Asheville, North Carolina is currently experiencing a historic weather event as torrential rainfall, intensified by tropical moisture from Helene, has inundated the area since Wednesday night. With over 7.5 inches of rain already fallen and another 2 inches expected by Thursday evening, this could potentially be a 1-in-1000-year rain event for the region, according to the Southeast Regional Climate Center.
Helene is projected to bring more than a foot of rain to the western North Carolina mountains through the weekend, with the bulk of it anticipated to fall by Friday afternoon. The excessive rainfall has led to a rapid rise in water levels in local waterways, with the Swannanoa River near Asheville's Biltmore Village forecasted to reach major flood stage on Thursday night and crest at a record level on Friday morning.
The situation is so severe that the official forecast for Biltmore Village now predicts an all-time record crest, surpassing the devastating floods of 1916 and 2004. Residents are strongly advised to avoid Biltmore Village tonight and tomorrow due to the imminent danger posed by the rising waters.
Furthermore, multiple rivers in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee are expected to reach major flood stage in the coming days, exacerbating the already dire flooding situation in the region.
