Hurricane Helene caused unprecedented devastation in western North Carolina, resulting in at least forty-nine deaths, dozens missing, and severe infrastructure damage, including the water system. Gov. Roy Cooper described the destruction as beyond belief. FEMA has provided over one million liters of water and more than 600,000 meals, but criticism has arisen over the speed of relief efforts. Rep. Chuck Edwards reported that state emergency officials cannot account for four hundred pallets of FEMA-provided food and water intended for hurricane relief.
