Hurricane Helene devastates Swannanoa, over 200 dead
Swannanoa faces severe damage, community bands together for recovery
Hurricane Helene swept over the mountains last week before dawn, bringing a torrent of water that reached the mailbox of Shelby Holzhauser’s small white house by the Swannanoa River. For days, she had to wear a backpack and navigate past heaps of debris left by the storm to obtain food and water. “There’s no power, no water,” Holzhauser mentioned as her four-year-old son, Carter, clung to her legs. As she spoke, crews were busy repairing roads, pipes, and electricity lines destroyed by the hurricane in Swannanoa and the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina.
The death toll had climbed to over 200 by Thursday across several southeastern states, with North Carolina suffering half of the fatalities. “Living on a hill, we thought we were safe. But it got so close that I had to get my son out, and I feared we would be trapped,” said the 23-year-old preschool teacher. Nearly a week after the storm, Thursday’s weather was sunny and clear. Ruined cars and debris had been cleared from main roads, yet normalcy was far off. Holzhauser had to use river water to flush the toilet. Her husband used a generator lent by his employer so they could cook.
Elsewhere, men staffed a stand with basic necessities at a gas station that had been knocked out of service. “We’re all sticking together. Everybody’s helping each other,” Holzhauser stated. A lifetime resident of this mountain region, she said life before Helene was focused on working to earn money, with little bonding with neighbours. That has now changed. “Since the disaster, I’ve gotten close with my neighbours. They checked on us to make sure we had what we needed,” she said.
Hurricane Helene, the deadliest U.S. storm since Katrina, has claimed more than 200 lives and left countless communities crippled. In Swannanoa, NC, where many roads are impassable, pack mules are being used to transport insulin. @MorganNorwood reports. https://t.co/nNljKtx9KX pic.twitter.com/S9MRDZuZf9
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) October 4, 2024
In the parking lot of a closed fast-food restaurant, veterinarians provided free emergency care for pets. Audrey Pace, a veterinary technician, came to help. “There’s a lot of grief now, and we know about grief, so come to us. We’re going to love you,” said Pace. “Pets are people’s unconditional love and companions,” she added, stepping away as a car arrived with a dog in the passenger seat.
Nearby, helicopters took off and landed with a loud whir. A bit further, an area with mobile homes typical of poor rural spots in the US was swept away. Christmas decorations and a child’s Star Wars outfit stuck out through a destroyed wall.
President Joe Biden toured the storm-hit areas on Wednesday and flew over Asheville, near Swannanoa. Biden sent more soldiers to aid recovery efforts after Donald Trump, seeking re-election against Kamala Harris, accused him of being slow to help hurricane victims. Holzhauser said the rebuilding effort has been “great.” Just 20 meters from her house, new water pipes were being laid, and heavy equipment was repairing damaged roads. As she observed the technicians, Holzhauser acknowledged what lies ahead. “This will take a while to recover,” she said.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Barron’s highlights North Carolina’s rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Helene, emphasizing community resilience and independent recovery actions despite extensive destruction and losses.(read more)
- KULR8 highlights North Carolina’s resilience as residents rally together to rebuild after Hurricane Helene’s devastation, emphasizing community support and ongoing recovery efforts amidst severe destruction.(read more)
- CNN reports on Hurricane Helene’s devastation, highlighting the recovery efforts amidst a dire shortage of essentials, with 128 confirmed dead and communities facing significant challenges in reconstruction and cleanup.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What impact did Hurricane Helene have on Shelby Holzhauser’s home?
The hurricane caused water to rise to her mailbox and left her without power and water.
How did Shelby Holzhauser get food and water after the hurricane?
She had to don a backpack and trudge past debris to get food and water.
What is the current state of the town of Swannanoa after the hurricane?
Crews are fixing roads, pipes, and electricity lines, but life is far from normal.
How has the hurricane affected Shelby Holzhauser’s relationship with her neighbors?
The disaster brought her closer to her neighbors as they helped each other.
What measures are being taken to assist hurricane victims in Swannanoa?
Veterinarians are offering free pet care, and helicopters and soldiers are aiding recovery efforts.
