Severe Flooding Hits North Carolina and Surrounding States
- Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm, causing record storm surges.
- North Carolina faced historic flooding and landslides, leading to significant infrastructure damage and power outages.
- FEMA is actively involved in search and rescue operations and is coordinating recovery efforts across the affected states.
The remnants of Hurricane Helene have caused historic flooding and significant damage across five southeastern states, particularly impacting North Carolina. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell reported that the flooding and landslides have exceeded preparedness levels, with Asheville experiencing severe infrastructure damage, including power outages and disrupted communication. The agency has deployed search and rescue teams to assist affected residents and is coordinating with the Army Corps of Engineers to restore water systems. Criswell emphasized the need for a complicated recovery process due to the extensive damage to homes and critical transportation routes. The storm made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, resulting in record storm surges and multiple fatalities reported across the impacted states. FEMA is committed to providing resources and support for rebuilding efforts, aiming to enhance resilience against future storms.