### Hurricane Helene Leaves Devastation in Its Wake in Swannanoa, N.C.

SWANNANOA, N.C. — Nearly a week after Hurricane Helene ravaged the small mountain town of Swannanoa, located 20 miles east of Asheville, the community grapples with the stark aftermath of the disaster. Residents and business owners began to return Wednesday, finding destruction that ranged from flattened homes to downed power lines and impassable roads.

Beverly and Baxter Eller, who barely escaped the floodwaters, returned to their home of 37 years only to find it encircled by a knee-high moat of muddy water. Their garage had been lifted from its foundation and rotated. Beverly Eller, 68, expressed surprise at the extent of the damage, noting that even government estimates had been off the mark. Seeking what could be salvaged, they retrieved family photos, mementos, and cherished Christmas ornaments passed down through five generations, from their now-uninhabitable house.

In the wake of the hurricane, the death toll in North Carolina climbed to 90 and many residents are still missing. President Joe Biden has ordered the Pentagon to dispatch up to 1,000 active-duty soldiers to the state to assist in delivering essential supplies to hard-hit communities like Swannanoa. During his visit to the state, Biden reviewed the damage from the air and planned subsequent visits to Georgia and Florida.

Local law enforcement in Swannanoa reported floodwaters reaching at least 10 feet in some areas. Swannanoa Fire Chief Anthony Penland, who has been working tirelessly out of his office, relayed the challenges faced by his community, stating that many roads are impassable and parts of the infrastructure are completely destroyed. The Whitson Avenue Bridge, a critical crossing over the Swannanoa River, collapsed after 9 inches of rainfall caused the river to overflow.

Emergency workers and construction crews have been working around the clock to restore electricity and other essential services. The small downtown area is coated in brown mud, with many structures reduced to rubble. Disabled Army veteran Robert Starks, 64, surveyed the neighborhood, noting the deep pain of seeing homes and businesses lost. Starks has been relying on his toilet tank for fresh water and is hoping his brother from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, will come to retrieve him.

Local business owners like Stewart Cody, who runs a body repair shop, face months of cleanup and substantial costs, especially for those without insurance. Despite the daunting road to recovery, Cody emphasized the importance of community solidarity and said that no one could have predicted the massive influx of water.

As Swannanoa begins the arduous process of rebuilding, the stories of survival and acts of unity stand as testament to the community's resilience in the face of unprecedented devastation.