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Michael Freas | Commercial Photography, Asheville NC

Michael Freas

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Hurricane Helene in Asheville and Western North Carolina

It’s hard to believe it’s already been a year since Hurricane Helene.

I went through something like this seven years ago, after Hurricane Irma. The pattern is always the same. People come together first. Then once the resources show up, the division creeps back in.

There were warning signs a week out, but almost nobody could picture what was coming. A few of us, the ones who always sound a little pessimistic, were more prepared than most. When the first advisory put Asheville in the cone, I remember thinking, here we go again. We’d barely missed Irma, so I figured this storm would do the same.

Jason Boyer on WLOS said there was a one in a thousand chance this would be worse than anything we’d seen before, and the trend lines kept pointing that way. That’s when I knew flooding was going to be the real story. It brought back old photos from the 1916 flood in N. Wilkesboro, where I grew up.

What follows are my thoughts from the days after the storm hit.

Thursday, September 26, 2024

Thursday morning I drove down Interstate 40 and crossed the bridge over the French Broad at Biltmore Estate. The river was already high at 11 AM, way higher than normal, and the forecasts were calling for record levels. I knew right away this storm wasn’t going to be like the others.

I changed how I prepared. I started getting ready for things I hadn’t let myself imagine before.

When I got to Amboy Riverfront Park, the water was already spilling over the banks. There was a landslide building up behind Cultivate Climbing. The French Broad was creeping into the River Arts District. Every inch of it confirmed what I’d been afraid of.

Amidst the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Amboy Riverfront Park in Asheville, NC, finds its trees and park sign partially submerged as floodwaters continue to sweep through the area.
Cars drive through a flooded road surrounded by trees in Asheville, NC, as muddy water covers the pavement, remnants of Hurricane Helene's fury.
In Asheville, NC, a flooded dirt path with a muddy surface is closed off by yellow caution tape, its closure a stark reminder of the aftermath left by Hurricane Helene, nestled amidst lush green trees.
A person in a long coat stands on a flooded street in Asheville, NC, talking on the phone as a white car is partially submerged in floodwater nearby. The scene paints a vivid picture of Hurricane Helene's impact on the area.
A building in Asheville, NC, is partially submerged in floodwater, likely the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Two signs cling to its facade as debris floats by in the foreground.
A flooded park in Asheville, NC reveals submerged fences, trees, and playground equipment under the cloudy aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Friday, September 27, 2024

River Arts District

Friday morning, the rain woke me up at 5:40am, slapping against the windows. It was still dark out, but I could hear the wind tearing through the trees. I checked the radar on my phone and knew the worst was still coming. I got up, made breakfast and coffee, and recorded a video at 8:15am. Power went out around 8:35am. Water around 10:15am. Cell service by 1pm.

I grabbed my first aid kit, my chainsaw, and my camera gear and headed out. My first route out of the neighborhood was blocked, trees down across the lines, so I turned around. I didn’t know it yet, but a landslide had hit on the other side of that tree, and the road at the bottom of our hill was already underwater.

Once I made it out, I got down to Craven Street. The water hadn’t left the banks yet, but it was close. An hour later, the spot I’d first checked was under 6 feet of water. By that evening, it was 27 feet.

I ran down to Riverside Drive and shot video from the intersection of Craven and Riverside. Thirty minutes later, that route was gone too, under 3 feet of water.

Neighborhoods kept flooding. Swift water rescues started. For the next few days, Asheville turned into one big search and rescue effort.

