This map shows rainfall from Helene and in the days preceding the storm that combined to create disastrous flooding.

The National Weather Service said Helene had cleared most of the Western North Carolina area by 11:21 a.m. Friday, but significant impacts including serious flooding were expected to continue into the weekend. Numerous areas and cities along the French Broad River are experiencing flooding and the river continues to rise.

Instead, the hurricane cut a path up the U.S., causing record breaking flooding in areas like Tennessee and North Carolina, and devastating mountain towns like Asheville, N.C. The catastrophic damage and loss of life — as of Sept.