Tropical Storm Helene struck Western North Carolina with devastating rainfall and flooding after making landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Florida. Over 200 fatalities have been reported, with record rainfalls including 30.78 inches in Yancey County and river crests exceeding major flood stages. Recovery efforts are ongoing, with significant power outages and National Guard deployments in response to the disaster.
Tropical Storm Helene wrought significant devastation upon Western North Carolina following its landfall as a Category 4 hurricane on September 26, 2024, in Florida. Upon reaching the Carolinas, Helene transitioned into a tropical storm but still delivered relentless rainfall to an already saturated region. Communities were inundated with record rainfall, with Busick in Yancey County receiving the most at an astonishing 30.78 inches over the period of September 24 to September 28. Other areas also reported substantial accumulations: Spruce Pine recorded 24.12 inches, Hendersonville 21.96 inches, and Candler 16.18 inches. The floodwaters from various rivers surged dramatically, with the French Broad River in Fletcher cresting at 30.31 feet—over ten feet above its flood stage. In Asheville, this river reached 24.67 feet, surpassing its previous recorded highest level. The Swannanoa River in Biltmore also observed significant flooding, peaking at 26.1 feet. The aftermath of the storm has been tragic, with a preliminary death toll of over 200 individuals reported on October 3. North Carolina alone is noted to have suffered 108 fatalities, contributing to a total of 214 deaths across several states, including substantial losses in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia. Additionally, many individuals remain unaccounted for in Western North Carolina as recovery efforts continue. Power outages impacted approximately 600,000 customers in the region, with Buncombe County accounting for nearly 80,000 of these disruptions. National Guard personnel have been deployed across 16 states, with more than 1,100 members actively assisting in North Carolina, utilizing close to 400 vehicles, including 26 aircraft. This catastrophic hurricane is now deemed the fifth deadliest to strike the U.S. mainland since 1950, only surpassed by storms such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which held the record for the most fatalities. The statistics surrounding Helene emphasize the severe repercussions it has had on the community and the urgency for comprehensive recovery efforts.
Hurricane Helene emerged as one of the most devastating storms to impact the Carolinas in recent history, making landfall as a powerful Category 4 hurricane before transitioning to a tropical storm. The storm’s trajectory led it through Western North Carolina, an area that had already been experiencing considerable rain. The ensuing rainfall and flooding resulted in widespread destruction, fatalities, and a state of emergency in many localities. Reports indicated high wind gusts and record-breaking river crests, highlighting the storm’s impact on infrastructure and casualties during and after the event.
In summary, Tropical Storm Helene has left a profound impact on Western North Carolina, resulting in severe flooding, significant property damage, and tragically, a considerable loss of life. The storm’s record rainfall and river crests have necessitated an extensive response effort, including the deployment of National Guard troops and emergency services to aid in recovery. As communities rally to rebuild and heal, the statistics reflect the dire nature of this climatic event, marking it as a pivotal moment in the region’s history.
Original Source: www.citizen-times.com
