The hurricane most effected the rural communities of western Carolina. These rural areas are low income and make their livings off of outdoor recreation and manufacturing of wood products. Which in turn, took away their source of income after the storm. The geography of these areas played a huge factor into the impact of the flash flooding, and torrential rainfall. Causing the land to be completely unrecognizable post storm. The US Geological Survey mapped over 2000 landslides in the southern Appalachians and 34 separate flash flood emergencies.
The damaged spanned over 19 counties and affected numerous towns. The damaged included power outages, loss of property, damages to infrastructure and even loss of lives. 1 in 4, or 138,000 mobile homes were in counties with major disaster declarations. Many of which did not have flood insurance for the damage. The main victims were children, elderly, and people in a lower economic social class. Compared to other hurricane, Helenes damages totaled more than 70 billion (Rita 29.4 billion) However, compared to other costly hurricanes it ranks 7 out of the top 10.
This is all of course is statistics we got off the internet. The real damage is the personal testimonies you hear from your loved ones. We personally had handfuls of friends in App and Western Carolina that were affected. A friend of mine posted various videos on social, asking for help and resources as the media did not give it near enough coverage. At the end of the day, we can discuss the damage and watch coverings but this is still effecting Western Carolina to this day.
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