Current:Home > MarketsDrone video captures Helene's devastation in Asheville, North Carolina -DollarDynamic
Drone video captures Helene's devastation in Asheville, North Carolina
View
Date:2025-04-17 00:59:40
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! (575)
Related
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- Colorado voters seeking to keep Trump off ballot urge Supreme Court to decide his eligibility for office
- Judge raises mental health concern about man held in New Year’s Eve weekend gunfire near Vegas Strip
- China’s BYD is rivaling Tesla in size. Can it also match its global reach?
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- Judge recommends ending suit on prosecuting ex-felons who vote in North Carolina, cites new law
- Military dad surprises second-grade son at school after 10 months apart
- Denmark’s queen makes one last public appearance before stepping down in a rare abdication
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- Imam critically wounded in Newark mosque shooting, police say
Ranking
- Small twin
- US calls for urgent UN action on attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on ships in the Red Sea
- Novak Djokovic stuns United Cup teammates by answering questions in Chinese
- New Mexico regulators reject utility’s effort to recoup some investments in coal and nuclear plants
- B.A. Parker is learning the banjo
- 'Mama, you just won half a million dollars': Arkansas woman wins big with scratch-off
- New Mexico considers setback requirements for oil wells near schools and day care centers
- Deer crashes through windshield, kills 23-year-old Mississippi woman: Reports
Recommendation
SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan is indicted for allegedly insulting election officials
Makeup by Mario’s Mario Dedivanovic Shares a 5-Minute Beauty Routine, Easy Hacks for Beginners, and More
Man dies after crawling into plane engine at Salt Lake City Airport, officials say
Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
Sheikh Hasina once fought for democracy in Bangladesh. Her critics say she now threatens it
Ciara Learns She’s Related to Derek Jeter
Arizona rancher rejects plea deal in fatal shooting of migrant near the US-Mexico border; trial set