New updates: Tropical storm Helene unleashes fury in North Carolina, brings heavy rain and strong winds, What travel updates you need to know?

Sunday, September 29, 2024

Tropical Storm Helene brought heavy rain and strong winds to North Carolina overnight and into Friday morning after making landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Florida.

The storm left widespread damage and power outages across the state.

Follow along for the latest updates here.

Widespread Power Outages Persist

Most residents who woke up Friday without electricity remain in the dark Saturday morning. While Duke Energy has posted restoration times for some areas, it’s still unclear when power will be fully restored across the region. Over 1 million customers in North and South Carolina are currently without power, with Buncombe County being the hardest hit.

Cell Service and Internet Impacted

Internet and phone service have been heavily impacted by Helene. While the Asheville Regional Airport remains open, airlines are cancelling flights due to operational difficulties caused by outages and staff being unable to get to work.

Rivers at “Major Flood Status”

The morning after Helene’s wrath, all rivers in Buncombe County remain at “major flood status.” More than 130 water rescue missions have been conducted, and officials urge citizens to stay away from flooded areas due to downed power lines, sewage, and debris.

Emergency Shelters Open

The emergency shelter at the WNC Agriculture Center is currently serving 400 people, with limited capacity. An additional shelter at A-B Technical Community College will open as soon as roads are passable.

French Broad River Expected to Crest Tonight

The French Broad River broke previous historic records set in the 1916 floods during the evening of September 27th, nearly reaching 25 feet. It’s expected to crest at 8 p.m. tonight. Officials are calling this the worst natural disaster of a lifetime for Western North Carolina.

Social Media Captures Destruction

Social media is flooded with photos and videos showcasing Helene’s destruction, with images of people fleeing homes and overflowing rivers.

Over 3,300 Calls to 911 in 10 Hours

The Buncombe County Fire Department is overwhelmed with calls, staffing over 200 firefighters for rescue efforts. City and county officials encourage texting 911 if calls are not going through.

More Than 100,000 Remain Without Power

Over 100,000 people remain without power due to downed trees and landslides. There are also more than 300 trees blocking roadways. A third emergency shelter is planned to open at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College’s conference center.

Mandatory Evacuations in Effect

Several areas are under mandatory evacuation due to flooding, including parts of Transylvania, Buncombe, McDowell, and Mecklenburg Counties.

Cell Phones Down Across the State

Wireless services like Verizon and Spectrum are experiencing outages across Western North Carolina. Verizon crews are working around the clock to restore service.

FEMA and National Guard Arrive

The National Guard and a FEMA Urban Search and Rescue team are now in Asheville, highlighting the seriousness of the situation. City emergency responders continue life-saving efforts.

“Most Significant Natural Disaster”

Hundreds of thousands remain without power, and hundreds of trees are down. It could be a full day before crews can remove debris. Officials warn that the devastating effects of Helene will be felt for days to come, with rising rivers, downed power lines, and damaged homes.

Avoid Travel

Officials warn residents to avoid travel due to flooded roads, downed trees, and potential landslides. All lanes of I-40 and I-26 are currently closed in various locations.

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