Asheville Endures Power Outages and Water Scarcity Post Helene \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Asheville residents face power outages, water scarcity, and disrupted lives in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. With more than 700,000 homes still without power across the Southeast, neighborhoods like Julianne Johnson’s continue to adapt with generators and communal support. The storm’s impact has extended beyond power loss, damaging water systems and delaying recovery efforts. Amid the uncertainty, the community has banded together to share resources and information as they await full restoration.
Asheville Endures in the Wake of Hurricane Helene: Quick Looks
- Power Outages Continue: Over 700,000 homes and businesses remain without power across six states, with Asheville particularly affected.
- Community Resilience: Residents use generators, share tools, and set up neighborhood whiteboards to stay informed and support each other.
- Water Crisis: Asheville’s water utilities are severely damaged, with officials predicting weeks until full restoration of clean running water.
- Tragic Losses: The storm has claimed over 220 lives across the Southeast, with at least 72 in Buncombe County, North Carolina.
Deep Look
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, the weary residents of Asheville, North Carolina, are struggling to regain a sense of normalcy. For Julianne Johnson and her neighbors, the devastation has meant nearly a week without electricity, relying on propane stoves to cook meals and whiteboards to communicate important information about local resources and safety. The storm, which made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane on September 26, has left a deep scar across the Southeast, causing widespread damage to infrastructure, killing hundreds, and leaving entire communities in the dark.
Life in Asheville Without Power
Julianne Johnson, a land conservation worker with a young son, had hoped that power would be restored by Friday night after receiving a text from Duke Energy. However, as the day passed, the scene outside her home remained grim—utility poles and power lines were still hanging precariously across the neighborhood, tangled with downed trees.
“I have no idea what’s next,” Johnson said, her voice heavy with exhaustion. For now, her family is getting by with the help of a generator, but the uncertainty of when the situation will improve weighs heavily on her and her neighbors. “Just the breadth of this over the whole region, it’s kind of amazing,” she added.
Despite the hardships, Johnson’s community has displayed remarkable resilience. In the absence of official communication channels, block captains have set up whiteboards to share vital information, such as where residents can find first aid and how to get tools repaired. It’s a grassroots effort that underscores the tight-knit nature of Asheville’s neighborhoods, where people are leaning on each other to navigate the aftermath of Helene.
Power Restoration Challenges
Across the Southeast, nearly 700,000 homes and businesses were still without electricity as of Friday, with North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia being the hardest hit. This marks a significant improvement from the over 2 million customers left powerless immediately after the hurricane. However, for many, the road to recovery remains long. Duke Energy, the primary electricity provider in North Carolina, has stated that it hopes to restore power by Sunday night to most of its affected customers. But Bill Norton, a company spokesperson, noted that for about 100,000 customers living in areas with severe destruction, it could be next week or longer before power is restored.
“We’re talking about places where the homes no longer exist,” Norton said. In some areas, roads where utility poles once stood have been completely washed away, further complicating efforts to restore power.
Duke Energy admitted that it would miss its original target of restoring power to most customers in South Carolina by Friday, now aiming for Sunday completion. Similarly, Dominion Energy announced delays in restoring power to several counties that were hardest hit in South Carolina. The challenge of reconnecting isolated communities with badly damaged infrastructure has proven to be more complex than initially anticipated.
The Water Crisis Adds to the Struggle
The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has brought more than power problems to Asheville. The city’s water supply has been heavily impacted, with water utilities damaged across a wide area. Federal officials have described the extent of the damage as “unprecedented,” warning that repairs could take weeks to complete. This situation has only compounded the difficulties faced by residents.
For many in Asheville, the lack of clean, running water has been one of the toughest challenges. “I would love a shower,” said Sue Riles, a resident of Asheville, a city otherwise known for its thriving arts scene, shops, and breweries. “Running water would be incredible.” Without access to basic water supplies, many residents have resorted to hauling buckets from nearby creeks just to flush their toilets. Officials have advised people to collect non-potable water for household needs from local swimming pools—measures that emphasize how dire the situation has become.
Until water systems are fully repaired, many aspects of everyday life remain on hold. Schools may be unable to resume in-person classes, hospitals are struggling to restore normal operations, and businesses such as hotels and restaurants are uncertain when they will be able to reopen. For a city that relies heavily on tourism, the prolonged disruptions to water and power are not only an inconvenience but also a significant economic blow.
Lives Lost Across the Southeast
The scale of devastation caused by Hurricane Helene stretches beyond Asheville, with tragic loss of life reported across six states. In total, the storm has claimed over 220 lives, including at least 72 fatalities in Buncombe County, North Carolina, where Asheville is located. Many of those deaths occurred as people were caught in the storm’s rapid and deadly flooding.
In Florida, the toll was similarly severe. The Tampa area saw significant destruction, particularly along a narrow, 20-mile stretch of barrier islands from St. Petersburg to Clearwater. Among the lives lost was Aiden Bowles, a 71-year-old retired restaurant owner who refused to leave his home in Indian Rocks Beach despite urgent warnings from his caregiver, Amanda Normand. “He said, ‘It’s going to be fine. I’m going to go to bed,’” Normand recalled, her voice breaking as she described their last conversation on the night of September 26.
Elsewhere in Florida, residents recounted terrifying experiences of trying to ride out the storm. “The water, it just came so fast,” said Dave Behringer, who stayed behind in his home while his wife fled to safety. “Even if you wanted to leave, there was no getting out.”
Ongoing Rescue Efforts in North Carolina
In North Carolina, rescue operations are still underway, with exhausted crews and volunteers pushing through mudslides, washed-out roads, and downed power lines to reach those in need. For many, the damage to infrastructure has made some areas almost impossible to access, adding to the frustration and anxiety felt by those still waiting for help.
“We know these are hard times, but please know we’re coming,” said Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller. “We’re coming to get you. We’re coming to pick up our people.” The sheriff’s message was one of hope and reassurance for those still waiting to be reached, highlighting the dedication of first responders despite the overwhelming challenges they face.
Community Spirit Amid Uncertainty
Despite the ongoing difficulties, the spirit of resilience among the residents of Asheville and surrounding communities has been evident. From sharing generators to distributing water and medical supplies, people have stepped up to help one another in any way they can. This sense of community has been vital in helping many cope with the uncertainty of when life might return to normal.
The challenges are far from over, with Duke Energy and Dominion Energy working tirelessly to restore power, while officials struggle to repair damaged water systems that serve thousands of residents. For many in Asheville, life has become a day-to-day struggle to meet basic needs, but the hope of restoration keeps them going. “It’s just a waiting game now,” said Johnson. “But we’re all in this together, and that helps.”
The scenes of devastation across the Southeast have been a stark reminder of nature’s power, but also of the resilience of the human spirit. Asheville’s residents have shown that even in the face of overwhelming adversity, community bonds can offer strength and support. As recovery efforts continue, the people of Asheville—and all those affected by Hurricane Helene—hold on to the hope that brighter days are ahead.
