A week after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc across the southeastern United States, the region is grappling with the aftermath of the storm, which has claimed over 200 lives, making it the deadliest hurricane to strike the mainland U.S. since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The storm, which unleashed more than 17 inches of rain in just three days, has left many residents in North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee without basic necessities such as water, food, and power.

In Asheville, North Carolina, residents like Emily Bigelow are adapting to life without modern plumbing, relying on creek water for essential needs. Bigelow described the struggle of carrying water back to her home, noting that a full bucket allows for only two toilet flushes. With officials estimating that it may take weeks to restore water services, the community is facing significant challenges.

The devastation has been particularly severe in the region, with over 70 confirmed deaths in Buncombe County alone. Search and rescue teams from across the nation are actively working to locate the hundreds of individuals still unaccounted for, as the death toll is expected to rise. The impact of Hurricane Helene has transformed communities overnight, leaving residents to confront the reality of recovery in the wake of catastrophic flooding.