Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida on Sept. 26 as a Category 3 storm. The following day it was downgraded to a tropical storm but left a path of catastrophic damage and destruction as it made its way up the East Coast through Georgia, into the Carolinas, Virginia, and eventually Tennessee. Western North Carolina was hit particularly hard as our neighbors in the west continue with recovery efforts today and will be doing so for quite some time.

Response by the Numbers

On Dec. 3, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released a graphic reading, “North Carolina Helene Response By The Numbers” – showing where resources have been allocated.

MCNC on the ground right away

Helene dealt devastating blows to telecommunications and broadband infrastructure. In the aftermath, the team at MCNC was exceptional under extreme circumstances as they tirelessly worked to restore network operations as quickly as possible. 

MCNC Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Tommy Jacobson explained that we lost all network visibility to the west when the three main fiber paths into the Asheville/Hendersonville region all failed as the storm passed. But, within 24 hours and help from regional partner ERC Broadband, MCNC had restored limited internet services for customers not impacted by their own localized power issues, which allowed us to better understand how much damage we were dealing with. Within a week MCNC had managed to repair two of the main fiber paths into the region, one that included working with the placement 9.5 miles of temporary fiber on an alternate path to a DOT road that was no longer passable.  

“Helene was unlike any I’ve ever had to deal with in my 30-plus years at MCNC,” Jacobson added. “Hopefully nothing like I’ll ever have to deal with again.”

Jeremy Rollins, MCNC Manager of Fiber Engineering and Operations, explained that MCNC’s “A-Team” of engineers were able to get out there around the same time search and rescue units also were being deployed. “Over the years I’ve been involved in many similar situations like this,” he said, “but this one was more emotionally taxing than anything I’ve ever faced working in this industry.”

“I asked for the best-of-the-best from our contract support teams, and everyone we had working with us rolled up their sleeves, went to work, and performed exactly as I knew they would,” he continued while fighting back his emotions. “It was sad to witness everything happening around us, but we had an important mission to accomplish, and we executed it. Since that experience it’s been hard to process, but I think our customers were appreciative of our small part in restoring a little bit of normalcy.”

Impact on Lives and Infrastructure

Helene is the second-deadliest hurricane to strike the United States mainland in the past 50 years, following Hurricane Katrina. The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reported the on Dec. 4 that the number of confirmed Helene-related deaths in North Carolina remained unchanged at 103. Starting on Dec. 1, NCDHHS began providing weekly updates every Wednesday.

Recovery in Western North Carolina will be a slow process. Rebuilding from Helene is estimated to require billions of dollars – from power and water to telecommunications and tourism.

On Sept. 28, the day of the FCC’s first Communications Status Report for Helene, 74.31 percent of cell sites in the disaster area were out of service. As of Oct. 14, nearly 9 percent of cell sites were out of service. Broadband after Helene is still being worked on even today. Education also was hit hard; these anchor institutions and pillars in these communities were closed for weeks if not months – some still are closed. Then there’s the economic impact and revenue loss from tourism. The historic Biltmore House, for example draws about 1.7 million visitors annually, and is closed indefinitely. Visit North Carolina Executive Director Wit Tuttle estimates that Western North Carolina could miss out on as much as $1.8 billion in tourism revenue just this fall and winter.

Helene Recovery Resources

Our hearts go out to everyone affected by Hurricane Helene. Our team has been working endlessly to make sure impacted communities have the resources they need during this challenging time. If you’re looking to help out during this holiday season, there are many ways to do so.

We have included a few properly vetted options here:

• FEMA Disaster Resources (DR-4847-NC)
• FCC Central Repository of Helene Notices and Information
• North Carolina Department of Public Safety
• North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund
• USA.Gov Resources and Information
• North Carolina Grantmakers
• NC State University – ways you can help
• NC Hospitality Workers Relief Fund

For over four decades MCNC has relied on those around us in times of need and in turn we will always be there for them. Nothing has been the same in Western North Carolina since Sept. 27 when Helene made its mark on the region. The efforts to rebuild really are just beginning and residents will need resources and help for months (maybe years) to come.

MCNC will always be here and ready to serve!

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