Buncombe County, NC, USA - October 11, 2024

In a harrowing account posted on October 11th, an X user known as Pretentious Egg shared a video capturing the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Buncombe County, North Carolina. The user described the scene as reminiscent of "Hiroshima or Nagasaki after being bombed," illustrating the catastrophic impact of the storm on the local landscape.

Pretentious Egg, living near the summit of Elk Mountain, close to the Blue Ridge Parkway, recounted the terrifying ordeal: "It looks like a nuke went off. Scariest 2 hours of my life. It's never going to be the same up here." The user's weather station, which recorded wind speeds reaching 81 mph before being blown off, underscores the ferocity of Hurricane Helene.

The area, known for its lush, mixed old-growth forests, has suffered an estimated loss of 80-90% of its tree cover in large swathes. This devastation not only alters the aesthetic and ecological landscape of Buncombe County, home to the cultural hub of Asheville, but also poses significant long-term challenges for recovery and rehabilitation.

The video and accompanying narrative paint a stark picture of nature's wrath, showcasing flattened forests and a landscape irreversibly changed by the storm. The comparison to nuclear devastation highlights the scale of destruction, from what was once a picturesque setting beloved by locals and tourists alike, into a scene of desolation.