Current:Home > MyDrone video captures Helene's devastation in Asheville, North Carolina -Wealthify
Drone video captures Helene's devastation in Asheville, North Carolina
View
Date:2025-04-27 18:20:01
Severe weather and historic flooding brought by Hurricane Helene killed at least 100 people across the Southeast including in Asheville, North Carolina where residents are scrambling to find resources amid gas and water shortages.
Since the system's landfall in Florida's Big Bend area late Thursday, hundreds of water rescues have occurred across the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia. Power outages left over 2 million homes and businesses in the dark as of Monday.
In Asheville, torrential rain destroyed vehicles and homes while leaving roads submerged. At least 35 people died in Buncombe County, which encompasses Asheville, though the death toll is expected to rise, the sheriff said Monday. Officials have also received about 600 missing persons reports, though many are presumably due to communication blackouts.
Helene has also severely damaged the city's water system, Asheville officials said in a statement Saturday.
"Extensive repairs are required to treatment facilities, underground and aboveground water pipes, and to roads that have washed away which are preventing water personnel from accessing parts of the system," the City of Asheville said in the statement.
Watch drone footage of flooding in Asheville, North Carolina
Estimates: Helene caused between $15 billion and $100 billion damage
Insurers and forecasters have projected that catastrophic damage caused by Helene is somewhere between $15 billion and $100 billion.
"We have biblical devastation through the county," Buncombe County Emergency Services Assistant Director Ryan Cole said. "We’ve had biblical flooding here."
President Joe Biden has sent Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell to remain on the ground in Asheville "until the situation has stabilized," the agency said Monday.
"We'll continue to serve resources including food, water, communications, and lifesaving equipment will be there," Biden said. "I mean it − as long as it takes to finish this job."
FEMA said 10 federal search and rescue teams were in the region Monday and more nine teams were on the way totaling 900 active personnel. The agency will also bring essentials on the ground including 25 trailer-loads of meals, 60 trailer-loads of waters, and C-17 cargo plane full of food and water. The agency is also utilizing Starlink satellites to enhance responder communications and has 18 helicopters on standby to bring more needed resources.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has also brought more than 500 National Guard soldiers and airmen as well as over 200 vehicles and aircraft to save lives in the affected areas.
veryGood! (82)
Related
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- Water as Part of the Climate Solution
- As Flooding Increases, Chicago Looks To Make Basement Housing Safer
- Illinois Clean Energy Law’s Failed Promises: No New Jobs or Job-Training
- Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
- Shocked by those extra monthly apartment fees? 3 big rental sites plan to reveal them
- Taco John's has given up its 'Taco Tuesday' trademark after a battle with Taco Bell
- The EPA Is Helping School Districts Purchase Clean-Energy School Buses, But Some Districts Have Been Blocked From Participating
- All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
- People and pets seek shade and cool as Europe sizzles under a heat wave
Ranking
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Score This Sweat-Wicking Sports Bra With 25,700+ 5-Star Reviews For $17 on Amazon Prime Day 2023
- Amazon Prime Day 2023 Deals That Make Great Holiday Gifts: Apple, Beats, Kindle, Drybar & More
- Cory Wharton's Baby Girl Struggles to Breathe in Gut-Wrenching Teen Mom Preview
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
- TikTok’s Favorite Oil-Absorbing Face Roller Is Only $8 for Amazon Prime Day 2023
- Shop Amazon Prime Day 2023 Deals on Ninja Air Fryers, Blenders, Grills, Toaster Ovens, and More
- “Strong and Well” Jamie Foxx Helps Return Fan’s Lost Purse During Outing in Chicago
Recommendation
Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
The IRS will stop making most unannounced visits to taxpayers' homes and businesses
Illinois Clean Energy Law’s Failed Promises: No New Jobs or Job-Training
Score This Sweat-Wicking Sports Bra With 25,700+ 5-Star Reviews For $17 on Amazon Prime Day 2023
Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
West Baltimore Residents, Students Have Mixed Feelings About Water Quality After E. Coli Contamination
Mosquitoes spread malaria. These researchers want them to fight it instead
A New Shell Plant in Pennsylvania Will ‘Just Run and Run’ Producing the Raw Materials for Single-Use Plastics