Current:Home > MarketsDrone video captures Helene's devastation in Asheville, North Carolina -Elevate Capital Network
Drone video captures Helene's devastation in Asheville, North Carolina
View
Date:2025-04-16 07:42:16
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! (19492)
Related
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- Two teenage boys shot and killed leaving Chicago school
- Vince McMahon resigns from WWE after allegations of sexual assault
- 'Come and Get It': This fictional account of college has plenty of truth baked in
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Soccer-mad Italy is now obsessed with tennis player Jannik Sinner after his Australian Open title
- Zebras, camels and flames, oh my! Circus animals rescued after truck catches fire on Indiana highway
- Fake George Carlin comedy special purportedly made with AI prompts lawsuit from his estate
- Louisiana high court temporarily removes Judge Eboni Johnson Rose from Baton Rouge bench amid probe
- Greyhound stations were once a big part of America. Now, many of them are being shut
Ranking
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- Two teenage boys shot and killed leaving Chicago school
- Why Joel Embiid missed fourth consecutive game at Denver following late scratch
- Is Amazon a threat to the movie industry? This Hollywood director thinks so.
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- Maine man dies after rescuing 4-year-old son when both fall through ice at pond
- NBA commissioner Adam Silver reaches long-term deal to remain in role through end of decade
- A COVID-era program is awash in fraud. Ending it could help Congress expand the child tax credit
Recommendation
Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen talks inflation and Candy Crush
12 most creative Taylor Swift signs seen at NFL games
US condemns ban on Venezuelan opposition leader’s candidacy and puts sanctions relief under review
Residents in Alaska capital clean up swamped homes after an ice dam burst and unleashed a flood
Royal Rumble winner Cody Rhodes agrees that Vince McMahon lawsuit casts 'dark cloud' over WWE
A prison art show at Lincoln's Cottage critiques presidents' penal law past
Former NBA All-Star DeMarcus 'Boogie' Cousins spotted making bubble tea for fans in Taiwan