NOAA's Hurricane Helene Report: Summary of Key Points Related to Western North Carolina

On March 19, 2025, NOAA released a full report about how Hurricane Helene affected 6 southern states. Here we’ve highlighted a few key areas of impact which is why we're working to help western NC heal emotionally and economically.

Record-breaking rainfall:

• Busick in Yancey County recorded 30.78 inches of rain, the highest in the state.

• Other notable rainfall amounts include 29.98 inches in Transylvania County and 23.31 inches near Spruce Pine in Mitchell County.

• Rainfall amounts exceeded 18 inches in several counties, contributing to flash floods and unprecedented river crests.

  
  

  Landslides and infrastructure damage:

• Over 2,000 landslides occurred, with many mountain communities completely cut off due to washed-out roads, damaged bridges, and uprooted trees.

• Entire mountainsides were stripped of trees, exacerbating the region's challenges.

  
  

  Historic river flooding:

• The French Broad River at Asheville exceeded its previous record crest by 1.7 feet, such flooding had not been seen since 1916.

• The Swannanoa River at Biltmore Village experienced a record crest, flooding homes and businesses in Asheville’s iconic districts.

Devastation to communities:

• Buncombe County reported 37 deaths, with Fairview and Swannanoa suffering extensive losses due to landslides and river flooding. The River Arts District and historic Biltmore Village were severely damaged.

• Yancey County, home to the highest rainfall total, documented 10 fatalities and catastrophic damage to thousands of structures.

• Transylvania, Henderson, McDowell, Mitchell, Avery, Polk, and Haywood Counties all experienced significant structural damage, landslides, and ongoing rescue operations.

  
  

  Rescue and relief operations:

• At least 865 people were rescued from floodwaters in western North Carolina.

• Thousands of homes were destroyed or significantly damaged, leaving many residents without power or potable water for weeks.

• Communities such as Lake Lure and Chimney Rock saw near-total destruction, with debris washing into Lake Lure.

Meteorological Highlights:

• Helene reached peak wind speeds of 120 knots (Category 4) and recorded a minimum pressure of 939 mb.

• Its large size and rapid forward motion spread hurricane-force winds far inland, impacting the Southern Appalachians and coastal states alike.

Casualties and damage:

• Helene was responsible for 248 fatalities in the United States (175 direct and 73 indirect deaths), making it the deadliest hurricane in the region since Katrina in 2005.

• An estimated $78.7 billion in damages were reported, with Florida, North Carolina, and Georgia suffering the most substantial losses.

Worst-hit regions:

• Florida experienced devastating storm surges, particularly in the Big Bend area, with up to 16 feet of inundation recorded and coastal towns nearly wiped out. Wind damage and storm surge led to widespread structural losses.

• Georgia and South Carolina faced extensive agricultural and timber losses, wind-related fatalities, and severe flooding in inland and mountainous areas.

• Western North Carolina encountered catastrophic flooding, record-breaking rainfall, and thousands of landslides, making Hurricane Helene the most devastating natural disaster in the region’s history.

• Eastern Tennessee witnessed deadly floods along the Nolichucky River, submerging homes and critical infrastructure.

  
  

  Flooding and rainfall:

• Rainfall totals exceeded 30 inches in parts of North Carolina, with widespread flooding spanning the Southern Appalachians.

• A large area from South Carolina to southwestern Virginia reported 3-day rainfall totals so rare they likely occur less than once in 1,000 years.

  
  

  Tornado activity:

  A total of 39 tornadoes were confirmed, some of which caused significant structural damage across Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

If you’d like to help in our efforts to memorialize our trees while helping the community heal through art, education, and new economic opportunities, please donate so we can continue to pursue these ongoing efforts for years to come:

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