Tropical Storm Helene struck Western North Carolina on September 27, 2024, leaving more than 200 fatalities including 108 in North Carolina. Rainfall totals reached as high as 30.78 inches, with significant river crests causing extensive flooding. Approximately 80,000 customers remain without power, as over 1,100 National Guard members aid recovery efforts.
It has been a week since Tropical Storm Helene wreaked havoc across Western North Carolina, leaving behind a trail of destruction and sorrow. The storm made landfall on September 26 as a Category 4 hurricane in Perry, Florida, before it was downgraded to a tropical storm as it moved inland. Upon reaching the Carolinas on September 27, it unleashed substantial rainfall, exacerbating the situation in a region already saturated from preceding storms. The aftermath of Helene has resulted in significant fatalities, with over 200 lives lost as of October 3. Specifically, North Carolina has suffered the most fatalities with 108 reported deaths, followed by South Carolina with 41, Georgia at 33, Florida with 19, Tennessee with 11, and Virginia with 2, bringing the total to 214. Additionally, there remain hundreds of individuals unaccounted for in Western North Carolina. Rainfall measurements from various locations illustrate the storm’s intensity, with Yancey County’s Busick receiving the highest accumulation of 30.78 inches between September 24 and September 28. Other notable totals include 24.12 inches in Spruce Pine and 21.96 inches in Hendersonville, amongst others. The wind gusts were powerful, recorded at 106 mph on Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi, while Asheville experienced gusts of 46 mph. The storm also caused rivers to crest beyond major flood stages, significantly impacting local communities. The French Broad River in Fletcher peaked at 30.31 feet and reached 24.67 feet in Asheville, marking unprecedented levels of flooding. As of Friday morning, approximately 80,000 customers remain without power in Buncombe County. The National Guard has activated more than 1,100 personnel to aid in relief efforts, equipped with nearly 400 vehicles, including 26 aircraft. President Biden has committed further support by dispatching an additional 1,000 troops to assist with recovery initiatives. In terms of its mortality impact, Helene is now recognized as one of the deadliest hurricanes to hit the U.S., ranking fifth since 1950 with 214 confirmed deaths, making it the deadliest since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Tropical Storm Helene struck Western North Carolina on September 27, 2024, following its transformation from a Category 4 hurricane that made landfall in Florida. The storm compounded previous rainfall issues, resulting in severe flooding and significant infrastructural damage throughout the region. Local authorities are grappling with recovery efforts as they cope with a rising death toll and extensive power outages as well as the deployment of the National Guard to assist affected communities.
In conclusion, Tropical Storm Helene’s devastation in Western North Carolina underscores the severe impact of natural disasters on local populations. With rain accumulation reaching nearly 31 inches in some areas and death tolls surpassing 200, the region faces a long recovery ahead. Emergency response efforts, including National Guard deployment, are ongoing as communities work to rebuild and support those affected by the storm.
Original Source: www.citizen-times.com
