Asheville Hit Hard: A City Under Water

One of the hardest-hit areas, Asheville, North Carolina, continues to grapple with the aftereffects of record-breaking flooding. Longtime environmental advocate Hartwell Carson has spent over a decade monitoring the French Broad River, but what he witnessed in the wake of Helene was unlike anything he had ever seen.

“This is beyond anything I could have imagined,” Carson remarked as he paddled through neighborhoods that now resemble rivers. Entire sections of the city’s River Arts District and Biltmore Village were submerged, with only rooftops and signs peeking out from the floodwaters. Gas stations, homes, and even a local restaurant have been completely overtaken by water.

By September 30, much of Asheville remained without power or access to clean water. The French Broad River, swollen to a historic level, began to recede, but not before setting a new high-water mark. Carson recalled how, during the peak of the storm, floodwaters rose nearly a foot and a half above the plaque commemorating Asheville’s infamous 1916 flood. “It’s impossible to grasp how much higher it reached this time,” he added.

The Toll on Transportation

In neighboring Tennessee, the damage to highways and bridges is staggering. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has been working tirelessly to inspect hundreds of bridges, but with over 27 sections of roadway and 14 bridges still closed, the recovery will be a massive undertaking. Five bridges were completely washed away by the powerful floodwaters.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime event,” said TDOT’s deputy commissioner Will Reid, noting that rainfall from Helene far exceeded the region’s flood protection standards. “We’re focused on reconnecting communities, but it’s going to take time.”

In North Carolina, Interstate 40, a critical route connecting Asheville to Knoxville, was completely severed in the Pigeon River Gorge, where floodwaters eroded entire sections of the highway. State officials are still evaluating the damage, but early reports indicate that the road will remain closed for some time. More than 60 primary routes are still impassable, with the recovery effort expected to extend for months.

Restoring Power: A Herculean Task

As crews work to clear roads and repair infrastructure, the battle to restore power to millions of residents continues. By September 30, over 700,000 people in South Carolina, along with hundreds of thousands more in North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, were still without electricity. Duke Energy, the region’s largest utility provider, reported that damage to its infrastructure was severe, particularly in upstate South Carolina and western North Carolina.

Substations, transmission lines, and utility poles were destroyed by the storm, and some areas remain completely inaccessible due to mudslides and flooding. Despite these challenges, Duke Energy has restored power to more than a million customers, though it cautioned that full restoration will take several more days, especially in the hardest-hit areas.

Dams Hold, But the Risk Was High

Among the most significant concerns was the stability of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) dam system. With floodwaters reaching unprecedented levels, TVA officials closely monitored Nolichucky Dam, which was at one point feared to be on the brink of failure. However, after a thorough inspection, it was determined to be secure.

The floodwaters crested at record heights across the TVA system, with Douglas Dam in east Tennessee releasing more than 450,000 gallons of water per second to manage the overflow. The flood control efforts were successful, preventing further downstream flooding.

Federal Aid and Support Mobilized

Recognizing the widespread devastation, President Joe Biden announced federal disaster declarations for several states, including North Carolina and South Carolina, unlocking much-needed funding for recovery efforts. Over 3,600 federal personnel, including teams from FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, have been deployed to assist with debris removal, power restoration, and the rebuilding of critical infrastructure.

“This storm was historic, and so is our response,” Biden said in an address, committing every available resource to the affected states.

Utility crews from across the country and Canada have joined the recovery effort, while federal agencies work to restore power, clear roads, and provide mobile communication services to areas cut off by the storm.

Rebuilding with Resilience

As the immediate response efforts continue, attention is turning to the long-term recovery and how to rebuild in a way that mitigates future storm damage. In Florida, where storm surge caused significant destruction, the Florida Gulf Coast chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is pushing for local governments to waive permit fees and expedite the approval process for repairs.

“We’ve learned a lot from past storms,” said Steve Cona III, the chapter’s president. “This is our chance to rebuild smarter, stronger, and better prepared for what’s to come.”

Looking Ahead

While the path to recovery will be long, the resolve of the communities affected by Hurricane Helene is strong. With the support of federal agencies, local governments, and utility providers, the Southeast is beginning to take the first steps toward rebuilding. As the floodwaters recede and the full scope of the damage comes into focus, one thing is clear: the work ahead will require resilience, collaboration, and a commitment to preparing for the future.

Sources: www.constructiondive.com, www.agc.org, www.enr.com, www.bls.gov, www.yahoo.com/news, www.thedefensepost.com, www.hospitalitynet.org