Hurricane Helene has caused significant devastation in North Carolina’s River Arts District, particularly in Asheville, where flooding has led to severe destruction.
Despite being downgraded to a tropical depression, Helene continued to unleash heavy rain and strong winds. The French Broad River reached an alarming record height of 25 feet, resulting in widespread flooding that swept away homes and submerged streets. Residents described the area as resembling an “ocean,” with dramatic footage capturing the extent of the inundation.
The storm’s impact extended beyond Asheville, affecting a wide swath of the southeastern U.S. Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, leading to at least 40 fatalities across multiple states, including one confirmed death in North Carolina. The storm initially caused catastrophic conditions in Florida, with wind gusts reaching 140 mph and extensive power outages affecting over two million households.
As of Friday night, approximately 800,000 customers in North Carolina were without electricity, particularly in the western regions. The Asheville Police Department implemented a curfew to ensure public safety amid ongoing flooding and hazardous conditions. Emergency services have been stretched thin as they respond to rescue requests and assess damage throughout the affected areas.
Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant as heavy rainfall is expected to continue, potentially leading to further flooding. Local officials have warned that this could be one of the most significant weather events in recent history for the region.
