Locals React to Tragic Aftermath of Hurricane Helene: ‘Almost Katrina-Like’

A timeline of events that outlines what happened in Tennessee, North Carolina during Hurricane Helene and how you can help

As someone who once lived in South Alabama, just outside the danger zone when Hurricane Katrina came ashore, I thought maybe the comparisons were a tad hyperbolic, at first. But as someone who once again lives just a few miles away from generational devastation, I’m here to tell you the comparison is apt. 

We as locals don’t have the perspective, yet. That comes with time. We can pray to God the death toll in the wake of Hurricane Helene won’t rise to Katrina-like levels. As of October 1, the still missing is numbered at 600. But – even as search and rescue and recovery and relief efforts are ongoing, one thing we can say with absolute certainty is that life in the mountains of Western North Carolina and places in East Tennessee will never be the same.

In late September 2024, areas of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina received an estimated at 40 trillion gallons of rainfall from Hurricane Helene. The full extent of the damage is still unknown, but there is widespread damage throughout the region. Lives have been lost, and bridges and roads have been washed away. The area will likely never fully be the same as it once was, with locals saying this is their Katrina.

A Biblical flood

There are limitations to what we can comprehend. We can’t really grasp the number of grains of sand on the beach, the number of stars in the sky or the amount of water in the ocean. Neither can we, in my opinion, really comprehend the amount of rain that fell last week both before and during the arrival of the remnants of Hurricane Helene. Take the case of the 111-year-old Nolichucky Dam, located near Greeneville on the river of the same name. Late Friday night, the dam nearly failed. Creaking and cracking, the Tennessee Valley Authority called a Condition Red. And the National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning. Mandatory evacuations began downstream.

In retrospect, it was a miracle the dam stood. At least, it was a tribute to the construction ability of our great-great-grandparents. According to the TVA, the river crested nearly 10 feet higher than the previous record, 24 feet higher than normal operating levels. The TVA called it a 1-in-5,000-year rain event. The Associated Press put it differently – enough water to fill Lake Tahoe.

“It was astronomical”, Ed Clark, head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Water Center in Tuscaloosa, Ala., told the AP.

“I have not seen something in my 25 years of working at the weather service that is this geographically large of an extent and the sheer volume of water that fell from the sky.”

How much rainfall did the area get?

While the amount of water – estimated at 40 trillion gallons – is unfathomable, the damage on the ground is even more impossible to wrap our heads around.

The AP called it apocalyptic. I figure that’s just as good a word as any.

Even as I write this, we don’t know the full extent of the damage. But we know it is life-altering, like Katrina. There will be some small mountain communities that were just washed from the face of the Earth. Businesses, roads, bridges, homes and more tragically people just swept away in an unimaginable torrent of rushing water and terror. How bad is it? They’re hiking in supplies to remote mountain communities by donkey. This storm set life in the mountains back 100 years or more, at least temporarily.

Did any dams collapse?

Three different dams – the Nolichucky, Waterville and Lake Lure – were all reportedly on the brink of collapse at one point or another. By Friday afternoon, the North Carolina Department of Transportation announced that all roads in Western North Carolina were closed. Friends, I’ve been in hurricanes and tornadoes and massive floods, and I’ve never in my 50-years heard that an entire third of a state was functionally closed.

How bad was it? For several days, the only way to reach Asheville was by air. No roads were going in or out. I saw a new agency in the North report that fact and refer to Asheville as a village. Guys, it’s the 11th biggest city in North Carolina with a population of 95,000 and about 270,000 in larger Buncombe County. This isn’t some quaint village with a couple of trails in or out. It’s a small city and for days, you had to be helicoptered in.

I surely never thought I’d see it.

Biblical. Apocalyptic. Astronomical. Cataclysmic. You pick the word, and somehow, they all come up short.

A timeline of events

So what happened in the Appalachian region during this catastrophic event? Here’s a timeline:

“A lot will depend on the exact track and strength of the tropical system which is still in its early stages of development. For this reason, there is high uncertainty in wind speeds and rainfall amounts. A lot will likely change between now and Friday, so continue to monitor updates.”

National Weather Service

In addition, the NWS said the area could face localized flash flooding before the tropical event arrived. “Heavy rain rates may result in some localized flash flooding on Tuesday through Thursday of this week before the tropical remnants arrive in our area,” the NWS said.

Flood watch is issued

Tuesday, Sept. 24: In its afternoon briefing, the NWS warned of heavy rain and flooding ahead of the tropical events. “Confidence in impacts has increased. A Flood Watch has been issued,” it said. In that Tuesday briefing, the mountains of North Carolina were rated at moderate risk, a condition that included “Numerous flash flooding events with significant events possible. Larger rivers could be affected.”

