. ↑ Raby, John (September 27, 2024). "Curfew issued in western North Carolina community hit hard by Helene". AP News. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  36. ↑ Hurricane Helene Recap: Catastrophic Surge, Inland Flooding From Florida To The Appalachians, The Weather Channel, September 27, 2024
  37. ↑ "Asheville's historic Biltmore Village submerged in water after Hurricane Helene". NBC News. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  38. ↑ Verduzco, Erik; Loller, Travis; Walker, George IV (September 28, 2024). "Asheville has been isolated after Helene wrecked roads and knocked out power and cell service". WPLG. Associated Press. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  39. ↑ Tropical Storm Helene: "Flash flood emergency" explained, Axios, September 27, 2024
  40. ↑ Lyons, Pat (September 27, 2024). "Helene Live Updates: 20 Dead as Destruction Spreads Across Southeast". The New York Times. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  41. ↑ Asheville has been isolated after Helene wrecked roads and knocked out power and cell service AP
  42. ↑ King, Kimberly (September 29, 2024). "Swannanoa community devastated by flood damage after Hurricane Helene". WLOS. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  43. ↑ "'Completely and entirely erased': How Helene swallowed one mountain town". Washington Post. September 29, 2024. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  44. ↑ Johnson, Becky (September 28, 2024). "'Complete devastation': Canton ravaged by the worst flood yet". The Mountaineer .
  45. ↑ Long, Aarik (September 28, 2024). "New site in the cards for Pisgah stadium?". The Mountaineer.
  46. ↑ Hyatt, Vicki (October 9, 2024). "Mill sale in limbo due to storm: Pactiv Evergreen sues prospective buyer". The Mountaineer.
  47. ↑ Long, Aarik; Johnson, Becky (September 28, 2024). "Flooding washes out bridges and roads in Cruso and Bethel". The Mountaineer.
  48. ↑ Long, Aarik (September 28, 2024). "Picking up the pieces after flooding swamps livelihoods in Frog Level and Hazelwood". The Mountaineer.
  49. ↑ Ross, Kathy (October 1, 2024). "Flooding in Maggie Valley swamps businesses on creek-side of town, leaves valley without water". The Mountaineer.
  50. ↑ https://wlos.com/news/local/old-fort-residents-struggle-with-recovery-after-hurricane-helenes-devastation-hope-restoration-flood-wesleyan-church
  51. ↑ Journal, CONNOR MCNEELY Winston-Salem (October 7, 2024). "'Now it's all gone.' Old Fort faces future after Hurricane Helene leaves part of town in ruins". McDowell News. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
  52. ↑ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
  53. ↑ nconley@mcdowellnews.com, MIKE CONLEY (October 11, 2024). "Old Fort Elementary students headed to PG as flooded school undergoes repairs". McDowell News. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
  54. ↑ "Emergency traffic allowed up I-40 Old Fort mountain, crews clear massive slide". Queen City News. October 1, 2024. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
  55. ↑ Brumfiel, Geoff; Neuman, Scott; Domonoske, Camila (October 1, 2024). "A tiny town just got slammed by Helene. It could massively disrupt the tech industry". NPR. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  56. 1 2 Quillin, Martha (September 29, 2024). "'There's just nothing left.' Helene wipes out Chimney Rock's Main Street". The News and Observer. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  57. ↑ Overton, Rodney (September 29, 2024). "'Damage is unimaginable' in Chimney Rock after images show half of village wiped out". 7NEWS WSPA. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  58. ↑ "See photos, videos of flooding and damage in Chimney Rock, Lake Lure, NC". The Asheville Citizen Times. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  59. 1 2 "North Carolina residents evacuated after dam 'compromised' by Hurricane Helene floods". The Independent. September 29, 2024. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  60. ↑ Barker, Aaron (September 27, 2024). "North Carolina dam failure imminent: People near Lake Lure urged to seek higher ground amid Helene's flooding". FOX Weather. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  61. ↑ "North Carolina dam overtopped is not expected to fail, officials say". AP News. September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  62. 1 2 3 Moore, Hannah (September 27, 2024). "Downtown Newport ordered to evacuate after Waterville Dam fails". WREG. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  63. 1 2 Lewis, Kaitlin (September 27, 2024). "Tennessee's Waterville Dam suffers "catastrophic failure": What we know". Newsweek. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  64. 1 2 "'State of Emergency' || Downtown Newport being evacuated after 'catastrophic failure' of dam in Waterville, NC; Flash Flood Emergency issued". wbir.com. September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  65. ↑ "Pigeon River at Newport". NOAA. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  66. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Watson, Michelle; Wolfe, Elizabeth; Sutton, Joe; Ebrahimji, Alisha; Zerkel, Eric; Rose, Andy; Riess, Rebekah; Romine, Taylor; Almasy, Steve; Tucker, Emma; Balarajan, Brammhi (October 1, 2024). "Live updates: Desperation grows to find unaccounted for in wake of Helene". CNN. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  67. ↑ Andersen, Eva; Sylves, Nate (September 30, 2024). "Philadelphia Girard College students still sheltering in place on North Carolina mountain after Helene - CBS Philadelphia". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  68. ↑ Habeshian, Sareen. "Mules deliver aid to N.C. as major roads remain impassable after Helene". Axios.
