### Hurricane Helene Ravages Appalachia with Torrential Rain and Unprecedented Flooding

Hurricane Helene has wreaked havoc across Appalachia, decimating towns and claiming dozens of lives. The storm pummeled western North Carolina, leaving a trail of catastrophic flooding and immense damage. The North Carolina State Climate Office labeled Helene a "monster storm" that triggered a near "worst-case scenario" for the region.

Massive rainfall from the remnants of Helene culminated in three days of relentless downpours, devastating mountains and southern foothills. Starting as a Category 1 hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, Helene’s effects were felt far from its original location more than 500 miles away. Even before making landfall in Florida, Helene’s outer bands were already pelting North Carolina with rain.

By Thursday midnight, an hour after hitting north of Steinhatchee, Florida, Asheville Airport had recorded over 4 inches of rainfall. In Yancey County, floodwaters trapped people on rooftops, with some areas seeing more than 9 inches of rain by Thursday night. The relentless rain came before Helene’s heaviest spells even began.

Tropical storm-force winds spanning over 300 miles worsened the flooding by pushing additional moisture up the mountains. As a result, from Wednesday to Friday, areas in western North Carolina experienced over 8 inches of rain, with some locales like Busick recording a staggering 31.33 inches over three days.

The downpour, nearly three months’ worth of rain in fewer than three days, led to rivers overflowing and severe landslides, prompting widespread rescues in several counties. In Asheville alone, authorities described the impact as "biblical devastation" comparable to Hurricane Katrina.

The unprecedented event saw wind gusts break records and widespread power outages across multiple states, leaving millions in the dark. A rare mountain tornado in Watauga County and more tornadoes following Helene’s landfall compounded the destruction.

Tragically, at least 131 people have been confirmed dead across several states, including 40 in Buncombe County, further underscoring Helene's disastrous toll. The death toll is expected to rise as officials gain access to hard-hit areas.

Making matters worse, several rivers crested at record heights, with the Swannanoa River experiencing its worst flooding since North Carolina's statehood. The North Carolina State Climate Office warns that such extreme weather events may become more frequent due to climate change fueled by greenhouse gas emissions.

As the state struggles to recover, the name Helene is likely to be retired, joining the ranks of other devastating hurricanes. Despite the profound damage, the full impact will take years to document and overcome.