Tropical Storm Helene has wreaked unprecedented havoc across the western mountains of North Carolina, leaving behind a landscape scarred by floods, landslides, and widespread destruction. Communities like Asheville and Boone have been hit especially hard, as rivers surged and roads crumbled under the weight of torrential rainfall. The storm has left life permanently altered for many residents in this typically serene region.

In Asheville, the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers overflowed, inundating the historic Biltmore Village and the vibrant River Arts District. Homes, businesses, and cultural landmarks were swallowed by floodwaters. Further north, in Boone, the storm turned the charming King Street into a river of rushing water, washing away storefronts and damaging properties. Both cities now face a long and costly recovery.

One of the most tense moments came Friday morning when the National Weather Service issued a warning that the Lake Lure Dam was at imminent risk of failure. For nine harrowing hours, residents living downstream were on high alert, preparing to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Fortunately, engineers determined the dam to be stable, and the warning was lifted later that evening, but the event highlighted the unprecedented nature of the storm.

The state’s emergency services were overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster. In Buncombe County alone, officials responded to over 3,000 emergency calls and conducted more than 130 swift water rescues as floodwaters surged through residential areas. The situation was described as an “active natural disaster” by county officials, with crews working around the clock to ensure public safety.

Road closures have compounded the disaster. The North Carolina Department of Transportation issued a staggering advisory stating that “all roads in Western NC should be considered closed” due to landslides, flooding, and collapsed sections. Pieces of Interstate 40, a critical artery for the region, have been washed away along the North Carolina-Tennessee border, further isolating the area and making rescue efforts more difficult.

As of Friday afternoon, parts of the Blue Ridge Mountains had received up to 30 inches of rain, with Yancey County seeing some of the heaviest totals. Gov. Roy Cooper called the storm the worst in modern history for western North Carolina and warned of the continued risk of landslides and flooding as the ground remains saturated. Emergency crews from neighboring states have been called in to assist with rescue operations and recovery efforts.