Hurricane Helene devastates NC, southeastern US

Those who live in Lansing said the isolation now feels more like an island, with community members banding together to help the many homes and businesses flooded by Helene.

A Wake County man, Eddie Hunnell, became a hero when he risked his own life to save a woman from raging floodwaters in Ashe County.

A Lee County Middle School teacher has been missing for weeks after her home in Avery County was swept away by Helene's floodwaters.

As of Wednesday afternoon, state data shows Helene is responsible for 89 deaths in North Carolina. There are 57 confirmed deaths in Buncombe County alone.

A look at damage in North Carolina and the Southeast as Helene moved through the state on Sept. 27, 2024.

A confirmed tornado in Rocky Mount has injured 15 people and damaged 14 buildings, Nash County Emergency Management said.

WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner explains why Helene was such a catastrophic storm for Asheville and all of western North Carolina.

WRAL's Kat Campbell explains why Helene was such a catastrophic storm for Asheville and all of western North Carolina.

Destruction in Biltmore Village, a popular tourist attraction just outside the famous Biltmore mansion, is widespread.

In Rocky Mount, people are working to clean up the damage from a powerful EF3 tornado brought on by Helene. There were 15 people injured, including four seriously.

Business owners returned to Biltmore Village on Monday to assess the damage to their properties. Asheville saw more than 14 inches of rain due to Helene.

Aerial footage is giving us a better idea of the devastation in western North Carolina as a result of catastrophic flooding and mudslides from Hurricane Helene.

Hundreds of thousands remain without power in the devastated mountain cities and towns hit by Helene. Crews are working day and night to restore power, but it could still be a while for some.

People are stepping up to help those affected by Helene. On Monday, Wake County churches will deliver drinking water to people who need it in western North Carolina.

Monday morning, thousands in western North Carolina are without power, cell serive and drinking water. At least 30 people, including two sheriff's deputies, have been killed in Buncombe County because of flooding from Helene.

The worst of Helene is not yet over. Many western North Carolinians remain trapped in the mountains with no power, no cell service and no water.

In the wake Tropical Storm Helene's devastation across the state of North Carolina, many people are still trying to get in touch with loved ones. This is a list of people who have reported being safe from the storm.

Rescue efforts are underway as communities across several states are dealing with the aftermath of hurricane Helene.

Water, roads, power, cell service, those are all still problematic - though there have been limited improvements.

FEMA can help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs.

Two deputies in western North Carolina have died, according to the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association.

Buncombe County officials give an update on the response to Tropical Storm Helene as many of its citizens deal with the loss of basic needs. Western North Carolina is still dealing with hundreds of road closures along with widespread power and cell phone outages.

From apple farmer Linda Pryor in Henderson County

Emergency shelters have been opened in western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene, which brought historic flooding to the area.

NC 211 is a free and confidential information and referral service provided by United Way of North Carolina. It connects individuals and families with health and human services and resources in their community

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper gives updates on the government response to recovery efforts in western NC after Tropical Storm Helene walloped the region.

Many people are struggling after Tropical Storm Helene ripped through the North Carolina mountains. WRAL reporter Shaun Gallagher showed how he was able to get out of Asheville, and other tough decisions many face when deciding to leave.

From Rocky Mount to the mountains, Tropical Storm Helene had a wide-reaching impact across North Carolina. WRAL News had team coverage from the west and at home, with how people are recovering and what's next.

WRAL reporter Carly Haynes spoke with Gov. Roy Cooper on the damage from Tropical Storm Helene, and how they're communicating with residents trapped without power and cell service.

Abandoned vehicles caked with mud. Mountainous rural roads and slices of highways washed away into rivers. Parking lots filled with people desperately searching for cellphone service, trying to tell loved ones they are OK -- or wanting to find out who is not.

Many organizations are working to support those in need during this difficult time.

Classes are canceled at Appalachian State University through Friday, Oct. 4, at least, as the town of Boone recovers from Helene.

Buncombe County leaders said there are now 40 confirmed deaths in the county related to Helene.

Many roads washed away completely as Helene hammered the mountains with historic flooding.

