See photos and video from Helene’s devastation in the mountains of western NC
By Scott Sharpe
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Hurricane Helene Aftermath
Hurricane Helene swept across the Southeast, causing major flooding and destruction throughout North Carolina. Here is ongoing coverage from The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer about Hurricane Helene and the aftermath, particularly in Western North Carolina.
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Flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Helene has devastated the mountain areas of western North Carolina, leaving a path of destruction and isolating many areas of the region.
Many roads are closed in the area, with many being washed out in many spots. Some areas are cut off from cell service, electricity and drinking water, with the full extent of the damage yet to be seen.
Here are photos from the area.
Brooke Canning climbs out a window of her damaged home on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 in Old Fort, N.C. Canning was trying to salvage personal items after flood waters from Hurricane Helene flooded Mill Creek and her neighborhood in the center of town. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Rodney Stevens Jr. tries to salvage a generator next to his damage home on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 in Old Fort, N.C. Stevens Jr was trying to salvage personal items after flood waters from Hurricane Helene flooded Mill Creek and his neighborhood in the center of town. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Two cars, completely demolished by flood waters from Mills Creek in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 in Old Fort, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Residents and volunteers clean up on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 after the French Broad River flooded downtown Marshall. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Ian Downes strums his guitar while taking a brief break from cleaning up in downtown Marshall on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 after the French Broad River caused catastrophic flooding. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Residents and volunteers clean up on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 after the French Broad River flooded downtown Marshall. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Residents and volunteers clean up on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 after the French Broad River flooded downtown Marshall. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Sarah Pike, center, gets a hug from her friend Jen Dombrowski who arrived to help Pike clean up her business in downtown Marshall on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 after the French Broad River caused catastrophic flooding. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Volunteers unload donated supplies at Spear Country Store & Hardware as residents recover from the effects of Hurricane Helene on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Newland, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Justin Chew loads pet food onto a truck in Banner Elk, N.C. on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. A team of volunteers delivered food, clothes and other supplies to communities in Avery County impacted by Hurricane Helene. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Residents and volunteers clean up on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 after the French Broad River flooded downtown Marshall. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
An aerial view of downtown Marshall on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 after the French Broad River caused catastrophic flooding. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
An aerial view of downtown Marshall on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 after the French Broad River caused catastrophic flooding. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Mud covers the interior of Marshall Presbyterian Church in downtown Marshall on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 after the French Broad River caused catastrophic flooding. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Swannanoa residents walk through devastating flood damage from the Swannanoa River on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
A rescue team paddles down the Swannanoa River on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
A rescue team paddles down the Swannanoa River on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Little relief has come to flood survivors in Swannanoa on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Western North Carolina residents salvage bottled water from a flooded tractor-trailer in Swannanoa on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Western North Carolina residents salvage bottled water from a flooded tractor-trailer in Swannanoa on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Western North Carolina residents salvage bottled water from a flooded tractor-trailer in Swannanoa on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Western North Carolina residents salvage bottled water from a flooded tractor-trailer in Swannanoa on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
A washed out bridge over the Swannanoa River in Black Mountain on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Swannanoa residents walk through devastating flood damage from the Swannanoa River on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
A car is partially buried in mud near the Swannanoa River on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Swannanoa residents walk through devastating flood damage from the Swannanoa River on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
A man crosses a narrow section of flood damaged bridge in Swannanoa on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Asheville residents residents line up for gasoline at a gas station on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Swannanoa residents share rolls of toilet paper on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Asheville residents residents line up for gasoline at a gas station on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Asheville residents residents line up for gasoline at a gas station on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Two people and a dog are escorted to a rescue boat in Chimney Rock, N.C. on Sunday, September 29, 2024. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Two people and a dog are escorted to a rescue boat in Chimney Rock, N.C. on Sunday, September 29, 2024. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
The marina at Lake Lure, N.C. on Sunday, September 29, 2024. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
The view from bridge that connects Lake Lure and Chimney Rock in Lake Lure, N.C. on Sunday, September 29, 2024. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
A destroyed house with a car under it in Chimney Rock, N.C. on Sunday, September 29, 2024. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
