Tropical Storm Helene: A Numerical Overview of Impact in Western North Carolina

Tropical Storm Helene severely impacted Western North Carolina, with over 200 deaths reported, extreme rainfall reaching up to 30.78 inches, and record river crests. Near 80,000 residents remain without power, and National Guard members are deployed for recovery efforts. Helene is noted as the fifth deadliest storm in U.S. history.

Tropical Storm Helene struck Western North Carolina on the morning of September 27, 2024, leaving behind a devastating trail of destruction, significant rainfall, and a substantial death toll. The storm, which made landfall near Perry, Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, transitioned to a tropical storm as it advanced inland, contributing to a dire situation for communities that had already been inundated with rain prior to the storm. In the aftermath of Helene, nearly 200 fatalities have been confirmed across the affected regions, with North Carolina accounting for 108 deaths. The storm’s impacts extended to South Carolina (41 deaths), Georgia (33), Florida (19), Tennessee (11), and Virginia (2), culminating in a total of 214 casualties. Rescue efforts continue as hundreds remain unaccounted for in Western North Carolina. The storm’s rainfall totals were staggering, with Busick in Yancey County experiencing the highest recorded precipitation of 30.78 inches between September 24 and September 28. Other affected areas included Spruce Pine with 24.12 inches and Hendersonville with 21.96 inches. Such rainfall exacerbated the flooding situation and contributed to widespread damage. Wind gusts also posed a challenge, with Mt. Mitchell recording winds of up to 106 mph, and Asheville experiencing gusts of up to 46 mph. Rivers in the region rose dramatically; the French Broad River in Fletcher crested at 30.31 feet, and alongside Asheville’s French Broad River cresting at 24.67 feet, both exceeded historical records. As of early October, close to 80,000 customers in Buncombe County remain without power, among more than 600,000 total outages reported across the Carolinas. The National Guard has activated more than 1,100 members in North Carolina, contributing to restoration and recovery efforts in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene. The death toll linked to Helene has resulted in the storm being ranked as the fifth deadliest in American history since 1950, further highlighting its severe impact.

The passage of Tropical Storm Helene through Western North Carolina introduced significant challenges and devastation to the region. Witnessing severe rainfall, powerful winds, and resultant flooding, the communities grappled with a rapid increase in the local death toll. The storm’s transition from a major hurricane to a tropical storm heightened the urgency of recovery efforts as communities that had already been saturated faced additional hardships. The National Weather Service provided critical data on rainfall totals, wind gusts, and river crests, outlining the scope of Helene’s impact on the area.

The devastation caused by Tropical Storm Helene has highlighted the vulnerability of Western North Carolina to severe weather events. With a considerable loss of life, extensive damage to infrastructure, and continuous recovery efforts underway, the region faces an uncertain future. The substantial rainfall and wind gusts experienced during the storm have reinforced the urgency of disaster preparedness and recovery. As the community strives to recover, enhancements in infrastructure resilience and emergency response will be vital in mitigating the impacts of any future storms.

Original Source: www.citizen-times.com