(news nation) — Western North Carolina was one of the areas hardest hit by the remnants of Hurricane Helen. Asheville and surrounding towns in the Blue Ridge Mountains experienced record flooding.
As a result of the storm, people in the area lost power, water and cell phone service, hundreds of roads were damaged, and Asheville was effectively cut off from the rest of the world.
Bob Buckley of NewsNation affiliate WGHP said Helen's influence in North Carolina could have a “huge” impact on the election.
“Early voting is supposed to start in two weeks. I don't think that's going to happen in most of these counties on the mountain,” Buckley said on NewsNation's Swing State Spotlight Corner. Ta.the hill. ”
“In 2020, Trump won the 14 (most affected) counties by more than 90,000 votes. But he won the entire state by only 75,000 votes. “Winning over all of these voters will be huge for Republicans heading into November,” Buckley added.
North Carolina election officials said they are doing everything they can to ensure voters in the critical presidential battleground state cast their votes despite the widespread devastation.hurricane helenAnd it was only a month before the incident that basic infrastructure was destroyed.November election.
Dear Helen,struck a large area in the southeastGov. Roy Cooper said at a news conference Tuesday that heavy rain, high winds and massive storm surge along the Gulf Coast caused “incredible” devastation in western North Carolina.
“This disaster is unlike any disaster our state has ever experienced,” he said.
The level of destruction could have far-reaching effects beyond the direct damage to flooded communities, especially when it affects voting.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
