The floodwaters, which were 15 feet deep in some areas, caused significant damage. ## The Impact of Hurricane Helene on Asheville’s River Arts District Hurricane Helene, a devastating storm, left a trail of destruction in its wake, particularly affecting the River Arts District in Asheville.
The area, known for its vibrant arts scene, was left in disarray with numerous buildings damaged and power outages affecting thousands. The hurricane, which formed over the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean, gained strength rapidly, reaching wind speeds of up to 155 mph. The storm surge caused significant flooding, with water levels rising up to 12 feet in some areas. Emergency services were quick to respond, setting up shelters and providing aid to those affected. However, the scale of the disaster was overwhelming, with many areas still cut off due to blocked roads and downed power lines.
Speaking in the video, he points to a building peeking above the pale brown water. “The black roof there is the Foundation Studios, as the whole River Arts District is just getting catastrophic flooding; the roof’s collapsed.” Foundation Studios was for the last two years home to Sketchbook Club, a free popular meet-up for amateur art lovers. “I lost all my original paintings,” Beals says. “All of my prints, all my canvas work. Art supplies, vending supplies. A lot of people here just lost their whole creative practice.” As of today, at least 115 people have reportedly died across the six states in Helene’s path, though officials say that the death toll will likely rise. Asheville officials have reported at least 35 dead, with many more missing, as damage to the communication infrastructure and roads impedes rescue efforts.
The Asheville Art Museum has been closed “for inclement weather” since Friday, but has not reported any damage to its collection.