From Staff Reports

SWANNANOA — The Swannanoa community was devastated by flood damage after Hurricane Helene thrashed it on Sept. 25-26.

In the aftermath, “Swannanoa residents and emergency personnel, including Buncombe County Sheriff’s deputies, walked down U.S. Highway 70 on Sept. 29, looking at the devastation to the community from the remnants of Hurricane Helene,” Asheville television station WLOS (News 13) reported on Sept. 29.

“The Davidson Road Bridge collapsed and debris from the force of floodwaters remained on the bridge that had onlookers staring in disbelief,” News 13 added.

“During a news conference, (Buncombe) county officials said there are search and rescues underway. But, residents (that) News 13 spoke with said there is concern that the community has suffered deaths during the floods the past several days.”

The TV station’s story quoted Mark Hensley, who walked along U.S. 70 by the bridge, as saying the following:

“It’s emotional... Search and rescue hasn’t even been up there.”

News 13 then noted that Hensley was “referring to the rural parts of the Swannanoa, where there are multiple reports of missing persons.”

Along U.S. 70, families are nervous, Hensley also told the TV station, adding that the floods have knocked out power and water.

Hensley then was quoted as saying the following:

“We need everything right now.. We don’t have anything. There’s a lot of people that don’t prepare for this. They’ve got a day’s worth of food and... where do you go to get it?

Further, News 13 noted, “Residents estimate that the church (the historic Bee Tree Christian Church) — with a congregation of about 40 people — was destroyed by floodwaters and trees crashing down on one side of it.”