Current:Home > NewsDrone video captures Helene's devastation in Asheville, North Carolina -TradeGrid
Drone video captures Helene's devastation in Asheville, North Carolina
View
Date:2025-04-14 03:10:34
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! (7388)
Related
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- Kentucky authorities still hunting suspect in I-75 shooting that injured 5
- North Carolina’s public universities cut 59 positions as part of a massive DEI overhaul this summer
- Black rights activists convicted of conspiracy, not guilty of acting as Russian agents
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Firefighters hope cooler weather will aid their battle against 3 major Southern California fires
- Linkin Park's new singer Emily Armstrong explodes in Los Angeles concert tour kickoff
- 1-Day Deal: Get 50% Off NFL Hoodie & Shirt Set—Chiefs, 49ers, Lions, Ravens & More
- Global Warming Set the Stage for Los Angeles Fires
- ESPN’s Shannon Sharpe Confirms He Accidentally Live Streamed NFSW Video
Ranking
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- Gordon Ramsay’s Daughter Holly Ramsay Engaged to Olympic Gold Medalist Adam Peaty
- Harvey Weinstein indicted on additional sex crimes charges ahead of New York retrial
- How Taylor Swift Surpassed Beyoncé’s MTV VMAs Record
- Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
- Fearless Fund drops grant program for Black women business owners in lawsuit settlement
- Billionaire steps out of SpaceX capsule for first private spacewalk hundreds of miles above Earth
- Is it worth crying over spilled Cheetos? Absolutely, say rangers at Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Recommendation
Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
Kate Moss’ Sister Lottie Moss Hospitalized After Ozempic Overdose
The Most Magical Disney Park Outfit Ideas to Wear to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2024
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes says he will not endorse anybody for president
Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky's Kids Are Their Spitting Image in Red Carpet Appearance
Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy delivers truth bomb about reality of paying players
UAW’s rift with Stellantis raises fear that some US auto jobs could vanish