- From WRAL: How to help western NC residents
- Blue Ridge Public Radio list of ways to help.
- North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund
In addition, landslide experts at the #USGS Geologic Hazards Science Center in #Colorado have been assisting North Carolina and Tennessee as well as our federal partners on identifying landslides in the region post Hurricane Helene. The event page: https://t.co/5WzdLiHtfe pic.twitter.com/wa0mMqjrUz
— USGS Science in Colorado (@USGS_CO) October 4, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
This isn’t one of the usual posts — I’m trying to document some online posts about landslides from this unusually intense event in the Southeast associated with Hurricane Helen.
This collection is not comprehensive but I’ve tried to be thorough each day I work on it, starting today. Additions will go at the top of each section.
I don’t know if this will help any, but it sounds like access to many areas is difficult and perhaps this little collection might help focus attention on some areas or serve as an after-event data resource.
Social media posts are not verified; I just selected ones that appeared credible.
A work in progress…right now just working on North Carolina. Tomorrow I’ll get to South Carolina and northern Georgia, and any other hill country that might have been affected by mass ground movement.
Horrible as it is, that’s only one part of the Hurricane Helen damage — one that’s worth covering here on a geoscience-interest blog because hardly any of us laypeople ever connects tropical systems and landslides.
Nature has just reminded us all of the connection.
P.S.: As of September 30th, I’m not finding much new information related to mass ground movement. There probably will be a few more posts in various places as people get back online, and perhaps also as recovery efforts open up the back country more. I’ll keep looking this week (no updates means no new findings) and then just a few times a week.
News Stories
Collected October 2:
Update from Watauga County news station WCCB, published online fourteen hours ago with video:
Officials say two people died in landslides in Watauga County. Five days later after the storm, emergency officials say conditions are slowly improving but there’s still a long way to full recovery…
— Source
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Collected September 29, 2336 UTC
Officials in Buncombe County have confirmed the flood events and landslides were fatal, saying multiple people have been found dead in the search and rescue operation. Shelters are open and there are widespread cell service and power outages across the region. Many roads have become impassable with officials saying every road in WNC should be considered dangerous due to extreme flood conditions. The BPR News team will provide regular weather and news updates on this page and has prepared for potential broadcast outages. Refresh this page to see the latest. For emergency information, visit the National Weather Service website…
— Source
Collected September 29, 1634 UTC
I’m not finding landslide news for South Carolina or Georgia yet in this online search today.
In North Carolina:
Helene damage aerials: Mudslide closes I-40
Aerials of flood waters and mudslides that have blocked roadways in Old Fort Mt., North Carolina. Footage courtesy of WSOC via CNN Newsource.
This is from yesterday but the views are detailed, top to bottom.
Check out today’s Buncombe County officials update link there, too.
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Collected September 28
…Across the area, 11 landslides have been reported. This includes major closures on Interstates 26 and 40 around Asheville, plus dozens of locations along several U.S. and N.C. highway routes…
— Source
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The Charlotte Observer has numbers. I don’t know how the 11 landslides were identified, i.e., type, mass load, area damaged (transportation routes only, residential, population affected, etc.). I’ll try to find out.
Word-of-mouth via social media suggests that number might be on the low side.
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X (formerly Twitter)
Collected October 4
Scavenging sheets of asphalt washed off the road by the flood along Big Hungry River near Asheville, North Carolina. They make good base material for a ford that the community is building across the river.
Clearing ditches from a landslide along the road. #Flooding#Asheville… pic.twitter.com/A9sXSodur1
— Jeffrey Neal (@JeffreyNeal_CCM) October 4, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
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❤
There’s a lot of criticism, rightfully so, being levied against our state and federal governments on the ground in #westernnc following #hurricanehelene — but I can tell you when the NCDOT boys arrived to get to work on this landslide on NC-9, it felt like the cavalry rolling in. pic.twitter.com/7mX8aakc0j
— Jed Whitley (@jedwhitley) October 4, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
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Collected October 2:
Terrifying video of a mudslide in Avery County, NC. Wow. pic.twitter.com/P5J0MPA3xw
— Henry Burton (@HenryWX) October 1, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
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Collected October 1:
🚨Best explanation of why NC mountain area is more catastrophic than any hurricane in my lifetime.
