ASHEVILLE, N.C. − Rescue efforts have been underway in western North Carolina as crews try to reach residents stranded by washed-out roads and lacking basic utilities, following the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene and its aftermath.

The hurricane has claimed over 100 lives across several states including North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia, with the toll likely to increase as rescue activities continue. North Carolina was the most affected state, and President Joe Biden is expected to visit on Wednesday to survey the damage from the air.

“As we initiate another day of storm rescue and relief operations, we express our sincere gratitude to all first responders dedicated to saving lives,” stated the state emergency management team on social media, while adding, “Please stay safe.”

Jannette Montenegro was seen cleaning out her historical site, Cotton Mill Studios, which was heavily mud-soaked, as floodwaters receded in Asheville’s River Arts District.

“We tried to salvage as much as we could, but this level of flooding was unexpected,” she remarked.

Updates:

∎ Approximately 1.5 million homes and businesses in Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia were without power early Thursday morning.

∎ In Buncombe County, North Carolina, where Asheville is located, 40 fatalities have been confirmed thus far. Reports indicated that the nationwide death toll from Helene has reached at least 133.

Mountainous terrain and heavy rain led to disastrous flooding.

Forecasters had predicted that Hurricane Helene could be a “once-in-a-generation” event for parts of the Appalachian region, and unfortunately, their predictions were confirmed. The rainfall from Helene was already significant enough to cause flooding, but it was worsened by a weather system that had stalled over the Appalachians before the arrival of then-Tropical Storm Helene, according to David Easterling, a rain specialist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Asheville, North Carolina.

The mountainous landscape intensified the rainfall in some areas, as the elevation helps enhance precipitation during thunderstorms, explained Easterling. Powerful winds downed trees and power lines, and caused mudslides and landslides, knocking out utility poles across the region.

“A mudslide could leave you with 5 to 10 feet of mud,” he stated. “It’s impossible to predict the extent of loss of life resulting from this disaster.” Read more here.

− Doyle Rice and Dinah Voyles

The hopeful revival of a town wrecked by Helene

MARSHALL, N.C. – Once a thriving Appalachian community with bustling department stores, Marshall saw better days before many of its buildings fell into disrepair. In recent times, however, it had begun to flourish again with a surge of art, culture, and dining options. The town transformed an old jail into a charming hotel and restaurant. Tragically, Hurricane Helene has left the downtown area in ruins: Streets are coated in thick mud, with debris scattered everywhere, twisted train tracks, and flipped vehicles.

Residents of Marshall, like those across Western North Carolina, are grappling with the storm’s aftermath just days later. They struggle to find essentials without electricity or phone service, all while National Guard helicopters survey the landscape overhead.

“It’s a tragedy,” lamented Keaton Griffin, who was clearing mud and debris into a wheelbarrow. Read more here.

− Chris Kenning

Asheville, a sanctuary of healing, now shrouded in devastation

Taylor Houchens came to Asheville four years ago seeking healing, drawn to the mountains, forests, and lakes that promise relaxation and renewal. This North Carolina city has become a haven for a thriving wellness community, featuring a mix of mental health professionals, holistic coaches, and various healers.

Now, after Hurricane Helene, that community faces significant challenges — and Houchens feels uncertain about the path forward.

“It’s devastation. It’s apocalyptic. It’s tragic,” Houchens, who focuses on trauma therapy, expressed during a phone call while driving to stay with family in Savannah, Georgia. Read more here.

− Charles Trepany