The small mountain town of Swannanoa is grappling with widespread destruction after Hurricane Helene unleashed heavy flooding, flattening homes and leaving roads impassable. Residents returned to salvage what they could, finding many buildings beyond repair and knee-high floodwaters still surrounding some properties.
The hurricane, which has claimed 176 lives across the region, prompted President Biden to deploy 1,000 soldiers to assist isolated communities like Swannanoa.
As emergency crews work to restore services, residents are left to pick up the pieces. Some, like local business owners, face months of recovery with no insurance, while others struggle with limited fresh water and uncertainty about the future.
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