Helene's Aftermath - 96 Hours in Asheville

On September 30, 2024, WBIR sent crews to Asheville to cover what happened to Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene.
They spent a total of 96 hours on the ground.
These are the stories they encountered.

[@RossWilliamsDC]

In North Asheville, being well above the river, we were spared the worst. We had lots of big trees and power lines down, roads blocked, and loss of all services, but this amazing community has rallied and pulled together. I know all of my neighbors so much better now, as we have come together to share food and supplies, haul water for those who can't, clear trees, etc. The nearby JCC pool is giving away pool water for dishes and bathing. Many are using the local creeks. We have repurposed the water in our cold plunge for the same purposes and the flood water in our basement has come in handy for flushing toilets. Drinking water is available free all over the place. All in all, we are mostly just inconvenienced and are trying to not have survivor's guilt after seeing how so many have lost so much in the River Arts District, Biltmore, Swananoa, Black Mountain, and on and on. Thank you for your very well-done video. We still feel blessed to live in this amazing place and community. Oh, and did I mention. We moved here from Key West, FL to get away from hurricanes. Ha ha.

[@FizzledDreams11]

😭😭 I'm so glad everyone is coming together. I haven't been able to get in touch with everyone, my friends I've known since teen years. I heard from them the day after but not since. So worried but I'm so glad everyone is helping each other ❤❤❤

[@j_rainsgoat3929]

Did they predict the hurricane and flooding days before it hit?

[@jimkaregeannes9002]

@@j_rainsgoat3929 I believe the National Weather Service in Greenville SC advised "catastrophic" flooding the day before it hit. It wasn't just Helene. There was 8 inches of rain the day before the hurricane arrived

[@catfish24]

Stay safe my friend.

[@priscilla.colburn444]

@@j_rainsgoat3929suspicious ?

[@darlene4232]

Thanks for doing this it shows how much people are coming together and not fighting that means alot ❤

[@washonmontgomery946]

Black Americans aren't coming to together with y all

[@kelliajackson7]

This is so sad! I can't even put how I feel into words. I am from central Ga and we got hit pretty hard by this storm in my area but no where near like this. I have visited these areas all of my life. The mountains of north Ga, NC. and TN have been my favorite vacation place all of my life. It is so sad to see this and know its all destroyed. It just breaks my heart. I have been praying for these communities and the residents and i will continue to pray.

[@barbarawarren9443]

I live here. Just got semi-stable internet and saw this. I sobbed, really, really sobbed, for the first time. So many people are still barely surviving, supressing emotion, and cannot even cry yet to let it out.

[@KactusKM]

❤❤❤

[@oldman6333]

I lived in Arden for 10 years and had to leave to take care of family. I have been trying to get my family back to Asheville area for the past 2 years and seeing this makes me miss that area even more. I may not have been born in that area but, it is home for me. Seeing this community come together and work their way through this tragedy shows how much pride and love the citizens of WNC have for their region.

[@leehedderwick3399]

So very sorry for all you are ALL going through 😢

[@hollyp9811]

I’m still praying for you all. 🙏🏻

[@danakembel1645]

Thank you for this segment! Excellent reporting!

[@juneladd1912]

One way that all Americans can help support some of these small communities is to visit them after they are back up and running again. We have a huge country. Take the time to visit and support every inch of it. Don't spend your money going to other countries and fancy Beach resorts in Mexico, or lavish Big cities in other countries, instead take your families, your children and Grand children to some of these beautiful small mountain get-a-ways. They are so full of beautiful people, history, and Natural beauty. The food is freshly made, good home cooking in many places, and the hiking trails and camping, or little cabins in the woods are amazing...Let's keep our money at home, here in America and support the people and businesses of these communities. Help them regrow and rebuild...They are very proud people who want and need a hand u, not a hand out...Working together as Americans I know we can help our fellow man get back up on their feet and live great lives once again...Remember, this could have happened to u, and it still could, so help support each other in times of need. Show your Patriotic American side. We have a wonderful country, get out and see it..I've seen 46 of our 50 states...Support our Americans first, Always.

[@lynm1789]

The US governement robbed me so bad it caused me to not be able to afford to live in the USA. The US government needs to reimburse the retired worker slaves who paid exorbitant taxes for decades which left the retired slaves broke. They need to confiscate the oligrachs Billions like Elon Musk instead of robbing the retired slaves.

[@michellehunter5745]

Thank you for this great story of how bad these communities were affected, and how they are coming together. My heart is breaking for my fellow southerners/ Americans. I will continue to pray and do everything I can to help. We will not forget any of ya’ll. ❤️

[@marilynwade7136]

Thank you for this indep respectful compilation of events that occurred in the Ashville community. It's an excellent representation of the level of humanity we as citizens have. ❤❤❤

[@retiredcatlady]

Beautiful coverage. Ty WBIR and Abby

[@kymbartley8104]

Made me cry. My heart goes out to you Asheville. I donated money cause even if I'm not there, I want to help. We all do. Sending LOVE ~

[@SooperTrooper100]

Good reporting.

