Horrifying footage has been captured of apocalyptic sirens blaring as Hurricane Helen's severe flooding ravages a North Carolina village.
shocking clip It begins with a powerful wave of muddy water surging through Chimney Rock's garden, tearing pieces of the house apart and pushing the debris away with the current.
“My car's gone. Everything's gone. Everything's gone,” an unidentified filmmaker's voice can be heard saying, before another person hurriedly reassures him, “It's okay.”
The torrential currents were so strong that they tore out major roads and created new channels for the floodwaters to flow.
SUVs were seen floating down rivers and being thrown into trees.
Floodwaters reached such height that the first floors of some houses were completely submerged.
As a result, many were demolished. Those who were standing were struck down and covered in mud.
“Okay, I want you to understand the devastation we're dealing with here, but Chimney Rock is gone,” said another filmmaker, panning over the remains of the village.
The floods are believed to be the worst to occur in the western part of the state in 100 years. Gov. Roy Cooper said search and rescue teams from 19 states and the federal government came to the rescue, calling it “devastating.”
Hundreds of people were stranded in villages, and authorities carried out airlift operations throughout Saturday.
“Once we receive the names of those rescued, we will make every effort to contact families and individuals inquiring about the safety of their loved ones,” officials said.
It is unclear whether anyone died in the village. Authorities in nearby Asheville have refused to release a death toll because communications problems prevent them from contacting relatives of the victims.
At least 64 people have died in five states, including 23 in South Carolina and 11 in Florida.
