New Drone Footage Captures Extensive Destruction Across Western North Carolina by Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene, one of the most devastating storms to hit the U.S. in the past 50 years, etched itself into history as the second deadliest U.S. hurricane since 2000, after Katrina. Unleashing a staggering 42 trillion gallons of rainfall, Helene has created a humanitarian and economic crisis across multiple southeastern states. With deadly storm surges, dam bursts and power outages, the aftermath is not a pretty sight, as several video captures emerge of the extreme damage caused by Helene. At the end of this article is one such drone footage posted by Forbes on their YouTube Channel of Helene’s destruction across Western North Carolina.

A Death Toll of 213: The Second Deadliest in 50 Years

With 213 confirmed deaths, Hurricane Helene became the second deadliest storm to strike the U.S. mainland since Hurricane Camille in 1969. Fatalities were reported across six states, including South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. Many of the deaths were attributed to flooding, collapsing structures, and the powerful storm surge that hit coastal areas. Rescue teams continue to search for hundreds of people still missing, raising concerns that the death toll could increase further.

$225 to $250 Billion in Damages

The economic cost of Hurricane Helene is staggering, with estimated damages between $225 billion and $250 billion. This makes Helene one of the most financially damaging hurricanes in U.S. history, rivalling the destruction caused by storms like Katrina. The storm disrupted businesses, destroyed homes, and damaged critical infrastructure across multiple states. The damage extended across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, leaving many communities facing years of rebuilding efforts.

42 Trillion Gallons of Water

Hurricane Helene dumped an unprecedented 42 trillion gallons of water across the southeastern U.S. To put that in perspective, this amount of rainfall could fill Lake Tahoe or provide the flow of Niagara Falls for nearly two years. The rain caused historic flooding, particularly in the Carolinas, where rivers like the French Broad near Asheville broke their previous records, with levels rising over 10 feet above the norm.

Some areas saw extraordinary rainfall totals. Jonas Ridge in North Carolina recorded an unofficial total of 36.65 inches of rain, while official National Weather Service data recorded 30.78 inches in Busick, North Carolina. These massive amounts of rainfall caused devastating landslides and rendered many roads impassable.

Widespread Power Outages and Infrastructure Damage

At the height of the storm, 4.8 million customers lost power, the most significant outage since Hurricane Irma in 2017. Days after the storm, 1.6 million people remained in the dark, with power outages affecting homes and businesses from Georgia to Virginia. Georgia Power and Duke Power reported unprecedented levels of destruction, with more than 5,000 power poles needing replacement in Georgia and 6,000 downed in South Carolina. The scale of the destruction has overwhelmed power companies, with complete restoration expected to take weeks.

Additionally, approximately 5000 trees were uprooted, and 425 miles of power lines were destroyed, further complicating recovery efforts. In South Carolina, 260,000 people are in darkness, with 26 counties in the North and South being 60 to 100 per cent offline. In Georgia, more than 190,000 homes and businesses are experiencing outages. Virginia has just more than 10,000 customers in the dark.

33 Tornadoes and Wind Damage

In addition to flooding, the storm spawned 33 confirmed tornadoes across the Southeast. The most destructive tornado, an EF3, struck Rocky Mount, North Carolina, injuring 15 people and levelling homes. Mount Mitchell in North Carolina recorded the second-highest wind gust from the storm, with winds reaching 106 mph. The highest gust, 107 mph, was recorded offshore from Florida’s west coast.

Reports confirmed how the French Broad River near Asheville rose more than 10 feet more than its earlier record. Four rivers in the Asheville area were reported to have surpassed their previous record heights during Hurricane Helene.

As the death toll continues to climb and the full scope of the damage comes to light, Hurricane Helene will be remembered as one of the most destructive storms ever to hit the southeastern U.S. With over $225 billion in damages, 213 lives lost, and communities left in ruins, the storm’s aftermath is a sobering reminder of nature’s destructive power. Watch the drone footage video showcasing Hurricane Helene’s destruction in Western North Carolina.