2 months ago
25
Hurricane Helene
’s violent onslaught left families in
North Carolina
's mountain regions, including
Boone
, isolated. Access routes were cut off by landslides and
flooding
, making it impossible for rescue teams to reach the area.
Boone, a scenic mountain town, is also home to the renowned Art of Living Retreat Center, situated within 380 acres of tranquil forest atop the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Images and videos from Boone show downtown submerged under several feet of water, with residents trapped in their homes, battling the overwhelming force of nature.
Helene made landfall late Thursday as a
Category 4 hurricane
in Florida’s Big Bend region. From there, it swiftly tore through Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee, leaving a trail of destruction.
Trees were uprooted, homes splintered, and rivers and creeks swelled beyond their banks, threatening infrastructure like dams.
At least 52 fatalities have been reported till now across five states—23 in South Carolina, 11 in Florida, and additional deaths in Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. Authorities warn that these numbers may climb as rescue efforts continue and the full extent of the storm’s damage is revealed.
In Western North Carolina, major roadways such as Interstate 40 have been shut down due to landslides and flooding, further isolating communities like Asheville, which saw large portions of the city submerged.
Preliminary damage estimates suggest that Helene’s wrath could cost between $15 billion to $26 billion in property damage. Experts also warn that
climate change
has contributed to the rapid intensification of storms like Helene, as warmer waters fuel their growth, transforming them into powerful, destructive cyclones in a matter of hours.
