Hurricane Helene’s violent onslaught left families in North Carolina‘s mountain regions, including Boone, isolated. Access routes were cut off by landslides and flooding, making it impossible for rescue teams to reach the area.
Boone, known for its scenic beauty, also houses the Art of Living retreat center, a tranquil sanctuary set amidst 380 acres of forest high in the Blue Ridge Mountains.The retreat center too wasn’t spared from Helene’s destructive path.
“The property faced power outages, damage to the meditation hall, broken windows, fallen trees on power lines, and roof damage, but the team worked tirelessly to ensure minimal disruption. The kitchen team, operating with only a small generator, continued to serve three meals a day to all 150 guests at the Retreat Center,” Venkat Srinivasan, PhD, director of operations at Art of Living retreat center said in a statement.
In response to the wider community’s needs, Art of Living volunteers stepped up, providing essentials such as water and food to local residents affected by the storm. “As 100 more guests arrive for weeklong retreats, the center continues to serve as a healing sanctuary for all,” Srinivasan added in the statement.
Images and videos from Boone show downtown submerged under several feet of water, with residents trapped in their homes, battling the overwhelming force of nature.
Helene made landfall late Thursday as a Category 4 hurricane in Florida’s Big Bend region. From there, it swiftly tore through Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee, leaving a trail of destruction.
Trees were uprooted, homes splintered, and rivers and creeks swelled beyond their banks, threatening infrastructure like dams.
At least 52 fatalities have been reported till now across five states—23 in South Carolina, 11 in Florida, and additional deaths in Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. Authorities warn that these numbers may climb as rescue efforts continue and the full extent of the storm’s damage is revealed.
In Western North Carolina, major roadways such as Interstate 40 have been shut down due to landslides and flooding, further isolating communities like Asheville, which saw large portions of the city submerged.
Preliminary damage estimates suggest that Helene’s wrath could cost between $15 billion to $26 billion in property damage. Experts also warn that climate change has contributed to the rapid intensification of storms like Helene, as warmer waters fuel their growth, transforming them into powerful, destructive cyclones in a matter of hours.