North Charlotte Today

As the floodwaters from Hurricane Helene recede, Yancey County faces significant devastation. The storm, which initially hit as a Category 3 hurricane, has left many communities in ruins. Charlotte Fire's Swift Water Rescue Team has been actively involved in rescue and recovery efforts.

"Our hearts go out to the families who have lost loved ones and homes in this storm. The devastation here is overwhelming, but Charlotte Fire stands with those in Yancey County who are suffering," stated Charlotte Fire Chief Reginald Johnson. "Our firefighters are here to do everything we can to help bring relief and restore hope."

The team, led by Charlotte Firefighter Bart Bell, is focused on search, rescue, and recovery operations. Despite weakening inland, Hurricane Helene caused severe flooding in Western North Carolina. Some areas of Yancey County experienced up to 12 inches of rain, leading to landslides that buried homes and isolated communities.

Charlotte Fire's Swift Water Rescue Team consists of 17 firefighters trained for complex rescues. They were deployed statewide to assist individuals stranded by floodwaters and conduct wellness checks on isolated residents.

"When we arrived, the devastation was unimaginable," said Captain Jeff Bright of the Swift Water Rescue Team. "Entire communities were cut off; families were stranded without power or water." The team faced challenges navigating mountainous terrain worsened by mudslides.

"Our team was deployed into areas that had been cut off for days," explained Bright. "We used ATVs, helicopters, and even went in on foot to reach people."

In the South Toe River Valley, rapid floodwaters forced residents onto rooftops for safety. The rescue team extracted individuals trapped without essentials for days.

"There were moments when it was life or death," Bright recalled. "We found families stranded on their roofs."

As waters receded, focus shifted to recovery operations including debris clearing and supply delivery. Local residents collaborated with rescue teams using their knowledge of the terrain.

"The community here has been unbelievable," said Bright.

Chief Johnson expressed pride in his team's efforts: "I couldn't be prouder of the Swift Water Rescue Team."

As Yancey County begins its recovery journey, the Charlotte team remains active on-site providing support where needed.

"There's a lot of heartache here," acknowledged Bright. "But we're here to give this community a fighting chance."

The region continues its transition from disaster response to long-term recovery with assistance from emergency teams and local volunteers.

"This is what we train for," Chief Johnson concluded.