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According to the North Carolina State Climate Office, Torrential rains caused by the remnants of the hurricane caused extensive damage in the southern mountains and foothills. Additionally, the authority reports that tropical humidity, enhanced by interactions with high terrain, produced high rainfall, followed by a large rise in levels and severe flooding. These consequences had never been observed in the region.
Although a general report was already given about the catastrophe caused by Helene, The climate authority specifies that It will take years to document the full magnitude of this eventnot to mention recovery. Between the most serious damage caused by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina are listed:
- Loss of communications at the Asheville Regional Airport weather station. This damage occurred on Friday morning, September 27.
- Heavy rains caused the Watauga, Catawba, Swannanoa and French Broad rivers near or exceed their maximum flood levels, and that flood overwhelmed communities throughout the region.
- In Buncombe County, officials reported “biblical devastation,” with Asheville largely inaccessible and water up to the rooftops in surrounding communities like Swannanoa and Black Mountain.
- Heavy rains along the Broad River watershed caused a destructive wave of water, mud and debris in the cities of Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, reducing homes and businesses to pieces.
- Mudslides were evident on Interstate 40 in McDowell County and along the Tennessee border, as well as in countless rural corners of the mountains such as the highways near Brevard.
- So far there are 30 deaths recorded in Buncombe County, according to the sheriff.
Hurricane Helene caused record flooding in North Carolina
The North Carolina State Climate Office assures that Hurricane Helene surpassed in coverage and calamity the effects of Tropical Storm Fred, happened in 2021, which held the record for catastrophe damage.
Also, the agency assured that September 2024 became the wettest month on record in places such as Asheville, Sparta and North Wilkesboro. Besides, The French Broad River at Fletcher is recorded as reaching a height of three meters higher than its previous peakafter Hurricane Frances in 2004.
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