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Asheville, a picturesque city nestled in the mountains of North Carolina, has been ravaged by the remnants of Hurricane Helene. The aftermath of the storm has left the region reeling, with power outages, road flooding, and communication breakdowns causing chaos throughout the area. The once bustling tourist destination has turned into a ghost town, with many residents unable to reach their loved ones and unsure of their safety.
The devastation caused by Helene’s wrath has been far-reaching, with over 400 highways in North Carolina brought to a standstill as floodwaters receded and revealed the full extent of the damage. Governor Roy Cooper has mobilized emergency supplies to the region in an effort to assist those affected by the storm.
According to CBS News, Hurricane Helene has claimed the lives of at least seven people in North Carolina alone, with a total of 57 deaths reported across several states. The destruction has been widespread, with homes, businesses, and infrastructure all suffering significant damage.
One harrowing tale of survival comes from Janetta Barfield, a nurse at Asheville Mission Hospital, who was caught in rising floodwaters as she left her overnight shift on Friday morning. Her vehicle became submerged in water within minutes, forcing her to seek refuge on the roof until a police officer came to her rescue.
“It was unbelievable how fast that creek rose in just five minutes,” she recounted.
The city has been plunged into darkness as power outages have left over 700,000 residents without electricity, including 160,000 in Buncombe County alone. Gas stations are closed, and those that are open are experiencing long lines of people desperate to fuel up their vehicles and generators. The usually vibrant streets of Asheville are empty, with floods inundating Biltmore Village and the River Arts District, home to many galleries, boutiques, and breweries.
Interstate 40 and I-26 have been rendered impassable in many areas, and a map from the state transportation agency indicates that most roads leading into and out of Asheville are closed. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has issued a warning that all roads in Western North Carolina should be considered closed until further notice.
Communication has been cut off in Asheville, with residents unable to make phone calls or send messages. The lack of cell service has made it difficult for officials to reach out to families of those who may have been affected by the storm. A police-imposed curfew was in effect from Friday evening until Saturday morning, aimed at ensuring the safety of residents.
The challenges facing Asheville in the wake of Hurricane Helene are immense, with emergency services stretched thin as they respond to a multitude of crises. Torrential rain, strong winds, and mudslides have all contributed to the chaos, catching officials off-guard despite their preparations for the storm.
For people like Francine Cavanaugh of Atlanta, the inability to reach loved ones in Asheville has been a source of great anxiety. Her sister, son, and friends are all in the affected area, and she has been unable to make contact with any of them since the storm hit.
“My sister sounded scared when she called me yesterday morning,” Cavanaugh shared. “She was checking on holiday cottage visitors and then suddenly, all communication was lost. I’ve been trying to reach them all to no avail.”
The uncertainty and fear gripping Asheville are palpable, as residents grapple with the aftermath of a devastating natural disaster. The road to recovery will be long and arduous, but the resilient spirit of the community offers hope for a brighter future.
