Hendersonville Lightning in Hendersonville, North Carolina

Catastrophic Flood Devastates Region and Long Recovery

First responders answered over 1,000 emergency calls, conducted dozens of rescues, and cut through downed trees after the region endured the worst flood since 1916. Rain totals reached 27 inches in Laurel Park from Sept 24 to 28. Duke Energy reported 99 percent of Henderson County customers without power, with tens of thousands still dark on Tuesday morning. Utilities rebuild critical infrastructure as transmission lines and substations remain underwater. More than 18,000 utility workers from 19 states and Canada were deployed in western North and South Carolina.