In Asheville, NC, a person in a yellow shirt stands on a flooded street, observing high water levels and submerged benches—a stark reminder of Hurricane Helene's impact.
A flooded street with submerged buildings and utility poles under an overcast sky reflects the remnants of Hurricane Helene's force in Asheville, NC.
Flooded street with submerged road signs, trees, and power lines visible after Hurricane Helene. An overpass in Asheville, NC is in the distance, partially covered by water.
Amid floodwaters left by Hurricane Helene, three rescue workers in protective gear pull a black inflatable boat through the submerged streets of Asheville, NC, surrounded by towering trees.
A large group of people stands on a bridge in Asheville, NC, looking over the railing toward the water below. Trees surround the area, their leaves whispering tales of resilience like survivors after Hurricane Helene.
Two rescue workers in a boat navigate floodwaters near submerged trees, with a tilted pedestrian sign and an overpass in the background, reminiscent of scenes from Asheville, NC during Hurricane Helene.
In Asheville, NC, the aftermath of Hurricane Helene left a neighborhood flooded with submerged buildings, trees, and streets near a railroad track.
The aftermath of Hurricane Helene left a flooded area with partially submerged buildings, trees, and railway tracks in the background, reminiscent of the devastation seen in Asheville, NC.
The aftermath of Hurricane Helene left Asheville, NC, with flooded streets, submerged mailboxes, and water surrounding houses.
Three children and a dog stand on a wet street in Asheville, NC, with one child holding a colorful umbrella. The street is flooded, possibly due to the effects of Hurricane Helene, and there's a soccer ball nearby.
A flooded area, a testament to Hurricane Helene's power, shows partially submerged buildings and trees in Asheville, NC. Power lines struggle against the rising waters, while a bridge stands resiliently in the background.
A brick building is engulfed by floodwaters, with partially submerged trees and a bridge in the background, reflecting the aftermath of Hurricane Helene's impact in Asheville, NC.
In Asheville, NC, people observe a flooded street with submerged traffic lights and road signs, surrounded by debris and trees—a stark reminder of Hurricane Helene's impact.
People observing a large metal container floating in a flooded river near Asheville, NC, with Hurricane Helene's aftermath evident. Trees surround the scene, while a bridge and buildings loom in the background, telling tales of nature’s raw power and resilience.
The aftermath of Hurricane Helene left the area flooded, water engulfing a road beside a graffiti-covered building. Trees, a distant chimney, and people on a bridge are visible under the cloudy Asheville, NC sky.
Flooded street with submerged vehicle and debris, a haunting reminder of Hurricane Helene's impact on Asheville, NC. Traffic lights and a tree are visible in the background.

Tunnel Rd + Swannanoa River Road + Asheville Municipal Golf Course

As the Swannanoa started to recede, it fed straight into the French Broad, which runs north through the River Arts District and on up to Marshall. That south-to-north flow was part of what made the flooding so bad. The French Broad picked up more water the further it went, plus everything pouring in from tributaries along Helene’s entire path.

A police SUV blocks a road flooded with water and debris in Asheville, NC, while downed power lines and damaged structures bear witness to the wrath of Hurricane Helene.
A muddy street in Asheville, NC is strewn with debris after the remnants of Hurricane Helene; a person carefully navigates the road while a vehicle is parked nearby.
Emergency responders assess a flooded road with debris after Hurricane Helene, surrounded by trees and muddy water near Asheville, NC.
Emergency vehicles navigate a flooded road littered with debris as the cloudy sky hints at the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Traffic lights flicker above, while distant hills and trees frame the scene in Asheville, NC.
A pile of debris, including tree branches and a stuffed bear, obstructs a road near a flooded area in Asheville, NC. An Interstate 40 sign is visible in the background, evidence of Hurricane Helene's recent impact.
Fallen tree branches rest on two parked cars outside a suburban house, evidence of Hurricane Helene's impact in Asheville, NC, with a person observing from the porch.
Rescue workers in uniform walk along a grassy area near a flooded river in Asheville, NC, with trees in the background—a scene marked by the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
A rescue team in Asheville, NC carries a raft across a green field towards a flooded area beneath the cloudy skies, remnants of Hurricane Helene's wrath visible amidst the submerged trees.

Saturday, September 28, 2024

Biltmore Village + Asheville River Arts District

By Saturday, the water had pulled back enough to walk some of these streets again. Biltmore Village was wrecked, mud and debris everywhere, the bridge still standing but barely recognizable underneath. People were already lining up outside the Moxy, just trying to find a normal moment in the middle of all of it.

