Hurricane Helene: Western NC prepares for storm 3 years after major flooding

HAYWOOD COUNTY, N.C. — Hurricane Helene is expected to grow into a major hurricane before it makes landfall in Florida on Thursday.

Certain parts of the Carolinas are expected to fall in Helene’s path, including Haywood County, which is just past Asheville.

Channel 9′s Dave Faherty learned many are concerned about the heavy rain in the higher elevations, which could cause flash flooding along creeks and the Pigeon River. At the Canton Fire Department, flash flooding preparations were already underway Wednesday.

Canton firefighters were also moving out of their building in the downtown area. Nearby, Faherty spotted sandbags they plan to place around the building.

The firefighters are concerned that heavy rain from Hurricane Helene will cause flooding similar to Tropical Storm Fred three years ago, which dumped a foot of rain on Canton. The Pigeon River and several creeks in the area flooded, causing widespread damage and leading to the deaths of six people.

“Prepare ourselves to get out of here because we will have water in the building again,” Canton Fire Chief Kevin Wheeler said. “We’re trying to prep that and also prep so we can protect our citizens.”

Now, residents in those areas said they are preparing themselves for 10 to 12 inches of rainfall from Hurricane Helene. David Madison told Faherty that he spent Wednesday morning moving cars and clearing out his basement. He lives near Clyde, which is downstream along the Pigeon River.

Madison said in 2021, water came rushing into his home during Tropical Storm Fred.

“The waterline was up about two feet in our garage and flooded the basement. We lost everything that we had in the basement, so you know, all that had to be replaced,” he said.

In Canton, Faherty spotted businesses like Bearwaters Brewery loading up a truck and moving everything out of their basement Wednesday morning. Workers said three years ago, the tropical storm flooded their business and others downtown.

“There’s no point in taking a chance with this,” said Kevin Sandefur, who’s with the brewery. “We went through this in 2021 and there was catastrophic damage to the equipment and the contents of the building and we don’t want to risk that a second time.”

Renee Burnette said she remembers the devastation from Fred.

“Through here, it flooded this whole area. Up waist-high. Up to your neck,” she said.

Madison said he remembered local churches in the area pitching in to help victims. Everyone is hoping and praying it doesn’t happen again.

The mayor of Canton is encouraging residents to consider moving important items and inventory out of their homes or businesses in case of flash flooding. Burke and Caldwell counties’ swift water rescue teams have also been placed on standby.

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