NORTH CAROLINA (LOOTPRESS) – Residents of the North Carolina mountains are pleading for help as the death toll from Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic flooding continues to rise.
Entire communities have been left stranded, homes washed away, and essential infrastructure destroyed, leaving thousands of people desperate for food, water, and medical assistance.
Emergency officials confirmed that the number of fatalities has increased to 30, with fears that the toll will rise further as search and rescue operations are hampered by treacherous conditions. Many residents in remote areas remain trapped by rising floodwaters and landslides, unable to reach safety.
“We’re cut off from everything,” said one resident of Chimney Rock, a small mountain community that has been submerged by floodwaters. “No power, no food, and no one can get to us. We need help now.”
Hurricane Helene struck the region with unprecedented force, dumping over a foot (some places receiving 30″) of rain in just a few days. Rivers and creeks surged over their banks, sweeping away homes, vehicles, and entire sections of roads. Landslides triggered by the relentless rain have blocked major highways and rural routes, isolating many towns in the western part of the state.
“This is the worst flooding we’ve ever seen,”** said a spokesperson for North Carolina’s emergency management team. “The damage is unimaginable, and it’s a race against time to reach people before conditions worsen.”
Rescue crews have been working tirelessly to reach those stranded in hard-to-access areas. However, blocked roads, washed-out bridges, and continued flooding have made it nearly impossible to get to many residents. Boats, helicopters, and all-terrain vehicles have been deployed, but responders are stretched thin as the scale of the disaster becomes more apparent.
“We’re receiving thousands of calls for help, and it’s overwhelming,” said a local first responder. “We’re doing everything we can, but we need more resources on the ground.”
Residents have been taking to social media and news outlets in many counties where floodwaters have engulfed entire neighborhoods, pleading for more immediate assistance. Some are using makeshift rafts to rescue neighbors, while others are trapped on rooftops, waiting for emergency crews to arrive.
“There’s no cell service, no electricity, and we’re running out of supplies. We’re scared that no one’s coming.”
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has declared a state of emergency and has requested federal assistance, but efforts have been hampered by the ongoing weather challenges. Evacuation centers have been established in safer areas, but many residents are unable to leave their homes due to the rising waters.
As the death toll climbs, local hospitals and shelters are becoming overwhelmed by the influx of people needing care. Medical supplies, food, and water are being rationed in some of the hardest-hit areas. Many residents are also facing the loss of their homes, businesses, and farms, with the economic toll of the disaster expected to be staggering.
“The situation is dire,” said Governor NC Roy Cooper. “We need everyone to be patient, but we are also working as fast as we can to get help to where it’s needed most. We will not abandon these communities.”
Donations of food, water, and emergency supplies are being requested from across the state, and volunteers are being mobilized to assist in recovery efforts. For now, residents in the North Carolina mountains are left waiting for help, praying for relief as they face the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s devastating floodwaters.
