The devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina is immense, with significant flooding, power outages, and road closures affecting the region.
The storm, which initially struck Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, has left more than 100 people dead across six states, with at least 30 fatalities reported in North Carolina’s Buncombe County, home to Asheville.
Severe damage to infrastructure, including washed-out highways and submerged substations, is hampering recovery efforts.
Emergency responders, including the Red Cross and the North Carolina National Guard, are actively conducting rescue and relief operations.
Disruptions to cell service and electricity are widespread, complicating communication and aid distribution. In response, local officials and organizations are rallying to provide essential resources and support to affected communities.
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
No. 1: Tuesday updates from western NC after Helene: Power outages, road closures, recovery efforts
“The devastation was beyond belief,” NC Governor Roy Cooper said. Here’s what to know on Tuesday. | Published October 1, 2024 | Read Full Story by Renee Umsted, Adam Wagner and Richard Stradling
No. 2: Photos: Search for victims of ‘apocalyptic’ flooding in NC continues with many still cut off from help
Helene kills at least 11 in Western NC, cutting power, water and communications | Published September 29, 2024 | Read Full Story by Scott Sharpe
No. 3: Tree that killed 1 when Helene hit Charlotte should’ve been cut down already, neighbor says
Part of the tree that killed one person in Helene had fallen onto another house months ago. “It probably should have been chopped down then,” a neighbor said. | Published September 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by Julia Coin
No. 4: Four critically hurt after tornado associated with Helene hits Eastern NC city
Multiple injuries have been reported at restaurants in Nash County after a tornado touched down. | Published September 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by Adam Wagner
No. 5: Trying to reach a missing person impacted by Helene in NC? What to do and who to call
Here’s how to submit a missing persons report and request a rescue or welfare check for someone potentially in danger due to the storm. | Published September 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon
No. 6: Girl, 4, killed in wreck during Hurricane Helene rains, NC State Highway Patrol says
The girl died after two SUVs collided after one crossed the center line during heavy rains, trooper says. | Published September 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by Joe Marusak
No. 7: See photos and video from Helene’s devastation in the mountains of western NC
See photos and video of the destruction wrought from flooding across the NC mountains | Published September 28, 2024 | Read Full Story by Scott Sharpe
No. 8: How Helene’s destruction could affect voting in North Carolina’s election
With the postal service on pause and roads washed away, all forms of voting could be disrupted. | Published September 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kyle Ingram
No. 9: A county by county look at Helene’s devastation in western NC
We’re gathering what we know of the damage in each county in Western North Carolina. Here is an evolving snapshot of Helene’s toll. | Published September 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Evan Moore
No. 10: See Hurricane Helene storm damage across North Carolina as flooding hits western NC
A look at Charlotte and western North Carolina as Hurricane Helene moves through the region. | Published September 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by The Pham
No. 11: Help The N&O document the aftermath and damage of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina
This is a historic moment. Help us document the stories of people and places impacted by Hurricane Helene in our state by sharing your photos and videos. | Published September 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Laura Brache
No. 12: Helene’s devastation changed everything about their wedding, except the important part
The wedding in Lake Lure was both a demonstration of the kind of flexibility marriage requires and a desperately needed bit of joy in the face of a natural disaster. | Published September 29, 2024 | Read Full Story by Martha Quillin
No. 13: Watch videos as Helene causes major flooding throughout the NC mountains
See video from flooding in multiple spots across the mountains of Western North Carolina. | Published September 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by Travis Long
No. 14: How to help people and volunteer in NC in Hurricane Helene aftermath
Some got out of floodwaters on a kayak. Some are still waiting for an airlift. Hurricane Helene’s NC victims have a long swim to recovery ahead. Here’s how to help. | Published September 29, 2024 | Read Full Story by Julia Coin
No. 15: Tornado with 90 mph winds hit popular NC mountain tourist town before Helene, NWS says
The tornado knocked down and snapped trees in Blowing Rock, blew tents apart during severe weather system, NWS investigators found. | Published September 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by Joe Marusak
No. 16: Cut off by Helene in Western NC, Rep. Foxx calls for more aid for her district
Helene didn’t spare Rep. Virginia Foxx’s Banner Elk community. Now she’s urging Gov. Roy Cooper to bring more National Guardsmen to Western North Carolina. | Published September 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Danielle Battaglia
No. 17: ‘Apocalyptic’ damage: Helene kills at least 30 in Western NC, severs power, water, roads
At least 30 people have died in Buncombe County alone, the sheriff announced Sunday. | Published September 29, 2024 | Read Full Story by Julia Coin
No. 18: Western North Carolina communities hope for ‘some sort of lifeline’ after Helene damage
The situation is dire. Many North Carolina communities haven’t had fresh water, internet or cell service for multiple days. | Published September 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ryan Oehrli
No. 19: Flooding, evacuations after Helene plows Western NC; officials say stay off roads
Hundreds of thousands were without power, with county roads flooded or blocked by fallen limbs and trees. | Published September 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ryan Oehrli
No. 20: Panthers’ David & Nicole Tepper pledge Hurricane Helene relief donation for Carolinas
The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation, with the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC, has pledged an initial commitment to provide relief for those impacted by Hurricane Helene in the Carolinas. | Published September 28, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mike Kaye
This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.