Flooding caused by Tropical Storm Helene washed away several roads around western North Carolina and trapped several Appalachian State students in their dorms.

Hurricane Helene has raised concerns about the increasing frequency of severe weather across the U.S., with more than 1,495 tornadoes recorded this year, making it the second-most active year on record.

Several residents are cut off as the western part of the state continues dealing with catastrophic flooding.

Sky 5 flies over Harmony Church Road, closed in both directions at Poteat Road.

A confirmed tornado in Rocky Mount has injured 15 people and damaged 14 buildings, Nash County Emergency Management said.

The organizers of IBMA Bluegrass Live! talk about how they are dealing with the first day of the street festival amid Tropical Storm Helene's effects.

Asheville was hit hard by the flooding with dumpsters, trailers and what appeared to be a shipping container floating away.

Crews work to remove a massive tree down on Vandora Springs Road in Garner on Sept. 27, 2024.

A live web camera from ExploreBoone.com shows King Street in Boone flooded due to Tropical Storm Helene.

Duke Energy representative Jeff Brooks talks with WRAL about the current outages and what the company is doing to prepare for more outages due to Helene.

A mother carried her baby out of the flood waters in Atlanta as Helene moved through the area on Sept. 27, 2024. The family's dogs were also being carried to safety.

A tree fell Friday at the Treetop Apartments in Raleigh. A photo shows the tree completely uprooted.

WRAL's Shaun Gallagher is in Asheville surveying the impact of Helene, a tropical storm moving toward the Carolinas.

A look at Tropical Storm Helene's path and radar imagery as the storm moves closer to making landfall in the southeast.

Tropical Storm Helene launched consistent heavy rain and flooding on Friday in central North Carolina. Some of the Triangle's most populated areas saw tornado warnings and flash flood warnings.

Some areas had the center line on the road completely covered with flood waters.

Hurricane Helene is moving towards the North Carolina mountains. While the worst is expected to hit western North Carolina, many in the Triangle still felt the storm's effects.

According to the National Hurricane Center, the North Carolina mountains could see flooding not seen in over 100 years.

After a tornado warning the sent students to hide in closets Wednesday night and with heavy rain continuing to fall, Appalachian State University on Thursday canceled some of the events planned for the upcoming family weekend.

Some local utility crews are in Florida to help with recovery once Hurricane Helene passes. A team with the Rocky Mount's Energy Resources Department is riding out the storm in Tallahassee, ready to help with power restoration.

WRA News sent several reporters to the mountains, which are dealing with severe flooding ahead of Hurricane Helene's arrival.

Hurricane Helene is expected to make landfall Thursday along the Florida panhandle as a strong Category 3 or 4 storm.

Drone video from a WRAL viewer shows severe flooding at Carrier Park in Asheville. 📷 Chance Harrison

Johnston County is experiencing flooding issues that have led to road closures and school delays on Thursday.

The owners of Hilltop Farm, an apple farm in Henderson County, sent WRAL News video of their flooded field. Credit: Linda Pryor:

A live look at conditions on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in Key West, Florida, as Hurricane Helene gets closer to the state.

As Hurricane Helene draws closer, local emergency services are preparing for potential flooding and water rescues.

Governor Roy Cooper is urging caution, especially in the mountains and foothills, as Helene gets closer to the state.

As Hurricane Helene draws closer, local emergency services are preparing for potential flooding and water rescues.

National Guard soldiers and swift water rescue teams have been deployed to various parts of North Carolina with some of the state already having seen several inches of rain ahead of Hurricane Helene.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper talks about how agencies are preparing to help North Carolinians with Hurricane Helene likely to bring heavy rain and strong winds on Friday.

Helene on Friday brought a slew of tornado warnings to the WRAL viewing area, and a tornado touched down in Rocky Mount, injuring four people.

The storm is expected to bring as much as 15 inches of rain to some areas in western North Carolina.

While the hurricane won't bring the worst to Fayetteville, many are concerned heavy rain further north will cause flooding along the Cape Fear River.

According to North Carolina Education Lottery officials, The Powerball drawing will be moved from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. due to Hurricane Helene and will not be broadcast live on television or online.