Thousands in North Carolina still without water days after Helene’s destruction
Tens of thousands of residents in western North Carolina remained without running water on Wednesday, six days after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc across the Southeast, resulting in over 180 fatalities. The storm, which initially slammed into Florida, left a trail of catastrophic flooding, severely damaging infrastructure and cutting off power throughout the region.
According to an online state database, approximately one-fifth of the 1 million residents in the affected area are either completely without water or facing low water pressure. Meanwhile, around 1 million homes and businesses across five states are still without electricity, as reported by Poweroutage.us.
In Asheville, the municipal water supply system, which serves over 150,000 residents, suffered extensive damage. Many have been warned to brace for days or even weeks without running water, while those still with access have been advised to boil their water before use.
Pack Square Park has become a vital resource, where a steady flow of residents gathered for food and water distribution. Volunteers set up a makeshift tap system with PVC pipes attached to a tanker truck, providing drinking water to those in need. Nearby, additional volunteers handed out ready-to-eat meals and plastic bags for residents lacking containers.
David Shoham, a professor from East Tennessee State University, expressed frustration as he awaited supplies. Having filled his bathtub before the storm, he has been gradually depleting his reserves for basic tasks. “It’s just the reality,” he said. “We just have to trust that our institutions are going to step up and get services restored.”
Jordan Lance, owner of Buxton Chicken Palace, has mobilized his team to provide hot meals three times a day at a nearby food hall. “We’re gonna be doing big batches of jambalaya coming up,” he said, visibly emotional as he considered the future of his business amid the crisis.
Water access in North Carolina varies significantly; major cities rely on large water treatment plants, while rural residents may depend on small community systems or private wells. In response to the disaster, water distribution sites have been established across the region, with both local governments and FEMA coordinating efforts to truck in drinking water.
As recovery efforts continue, officials urge residents to remain patient as they work to restore essential services and rebuild from the storm’s extensive damage.
