Current:Home > StocksDrone video captures Helene's devastation in Asheville, North Carolina -Ascend Wealth Education
Drone video captures Helene's devastation in Asheville, North Carolina
View
Date:2025-04-12 02:59:48
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! (28816)
Related
- Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
- Michigan man’s court video about driving offense went viral. Now he’s in trouble again.
- Hunter Biden's ex-wife Kathleen Buhle testifies about his drug use in federal gun trial
- Atlanta mayor pledges to aid businesses harmed by water outages as he looks to upgrade system
- Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
- UN agency predicts that 1.5-degree Celsius target limit likely to be surpassed by 2028
- Woman fatally stabbed 3-year-old within seconds after following family from store, police say
- How Kallie and Spencer Wright Are Coping Days After 3-Year-Old Son Levi's Death
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Taylor Swift Defends Lady Gaga From Invasive & Irresponsible Body Comments
Ranking
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- LA28 organizers choose former US military leader Reynold Hoover as CEO
- Biden will praise men like his uncles when he commemorates the 80th anniversary of D-Day in France
- Tom Sandoval Is Headed to The Traitors: Meet the Insanely Star-Studded Season 3 Cast
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- A Colorado woman who was handcuffed in a police car hit by a train receives an $8.5M settlement
- 3 newborn babies abandoned in London over 7 years are all related, court reveals
- Heartbreak, anger and many questions follow University of the Arts’ abrupt decision to close
Recommendation
IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
Federal officials make arrest in alleged NBA betting scheme involving Jontay Porter
Proof Emily in Paris Season 4 Is Already Shaping Up to be Très Magnifique
Gabby Petito’s Family Share the “Realization” They Came to Nearly 3 Years After Her Death
The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
Pro athletes understand gambling on their games is a non-negotiable no-no. Some learned the hard way
Environmental groups take first step to sue oil refinery for pollution violations
Wisconsin warden jailed hours before news conference on prison death investigations