[@jtempleton1465]

Thank you so much for sharing this with everyone. We must keep our fellow citizens in our thoughts and prayers. ❤🙏🌈

[@endoftherope]

East tennessee got hit too

[@Seacai150]

They did, but this tv station is in ashville.

[@kellyrankin9145]

I’m in central NJ where communities all around me are collecting donations to send down. I imagine other states are doing just the same. It’s heartwarming to see the people of our nation run to help in such devastation. My heart breaks for the folks who lived through this disaster and lost nearly everything. I sincerely hope the news will continue to monitor the progress of cleanup and eventual rebuilding of the towns affected by the floods… we’re all rooting for the towns and town folks!

[@levans3447]

Thank you !

[@beverlyrobertson6796]

GOD BLESS YOU ALL, THANK YOU FOR GETTING THIS OUT.❤

[@CD-vl5wr]

My prayers go out to Asheville

[@bugsy8734]

PLEASE KEEP GETTING THE TRUTH OUT THERE. FOR GOD'S SAKE!!! 100'S OF PEOPLE HAVE PERISHED 😢😢😢

[@InlogixEnterprises]

Outstanding reporting, thank you.

[@stevemurray1340]

This is extremely saddening to watch my heart goes out to all the families

[@amywc5309]

Both so tragic and incredibly uplifting. Thanks for this report.

[@sherirex7177]

So much love to all of you struggling through this catastrophic event.

[@GLN14659]

Amazing coverage and hope!

[@frigidaire4953]

Excellent Informative Reporting! Thanks to the news crew for a well put together real life story. 👍

[@gemjourney5210]

"BLOWN away by this support"....😖

[@LenaMellow]

I hope they are not forgot in Milton’s wake.

[@conniejenkins4622]

I’m so sorry Sam,, prayers for Casablanca and all who is affected 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@lauraalice9081]

this is how all of us should help each othar and shows how middle class and poor folks are the back bone of our country

[@SCORPIUSANCTUM]

Thank you for this insightful, heartbreakingly beautiful, emotional coverage... our hearts go out to everyone impacted. Hope to help in the recovery

[@ana-silviajones8704]

Yes, during the CZU fire in California on 2020 we were evacuated not being allowed to come back for 4 weeks. The governor had the cities and towns locked so looters would not come in and workers could cut trees, check for dangerous trees that could come down, repair electrical lines and water pipes. After we were back we had to pick up water in the town or boiled it.

[@Tina_at_Tiny_Ducks]

Real reporting! Thank-you! This is Heartbreaking! Never Forget!

[@janicedrexler6]

Why isn’t FEMA setting up showering stations, portable, for these communities? They sure could do better

[@michaelbarefoot188]

state and local governments are responsible for disaster relieve and rebuilding. FEMA role is to coordinate and fund state and local governments in this task. FEMA cannot even assist in these efforts until the government ask for help which they did before the storm hit. It is time that more americans become educated on the role that different government agencies are responsible for. If you are not happy with the disaster response then hold the people accountable who are responsible for it, your state and local governments. also be thankful for all the citizens in this country donating supplies and labor to help you out.

[@levans3447]

Excellent video. I noticed you made no mention nor any video of federal help there . Thats says it all.

[@cabbitkisser2620]

I'm in Hendersonville NC. some areas got hit pretty hard.

[@ginajones2328]

Bat Cave too

[@charles17508]

Sad stuff

[@user-rw718]

I cant even believe my eyes 😢

[@elliott4570]

This brought tears to my eyes…

[@pamdemic7848]

My business is in Swannanoa where it was hit worst. I have applied for FEMA , SBA immediately after the storm and have heard nothing!!!

[@joannehetherington445]

Not surprised

[@user-rw718]

If you claim asylum you get help the same day

[@Tom.788]

Where are you in Swannanoa? What is the name of your business?

[@jwiki1]

Praying for you. Maui went through the same when the fire went through. So many are still without housing and their businesses. 😢

[@yveeriksson7437]

Which business is that? Name? Location?

[@Gemini_-rb2du]

Great reporting, Abby... 👀😍

[@PaulaL1971]

Where are the government, 😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡they are busy SENT our $to other nations, remember Folksacramento, NEVER FORGET THIS😢😢😢😢

[@TwiitchMcGee]

You have no idea what you're talking about unless you are FROM HERE. We don't need outsiders like you spreading ignorance and misinformation.

