October 1, 2024

Hurricane Helene

I mentioned in yesterday’s post that at the time it was written, we did not have power. We went on to be without power and water for three days, just getting it restored Sunday afternoon. We are among the more fortunate ones. Thousands of people across the Southeast are still without power, and many will be without power for another month. Though we suffered some damage to our property and lost about a dozen 100-year-old trees, we are good; no complaints here. The devastation in some areas is horrific, absolutely catastrophic. Here is a recap as of today.

Hurricane Helene roared ashore late Thursday in Florida’s Big Bend region as a Category 4 hurricane with 140 mph (225 kph) winds. The storm surge led to catastrophic damage along Florida’s Gulf Coast, with the Big Bend region seeing the highest inundation, which exceeded 15 feet. Cities such as Tampa and Clearwater Beach saw their highest storm surge level in decades.

Officials warned that rebuilding from the widespread loss of homes and property would be lengthy and difficult. The storm upended life throughout the Southeast. 

Torrential rainfall from the remnants of Hurricane Helene capped off three days of extreme, unrelenting precipitation, which left catastrophic flooding and unimaginable damage in the NC Blueridge Mountains and foothills.

It was close to a worst-case scenario for western North Carolina as seemingly limitless tropical moisture, enhanced by interactions with the high terrain, yielded some of the highest rainfall totals – followed by some of the highest river levels, and the most severe flooding – ever observed across the region.

The NC Department of Transportation states that “all roads in western NC should be considered closed”. They say it will take years to document and recover from the extreme rainfall and other hazards. 

As mountain streams became overrun with moisture, that water rushed down the rivers and into towns such as Asheville. Downtown Boone was inundated by several feet of flooding. Heavy rain along the Broad River basin sent a destructive wave of water, mud, and debris into the towns of Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, reducing homes and businesses to splinters. Downtown Chimney Rock is gone.

With the exception of storm surge – and Florida was hit hard by that – Helene brought the full suite of hurricane impacts to North Carolina, and in full force just hours after its landfall at Category-4 strength.

The Swannanoa River at Biltmore crested at 26.1 feet, more than five feet above its 1916 maximum and slightly above the apparent 26-foot crest in April 1791, making this effectively the worst flood along the river since North Carolina became a state.

There have been hundreds of water rescues, including in a rural county in East Tennessee, where dozens of patients and staff were plucked by helicopter from a hospital rooftop on Friday.

While 4 to 5 million people were without power in the Southeast, as of Sunday night, more than 2 million customers were still without power.

As of this writing, at least 121 people have been confirmed dead across six states - Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. Six hundred plus are missing. 

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper says people are “desperate for help,” and the state is working to deploy all available resources. “Many people are cut off because roads are impassible. They don’t have power or communications. This unprecedented storm dropped 10-29 inches of rain across the mountains, causing life-threatening floods and landslides,” Cooper added.

While crews are continuing to clean up after the storm, the shortage of food, water, and fuel is leading to long lines at gas stations as tensions start to run high. Some cities (especially small towns) don’t have power for their gas stations or food in their grocery stores. Many mountain towns are cut off from civilization because of the bridges being washed away. 

While crews are trying to repair those roads, helicopters have been able to start dropping supplies to some who remain isolated until routes can be reopened. A FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray said, “There are helicopters that are very active - we saw them when we came in last night. And yet, there are still people in dire straits in need. The situation right now is still very, very complicated and fluid.”

Moody’s Analytics said it expects there will be $15 billion to $26 billion in property damage. 

Pray with me:

Father, Your Word assures us:

“…You’re such a safe and powerful place to find refuge! You’re a proven help in times of trouble— more than enough and always available whenever I need you. So we will never fear even if every structure of support were to crumble away. We will not fear even when the earth quakes and shakes, moving mountains and casting them into the sea. For the raging roar of stormy winds and crashing waves cannot erode our faith in You.” ‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭TPT‬‬)

We ask now for the fulfillment of this throughout the Southeastern United States. Some have lost family, others important possessions. The trauma is intense, the grief immeasurable. Cause those who don’t know You to turn to You through this. You are not the destroyer; You’re the Redeemer. Remind those who know You to lean into Your grace, strength, and comfort, keeping their anchor of hope attached (Hebrews 6:19). Remind them that You’re the God who can take even the bad and use it for good. And may they remember that You will not leave or forsake them in this time of crisis.  

Move on the hearts of fellow Americans to give aid and support. People need water, food, diapers, formula, shelter, and more; help us know how to help. Give churches strategies and provisions. May their serving and loving hearts be used to draw many to You; save many through this. Rescue those still stranded. We pray for all these things in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Our decree:

We decree that God is a present help in this time of trouble.

If you would like to contribute to the needs of those whom Hurricane Helene has dealt this horrific blow, we have set up a fund where you can give. Go to either of our websites: DutchSheets.org or GiveHim15.com and click on the HURRICANE HELENE link. 100% will go to those in need; we will take out no administrative costs. While online giving is best, if you choose to send a check, please note HURRICANE HELENE in the memo. Our address can be found on our website.

Click on the link below to watch the full video.

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Information for today’s post was taken from the AP News, FoxWeather.com, and the North Carolina Climate Office.