How does Asheville flooding from Helene compare to the 'Great Flood of 1916'? A look back

Relief efforts are underway as North Carolina attempts to recover from the catastrophic impacts from Tropical Storm Helene. The extreme impacts from the storm devastated communities in Asheville and western portions of the state, where homes were destroyed and bridges collapsed.

As of Monday, the death toll is 35, however that figure is expected to rise.

The flood brought on by Helene comes more than a century after Western North Carolina was hit by another disastrous and fatal flood. Dubbed as the "Great Flood," the flood of 1916 unleashed inconceivable devastation, caused by heavy rainfall produced by a series of hurricanes.

"It was more than a universal cloudburst in all this mountain country," reported the Newton Enterprise back in July 25, 1916. "It was a night of tempest and terror."

Here's a look back at the "Great Flood of 1916."

North Carolina's 'Great Flood of 1916': The 'worst natural disaster in the recorded history of Western North Carolina.'

What began as weeks of continuous rain, turned into what has been called, "the worst natural disaster in the recorded history of Western North Carolina." The catastrophic North Carolina flood of 1916 wrecked immeasurable havoc on the region, killing dozens and wiping out roads and railways.

More: Biltmore Estate: What we know in the aftermath of Helene devastation in Asheville

According to the National Weather Service, a storm system made landfall in Alabama on July 5, 1916, producing heavy, relentless rainfall over the North Carolina foothills and mountains. Although no flooding was caused by the initial storm, the ground became heavily saturated and bodies of water were running high.

Then the second storm hit.

Western North Carolina: Helene relief, aid begins arriving in Asheville area but long recovery ahead

On July 14, a Category 2 hurricane made landfall on the South Carolina coast, before reaching the North Carolina mountains on July 15. Record rainfall was widespread. Reports state that between July 15-16, 22.22 inches of rain fell over parts of Western North Carolina.

Deadly devestation followed.

"The French Broad river, which flows through Asheville and west into the Tennessee river, crested an estimated 17 feet above flood stage," reported the weather service. "Even higher readings, up to 23 feet above previous high water records, were recorded along the Catawba River, which flows out of the mountains southeast to near Charlotte and into South Carolina."

"Destruction and loss of life was widespread along both rivers."

As previously reported by the Asheville Citizen-Times, flood currents ripped babies from their parents arms and landslides wiped out entire families. When the water receded, at least 50 people were dead. Only a thick, black sludge remained over where crops once stood.

Eighty people were killed in total as a result of the flood, although the precise number of people who lost their lives will likely never be known. Countless homes, factories, railroads and bridges were destroyed. Damage was estimated to be around $22 million, which equates to over $600 million in 2024.

How does the flood from Helene compare to the 'Great Flood' of 1916?

According to 1916 reports from the Winston-Salem Journal, the flood caused millions of dollars worth of damage, with the damage to crops alone being worth several hundred thousands of dollars.

Nearly all the recently constructed steel bridges were washed away or destroyed. According to the Winston-Salem Journal, the most property damage took place at Elkin, where a tobacco warehouse, hotel, and several other buildings and homes were flooded. In Catawba, several cotton mills were swept away.

"It can be said with safety that no such damage has ever before been brought by flood in the western half of North Carolina," wrote the Winston-Salem Journal. "Indeed, no one thought this section of the state could ever suffer such damage."

Reports estimate that around 80 people were killed in the flood of 1916, however, the figure is estimated to be higher. According to the Statesville Record and Landmark, over 20 people died when a single bridge collapsed at Catawba, taking the lives of 14 railway employees, four telegraph employees, and half a dozen onlookers.

Today, western area North Carolina faces similar damage.

Henderson County spokesperson Mike Morgan called the damage "the worst storm damage" he has seen.

In Marshall, a small, historic town near the French Broad River north of Asheville, floodwaters reached the first-floor roof of some downtown buildings. The flooding also damaged a water treatment plant across the river and extended to some businesses that in recent years, have become part of an artistic renewal in the downtown area.

In Asheville, areas including Biltmore Village were devastated by flooding. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Swannanoa River at Biltmore crested at 26.1 feet, nearly 6 feet above the record, at 3:45 p.m. Friday. As of 10:30 p.m., the river was down to 20.9 feet. The previous record for that location was 20.7 feet.

On Saturday, emergency responders rescued over 100 people in the Lake Lure and Chimney Rock area, after the storm caused limited internet access and phone lines to be down.

The relief efforts have begun and recovery is due to be long while the full extent of the damage from Helene is still unknown.

Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @_leyvadiana

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: How does Helene compare to the Asheville's 'Great Flood of 1916'?