Inland communities prepare for hurricane helene

Remnants of Hurricane Fred sent rivers over their banks across western North Carolina in 2021. North Carolina DOT The French Broad River winds through the mountains of western North Carolina, fed by dozens of mountain streams, and crosses the city of Asheville. At over 2,000 feet above sea level and more than 250 miles from the coast, it is an unlikely place to prepare for a hurricane. Yet, the remnants of several hurricanes have swept through this region over the years, sending rivers in the region raging out of their banks. Hurricane Helene could add to that history. With the huge storm on track to bring heavy rain to part of North Carolina starting Sept. 26, 2024, Gov. Roy Cooper issued a state of emergency, warning of flash flooding, high winds and landslides, particularly in the western mountains. Storms like these can be extremely destructive. In September 2004, the remnants of Hurricanes Frances, Ivan and Jeanne all brought excessive rain to western North Carolina in the span of a few weeks, overwhelming the French Broad and other rivers in the Asheville area. A U.S. map of hurricane storm tracks since 1851 shows that the storms and their remnants often travel...