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Thousands in North Carolina Still Without Water Days After Hurricane Helene’s Destruction

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Six days after Hurricane Helene hit the U.S. Southeast, tens of thousands of North Carolina residents are still without running water, with more than 180 fatalities reported across multiple states. The hurricane caused widespread flooding, severely damaging water plants and infrastructure, leaving many residents with no access to clean water. Over a million people remain without electricity, and water distribution sites have been set up to provide essentials to those in need.

The hardest-hit region, Asheville, is experiencing one of the most significant water crises. The city’s water supply system, serving over 150,000 people, has been severely damaged, with residents warned that running water may not return for weeks. Some neighborhoods have no water at all, while others face low pressure and have been advised to boil water before using it. The impact is widespread, affecting homes, businesses, hospitals, and schools, with authorities working around the clock to restore services.

At a food and water distribution hub set up in Pack Square Park, volunteers distributed drinking water and ready-to-eat meals. David Shoham, a resident who has been without power and water since Friday, expressed a common sentiment: “There’s nothing we can do about it individually. We just have to trust that our institutions are going to step up.”

Local businesses are also struggling. Jordan Lance, owner of Buxton Chicken Palace, has been collecting water to prepare meals for residents, though the uncertainty about how long the water shortage will last has left many business owners concerned about their future. Harrison Fahrer, co-founder of Cellarest Beer Project, echoed these concerns, stating, “If we can’t brew, we can’t pay our bills.”

The storm, which first made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, brought catastrophic flooding and destruction across the Southeast, affecting multiple states. In Asheville, the storm washed out key water pipes, severely damaging water plants, including North Fork and DeBruhl, making it difficult to restore services. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the National Guard have been deployed to assist in recovery efforts, but the timeline for full restoration remains uncertain.

At least 61 people have died in Buncombe County alone, bringing the storm’s overall death toll to 189 across six states. In addition to the water crisis, search-and-rescue teams are still working to locate the missing and provide aid to survivors.

President Joe Biden visited North Carolina to assess the damage, while Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to Georgia, emphasizing the need for continued federal support in the recovery process. The water crisis in Asheville has also led to the closure of schools, with local officials emphasizing that they cannot reopen without a reliable water supply.

As residents face weeks of uncertainty, the community is banding together to support one another, but the road to recovery will be long.

 

Wildfires Near Athens Prompt Mass Evacuations and International Assistance

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A rapidly spreading wildfire near Athens, Greece, has forced authorities to order evacuations from several neighborhoods. The blaze, which began on Sunday near Varnavas, north of the capital, has intensified, with 685 firefighters and 32 water-bombing aircraft deployed to control the situation. The fire, exacerbated by strong winds, prolonged drought, and challenging terrain, has continued for over 20 hours, showing no signs of abating.

The fire has significantly impacted the area, with Greek public broadcaster ERT estimating its size at over 30 kilometers (19 miles). The flames are advancing towards Penteli, located approximately 16 kilometers (10 miles) northeast of Athens, threatening residential areas and the National Observatory of Athens.

Despite wildfires being a common occurrence in Greek summers, climate scientists attribute the increased intensity and frequency of these fires to unusually hot and dry weather linked to global warming. This summer has seen Greece endure its hottest June and July on record, with numerous wildfires already reported.

Local residents have described harrowing scenes, including animals struggling to escape the flames and thick smoke making it nearly impossible to breathe. Reports indicate that at least 13 citizens and two firefighters have been treated for burn and respiratory injuries. The Greek government has requested assistance from the European Union, with France, Italy, the Czech Republic, Spain, and Turkey responding to aid in firefighting efforts.

The situation has raised concerns about a repeat of last summer’s devastating fires, which ravaged several regions and islands. The Greek government has also heightened health and emergency measures, with three hospitals in the Attica region on alert and children evacuated from a hospital in Penteli.

As the crisis unfolds, international support continues to pour in, and the Greek government remains on high alert, urging residents to heed evacuation orders and stay safe amid the ongoing emergency.

 

Plane Crash in São Paulo State Claims Lives of All 62 Onboard

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A tragic plane crash in São Paulo, Brazil, has resulted in the deaths of all 62 people on board. The twin-engine turboprop, operated by Voepass, was en route from Cascavel in Paraná to São Paulo city when it crashed in the town of Vinhedo.

Social media footage captured the plane descending vertically and spiraling before impact. The aircraft, carrying 58 passengers and four crew members, crashed into a residential area, but miraculously, no one on the ground was injured. The impact damaged one home in a condominium complex, though none of the residents were hurt.

Local media, including GloboNews, reported a large fire and smoking wreckage in the residential area. Emergency services, including police and fire teams, have responded to the scene, and local hospitals are on high alert.

The plane, an ATR 72-500 built in 2010, took off from Cascavel at 11:56 local time (14:56 GMT). The last signal from the aircraft was received about an hour and a half later. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed his condolences, calling the news “very sad” and extending solidarity to the victims’ families.

Valinhos, a nearby town, dispatched 20 emergency personnel to the crash site, and São Paulo’s governor, Tarcísio de Freitas, is also en route. ATR, the plane’s manufacturer, has pledged support for the investigation and expressed sympathy for those affected.