In Asheville, NC, the landscape is transformed as Hurricane Helene leaves buildings submerged and debris strewn near a bridge. Trees peek through the brown floodwater, while telephone poles stand defiant amidst the devastation.
People standing in line outside a building with a "moxy" sign in Asheville, NC. Some are on bicycles, and the building has large windows, offering a glimpse of excitement akin to the anticipation before Hurricane Helene's arrival.
Floodwaters cover roads and trees near power lines, as Hurricane Helene's remnants make their way through Asheville, NC, with hills and cloudy skies in the background.
Flooded street in front of a brick building with submerged doors and windows, reminiscent of past events in Asheville, NC. Vegetation and debris are floating, telling the tale of Hurricane Helene's relentless force.
A restaurant in Asheville, NC is partially submerged in floodwater, surrounded by debris and fallen branches, with nearby trees and utility poles visible in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
Journalists report from a flooded street in Asheville, NC, with debris scattered around, as people observe the scene. Various businesses and a Pizza Inn sign are visible in the background as Hurricane Helene's force is felt throughout the area.

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Swannanoa River Road + Tunnel Rd

After a few days with no power, it came back in West Asheville, along with some cell data. The record water levels had receded by then, and that’s when the real damage came into view. Asheville still didn’t have running water or reliable signal. A lot of people headed downtown just to find wifi.

Flood damage from Hurricane Helene reveals a destroyed road in front of a building in Asheville, NC, with debris scattered as two construction workers assess the scene. Trees and a cloudy sky loom in the background, highlighting the extent of the storm's impact.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, an overturned truck lies on muddy ground in Asheville, NC, surrounded by debris and damaged vehicles.
A military truck drives on a sandy road, carrying several seated individuals under a beige tarp roof, reminiscent of the resilient spirit found in Asheville, NC after enduring Hurricane Helene.

Downtown Asheville

Downtown became the gathering point once people started running out of supplies. Water trucks showed up, and so did the lines for them. I watched strangers hand water jugs to each other and hug like family. Someone set out a “free coffee” sign next to fruit cups and snacks on a folding table. It was one of the first moments that felt like the city catching its breath.

People gather near a potable water truck. One person in the foreground hugs another, while others stand nearby.
Two people fill a jug with water from a pipe outdoors in Asheville, NC. One sits in a chair wearing a yellow vest, while the other stands in a cap. Trees and a trailer are visible in the background as they brace for Hurricane Helene.
Amidst a vibrant array of fruit cups, water bottles, and snacks, a person in Asheville, NC offers a cup from the counter beneath a sign reading "Free Coffee." The welcoming gesture provides comfort reminiscent of calm after Hurricane Helene's passage.

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Shows and events all over the city were getting cancelled one by one. I saw a handwritten sign on a fence announcing a postponement, simple as that, in the middle of a park that used to be full of people. Outside one building, someone had piled up furniture and what was left of their belongings on the curb, including a guitar that had been sitting in the mud. The sky cleared for the first time in days, which somehow made the damage easier to see and harder to look at.

Sign on a fence reads, "Saturday, Sept 26. Tonight's show in Asheville, NC is postponed due to weather." A park and a building are visible in the background, as Hurricane Helene looms nearby.
A pedestrian crossing sign in the foreground stands firm, while above, a drone soars against a backdrop unburdened by Hurricane Helene, offering a rare moment of tranquility in Asheville, NC's clear blue sky.
A pile of discarded furniture and debris, likely remnants from Hurricane Helene's impact, is stacked outside a brick building with a staircase in Asheville, NC. A red umbrella is open above some stacked chairs.
The interior of the building is severely damaged, likely a result of Hurricane Helene's impact on Asheville, NC. Exposed wooden beams and debris are strewn about, with a partially intact sink area. The ceiling and walls are broken, leaving scattered rubble on the floor.
Debris from Hurricane Helene lies scattered across a field in Asheville, NC, with a broken "Cotton Studios" sign in the foreground.
A muddy, damaged acoustic guitar lies on a debris-strewn surface, remnants of Hurricane Helene's impact in Asheville, NC, amid overturned furniture in a cluttered outdoor setting.
A damaged building, remnants of Hurricane Helene's wrath in Asheville NC, is surrounded by debris. A utility pole leans precariously amidst the chaos, while an overcast sky looms above.
A large sinkhole, possibly a remnant of Hurricane Helene's impact in Asheville, NC, is near a building with debris and exposed wires. It's surrounded by trees and vehicles, highlighting the storm's aftermath.