Wednesday, Sept. 25: Helene is still off the coast of Mexico, South of Cuba, but the track is showing a potential strike in the Florida Panhandle and movement up through Georgia into Tennessee, placing the eye just east of Nashville by 1 pm Friday. But with most of East Tennessee in the possible cone, there is also a note. “Do not focus on the exact track. Impacts can occur well outside the area enclosed by the cone.” The excessive rainfall outlook still shows the North Carolina mountains at the most risk, but now includes the mountains in East Tennessee.

“The main threat is flooding today through Friday, but Helene’s remnants will produce strong winds Friday,” the NWS says. “Cherokee and Clay counties in NC could see storm total amounts exceed 7-10 inches.”

An Inland Tropical Watch is issued

Later in the day, a high wind watch was issued for Tennessee and Virginia. An Inland Tropical Watch was issued for North Carolina.

Thursday, Sept. 26: By noon, all of East Tennessee had been placed on a flood watch. The area was warned of an impending “high impact weather” event. Tropical Storm warnings were in effect for Clay and Cherokee North Carolina. Helene was still in the Gulf, about even with the Florida Keys.

“An extreme risk of life-threatening flash flooding exists near the TN/NC state line into Western North Carolina,” the NWS said. “If you live in a flood-prone area, prepare for flooding and have an evacuation plan.”

Severe, widespread flash flooding, lives and property in great danger

At that point, most of East Tennessee was in the Moderate 3 category while most of Western North Carolina had been upgraded to Level 4, High with “Severe, widespread flash flooding. Lives and property in great danger.”

At the 2:30 pm briefing, the NWS warned of near-record river crests. The Hurricane itself remained deep in the gulf, about even with South Florida. Heavy rains arrive right on the heels of the previous system and continue overnight as the storm approaches. The storm makes landfall in the Florida Panhandle as a Category 4 Hurricane. Flash Flood warnings are in effect in many locations throughout the region.

Power outages begin

Friday, Sept. 27: Power outages are reported across the region, several systems have essentially all of their customers without power. At 9 am, evacuations are reported at Roan Mountain in Carter County. By 10:37 am, a Flash Flood Warning is issued for Newport, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. And at 10:30 am, the NWS reports several water rescues and evacuations are happening. “There are THOUSANDS of trees down across the area.”

At 10:53 am, the NWS reports places in the North Carolina mountains may have received 20 to 30 inches of rain.

At 11:15, the North Carolina Department of Transportation reports that ALL roads in Western North Carolina should be considered closed. The eye passes and the rain stops before noon in East Tennessee.

Interstate 40 is badly damaged

At 12:53 pm, the Tennessee Department of Transportation reported that I-40 is closed at the Newport exit. Later in the afternoon, there are reports of imminent failure at both the Lake Lure and Waterville dams. Ultimately, neither dam failed.

In the afternoon into the evening, there are reports of massive flooding. Downtown Newport is underwater. The town of Chimney Rock is also heavily damaged. Roads and bridges are failing. I-40 is closed due to a washout. Swiftwater rescue teams are being deployed throughout the region.

The ETSU Football team en route to a game against the Citadel is stranded near Hendersonville. The team is fed free sandwiches from an Ingles without power and eventually led to safety by a good Samaritan in an electric vehicle.

Flooding in East Tennessee counties

At 11:41 pm, the National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Emergency warning for Cocke, Greene and Hamblen counties related to an imminent dam failure at the Nolichucky Dam near Greeneville. The warning includes the phrase “life-threatening” and encourages those near the river to seek higher ground now.

Saturday, Sept. 28: At 12:13 am, TVA warns a breech at the Nolichucky Dam could happen at any time. At 1:07 am, the Hamblen County EMA orders a mandatory evacuation of the area near the river, a shelter is opened at a local church. The Flash Flood Warning was extended multiple times, eventually being lifted at about 4 pm. At 9:55 am, TVA announces the river has crested and the dam remains intact.

At 8:45 am, NCDOT says there are over 400 roads closed in North Carolina, and all roads in Western North Carolina remain closed. By 4:49 pm, TVA officially announces the Nolichucky Dam to be stable and secure. At 5 pm, the ETSU game at The Citadel kicks off. The traveling Bucs would go on to win 34-17 before taking the long way back to Johnson City.

