Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact has left Asheville, North Carolina, and surrounding areas isolated and struggling. As of Saturday, all roads leading in and out of the region’s most populous city were closed, with limited or no access to electricity and cellular service.
The death toll from the storm across the South has surpassed five dozen, with Buncombe County’s numbers still unreported due to difficulties in contacting families.
RELATED: Florida Deploys Response And Recovery Assistance To North Carolina & Tennessee
Record-breaking rainfall, reaching 24 inches in some areas, has compounded the destruction. The storm, initially a Category 4 hurricane upon landfall in Florida, is projected to cause between $95 billion and $110 billion in damage and economic losses.
President Joe Biden has declared a state of emergency in North Carolina to provide federal assistance.
Local officials express the unexpectedness of the disaster, with Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller admitting they were caught off guard.
Read: Tropical Weather Update: Potential For Development In The Atlantic And Gulf Of Mexico
The collapse of a section of Interstate 40 further complicates recovery efforts, severely impacting commerce and tourism in the region. The long-term effects of Hurricane Helene on Western North Carolina are likely to be significant.
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