Hurricane Helene’s impact causes severe flooding in North Carolina mountains

Hurricane Helene’s devastating rain triggered flooding, landslides and massive destruction across western North Carolina, leaving at least 35 people dead and many more missing.

Marina Koren reports for The Atlantic.

In short:

• The storm caused rivers to overflow, washing away homes, roads and bridges across the region.
• Climate change has intensified storms like Helene, bringing heavier rain and slower inland decay of hurricanes.
• Asheville, considered a climate-safe city, was overwhelmed by rain and mudslides, leaving thousands without power or clean water.

Why this matters:

Intensifying storms fueled by warmer oceans are impacting not just coastal cities but also inland areas, threatening communities previously thought to be less vulnerable to climate risks. As extreme weather events increase, regions like the Appalachian Mountains may see more severe flooding and landslides.