On Monday, Mayor Patrick Fitzsimmons found himself in the heart of a disaster in Weaverville, North Carolina. The town was without electricity, with only one grocery store functioning. Utility poles had collapsed, the local water plant was flooded, and residents had lacked safe drinking water for four days, he told the BBC.
In Buncombe County, which encompasses Weaverville, at least 35 fatalities have been reported, and around 600 individuals are unaccounted for, according to a local CBS News affiliate.
Mr. Fitzsimmons noted that the county has established a website for missing persons inquiries, receiving approximately 11,000 requests so far.
The chaos was triggered by storm Helene, which struck Florida as a category 4 hurricane on Thursday, then moved through Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee, causing severe flooding, power outages, and loss of life.
As residents return home, the full extent of the devastation is becoming clear.
Nationwide, officials have confirmed at least 116 deaths.
One victim was Madison Shaw’s mother, who told her, “I love you, be safe. I’ll see you later,” before the storm. Madison reflected, “I can’t even describe it. My mom was my best friend.”
A White House spokesperson reported that two million people are currently without power, and President Biden described the storm as “history-making.”
In North Carolina, reports are particularly dire, with Governor Roy Cooper stating that entire communities have been “wiped off the map” and that numerous rescue teams are on the ground.
Buncombe County and the western region of North Carolina bore the brunt of Helene’s impact. The area includes Asheville, a city in the Blue Ridge Mountains known for its vibrant arts scene. Helene flooded the city, forcing residents from their homes and complicating access to essential resources. Debris from trucks and fallen trees caused significant damage, while downed power lines created hazardous conditions.
“Homes have been flattened,” said Josh Griffith, a 21-year-old from nearby Leicester. He described watching semi-trucks and various debris swept away by rushing waters during the storm.
Though his apartment was safe, he and his fiancée decided to evacuate on Saturday due to the lack of power and food, navigating through rain-soaked roads into northeast Georgia.
They encountered a stretch of floodwater six inches deep on top of mud, which emergency officials warn against driving through. “It was really scary,” Griffith admitted, fearing they could lose control on the slick roads.
After spending a night in Georgia, they returned to North Carolina with supplies for their neighbors in Buncombe. “People are scrambling for resources,” he said.
On Monday, Buncombe County officials opened four sites for water distribution to assist affected residents.