Hundreds of people remain unaccounted for after devastating floods ravaged towns, destroyed infrastructure, and left over a million homes without power across the southeastern United States.
The destruction follows the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which was later downgraded to a tropical storm.
As of Tuesday, the death toll had climbed to 135, spanning across six states, with officials warning that the number could continue to rise. In North Carolina’s western region alone, at least 40 people have been confirmed dead, with recovery efforts severely hindered by the closure of 300 roads, making it difficult to deliver essential food and water supplies.
In Statesville, North Carolina, a red-brick building previously unused is now a hub for relief operations. Located two hours east of Asheville, it hosts around 50 volunteers, diligently working to distribute crucial supplies to the most affected areas.
The room is filled with items like toilet paper, dog food, and several cases of water, stacked to the ceiling.
The flooding has also led to the closure of quartz mines in Spruce Pine, a small town northeast of Asheville.
The area is home to the world’s largest-known source of high-purity quartz, which is essential for the production of semiconductors—the backbone of modern computing. As of Monday, Mitchell County officials reported that the area had “no electricity service, cell service, or internet connectivity.”
President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit North Carolina on Wednesday to assess the damage. He also plans to visit Georgia and Florida soon. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, will tour storm-hit Georgia on Wednesday, postponing a campaign stop in Pennsylvania.
