Hurricane Helene caused massive damage in Western North Carolina with heavy rain, strong winds, and flooding. Rivers like the French Broad overflowed, flooding towns and washing away roads and bridges. Some areas were completely cut off because of landslides and road closures. Thousands of people lost power, and many families had to leave their homes because they were either flooded or destroyed. Emergency workers worked hard to rescue people, but the damage made it really difficult to reach everyone quickly.

The hardest-hit communities were rural and low-income areas. A lot of people in these areas live near rivers or in places that flood easily, and they didn’t have the money to evacuate or protect their homes before the storm. Many didn’t have flood insurance either, so after the storm, they were left with no way to rebuild. Farmers lost their crops and animals, which was a huge blow since farming is their main source of income.Elderly people and those with disabilities also struggled to evacuate. Some couldn’t leave on their own and needed help, but not everyone got it in time. Meanwhile, wealthier areas that had better infrastructure recovered faster, showing how some communities are way more prepared for disasters than others.While recovery efforts are still happening, it’s clear that some people are facing a much tougher road to get back on their feet.

— Peter Hakim

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL092024_Helene.pdf

https://sc.edu/uofsc/posts/2024/10/conversation-hurricane-helene-deadly-disaster-six-states.php