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

River Arts District – Marquee

A week and a half later, people were still working through what was left of the Marquee galleries with flashlights, since most of the buildings still didn’t have power. I watched someone hold up a hand-painted “Riley Dawson Furniture Boxes” sign they’d pulled out of the mud, trying to save what they could of someone’s work. Shoes were hanging from the power lines outside, and the skate park down the road had a “closed” sign zip-tied to the fence. Despite all of it, a couple of shop owners were back outside their door with a disco ball, smiling for a photo. That’s the River Arts District for you.

Two people stand in a dimly lit warehouse in Asheville, NC. One holds a wooden board; the other wears a mask. The aftermath of Hurricane Helene is evident as surroundings are cluttered with debris.
A person stands in Asheville, NC, holding a worn wooden sign reading "RILEY DAWSON FURNITURE BOXES," adorned with a sketch of a black bird. The resilient spirit of the town echoes through, just as it did during the days of Hurricane Helene.
In a dimly lit room reminiscent of Asheville, NC's eclectic vibe, a person with a flashlight examines vintage posters and furniture, as though uncovering relics from the calm before Hurricane Helene's storm.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, a person wearing a mask and gloves uses a flashlight to search through debris in the dimly lit, cluttered environment of Asheville, NC.
A brick wall with framed artwork, a small metal chair, and various objects arranged on a textured floor evokes the eclectic charm of Asheville, NC.
A room filled with mud and debris, remnants of Hurricane Helene's visit to Asheville, NC, including folded chairs, a broken bed frame, and scattered cardboard boxes. Footprints are visible in the mud.
People wearing masks stand near a white van in front of a graffiti-covered building, discussing and carrying supplies amidst the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Debris and yellow caution tape are visible in Asheville, NC, as the community begins to recover.
Two women stand outside a building in Asheville, NC, smiling. One holds a disco ball. A sign on the door reads "Open Daily 11am - 6pm." A hand truck is nearby, ready for action as if bracing for the unpredictable force of Hurricane Helene.
Graffiti-covered skate park with a "Park Closed" sign in the foreground, reminiscent of Asheville, NC, post-Hurricane Helene. Trees and blue sky provide a calm backdrop.
A graffiti-covered building in Asheville, NC stands beneath a clear blue sky, with numerous shoes swinging from overhead power lines—remnants of the chaos left by Hurricane Helene.

Sunday, October 6, 2024

Swannanoa, NC

Swannanoa took some of the worst damage in the entire county. I drove out a week and a half after the storm and the destruction still looked fresh, like it had just happened. This was one of the hardest places to photograph.

Saturday, October 19, 2024

Spruce Pine, NC

Penland School of Craft and downtown

Saturday, October 19, 2024

Yancey County, NC

By this point it had been three weeks since the storm, and Yancey County was still deep in recovery. These photos are from out past Spruce Pine, in the smaller communities that don’t always make the headlines but got hit just as hard.

In the weeks that followed, I shot for a lot of different organizations and outlets. I want to thank Artsville USA especially. They reached out and kept me working for three solid months, and that work was a big part of how I got back on my feet. Elise, Scott, Morgan, Louise, I appreciate you.

Here are a few of the articles I worked on during that time:

Asheville photographers capture humanity in the wake of Helene’s destruction

‘From the Beginning’: Hurricane Helene in Photographs

Photographer Michael Freas: Resilience in Asheville After Hurricane Helene

See Helene through a photojournalist lens

ArtsvilleUSA Launches New Initiatives to Support Helene-Impacted Artists

Asheville is open for fall foliage season. Here’s what to see and do.

Almost 2 years later: my photos are part of the Esri User Conference plenary

About a month ago I got an email from the National Weather Service.

I’ve always called myself a weather nerd, so hearing from them meant something. A selection of my Hurricane Helene photos is being used in the Plenary Session at this year’s Esri User Conference, the opening event for the world’s largest gathering of GIS professionals. About 20,000 people will be in that room.

NWS Chief Scientist Monica Youngman is using Helene as a case study, showing how GIS and AI can turn forecasts into the kind of plain-language warnings that actually get people to act before it’s too late.

Photographing Helene was the hardest thing I’ve ever documented. Having the NWS tell me those images belonged in front of 20,000 people is still sinking in.

You can watch the plenary live, for free, on Monday, July 13. Registration here, pick the last option on the right: https://www.esri.com/en-us/about/events/uc/registration

More on the conference itself: https://www.esri.com/en-us/about/events/uc/overview

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