Heavy rains from Storm Helene caused record flooding and destruction in Asheville, North Carolina. On Monday, Weaverville’s Mayor Patrick Fitzsimmons found his town in total chaos.
No power, one open grocery store, and the water plant was flooded, leaving people without clean drinking water for four days.
According to BBC, Fitzsimmons said thousands of people were searching for missing loved ones, with 35 confirmed dead and 600 still missing in Buncombe County, where Weaverville is located.
Storm Helene, which hit as a Category 4 hurricane, had torn through Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee, leaving behind massive floods, power outages, and over 116 dead across the country.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said some places were completely destroyed. He described how rescue teams were working tirelessly.
One resident, Josh Griffith, told BBC that the storm had caused trucks and trees to crash into buildings, leaving homes and streets in ruins.
People in North Carolina are struggling to get basic supplies like food and water. Some have been driving through dangerous floodwaters just to get resources.
President Joe Biden even called the storm “history-making,” and the White House reported millions of people without power.
BBC explains that many towns are now uncertain about their future, with some residents left wondering if they will be able to return to their homes.
Credit : BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8xe5x7v0jpo