In North Carolina, a devastating toll has emerged in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, with at least 30 confirmed fatalities and many individuals still missing in one county alone. The storm’s path of destruction became increasingly evident after it ravaged Florida and Georgia, with Buncombe County suffering immense damage.
Ryan Cole, a local emergency official, expressed the magnitude of the disaster, stating, “We have biblical devastation. This is the most significant natural disaster that any one of us has ever seen.” The nationwide death toll has reached at least 116 since Helene’s landfall in Florida, as reported by CBS, a partner of BBC in the US. This number is expected to climb as more affected areas are assessed.
Originating as a record-breaking hurricane in Florida’s Big Bend, Helene advanced into Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee. The Carolinas have reported the majority of the fatalities, following Helene’s downgrade to a tropical storm. By Sunday evening, it was reported that 30 lives were lost in Buncombe County, where ongoing efforts are made to restore power, establish mobile services, clear downed trees, and reopen roads.
Residents faced the heartbreaking reality of finding their homes completely obliterated. With around 1,000 people still missing in the county, families are desperately trying to reconnect amidst communication challenges. Governor Roy Cooper highlighted the unprecedented scale of the disaster, saying, “This storm has brought catastrophic devastation… of historic proportions.”
To aid those displaced, the American Red Cross has set up over 140 shelters in the southeast, currently housing more than 2,000 evacuees. Erin Quevedo, a local business owner, shared her harrowing experience with The Asheville Citizen Times, revealing the severe damage to her salon. “The salon was completely destroyed. It looks like the water came up to about five feet inside,” she recounted. “Right now, all we’re doing is we’re trying to salvage what we can.”
Efforts to deliver essential supplies to isolated areas are underway, with the National Guard playing a crucial role in rescue operations. Major General Todd Hunt reported over 119 rescues, including an infant, with the largest single rescue involving 41 individuals near Asheville.
The aftermath has also seen widespread closures of petrol stations and supermarkets, leading to significant queues and shortages. The financial impact of Helene is estimated to be between $95bn and $110bn. The quest for survivors continues, and federal emergencies have been declared across six states.
President Joe Biden commented on the overwhelming devastation, following a briefing from FEMA’s Deanne Criswell. He emphasized the urgency of supporting storm survivors and the deployment of additional teams to North Carolina.
The political implications of the disaster are also being noted, with both Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump planning visits to the affected regions. Despite Helene weakening, the threat of continued adverse weather conditions persists. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted a potentially active storm season, warning of more hurricanes before the season ends on November 30.
