Asheville, N.C. has been severely affected by flooding caused by Hurricane Helene, leaving the historic Biltmore Village submerged. Many residents were left without power and communication, with one resident, Tammy Borgesen, waiting outside a hotel to try and reach loved ones. The flooding, reaching several feet in some areas, has caused widespread destruction and loss in the city of 95,000 residents. Some residents attribute the severity of the flooding to climate change and are calling for action to address its impact.
The devastation caused by Hurricane Helene has extended throughout the southern U.S., with at least 42 confirmed deaths and millions of customers without power in several states. A post-tropical cyclone, Helene has left a trail of destruction in its wake. Rescue operations have been challenging, with over 50 people stranded at an eastern Tennessee hospital due to rising waters and high winds.
President Joe Biden has approved emergency declaration requests from the governors of several southern states impacted by Helene, including Georgia, Florida, Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee, and South Carolina. Federal assistance is being provided to help with recovery efforts, with over 1,500 federal personnel being deployed to the region for services such as search and rescue, medical aid, and power restoration. The aftermath of Hurricane Helene serves as a stark reminder of the importance of addressing climate change and its impact on communities.
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