Rescue efforts are underway across western North Carolina after Hurricane Helen brought unprecedented flooding and landslides to the region over the weekend.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell called the devastating flooding “historic” during an appearance on CBS' “Face the Nation” on Sunday.
“No one can be completely prepared for the scale of flooding and landslides that we are currently experiencing,” Criswell said. “But we've had a team there for several days and we're sending more search and rescue teams.”
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said at a news conference Sunday that the death toll of 11 is expected to rise as search teams reach isolated areas from the storm.
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Hurricane Helen flooded the banks of the Swannanoa River in Asheville, North Carolina, on Friday. (AP Photo/Eric Verduzco)
“This is an unprecedented tragedy and requires an unprecedented response,” Cooper said, adding, “We know there will be many more deaths.”
Cooper urged residents to stay off roadways in western North Carolina to keep roads clear for emergency vehicles.
Emergency workers watch as floodwaters rise in Asheville, North Carolina, on Friday. (AP Photo/Eric Verduzco)
More than 50 search teams have been deployed across the region searching for the stranded people.
“Many people are cut off from transportation because the roads are now impassable,” the governor said.
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Supplies were being flown into the area around Asheville, a popular tourist city in the mountains of western North Carolina.
A man walks near a flooded area near the Swannanoa River in Asheville, North Carolina, on Friday. (AP Photo/Eric Verduzco)
Criswell said water is a “huge concern at this time” as recovery efforts continue.
“We have sent bottled water, and the Army Corps of Engineers is also preparing to begin an assessment today to see what we can do to quickly restore the water system.” she stated. “And we're also bringing satellite communications, Starlink satellites, to the area to help with the communication deficit that's going on in that part of the state.”
Asked about the effects of climate change and storms, Criswell said rising water temperatures caused storms to intensify rapidly.
“We're seeing more storms reaching levels in this major category than we've ever seen before,” she said. “We're also seeing more storm surge in coastal areas. As we move north, we're seeing more rainfall.”
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“So when we looked at hurricane damage in the past, it was primarily wind damage, with some water damage as well,” Criswell continued. “But now we're seeing more flooding, and I think that's a result of warming and a result of climate change.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
