Power Outages and Communication Failures Spread Across Southeast
President Joe Biden is preparing to visit North and South Carolina this week to survey the catastrophic damage left by Hurricane Helene, which has claimed the lives of at least 166 people across six southeastern U.S. states. As rescue efforts continue, hundreds remain missing in one of the deadliest storms in recent American history. Biden, in a statement, emphasized the urgent need for a coordinated recovery effort, warning that the cost will run into the billions.
“We have to jump-start this recovery process,” Biden said Tuesday. “People are scared to death. This is urgent.”
Power and Communication Wiped Out Across Multiple States
The storm’s aftermath has left more than 1.2 million people in the Carolinas and Georgia without power or cellular service. Residents are struggling to communicate with loved ones, with some resorting to using charcoal grills to cook food or hiking to higher ground in hopes of finding a cell signal. “People are walking the streets of Canton with their phones up in the air trying to catch a cellphone signal like it’s a butterfly,” said Canton, North Carolina Mayor Zeb Smathers.
Both Verizon and AT&T are working to restore communication infrastructure, with AT&T mobilizing one of its largest disaster recovery efforts ever.
UPDATE: Hurricane Helene
Oh my God… 🙏🙏🙏
1. Eastern, Tennessee
2. Swannanoa, North Carolina
3. Asheville Georgia
Can we get updates from frens from your area if Affected? Drop location and photos/videos please 🙏 pic.twitter.com/jCTa5tOW7e
— MJTruthUltra (@MJTruthUltra) September 27, 2024
Rescue Efforts Underway in Western North Carolina
In western North Carolina, cadaver dogs and search crews are combing through mud and debris, searching for those still unaccounted for. At least 57 people were confirmed dead in Buncombe County, which includes the city of Asheville—a popular tourist destination known for its art galleries, breweries, and outdoor attractions.
In the small community of Swannanoa, floodwaters have revealed cars stacked on top of each other, while trailer homes were swept away by the flood. “Communities were wiped off the map,” North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper stated during a news conference.
Cliff Stewart, a Marine Corps veteran in Swannanoa, refused to leave his flooded home despite offers for help. “Where am I going to go? This is all I’ve got. I just don’t want to give it up because what am I going to do? Be homeless? I’d rather die right here than live homeless,” Stewart said.
Hurricane Helene about make
landfall moving 24 miles per hour towards Tallahassee at a cat 4 possible cat 5 prayers to those in the Big Bend, Appalachia Bay areas and in the path we are still getting winds of 130-150 miles per hour.
Not much to slow this down until after… pic.twitter.com/oYUHmralie
— World life (@seautocure) September 27, 2024
Critical Infrastructure Severely Impacted, Including Interstate 40
A significant section of Interstate 40, a key transportation artery through the region, remains closed due to a mudslide and damage near the North Carolina-Tennessee border. Though one section of the interstate reopened after debris was cleared, the closure of the collapsed stretch near the state line is a stark reminder of the widespread destruction.
“Restoring infrastructure, particularly transportation, is critical for both recovery and future economic stability,” said Sarah Thompson, a transportation expert. “Interstate 40 in North Carolina is a lifeline for local economies and residents.”
Hurricane: Dozens rescued from roof of Tennessee hospital due to floodwaters from Hurricane Helene.pic.twitter.com/yp3QSOK4cI
— Amelina (@AmelinaHalley) October 2, 2024
Death Toll Expected to Rise as Search Operations Continue
As of Wednesday, the confirmed death toll has risen to 166, with most fatalities reported in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Emergency responders have been working tirelessly, with some states such as Tennessee and Virginia also reporting casualties. North Carolina alone accounts for nearly half of the total deaths.
Search and rescue teams are still navigating difficult conditions, especially in rural and mountainous areas, where many homes and vehicles remain submerged or damaged. The full scope of the destruction may not be clear for days or weeks.
Federal and State Assistance Mobilized
Over 150,000 households have already registered for assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and that number is expected to rise as more people assess the damage to their homes and businesses. FEMA has sent nearly two million ready-to-eat meals and over a million liters of water to the hardest-hit areas. Active-duty U.S. military units may also be called in to assist in the recovery efforts, pending authorization from President Biden.
Governor Cooper confirmed Tuesday that Biden had given “the green light” to deploying additional federal resources, including military personnel, to support long-term recovery efforts in the region.
Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee Also Reeling
Hurricane Helene’s inland path caused widespread devastation throughout Georgia, where more than 200,000 residents are still without running water. Long lines were seen at water distribution centers in cities like Augusta, where some people waited up to three hours to receive drinking water.
Sherry Brown, a resident of Augusta, has been using her car’s alternator to power her refrigerator. “I’m just dying for a hot shower,” she said as she described taking “bird baths” with water stored in coolers.
South Carolina, which has seen at least 36 deaths, has been particularly hard hit by flash flooding and power outages. Many are drawing comparisons between Helene and Hurricane Hugo, which killed 35 people when it struck the state in 1989.
In East Tennessee, Governor Bill Lee surveyed damage near the town of Erwin, where recovery efforts were underway. One local resident, expressing frustration at the lack of assistance, told Lee, “Where has everyone been? We have been here alone.”
🚨 please share 🚨We need portable toilets in black mountain, NC specifically Excel College over 150 students working around the clock to get supplies out to these hardest hit areas near Ashville North Carolina! pic.twitter.com/mLMZJfUkd8
— Shawn Hendrix (@TheShawnHendrix) October 1, 2024
Harrowing Survivor Stories Emerge as Waters Recede
As the floodwaters slowly recede, residents are sharing stories of survival. In Hot Springs, North Carolina, business owners and residents donned masks and gloves to clear debris. The tiny town’s main street was heavily damaged by floodwaters.
Sarah Calloway, who owns Vaste Riviere Provisions, a deli and gourmet grocery store in the town, described how she and others filled sandbags before the storm hit. “We thought we were prepared, but the water came so fast,” she said. Calloway, trapped on an upper floor of her building, feared for her life as the water rose. “It was really challenging to watch how quickly it rose up and then just to watch whole buildings floating down the river. It was something I can’t even describe.”
In Swannanoa, Carina Ramos and her family fled their home as the Swannanoa River overflowed. “We left everything because we were panicking,” she said. Their mobile home was destroyed, and her daughter was so traumatized that she couldn’t bring herself to return. “She says she doesn’t want to see her room full of toys, all thrown everywhere,” Ramos added.
Massive Recovery Efforts Still Needed
Despite the ongoing efforts, full recovery will take months, if not longer. With more than two dozen water plants closed in North Carolina alone, basic services are not expected to be restored quickly. The federal government, in collaboration with state agencies, is working to provide the resources necessary for rebuilding.
