In Swannanoa, North Carolina, Hurricane Helene wiped out the town

Hurricane Helene tore through the Southeastern United States with damaging winds and historic rainfall, devastating much of the region.

The area surrounding Asheville , North Carolina , was nearly wiped off the map by floodwaters.

Most of Swannanoa — and many other towns in the region — is not in a flood zone, meaning the vast majority of residents had no flood insurance, or any idea floodwaters could reach them.