Aftermath of Hurricane Helene Leaves North Carolina in Damage and Devastation

The picturesque town of Chimney Rock has been washed away into Lake Lure after the devastating storm, with roads out and power still down for many.

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The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has left a trail of destruction across North Carolina, with the mountainous village of Chimney Rock being particularly hard-hit. The town, which served as the backdrop for films such as "The Last of the Mohicans" and "Dirty Dancing," has been virtually wiped out, with homes, businesses, and roads washed into the nearby Lake Lure.

Aftermath of Hurricane Helene Leaves North Carolina in Damage and Devastation

"The saddest thing in the world is that a lot of the folks have etched out a living catering to tourism…. They have everything from hotels and motels and restaurants and nice stores and souvenir stores and clothing stores, and all of that was washed away," said Ed Broyhill, a North Carolina GOP national committee member who owns a home on the lake.

The storm's torrential rains caused widespread flooding, leaving roads impassable and many residents without power. Broyhill said it could take "at least a year" to rebuild the devastated area.

Aftermath of Hurricane Helene Leaves North Carolina in Damage and Devastation

"It's surreal," he said after inspecting the damage. "I saw entire sections of road missing."

The North Carolina Department of Transportation has urged people to avoid unnecessary travel in western North Carolina, as emergency responders and utility crews work to restore infrastructure and clear debris.

Aftermath of Hurricane Helene Leaves North Carolina in Damage and Devastation

"Our top priority is everyone’s safety and well-being," said Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins.

In addition to the damage in Chimney Rock, other parts of western North Carolina have also been severely impacted by the storm. Roads have been washed out in several counties, and bridges have been damaged or destroyed. Power outages are widespread, and many residents are still without clean water.

Aftermath of Hurricane Helene Leaves North Carolina in Damage and Devastation

The National Guard has been deployed to the region to assist with search and rescue operations and to help distribute food and water.

Meteorologists say that Hurricane Helene was the strongest storm to hit North Carolina in decades. The storm's remnants are expected to continue to bring heavy rain and flooding to parts of the Southeast in the coming days.