LEXINGTON, Ky. ( FOX 56 ) — According to the latest data, the death toll from Helene is more than 125 people across six states, and western North Carolina is one of the hardest hit areas.
North Carolina’s governor, Roy Cooper, said the state is dealing with a situation unlike anyone has ever seen there, saying the damage is extensive and devastating. That is why volunteers are on the ground providing resources to people in need.
“You’re going to have to sit here and wonder, Will they recover from this?” said Eastern Kentucky native Chris Hall.
Several towns in North Carolina are left in shambles after Helene tore through the southeast.
“The devastation was beyond belief,” Cooper said. “And even when you prepare for something like this, this is something that’s never happened before in western North Carolina.”
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Hall is in Asheville helping with disaster relief efforts. The storm chaser said the city currently has little to no running water or power.
“Everything is underwater,” he said. “Everything down there is just destroyed.”
According to the Associated Press, several main routes into the city were washed away or blocked by mudslides, including Interstate 40.
Hall noted that the mountain landscape there made Asheville and other surrounding towns more vulnerable.
“Water blasting over the hillside, I mean, this is probably moving 75- 80 miles an hour,” said Hall. “Just a wall of water and debris. I mean, what are you supposed to do?”
Data shows the storm has killed at least 40 people in the area.
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“It reminded me instantly of back in Kentucky, the eastern Kentucky floods,” he added. “Houses are washing down the river. You know, people are doing what they can to just hold on.”
In addition to providing food, Hall said he and a group called Marco Patriots are helping families get in touch with loved ones through a device that connects to a Starlink internet satellite.
“Pretty much we’re in a communication black hole,” said Hall. “So they would be just clueless about how other family members are or even if they can go anywhere.”
Hall said it’s difficult to say how long recovery efforts could take, but that they’re doing all they can to help.
High winds cause damage to historic Lexington landmark “Just providing hot food or water, or supplies. We’re loaded with supplies behind us and will just do what we can.”
The North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund is now live for anyone who would like to donate to clean-up and recovery efforts.
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