[@jwiki1]

Praying for everyone involved in this devastation. 🙏🏼 I pray that more rain doesn’t cause more damage and mudslides. You all are in my heart and prayers. ❤

[@bingusbingus776]

Bless them All❤❤❤

[@daveanderson2865]

Condolences to the families who lost a loved one. Nothing can comprehend the destruction of Mother Nature's wrath.

[@bugsy8734]

Mother Nature Is Not THIS Evil 😢

[@fearlessone212]

It’s unbelievable these places didn’t get the response Florida did.

[@CodyCole80]

Maybe Florida took notes from watching Asheville.

[@dereks8930]

Florida has an extremely robust and well-organized response for these types of things North Carolina does not. Maybe educate yourself before you say words.

[@NhatHanPham]

Florida ids flat and urbanize, it has storm surge but not flash flooding in the mountains with lack of infrastructure and infrastructure completely washed out. Educate yourself

[@leahaltmann3826]

bs"d I continue to amazed how stable & functional the WNC mountain people are! Other people would just fall to pieces.

[@sylviabrown7225]

All u celebrities official making millions by the people worshipping u & watching your games made u famous U need to help these people who made u who ur U brag about the millions u make just playing ball HELP the people 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷JESUS is LORD

[@jamielsanderson6179]

😢😢😔😒😞 I’m very sad for all the loses. Please stay united. My hope is that everyone will have the strength to rebuild.

[@margaretmary-dj1ps]

Thanks for honest reporting !

[@sonjamoses2915]

God is working for Asheville!!! Helping each other!!! Keeping hope alive!! Blessings to you all!!

[@Sapphire-hi9su]

God is working in the SOUTH

[@whateverchannel22]

I'm just getting started on this report, and the production value and narration is so far fabulous (although the content is heartbreaking), but the title confuses me. Is it "Helene's Aftermath: 96 Hours in Asheville" or "Helene Aftermath: 96 Hours In" "Asheville" The fonts suggest the latter. Not trying to be pedantic, I promise, but they mean different things.

[@conniehovermale83]

Where are the air boats

[@1rdrydr]

Great video. Thank you.

[@LoriLechler]

Everything done by the locals...no government support. No FEMA. No military.

[@philipreeves9311]

Keep spreading that manure.

[@chrisbelos2834]

bullcrap, FEMA choppers are everywhere. you can't see them from your basement tho

[@bryandraughn9830]

​@@chrisbelos2834 I live here and I see the fancy helicopters too. That's about it though. Go ahead and find some video of "boots on the ground". Go right ahead.

[@karenn993]

There's been so much criticism from residents claiming the media is not covering the story accurately. So glad to see this video.

[@Tbrew-zd6xb]

@karen. It's the judgement of e.dom

[@karenn993]

@@Tbrew-zd6xb I don't know what you mean.

[@Tbrew-zd6xb]

@@karenn993 do you believe in the bible and know your biblical lineage?

[@NaveDelAmor]

It goes to show that one cannot eat money.

[@trinapellegrino621]

They also need. ( can openers)

[@fernwebb5568]

River arts is below ground zero. Never this bad.

[@j_rainsgoat3929]

Don't mess around and have a heart attack trying to clean this mess up. It's not your normal work load. That gated 9:46 community would've hired this work out 100%

[@nancydc9422]

Blessings to all of you

[@matt.c.4169]

These are the greatest people in America. The community and grit is admirable but not surprising. Stay strong!

[@jessicadubois9945]

Still praying for western North Carolina. 🙏💛🙏

[@paelabrown54]

The silver lining. ❤

[@hayleyhellbound9513]

So how come there’s only all of this news specifically for Asheville and no where else that was hit? I’ve been hearing the smaller towns are hit harder… but those smaller towns are the ones that will be turned into lithium mines while we’re distracted with rebuilding Asheville?

[@RossWilliamsDC]

Your thoroughly debunked conspiracy theories are not helping anyone.

[@philipreeves9311]

Really your playing that stupid game Albemarle and SQM aren't what has to be worried about its the human vulture realstate investors that are going to pray on all the people without flood insurance after things settle down.

[@annsanimationaddiction8024]

Because they're harder to get to and there's hundreds of areas cut off right now.

[@dereks8930]

They're harder to get to and Asheville votes blue.

[@Plutogalaxy]

Gee, maybe because this story is about Asheville?

[@uniqueme1976]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@genevievesmith1531]

They barely touch on the number of people who brought donations from out of state. Didn’t cover the mountain towns that are no more like Bat Cave

[@gawalinbhu1040]

so sad

[@williamfindspeople4341]

Do not recommend coming into this city you will be turned away by the National Guard.

[@MarkoEsquivel-r3w]

Prayers for our brothers and sisters: and hopes the federal government supports them soon / and here needs really help / nope Ukrainians ..

