 Satellite loop of Helene over the Appalachian region on September 27. | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Duration | September 27, 2024 |
| Tropical storm | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 45 mph (75 km/h) |
| Highest gusts | 70 mph (110 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 972 mbar (hPa); 28.70 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 101 (Deadliest in modern North Carolina history) |
| Missing | 26 |
| Damage | >$53.6 billion (2024 USD)(Costliest in North Carolina history) |
| Areas affected | North Carolina, particularly western parts |
Part of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season | |
| Effects
Other wikis | |
North Carolina was severely impacted by Hurricane Helene during late September 2024, primarily in its western Appalachian region, causing at least 101[1] reported deaths and significant destruction of infrastructure and residential areas across several settlements. After making landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida on September 27, the hurricane began to traverse over land across Georgia as a Category 2 hurricane and into the Appalachian mountain range as a Tropical Storm, depositing record-breaking amounts of rainfall across several settlements in western North Carolina, such as Asheville, Swannanoa, Chimney Rock, Montreat, Lake Lure, and several others.
As a result of the historic rainfall, several rivers in the region overflowed and inundated multiple settlements, destroying houses and infrastructure and cutting off power, transportation, and communications to many towns for prolonged periods. In addition, several dams were breached and mudslides occurred across the region, significantly worsening damage.