A collage of wedding photos sits onto of rubble in Lake Lure, N.C. on Sunday, September 29, 2024. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
The bridge that connects Lake Lure and Chimney Rock in Lake Lure, N.C. on Saturday, September 29, 2024. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
The marina at Lake Lure, N.C. on Sunday, September 29, 2024. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
A Jeep, swept from the road by floodwaters, lies in a creek in Swannanoa on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
People examine some of the extensive damage caused by flooding from Helene along the Swannanoa River in Swannanoa, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Residents in Clyde begin cleaning up on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 after massive flooding damaged dozens of homes and businesses. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Alan Tabor shovels mud from a flooded home in Clyde on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 after massive flooding damaged dozens of homes and businesses. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Tomas Quiroz shovels mud from his porch steps in Clyde on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 after massive flooding damaged dozens of homes and businesses. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Brandon Patterson points to the water line inside a flooded home in Clyde on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 after massive flooding damaged dozens of homes and businesses. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Estaban Sanchez retrieves water from a creek to be used for cleaning a flooded home in Clyde on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 after massive flooding damaged dozens of homes and businesses. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Blake Nelson, 11, and his father Mitch Nelson clean up a flooded salon in Clyde on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 after massive flooding damaged dozens of homes and businesses. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
A North Carolina flag llies in the mud in Clyde on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 after massive flooding damaged dozens of homes and businesses. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Amy Russell assesses damage to her dog training and pet food business in Clyde on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 after massive flooding damaged dozens of homes and businesses. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Residents in Clyde begin cleaning up on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 after massive flooding damaged dozens of homes and businesses. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Residents in Clyde begin cleaning up on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 after massive flooding damaged dozens of homes and businesses. The remnants of Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
A doll lies in a pile of debris outside a home in Clyde on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 as the remnants of Hurricane Helene caused flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Dozens of vehicles wait in line for gas in Clyde on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 as the remnants of Hurricane Helene caused flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Dozens of vehicles wait in line for gas in Clyde on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 as the remnants of Hurricane Helene caused flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Soco Creek in Cherokee rages on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 as the remnants of Hurricane Helene caused flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Flood waters from Helene have cut off roads in and out of Hot Springs, N.C., northwest of Asheville, leaving those in town with no running water, no cell service and no power. Andrew Fulton
Railroad tracks are damaged by floodwaters in Waynesville on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 as the remnants of Hurricane Helene caused flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Part of a structure sits in floodwaters on a road in Canton on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 as the remnants of Hurricane Helene caused flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Several lanes of I-40 in N.C. near the Tennessee line washed out and collapsed during catastrophic flooding from Helene. The North Carolina Department of Transportation said I-40 was closed in multiple locations between Asheville and eastern Tennessee due to washouts and debris. NC DOT
The French Broad River breaks its banks in Asheville on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 as the remnants of Hurricane Helene caused flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Terri Morrin drives 1.5 hours from Adawehi Wellness Village in Columbus, N.C. to a BP in Gastonia get gas for her neighbors’ generators because they are expected to be without power for a week Saturday morning in Gastonia, N.C. on Sept. 28, 2024. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Vehicles line up to get gas at a 7 Eleven in Shelby on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Vehicles line up to get gas at a 7 Eleven in Shelby on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Waynesville firefighters search a car that was pinned by debris under a bridge on Richland Creek in Waynesville on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 as the remnants of Hurricane Helene caused flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Foodwaters overrun a road in Canton on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 as the remnants of Hurricane Helene caused flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Waynesville firefighters search a car that was pinned by debris under a bridge on Richland Creek in Waynesville on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 as the remnants of Hurricane Helene caused flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
The French Broad River breaks its banks in Asheville on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 as the remnants of Hurricane Helene caused flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
The French Broad River breaks its banks Asheville on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 as the remnants of Hurricane Helene caused flooding, downed trees, and power outages in western North Carolina. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Remnants of a light pole hang above Overlook Road in Arden Friday afternoon after Hurricane Helene passed through the Asheville area the night before. Josh Bell jvbell828@gmail.com
A shed sits toppled over on Pinchot Road in Arden Friday afternoon after Hurricane Helene passed through the Asheville area the night before. Josh Bell jvbell828@gmail.com
Hurricane Helene swept across the Southeast, causing major flooding and destruction throughout North Carolina. Here is ongoing coverage from The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer about Hurricane Helene and the aftermath, particularly in Western North Carolina.