The flooding created landslides that took out entire sides of mountains, taking everything with them. Sheriffs won’t even let news in. Just wait…. pic.twitter.com/dOKwN4dqRY
— FoxyFarmer🦊🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇮🇱 (@GardensR4Health) September 30, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
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The danger is far from over in the western Carolinas. The National Weather Service is warning of additional landslides. While no more flooding is expected, showers moving through could trigger mudslides and debris flows on unstable mountainsides. #SCwx #NCwx @WMBFnews pic.twitter.com/dfCngUkjds
— Jamie Arnold WMBF (@jamiearnoldWMBF) September 30, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
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• Scattered showers are expected across the state, mainly this afternoon with an isolated thunderstorm possible across eastern NC. Given the already saturated ground across western NC, additional showers forecast through this evening will increase the landslide threat. pic.twitter.com/JBNpL9dyCr
— NC Emergency Management (@NCEmergency) October 1, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
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INCREASED RISK FOR ADDITIONAL LANDSLIDES ACROSS THE NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING for Avery, Buncombe, Burke Mountains, Caldwell Mountains, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Macon, Madison, McDowell Mountains, Mitchel… till 8:15 PM EDT https://t.co/ZimYX3No3b pic.twitter.com/JZbnwlLFws
— FirstWARN Tri-Cities (@FirstWarnTRI) September 30, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
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Any rain we see today will not be significant but any even light rain could trigger more landslides in the Mountains until we dry out. Ideally we need to avoid the rain as long as we can. Be safe everyone ion Western North Carolina. @wcnc pic.twitter.com/aqZHNEBGrU
— Chris Mulcahy (@YOURWEATHERMAN) October 1, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
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The major hurricane Helene, which made landfall in the southern United States, caused extensive damage.
At this time, it has caused flooding and landslides in six southeastern states, including Georgia and North Carolina, and has killed at least 121 people. In addition, the… https://t.co/NbP1u8AqLU— Japan News Distribution Lab (@nami_sazakura) September 30, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
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Collected September 29:
New (to me):
Highway 176 into Saluda, NC, the start of a nearly mile long mudslide/impasse. pic.twitter.com/LzYMJAp9q8
— Shelnutt (@ttunlehs) September 29, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
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Drone footage shot by Spectrum News 1 photog Mark Barger. Mudslides up Hwy 421 in Watauga County near the Tennessee border. @SpecNews1RDU pic.twitter.com/TEnIz6S9WL
— Sydney McCoy (@SydneyMcCoynews) September 29, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
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More images of damage from mudslides up Hwy 421 near the Tennessee border. Water washed out bridges, shoulders and pushed large rocks onto the road. @SpecNews1RDU pic.twitter.com/fDP6bN9ugI
— Sydney McCoy (@SydneyMcCoynews) September 29, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
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From earlier today:
Imagine hundreds of tiny islands. Each island has 100 – 150 people on it. The island has no power, no comms, and is running dangerously low on food & water.
And there are no boats.
That is Western North Carolina tonight.
— Amanda Held Opelt (@AmandaHeldOpelt) September 29, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
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Despite the current weather, #Helene-related dangers are still very much a factor in Western NC.
⚠️ ~300 road incidents remain – including +50 on main roads.
Please refrain from travel for non-emergency purposes.
📸 – US 70 near Silver Creek
📸 – I-40 near Black Mountain pic.twitter.com/k1VCLMOEek— NCDOT (@NCDOT) September 29, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
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Catastrophic flooding and debris flow running down hills in Boone, NC. #Helene #NCwxpic.twitter.com/8YRSGNcbZt
— StormHQ ☈ (@StormHQwx) September 27, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
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Collected September 28, 2024:
News 13 viewer Melissa Rowland sent in this photo of a landslide on Jeter Mountain Road in Hendersonville, N.C. | Find the latest updates on the aftermath of Hurricane Helene: https://t.co/ByXGHJbY8n pic.twitter.com/gCMzbCP4xc
— WLOS (@WLOS_13) September 28, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
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As the situation in Maggie Valley becomes more dangerous with Jonathan Creek raging out of its banks, emergency responders are beginning to see landslides. Just after this update was published, another landslide was called in south of Canton.https://t.co/fmnZvX7TPj
— Kyle Perrotti (@kyle_perrotti) September 27, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
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Massive debris flow traveling at lightning speed in eastern TN! The preceding drought conditions followed by days of rain ahead of Hurricane Helene set the stage. This is incredibly rapid for a debris flow. pic.twitter.com/LhT2Dzos6B
— Reed Timmer, PhD (@ReedTimmerUSA) September 28, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
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Multiple landslides blocking off access along hwy 276 north of Brevard, NC. Signs of Looking Glass Falls having water heights as high as the waterfall. The riverbank is missing in areas and the trees down everywhere. I imagine this area will be closed for a while #ncwx #helene pic.twitter.com/ToNWyAKoSD
— Dan Whittaker (@severeforecast) September 28, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
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A landslide knocked a house off its foundation near Big Hungry River in Flat Rock, NC.
