What's happened
Asheville, North Carolina, is grappling with a severe water crisis following Hurricane Helene, which caused extensive damage to the city's water infrastructure. Residents are left without clean water, facing boil advisories and public health risks as repairs could take weeks.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the New York Times, Asheville residents are facing a dire situation with no clear timeline for water restoration, as city officials state, "Water restoration is going to happen incrementally across the community." The Independent emphasizes the unprecedented nature of the damage, noting that Helene has left many without power and clean water, with officials describing the situation as a public health emergency. Axios reports that health officials are particularly concerned about the risks of waterborne diseases, stating, "Access to clean water is one of the most urgent health concerns after a flood." The Guardian adds that many residents are resorting to unsafe water sources, highlighting the urgent need for effective recovery measures.
How we got here
Hurricane Helene made landfall on September 26, 2024, unleashing torrential rains and flooding across the Southeastern U.S. Asheville's water system was severely impacted, leading to widespread outages and boil water advisories for nearly 100,000 residents.
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