  69. ↑ "Inside the grassroots efforts to fly supplies into NC's disaster zones and get people out". wcnc.com. September 30, 2024. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  70. ↑ "Volunteers in Hickory use their helicopters to fly supplies to Helene victims". Yahoo News. September 30, 2024. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  71. ↑ "Southerners stay in touch the old-fashioned way after Helene cuts roads, power, phones". AP News. October 2, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  72. ↑ Wolfe, Poet (October 2, 2024). "Mandeville shelter rescues dozens of cats, dogs after Hurricane Helene ravaged North Carolina". NOLA.com. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  73. ↑ Uliano, Dick (October 2, 2024). "Rescued pets out of states hit by Hurricane Helene arrive in Northern Virginia". INSIDENOVA. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  74. ↑ Jones, Shawanda (October 3, 2024). "St Francis Animal Sanctuary rescues animals from North Carolina after Hurricane Helene". WDSU. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  75. ↑ Winkelmann, Sarah (October 2, 2024). "Team sent to save animals in western North Carolina". Fox 8. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  76. ↑ Photojournalist, Bill Evans (October 3, 2024). "North Carolina zoos help WNC Nature Center clean up Helene mess". WLOS. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  77. ↑ "Helene disrupts yellow jacket, bee nests in North Carolina, prompting massive Benadryl, EpiPen requests - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. October 4, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  78. 1 2 3 Torrella, Kenny (October 1, 2024). "Helene just pummeled America's chicken farming capital". Vox. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  79. ↑ Kokai, Mitch (October 4, 2024). "Hurricane Helene Could Alter North Carolina's Political Landscape". The Dispatch. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  80. ↑ "Snow could fall on North Carolina's 'forgotten' mountain towns after Hurricane Helene". AccuWeather. October 15, 2024. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  81. 1 2 Stradling, Richard (October 2, 2024). "NCDOT: Full extent of road damage in Western NC not yet known. Here's current info". The News and Observer. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  82. ↑ "North Carolina live updates: Buncombe deaths rise by 4, bring state to at least 73 dead". The Asheville Citizen Times. October 2, 2024.
  83. ↑ Soule, Douglas (October 4, 2024). "Great Smoky Mountains National Park still closed after Tropical Storm Helene?". Asheville Citizen-Times.
  84. 1 2 Hofmann, Will (October 3, 2024). "'We don't want you here': NC Gov. Cooper to fall color tourists after historic floods". Asheville Citizen-Times.
  85. ↑ Johnson, Becky (October 12, 2024). "Revised tourism message still casts cloud over Haywood, merchants say". The Mountaineer.
  86. ↑ Scott, James (October 15, 2024). "Blowing Rock Businesses Suffer After Helene". WCCB .
  87. ↑ McNaught, Shannon (November 1, 2024). "Bue Ridge Parkway section reopens near Asheville, visitors can reach Graveyard Fields". Asheville Citizen-Times.
  88. 1 2 Morgen, Sam (November 18, 2024). "Asheville could see crippling 70% decline in tourism after Helene, agency predicts". Asheville Citizen-Times.
  89. ↑ Hofmann, Will (October 31, 2024). "Tourism marketing resumes amid worries". Asheville Citizen-Times.
  90. 1 2 Ellfeldt, Avery; Frank, Thomas (October 2, 2024). "The next disaster: Few in Helene's wake are insured for flood damage". Politico. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  91. 1 2 Crowe, Kevin; Osaka, Shannon; Muyskens, John (October 13, 2024). "FEMA maps missed parts of North Carolina devastated by Hurricane Helene, Post analysis shows". Washington Post.
  92. ↑ Johncox, Cassidy; Graeter, Kelsey (October 4, 2024). "North Carolina lt. gov. makes misleading comments about Helene response efforts". WBTV. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  93. ↑ Woodward, Garret K. (October 27, 2024). "Eric Church and Luke Combs Sing 'Carolina' Together for First Time at Massive Benefit Concert". Rolling Stone . Retrieved November 8, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.