[@mialamban3972]

Where’s the government?

[@mommabird2813]

The Gov has been there, maybe stop with the conspiracy crap already. It’s old.

[@aliross953]

​@@mommabird281311 days later is not good enough.

[@mommabird2813]

@@aliross953 it was not days later, pls stop with this crap. Cooper declared state of emergency before Helene even hit, Biden approved federal aid for NC, SC, GA, FLA the same days they declared. My goodness maybe stop believing the conspiracy crap already.

[@mommabird2813]

@@aliross953 You’re doing these ppl who need and require help no good pushing this crap.

[@Tika10210]

Youre very right. It wasnt good enough. They had an extremely pathetic response. Im very thankful for all the private citizens who jumped into help even from other states. They made the biggest and most immediate difference ​@@aliross953

[@lynnebrooks7950]

Dear lord Jesus, let those alive be rescued & let the departed be found for their family's!🙏❤🙌

[@MichaelG-Maine]

Ouch 😢

[@ColleenStevens-t8p]

This is just so very sad

[@sharoncoble6109]

🙏🙏🙏!

[@geraldmantel4955]

Will the Southern Belles stay in the South?

[@wendyspicer8588]

This is the Red White and Blue American that we all treasure.

[@paal8193]

I am really devastated , and I am from Norway ... faaaar far away.... across the the big ocean. But it would be interesting to know how many still are gonna vote for Trump in this region, given his position on Climate Change..

[@ginajones2328]

I am in Alaska voting 👍🤞🕯️

[@ajeanninebreau2574]

where is the Government???? no help from them ????

[@EricKammerzelt]

Esther Manheimer should resign in disgrace.

[@Harrisx5]

These people need help Where is the help?

[@Plutogalaxy]

Where’s all the usual comments about the MSM not covering the real story?

[@milekh6681]

It's only white people Doesn't fit they're narrative

[@LenoreShepard-j1n]

🙏🙏

[@SnoDawg]

Stop building things down by the river people.

[@gayanagalawatte8365]

Why are you calling it Hillsborough County? It’s Tampa

[@j_rainsgoat3929]

How did the Indian reservation fair?

[@MarkEast-f9q]

This is awful beyond belief. We're just an hour east of here. We were very fortunate with minimal damage. These people, I so hate it for them. Can't imagine. But hey..... they get $750 of their own money to make it all ok. SMH

[@stleo3980]

It's the same $750 that was handed out during the *rump years...if he decided you liked him enough to deserve it.

[@ataelius]

Why is the reporter dressed like she's gonna burst?

[@downercowzzz.3236]

Such incredible journalism covering another example of the intensification of natural events by Global Warming.

[@margaretmary-dj1ps]

TWENTY - SIX FEET of water 💧 ! ! !

[@ellebee8476]

Looks likè Harriet smashed through on her famous Underground Railroad. She had to do the level of destruction with the pedal to the floor. Vengeance.

[@andrearoyd2942]

Why the music, two voices doing battle with the music, WHY?

[@NaveDelAmor]

Kudos to ❤OHIO

[@lornagordon24]

Really

[@brandeehilbert4113]

HEY MY NAME IS BRANDEE. NEVER MET ANOTHER PERSON WITH MY NAME SPELLED LIKE MY NAME.

[@maryfrump7937]

Dig the river down more like they do on the Mississippi. Put up levees. Do not build close to the water. Any water. Little stream, creek what ever.

[@j_rainsgoat3929]

Telegraph poles we have this?

[@ellebee8476]

The red clay, triggers me. My skin crawls when i see it. All i see is people running for their lives! Screaming at freedom, its forever out of reach in this land. That red clay, The Blood of My Dear Ancestors! The Great American Black Slave! Good luck "living" on this land fellow citizens! Good luck!

[@ChristelThieme]

annoying loud background music🤥

[@PaulaL1971]

Where are the FEMAle?????😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡

[@CecilliaDonald-u9f]

Lee Angela Anderson Robert Moore Amy

[@teresathomas3841]

Matthew 4:17/ Repent for the kingdom of the heavens is at hand..3rd Testament 63:456 You have forgotten the Law and you have waited for the elements to remind you of my Justice. Hurricane winds, Waters that run off, floods, this is what we see happening now, The Most High is trying to get our attention ! REPENT and Get BAPTIZED under the Holy Order of Melchizedek, time is running out!

[@nfair1968]

Why are the major networks focused on Florida, This is so much worse and how are they downplaying 1000s missing. And how does 1000s missing equate to 166 dead. I'm so tired of Americans having to take care of themselves while our federal government takes care of the rest of the world! WITH OUR MONEY, THE MONEY WE WORKED FOR!🤬🤬🤬