Western NC neighborhood still reeling from Hurricane Helene flood damage

The neighborhood known as Beacon Village in Swannanoa, North Carolina, is continuing to sort through the damage from Hurricane Helene.

The western North Carolina neighborhood originally built in the 1920s is comprised of old mill houses. The neighborhood was hit hard when water from the Swannanoa River collided with floodwaters coming down from the mountains.

“It was insane,” said volunteer Karl Loftus, who has spent five weeks on the ground helping. “[It’s] the worst thing I’ve ever seen.”

Loftus traveled to the area from Durham.

Beacon Village residents took shelter in their attics until the floodwaters became too much.

“This whole neighborhood filled with water within 30 minutes, up to the roofs,” Loftus said.

There people who live in neighborhood’s 77 homes all survived Helene.

Authorities helped rescue dozens of people.

The destruction left behind includes cars caked with mud and a barn on top of a car. Locals say everything is out of place.

Zoye Miller has lived in her home for 30 years. She was recovering from surgery in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, when Helene hit.

“I do not know where to go [or] what to do,” Miller said.

Miller said she has lost everything to her name with no savings or flood insurance.

“My blood pressure [is about] 200 [systolic mm Hg],” Miller said. “I lost 15 pounds. I cannot sleep. I cannot eat.”

Miller said the thought of what to do next while looking at 12-foot piles of debris is still too much even a month after Helene ravaged the area.

Loftus started a GoFundMe and said he wants to do his part to raise money to see the Beacon Village community rise up again.

People can still support and donate to help Hurricane Helene victims in several ways by clicking on this link.