Asheville faces unexpected health crisis after Hurricane Helene
- Hurricane Helene caused extensive power outages and infrastructure damage in Asheville, North Carolina.
- Residents reliant on medical equipment faced significant health risks due to prolonged electricity loss.
- The community's previous sense of safety from natural disasters has been fundamentally altered.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Asheville, North Carolina, faced significant challenges, particularly for vulnerable populations reliant on medical equipment that requires electricity. Many residents, including those in nearby Weaverville, experienced prolonged power outages, with over 50,000 customers still without electricity nearly two weeks post-storm. The storm caused extensive infrastructure damage, including sewer and water line breaks, complicating recovery efforts. Local authorities and FEMA responded by delivering essential supplies, including millions of liters of water and meals to affected areas. The community's sense of safety, previously bolstered by the region's reputation for being less prone to natural disasters, has been shaken, prompting a reevaluation of preparedness for future climate-related events.