The flooded river left hundreds of fish stranded along the road. #NC#Flooding#Helene pic.twitter.com/nDf1AY9iOU
— Jeffrey Neal (@JeffreyNeal_CCM) September 28, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
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🚨🇺🇲 MUDSLIDE BLOCKS HWY 321
📍#BlowingRock, #NorthCarolina, #USA
Flooding Impacts Travel:
– Small #mudslide reported on Hwy 321 near Aho
– Hwy 321 impassable between Boone and Blowing Rock
– Multiple roadblocks at Aho Rd curve#Helene #ncwx #Flood
Avoid area until clear. https://t.co/FJYYIQeTsc pic.twitter.com/gDfmhY7NkB&
Joshua Pile captured these drone photos of Exit 66 traffic and a landslide near Old Fort, N.C. earlier this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/AkaAE2E6ZK
— Margo (@MargoinWNC) September 27, 2024
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Joshua Pile captured these drone photos of Exit 66 traffic and a landslide near Old Fort, N.C. earlier this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/AkaAE2E6ZK
— Margo (@MargoinWNC) September 27, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
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Landslide across Potato Branch Road in Leicester, NC.
🎥: Incognitjoe#HurricaneHelene #ncwx pic.twitter.com/UGH88QhORz— 🆂🅲🅾🆃🆃 (@RandomHeroWX) September 27, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
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Please send any information about National Guard or search/rescue at any level happening in rural areas around #BlackMountain #NC #NorthCarolina #WNC My sister lives 8 miles up Hwy 9 from downtown Black Mountain, roads blocked by landslides.
— Kim Lewis (@KimJuneLewis) September 28, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
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Mudslide, landslide, rockslide on Hwy 80, Lake Tahoma Road in Marion, NC. Anyone who can give me any updates? I need information about my son. His house was taken out by the slide, and IDK if he survived. HELP #Hurricane #Mudslide #Flooding @McdowellEMS
— MarysGarden🌺🌼🪴❤️ (@garden_marys) September 28, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
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This is a debris flow, not a flash flood. These are the most common type of landslide in NC and they are terrifying. https://t.co/KMphbrkzcU
— April (@Where2NextApril) September 28, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
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Again, please avoid going to the mountains or western NC. Even major interstates like I-40 are closed to landslides and washouts. This map is around Asheville, showing all the closures, which is even worse on the smaller roads in other areas. #wncwx #ncwx #Helene #AVL pic.twitter.com/6PZ9LgFGLA
— Brad Panovich (@wxbrad) September 28, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
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Facebook links
(I don’t know how to embed these posts, if it’s possible.)
Collected October 4:
Collected October 2:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/647562623295505/permalink/1331919648193129/?app=fbl
https://www.facebook.com/brian.richard.754/videos/898634275236936/?app=fbl
Collected October 1:
https://www.facebook.com/100001071596260/posts/pfbid02pZD33M5LtPm7ADWeNJqyBURPxKeuA1dtuo3VaAKJ2uQi9WCrRLgzNAhNJjL6psu8l/?app=fbl (Maybe; giving it the benefit of a doubt although the grammatic errors seem a little forced — maybe I’m too cynical, but disasters like this attract some odd online types.)
Collected September 30:
https://www.facebook.com/100051886071632/posts/pfbid0JgorDBLPv3KjFjmnC8Rp7yJM16DFMVURsX2BAn7T2DbDCAtWY5Q1Ffeg2AKDCu4zl/?app=fbl — Not necessarily two posts about the same landslide; he says his neighbor was hit by “landslide,” which made me realize how extreme this situation is. Ordinarily when a slide hits a home and kills someone, it’s “the landslide.” 😥 Anyway, I’m glad they got to safety.
Collected September 29:
New (to me):
From earlier today:
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https://www.facebook.com/groups/476274159411304/permalink/2255619068143462/?app=fbl
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Collected September 28:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10234338563622361&set=a.4253847941344&type=3&app=fbl
YouTube
Collected October 4:
Collected October 1:
🌎🌀🌧
Per news on Facebook today, I-40 is now open east into Asheville for local and emergency traffic.
Still:
Collected September 29:
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This is a look at overall damage, but it also shows plenty of slopes with healthy, abundant, deeply rooted vegetation still holding many tons of soil in place. It’s very bad, but this could have been SO much worse without those plants!
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Collected September 28:
That’s the big slide on I-40 behind them!
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Flight To Wonder 