"This is an unprecedented tragedy that requires an unprecedented response." Hurricane Helene's devastation in Asheville underscores inadequacy of narratives about 'climate havens' — here's what you need to know first appeared on The Cool Down.

North Carolina and Florida towns were devastated by the tropical storm, which flooded communities with storm surge and rainfall. Here’s why the damage was so extreme.

Buncombe County officials, during an update Monday afternoon, said that 40 people have died. Authorities have yet to say how many people they believe are still missing.

Helene brought devastating flooding, power outages, infrastructure crumbling and a lack of phone and internet access to Western North Carolina over the weekend. So far, 30 people have reportedly died in Buncombe County.

After hitting Florida’s Gulf Coast as a Category 4 hurricane late last week, Helene tore through the Southeast, leaving dozens of people dead and millions without power, unleashing historic rain and flooding in parts of Georgia and the Carolinas.