Hurricane Heleen struck the small town of Asheville, North Carolina, with catastrophic force, leaving widespread devastation in its wake. The Category 4 storm made landfall with winds exceeding 130 mph, uprooted trees, destroyed homes, and caused severe flooding throughout the region. Many residents were forced to evacuate as floodwaters inundated streets, turning once-familiar neighborhoods into rivers. Power outages affected the entire town, leaving thousands without electricity for days. Emergency services were overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster, with many roads rendered impassable by fallen debris and water.
The local infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, suffered significant damage, and some areas of Asheville remain inaccessible. Shelters have been set up for displaced residents, but the recovery process is expected to take months. The town is now grappling with the monumental task of rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricane Heleen, which has been described as one of the most destructive storms to hit North Carolina in recent history.
Before the hurricane
Here is a video showing what the town of Asheville looked like before the hurricane hit in September 2024.
