Aerial footage captures the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Helene on Asheville, North Carolina, with at least 200 people across the Southeast reported dead since it made landfall on September 27th. Almost one million homes and businesses are without power in the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia, and Virginia, with thousands also lacking running water in western North Carolina. Helene is the fourth deadliest hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland since 1950 and the deadliest since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The death toll in Buncombe County, which includes Asheville, has risen to 72, with a total of 108 deaths reported across North Carolina.
Buncombe County officials are providing ready-to-eat meals and bottled water to residents, with daily limits of two meal packages per adult and one per child. There are also distribution sites for water for flushing toilets on specific days. President Joe Biden flew over Asheville to witness the destruction and also visited Greenville, South Carolina. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has allocated over $6.2 million for North Carolina victims, with the Biden administration pledging more than $20 million to assist Helene survivors in the Southeast. The North Carolina National Guard has delivered over 100,000 pounds of food and 38,000 pounds of water to Asheville.
Insurers and forecasters estimate that the damage caused by Hurricane Helene could range from $15 billion to $100 billion across the region. Various organizations are accepting donations for relief efforts, providing support to those affected by the storm. Residents in Asheville and surrounding areas are facing significant challenges as they work to recover from the devastating impact of the hurricane. The community is coming together to provide aid and resources to those in need, with government agencies and relief organizations working to address the widespread damage caused by the storm. The extent of the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene serves as a stark reminder of the power of natural disasters and the importance of preparation and response efforts in mitigating their impact.
