One life lost in Macon flooding
While Macon County may have been spared the catastrophic flooding experienced by so many of its Western North Carolina neighbors following Hurricane Helene, it was not spared the most serious and devastating effects of the storm — loss of life.
AGAIN: Horrific storm damage will remake Western North Carolina
AGAIN. For the second time in three years, Haywood County, the highest east of the Mississippi River, experienced devastating flooding from a tropical weather system that reached mountainous Southern Appalachia’s narrow, rocky canyons and broad, lush river valleys — wiping out whole towns, inundating normally impregnable areas and crippling the communications and transportation infrastructure that powers public safety, commerce and the dissemination of information.
PHOTO GALLERY: Tropical Storm Helene hits Western North Carolina
Tropical Storm Helene was predicted to bring significant flooding to Western North Carolina, but it's hard to fathom how much destruction has actually been wrought. As the storm developed, readers from around the area sent photos into Smoky Mountain News. Here's a look at some of them.
- BearWaters 1 BearWaters 1
- BearWaters 2 BearWaters 2
- Thompson Cove Thompson Cove
- Downtown Clyde Downtown Clyde
- Clyde House Clyde House
- Clyde bridge Clyde bridge
- Coleman Mountain Bridge 1 Coleman Mountain Bridge 1
- Coleman Mountain Bridge 2 Coleman Mountain Bridge 2
- Frog Level flooding Frog Level flooding
- Maggie Valley landslide Maggie Valley landslide
- Wanyesville flooding Wanyesville flooding
- Macon County flooding Macon County flooding
- Canton Moose Lodge Canton Moose Lodge
- Downtown Canton Downtown Canton
- Waynesville Ingles Waynesville Ingles
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Tropical Storm Helene hits Western North Carolina
Editor's note: Hurricane Helene has already produced flash flooding and dangerous winds across the region, and it has come on the heels of heavy rains, downed trees, sporadic tornadoes and some minor flooding due to a separate system that entered the region from the west. Smoky Mountain News Staff will be out gathering photos and firsthand reports throughout Friday and beyond. This page will be updated with those pictures and stories as they come in from across our coverage area, but you can always find more on our Facebook, Instagram and X accounts.
Dangerous storm bears down on WNC
A growing tropical storm that’s expected to become a major hurricane is tracking through the Gulf of Mexico and appears to be headed right for Western North Carolina. Local officials aren’t taking any chances.
Drought expands in WNC
Over the last couple of weeks, the drought has expanded in Western North Carolina, and it now covers all of Haywood, Swain, Jackson and Macon counties. There was widespread rain over the last week, but it remains to be seen whether that precipitation cut into the drought.
‘Biggest election we’ve ever had’: Macon gets ahead of illegal signs, voter intimidation, misinformation
Macon County officials held a press conference last week to address illegal political signs and get ahead of some misinformation that has been circulating about absentee voting in the county.
Macon County manager announces resignation
After more than a decade of leadership in Macon County, Derek Roland announced last week that he intends to resign his position as county manager.
Ready for Highlands Porchfest?
The Highlands-Cashiers Center for Life Enrichment (CLE) will host its annual Highlands Porchfest music festival from 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, in Highlands.
Join Franklin Bird Club for Macon County walks
The Franklin Bird Club leads walks along the greenway on Wednesday mornings at 8 a.m. Walks start at alternating locations: Macon County Public Library, Big Bear Park and Salali Lane.