Storm kills at least 65 people as North Carolina grapples with devastating floods

The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Saturday deployed more than 3,200 federal employees and partners to assist in the response to Hurricane Helene.

Its response includes search and rescue and rapid water rescue teams that have conducted more than 600 rescues in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina, FEMA said.

President Joe Biden has approved a major disaster declaration for North Carolina, where at least 10 people have died and flooding has caused major damage across the state.

The approval makes federal funds available to residents of 25 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the White House Press Office said in a statement Saturday.

“Assistance may include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of a disaster,” the statement said.

More counties and forms of assistance may be added once the ongoing damage assessment is completed.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — A historic village in western North Carolina is underwater after bearing the brunt of devastating flood damage from Hurricane Helene.

Tree branches, logs and trash floated around the village of Biltmore in Asheville, famous for being built and owned by one person.

Resident Tammy Borgesen was one of dozens of people standing outside a downtown hotel, one of the few places with Wi-Fi access, hoping to connect with loved ones.

“We tried to send an email or text to let everyone know we were OK,” said Borgesen, who had water at home but no electricity.

Water levels reached several feet and in some areas reached the tops of road signs. Fast-moving water surged over the front steps, flooding buildings and small businesses as it seemed to Helene that Asheville had been nearly leveled.

Gov. Roy Cooper’s office rescued more than 200 people from floods in North Carolina in a statement Saturday. The Department of Transportation said more than 400 roads were closed in the state, hampering travel and rescue operations.

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