Heavy rains from Hurricane Helene caused record-breaking floods and widespread damage in Asheville, North Carolina, on September 28, 2024. The storm, which initially made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend as a Category 4 hurricane with winds up to 140 mph, has wreaked havoc across several southeastern states, resulting in at least 42 deaths in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia.

Asheville and the surrounding mountainous region of Buncombe County have been especially hard hit, with officials describing the damage as “biblical devastation.” The National Weather Service reported “devastating flooding” throughout the area, and by Sunday, local authorities confirmed that the death toll in Buncombe County alone had reached 30.

“We are grieving tremendous losses today,” Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller said during a Sunday evening press briefing. He noted that search and rescue efforts were still ongoing as emergency teams continued to assess the full extent of the damage.

Asheville, a city nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains with a population of approximately 95,000, saw up to 14 inches of rain over a three-day period. Other areas received as much as 30 inches, equivalent to four months’ worth of rainfall, according to Fox Weather.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper praised the efforts of the state’s emergency responders. “North Carolina is strong, and our first responders are the best in the nation. I am thankful for their hard work and for risking their lives to protect all North Carolinians. This is an unprecedented tragedy that requires an unprecedented response,” he said.

The storm has left widespread destruction in its wake, with power outages, dam breaches, downed trees, and disrupted cell service reported across the region. Roads remain impassable in many areas, and numerous residents are stranded in their homes. Local officials are working to establish food and water distribution sites to support those in need.

President Joe Biden has approved disaster relief for North Carolina, along with Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia, to allocate federal resources for recovery efforts. However, both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have faced criticism for their perceived lack of attention to the situation.

“It’s a complete catastrophe in Asheville, North Carolina,” stated the RNC Research account on X, alongside a news clip showing the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. “Biden is at the beach and Kamala is too busy with her San Francisco fundraisers to notice.”