Current:Home > MarketsDrone video captures Helene's devastation in Asheville, North Carolina -Wealth Impact Academy
Drone video captures Helene's devastation in Asheville, North Carolina
View
Date:2025-04-17 14:49:48
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! (6184)
Related
- Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
- From Hollywood to auto work, organized labor is flexing its muscles. Where do unions stand today?
- What are the most common Powerball numbers? New study tracks results since 2015
- Southwest Airlines says it's ready for the holidays after its meltdown last December
- Don't let hackers fool you with a 'scam
- The Census Bureau sees an older, more diverse America in 2100 in three immigration scenarios
- Nashville officers on 'administrative assignment' after Covenant shooter's writings leak
- Pizza Hut in Hong Kong rolls out snake-meat pizza for limited time
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- In-n-Out announces expansion to New Mexico by 2027: See future locations
Ranking
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Megan Fox Shares How Fiancé Machine Gun Kelly Helped Her “Heal” Through New Book
- Israel agrees to 4-hour daily pauses in Gaza fighting to allow civilians to flee, White House says
- Sammy Hagar is selling his LaFerrari to the highest bidder: 'Most amazing car I’ve ever owned'
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- Albania’s deal with Italy on migrants has been welcomed by many. But others are confused and angry
- Citi illegally discriminated against Armenian-Americans, feds say
- Albania’s deal with Italy on migrants has been welcomed by many. But others are confused and angry
Recommendation
Small twin
Missing 5-year-old found dead in pond near Rhode Island home
Artists’ posters of hostages held by Hamas, started as public reminder, become flashpoint themselves
Uzbekistan hosts summit of regional economic alliance
What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
Michigan man gifts bride scratch-off ticket worth $1 million, day after their wedding
Last 12 months on Earth were the hottest ever recorded, analysis finds
Mobile and resilient, the US military is placing a new emphasis on ground troops for Pacific defense