Rescue and recovery operations are taking place across the region

Sunday, Sept. 29: Recovery and relief operations are in full swing. TDOT workers across the state are in East Tennessee assessing roadways and bridges. National Guard members are flying rescue and supply missions. Officials in Greene and Cocke counties, where water systems have failed seek donations of bottled water. TVA dams are spilling water to manage levels downstream. Flood watches are issued for communities below the Douglas Dam.

How you can help

Many good organizations are offering aid and comfort to the people of the mountains. Let me tell you about one.

Empower Cocke County is a not-for-profit based in Newport – a community hit hard by flooding and one of several that is currently under a boil water mandate. The local water system has been ravaged and it’s anyone’s guess how long it will be before it comes back online.

Empower Cocke County President of the Board Dr. Candi Overholt says the response and support shown is already massive.

“The outpouring to our community has been breathtaking. Churches and businesses from all over the south are joining in our clean-up. Neighbors are helping neighbors. Pallets of water are pouring in. People showing up with pizzas, chain saws, construction equipment,” she said. “People drive by as we mop just to bring supplies or grade our lots. The City Leaders close streets off and on to help us finish and provide resources as we work. This restores hope in humanity.”

Even as their building was flooded, Empower is focused on helping others first. Empower has a separate fund just for storm response.

“We pour all of it straight to the community,” she said.

How to help Cocke County and Empower

There are several ways you can help. They include:

• Monetary donations: To donate money, please visit their website and click on “Support Us.” In the memo or note section, write “Flood.” You can donate here.

• In-kind donations: Empower Cocke County is also accepting item donations. New, clean items are preferred, but all donations are welcome. For daily updates on drop-off times and locations for item donations, please follow Empower Cocke County and TheSmokies.com on Facebook.

if you can’t donate at this time, consider helping by sharing the message. While there remains work to be done, Overholt and her team remain on the job, helping in the recovery.

“God is good,” she said. “Ephesians 3:20 ‘Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.’”

A North Carolina local’s point of view

I reached out to my friend and former colleague Jason Reagan. He’s lived in Western North Carolina for several years. Today, he lives in Boone in a new townhome community high on a hill with very few trees and underground power lines. He says they probably weathered the storm about as well as anyone in Boone, all things considered. The grocery stores remain open and are stocked, and most of the main highways have reopened. Jason said that he never felt in danger, though he did worry something might turn loose in the roaring wind and break a window.

It was certainly a very different experience from those in neighboring communities. He said it’s been surreal seeing the damage and destruction all around.

‘Almost Katrina-like’

“Almost Katrina-like,” he said. “Many residents are still cut off from the world due to road washouts – no power, no internet. The Coast Guard is using helicopters to airlift some people and drop supplies. Because we were without power and phone service for a few hours on Friday, I had no idea about the devastation and high water levels until later, and then I was shocked and concerned for my friends.”

There have been those – mostly those who exist behind keyboards on social media – who have been critical of the people of the mountains for not being better prepared. As if anyone understood that a storm that made landfall more than 400 miles away could have such an impact in the mountains. As if anyone in their right mind is ever prepared for a 1-in-5,000-year event.

Jason doesn’t hold back in his response

“We’ve been told by climate scientists for several years to expect more severe and unprecedented weather events, though not specifically for Boone. We as a nation ignored these warnings and failed to take action. I think we need to organize disaster levels on the federal, rather than state and local levels to achieve more efficient restoration efforts in the future. Remember, mere days ago, several Congress members voted to shut down the U.S. government. For them, I hope this may be a sobering lesson to put peoples’ well-being above politics.”

“I do think we did not prepare for this in the same way someone on the Florida coast would have prepared. So, our local governments need to work with federal officials to build back better and more resilient – much like with Katrina in New Orleans. There are opportunities to use funds to rebuild small businesses and infrastructure that will be better able to handle severe weather events.”

What have we learned?

Asked about the possibility of a city the size of Asheville being completely cut off, Jason said he knew – at least theoretically – it was possible but never considered it a reality.

Asked what takeaway he wanted to share, Jason said he hopes we learn the right lessons.

“We need to take a lesson from this: We are one nation. We need to stop acting only in the interest of any one state and better pool and organize resources to be more resilient for the next emergency,” he said. “And given our lack of action to mitigate climate change, I’m confident we’ll see more of these types of events. We also need to be prudent in how we rebuild.”

“For some people, there’s probably no going back to another shoddily built cabin at the end of a dirt road. We need to work together as a people and government to come up with sane, affordable housing options, so people in need in these mountains won’t have to settle for such precarious house locations only to be potentially cut off after the next flood.”

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