Lost Lives and an Epic Crisis in North Carolina
Scenes of devastation in the western part of the state, where the traces of Hurricane Helene destroyed some communities and stranded others.
In Photos and Video
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The remnants of Hurricane Helene unleashed catastrophic floods and mudslides in North Carolina that destroyed or decimated many communities.
With roads, power lines, cellphone towers and water treatment plants damaged throughout the region, thousands of people found themselves cut off from or with little access to food, water, electricity, gasoline or phone service.
As state and federal agencies rushed to deliver supplies, other teams fanned out to search for hundreds of people still missing.
At least 104 storm-related deaths were reported in the state as of Thursday, part of Helene’s trail of destruction that began last week on Florida’s Gulf Coast and tore through the Southeast, claiming at least 209 lives. Gov. Roy Cooper called the crisis an “unprecedented tragedy.”
The full scale of devastation in North Carolina was still emerging the following week.
Thursday, Oct. 3
Vehicles destroyed in the storm were stuck in mud in Swannanoa.
A thick layer of mud was removed in Biltmore Village in Asheville.
Floodwaters had not fully receded in Swannanoa.
Cleanup efforts were still underway in Swannanoa.
Wednesday, Oct. 2
Floodwaters damaged buildings and roads in the Biltmore Village in Asheville.
Volunteers distributed donated supplies at the Jukebox Junction Restaurant and Soda Shoppe in Canton.
Marine One, with President Joe Biden on board, flew over western North Carolina.
Volunteers filled up water jugs for local residents in Pack Square Park in Asheville.
Destroyed belongings discarded in front of homes in Clyde.
In Montreat, Lindy Cannon, 88, needed medical attention for an infection in his knee.
Cruso Fire and Rescue volunteers drove to a wellness check near the community.
Piles of debris in Old Fort.
A thick layer of mud lined the floor of a home in Swannanoa.
Tuesday, Oct. 1
Bob Stansell, right, cleared debris from the front of his damaged home in Canton.
In Canton, Nancy O’Neil tried to salvage items from a friend’s basement.
People waited in long lines to get gas in Canton.
Roger King in front of his home in Canton.
In Black Mountain, residents collected water from the local swimming pool to use in the bath and flush their toilets.
Clothing covered in mud hung to dry outside a home in Canton.
A message board lists the names of missing people in the community of Cruso.
Monday, Sept. 30
Sgt. Joshua Veridal searching inside a recreation center near the Lake Craig dam in Asheville.
Flooding along the River Arts District, where the French Broad River overflowed in Asheville.
Search-and-rescue crews taking a cadaver dog to assess the Lake Craig dam area in Asheville.
Repairing damaged power lines in the River Arts District in Asheville.
People standing in line for water in Asheville.
A saw operator working to clear downed trees and power lines near Bat Cave.
Tammy Selvig gathering supplies at the Bat Cave volunteer firefighter station.
The cleanup process has begun in the unincorporated community of Bat Cave.
Searching for survivors in Asheville.
Washed-out roads where the Lake Craig Dam collapsed in Asheville.
Sunday, Sept. 29
Residents receive supplies in Swannanoa.
Marshall, a town of about 800 people, was devastated by flooding from the storm.
Annie Meadows spoke about her uncle, Bruce Tipton, who was swept away by floodwaters in Marshall.
Floodwaters ripped up blacktop on a main road in Asheville.
Assessing the damage in Marshall.
Mal’s, a bar in Marshall, was severely damaged by flooding.
A shipping container teetered on a damaged bridge over the Swannanoa River in Asheville.
Bibles scattered across Marshall Presbyterian Church.
Arguments broke out at the gas pump as people waited to buy fuel in the Biltmore area outside Asheville.
Saturday, Sept. 28
The cleanup was beginning in Swannanoa.
Asheville’s arts district was inundated.
Powerful floods caused extensive damage in Swannanoa.
Pieces of wood and tree branches, much of it dragged from the village of Chimney Rock, piled up by a bridge.
Flood damage inside a building in the Biltmore Village, a district in Asheville known for its restaurants and shops.
Floodwaters consumed buildings in Asheville.
Friday, Sept. 27
A damaged road in Swannanoa.
Flooded roads on the outskirts of Boone.
Severe flooding in Swannanoa.
A portion of Highway 105 that washed away on the outskirts of Boone.
Gushing floodwaters swept away a home in Madison County.
Flooding ravaged many sections of Asheville.
More on Helene’s Aftermath
Insurance Rates Become Hot Election Issue: Few states elect their insurance commissioners. But in North Carolina, a proposed 42% rate hike and Hurricane Helene have raised the stakes in the upcoming election.
Misinformation Hampers Recovery: In North Carolina and other states, a barrage of conspiracy theories and false claims over efforts to bring relief after Hurricane Helene is alarming and disheartening officials and workers.
Upended Election Plans: With 13 counties devastated by flooding, North Carolina is trying to make sure that residents can still vote. Candidates have been forced to abandon door-knocking and phone banks.
Climate Change’s Effects: In cooler times, a similarly rare storm over the Southeast would have delivered less rain and weaker winds, a team of scientists concluded in an analysis.
How to Get Disaster Relief: Experts offered plenty of advice about ways to make the disaster-recovery process work, including getting what you deserve from insurers or FEMA. Here’s what to do and what to avoid.
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