Current:Home > ScamsDrone video captures Helene's devastation in Asheville, North Carolina -Thrive Financial Network
Drone video captures Helene's devastation in Asheville, North Carolina
EchoSense View
Date:2025-04-11 01:49:42
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! (9)
Related
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- The Fate of Thousands of US Dams Hangs in the Balance, Leaving Rural Communities With Hard Choices
- CEO of hospital operator facing Senate scrutiny will step down following contempt resolution
- Chicago White Sox lose record-breaking 121st game, 4-1 to playoff-bound Detroit Tigers
- Trump's 'stop
- Asheville has been largely cut off after Helene wrecked roads and knocked out power and cell service
- Tips to prevent oversharing information about your kids online: Watch
- SpaceX launches rescue mission for 2 NASA astronauts who are stuck in space until next year
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- Why 'My Old Ass' is the 'holy grail' of coming-of-age movies
Ranking
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- As political scandal grips NYC, a fictional press conference puzzles some New Yorkers
- Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton Introduce Adorable New Family Member With Touching Story
- Vance exuded calm during a tense debate stage moment. Can he keep it up when he faces Walz?
- Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
- Joliet, Illinois, Plans to Source Its Future Drinking Water From Lake Michigan. Will Other Cities Follow?
- What is heirs' property? A new movement to reclaim land lost to history
- Joliet, Illinois, Plans to Source Its Future Drinking Water From Lake Michigan. Will Other Cities Follow?
Recommendation
Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
AI Is Everywhere Now—and It’s Sucking Up a Lot of Water
Suspect killed and 2 Georgia officers wounded in shooting during suspected gun store burglary
How Tigers turned around season to secure first postseason berth since 2014
Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
Apalachee football team plays first game since losing coach in deadly school shooting
Wisconsin Supreme Court says Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s name will remain on swing state’s ballot
A rare condor hatched and raised by foster parents in captivity will soon get to live wild