Hurricane Helene’s brutal onslaught has left the small mountain town of Swannanoa, North Carolina, in ruins – with locals describing the community as ‘completely obliterated’.
As the death toll rises to as many as 30 in Buncombe County alone, survivors are left with scenes of utter devastation and a desperate lack of basic necessities.
The once picturesque town is now in ruins.
Cars line tree branches along the flooded Swannanoa River. Houses have been torn from their foundations, turned upside down or split in two.
In addition, a thick layer of mud covers the entire area.
Hurricane Helene’s brutal onslaught has left the small mountain town of Swannanoa, North Carolina, in ruins – with locals describing the community as ‘completely obliterated’
As the death toll rises to as many as 30 in Buncombe County alone, survivors are left with scenes of utter devastation and a desperate lack of basic necessities.
The Swannanoa River at Biltmore in nearby Asheville has reached flood levels not seen since 1791.
The First Baptist Church parking lot became an aid station on Sunday. The usual worship service was replaced by a space of shared grief and mutual support.
Pastor Jeff Dowdy, 48, and his wife Melody spent more than four hours waving their way out of their neighborhood to help set up the makeshift shelter, the couple told the Washingtonpost.
“We’re just trying to do what we can,” Dowdy told the outlet.
‘This is not a typical Sunday morning. But this is also ministry.”
Resident Dustin Ebert’s flooded home is just yards from a main road that is in ruins.
“It looks like there will be more people by now,” Ebert told the newspaper Charlotte Observer.
As National Guard troops come and go and search and rescue missions continue, many residents are wondering where the federal help is.
The once picturesque town is now in ruins. Cars line tree branches along the flooded Swannanoa River
Houses have been torn from their foundations, turned upside down or split in half
Resident Angela McGee, who is now living in her car with her children after a late evacuation notice, asked the outlet, “Where is FEMA when we need it?”
“We are in a disaster here and no one is helping us,” she added.
The federal government has declared a major disaster in North Carolina’s 25 counties, promising faster aid and reimbursement to local agencies.
But for those on the ground, help can’t come fast enough.
For Shemsuddin Millard, the storm not only destroyed property, but also destroyed his dreams.
A thick layer of mud covers the entire area
The federal government has declared a major disaster for 25 North Carolina counties and promised aid and reimbursement to local agencies
His soon-to-open Black Mountain Improvisational Theater is now in ruins.
“Maybe the hardest part is hoping that there is some kind of lifeline and wondering if there is, but then being confronted with the reality that, no, there isn’t,” he told the outlet.
“You might as well have a damn good laugh about it. Because you know, what else is there? I’ve already cried.’
