ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The remnants of Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc in North Carolina’s largest mountain city this past weekend. Floodwaters cut off Asheville from the rest of the world, leaving behind damaged roads, power outages, and a complete lack of cellphone service. The destruction spread across southern Appalachia, resulting in an unknown number of casualties and countless worried relatives unable to contact their loved ones.

The storm caused misery in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, with authorities using helicopters to rescue dozens of people from flooded areas, including a hospital rooftop. In North Carolina alone, more than 400 roads remained closed on Saturday as floodwaters started to recede, revealing the magnitude of damage. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper confirmed that supplies were being airlifted to the affected areas.

One of the survivors, nurse Janetta Barfield, shared her harrowing experience of being rescued from rising waters after her car got swamped. Despite efforts to prepare for the storm, officials were caught off guard by its sheer intensity. The storm left Asheville in disarray, with more than 700,000 customers without power and major highways impassable.

Residents were left without cellular service, with no timeline for restoration, and were advised to boil their water. County Emergency Services Director Van Taylor Jones confirmed some casualties but refrained from providing specific details due to communication outages. Across the state line in Tennessee, the threat of a stressed dam was easing on Saturday morning.

The small Tennessee city of Newport also faced heavy flooding, with businesses and homes severely affected. The storm’s devastating impact was felt throughout the region, with many struggling to cope amidst the chaos.

Despite the challenges, communities came together to support each other during this difficult time. The trail of destruction left behind by Hurricane Helene serves as a stark reminder of the immense power of nature and the importance of preparedness in the face of such calamities.

Reported by Loller and Walker. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.