“One of the worst storms in modern history for parts of NC” – Gov. Roy Cooper

Hurricane Helene and its remnants continue to roll across the United States, leaving a wide swath of destruction and death.  In the Southeast alone, at least 55 people are dead in five states, communities are leveled, power is out for millions, and many remain stranded by floodwaters.  The NC Department of Transportation said Saturday in post on X that “all roads in Western NC should be considered closed.”  So far, Buncombe County as received over 5,500 911 calls and conducted more than 130 swift water rescues.  Officials are warning residents to stay away from water because of downed power lines and sewage contamination.

Per Cooper’s office, search and rescue operations remain underway as over 700,000 people across the state remain without power. More than 2 feet of rain fell in the state’s mountainous region from Wednesday morning to Friday morning, with Busick recording a total of 29.58 inches in just 48 hours. According to the Associated Press, floodwaters pushed by the remnants of Hurricane Helene left Asheville largely cut off Saturday by damaged roads and a lack of power and cellphone service, About 20 miles southwest of Asheville, overwhelming, torrential rainfall was pushing the Lake Lure Dam into “imminent failure,” according to the National Weather Service, but Rutherford County officials said early Saturday the dam is no longer at risk. Engineers controlled the flow rate, according to Rutherford County Emergency Management, but the town is still experiencing cell and internet service issues along with roadways blocked by trees and fallen power lines.