Many parts of the southeastern United States are in shock as Hurricane Helen slams into the Florida Gulf Coast, dumping torrential rain across western North Carolina and surrounding states, killing nearly 100 people and cutting off vital resources and communications to communities. Millions of residents are asking for help. The North Carolina mountain city of Asheville has been hit by devastating flooding that has killed at least 30 people in the county and left residents without electricity, water and cell phone service. Interstate 40, which connects eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina, remains closed due to a section of the roadway collapsing.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation issued chilling warnings about the severity of flooding throughout the weekend, telling travelers that “all roads in western North Carolina should be considered closed,” including Interstate 40 and Interstate Hwy. A portion of Route 26 is said to be impassable.
“Please do not travel to western or western North Carolina,” the post reads. said.
📸 I-40 washed out near Tennessee border.
This alone is not enough. Do not travel to western North Carolina.
Non-emergency travel to the area impedes necessary emergency response.
Details of travel restricted areas ➡️ https://t.co/AGDVnBcZMS. pic.twitter.com/2KLwssiBv1
— NCDOT (@NCDOT) September 28, 2024
An Asheville family posted an update to family and friends on Facebook, saying they had no means of communication and drove to a store parking lot to get Wi-Fi. Phone calls and text messages barely worked, the post said.
NewsNation national correspondent Mills Hayes said in a Facebook post that “most people don't have electricity, water or gas” in Asheville. Residents described the scene as “apocalyptic.”
“I've talked to people who waited over an hour to withdraw cash at the only ATM downtown,” Hayes said. I wrote. “Most stores are closed, but even if they are open they can only accept cash.”
Countless other cities and towns in the region are in a similar situation.
Dozens, if not hundreds, of people are missing, and the death toll will likely rise. Tennessee, South Carolina, and Georgia also suffered major flooding. More than 50 people were stranded on the roof of Unicoi County Hospital in eastern Tennessee after severe flooding swept through the building, forcing them to be rescued by helicopter.
“It was a chaotic situation. We couldn't get to them by boat and strong winds were blowing and water was pouring in around the hospital. Thank God the hospital was safe. It collapsed. ,” said Unicoi County Sheriff Mike Hensley. knoxville news sentinel.
As of Sunday, more than 2 million households in the region remained without power, according to the Associated Press.
Christian relief organization Samaritan's Purse sent aid to five areas affected by Helen. Boone, North Carolina. Valdosta, Georgia. Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL and Perry, FL
“We do this because we want to show people that they are loved, that they are not abandoned, and that God is in their care,” said Edward Graham, chief operating officer of Samaritan's Purse. I want them to know that I haven't forgotten that.” “Please pray that our volunteers will respond.”
Samaritan's Purse responds to the devastation left by humanity. #HurricaneHelen. Watch this video to learn more. pic.twitter.com/2GFPTCR8hp
— Samaritans Purse (@SamaritansPurse) September 29, 2024
North Carolina's mountain communities were “devastated,” he said.
Mr Graham said this was “the worst flooding I've seen in my 45 years of life”.
As the damage and needs caused by Hurricane Helen continue to emerge, Samaritan's Purse is currently responding in five locations across the United States, working with local governments and assessing damage in multiple locations. Masu.
In Florida, our team… pic.twitter.com/bZcFgvlb4p
— Samaritans Purse (@SamaritansPurse) September 29, 2024
Other faith-based relief organizations are also helping, including those affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. In Georgia, Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief and the Salvation Army reported operating a kitchen at Northside Baptist Church in Valdosta. baptist press and christian index. Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief and the Red Cross operate a kitchen at Fleming Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia, and Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief and the Salvation Army operate a kitchen at First Baptist Church in Alma, Georgia.
Photo credit: ©X/SamaritansPurse
michael faust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His articles have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star, and Knoxville News Sentinel.
