Three weeks after Tropical Storm Helene turned quaint creeks and rivers into deadly forces of nature in western North Carolina on Sept. 27, statistics still feel inadequate to describe the depth of its wounds.

Early voting turnout started strong in the presidential battleground of North Carolina, even in the mountains where Hurricane Helene’s flooding three weeks ago destroyed lives and property — but not the desire to participate in elections.

North Carolina saw a record-breaking first day of early voting, with more than 353,000 ballots cast on Thursday. However, concerns remain that turnout could still be affected in regions hit hardest by Hurricane Helene,

North Carolina municipalities such as Asheville and Blowing Rock and communities in Tennessee may see a credit downgrade in the wake of Hurricane Helene, S&P Global Ratings said in a report on Thursday.

Western North Carolina roads are slowly reopening following the devastation from Tropical Storm Helene, but several major thoroughfares remain closed, including Interstate 40. Here's the latest

Helene devastated towns in western North Carolina. Three weeks later, dozens of people are missing and thousands are without power. Volunteers, donations and search and rescue teams have poured in.

Authorities in North Carolina have confirmed 95 storm-related fatalities from Hurricane Helene and say 39 people are unaccounted for.

Floodwaters barreled up the front steps of Shadina Toudle’s trailer in Kenly, North Carolina, and lapped near her legs. She had slept through the worst of Hurricane Matthew, a historic 2016 storm that had strafed much of southeastern North Carolina.

Jewel Warrick has lived in Relief, North Carolina, for 55 years. More than three weeks ago, Helene tore through her small community and buried her home in mud. She and her son James evacuated days before the storm and said they urged their neighbors to leave as well.