Current:Home > StocksDrone video captures Helene's devastation in Asheville, North Carolina -EliteFunds
Drone video captures Helene's devastation in Asheville, North Carolina
View
Date:2025-04-16 17:38:22
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! (712)
Related
- Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
- These Hidden Gems From Kohl’s Will Instantly Make You Want to Shop There Again
- State of the Union guests spotlight divide on abortion and immigration but offer some rare unity
- LinkedIn users say they can't access site amid outage reports
- Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
- FDA says to throw away these 6 cinnamon products because they contain high levels of lead
- Starbucks launches spring menu, including 2 new iced lavender drinks
- Houston police chief apologizes for department not investigating 264K cases due to staffing issues
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- MLB's best teams keep getting bounced early in October. Why is World Series so elusive?
Ranking
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- Law-abiding adults can now carry guns openly in South Carolina after governor approves new law
- United Airlines plane makes a safe emergency landing in LA after losing a tire during takeoff
- 17-year-old boy dies after going missing during swimming drills in the Gulf of Mexico
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- Movie Review: John Cena gets the laughs in middling comedy ‘Ricky Stanicky’
- Kate Middleton's Uncle Speaks to Her Health Journey While on Celebrity Big Brother
- Broncos release two-time Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons, team's longest-tenured player
Recommendation
FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
Xcel Energy says its facilities appeared to have role in igniting largest wildfire in Texas history
Why Elon Musk and so many others are talking about birth control right now
Lace Up, These Hoka Sneaker Deals Won’t Last Long & You Can Save Up to 51%
In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
How many calories and carbs are in a banana? The 'a-peeling' dietary info you need.
State of the Union guests spotlight divide on abortion and immigration but offer some rare unity
Paige DeSorbo Says Boyfriend Craig Conover Would Beat Jesse Solomon's Ass for Hitting on Her