View photos and videos of the damage

Hurricane Helene has left its mark on North Carolina, and many residents are trying to piece together the devastation it left behind.

Helene brought heavy rainfall, intense winds, damaging debris and flooding to the state. Power outages and life-threatening flash flooding were reported in the western part of the state.

Residents experienced heavy rainfall in many areas of North Carolina, such as Chimney Rock and Asheville. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s office reported the highest rainfall recorded was 29.5 inches at Busick Raws in Yancey County, North Carolina.

Heavy rainfall prompted the Rutherford County Emergency Management Board to issue an immediate evacuation order for residents near the Lake Lure Dam on Friday morning.

The county office released an update on water levels at the dam on Friday evening.

“The water level in Lake Lure is no longer rising and is starting to fall,” the county clerk’s office wrote in a Facebook post. “Emergency personnel rescued more than 25 people through quick water rescue, emergency medical services, fire and law enforcement efforts.”

At approximately 9:00 p.m. local time, emergency personnel provided an update stating that as a result of the storm, many phone lines throughout the county, especially in Lake Lure, were down.

As of Saturday afternoon, North Carolina had a total of 635,887 power outages, according to the USA TODAY Power Outage Map.

Helena’s influence: Flood forces an Asheville family to evacuate by boat; fear that they have lost everything

Watch a video of the destruction Helene left in Asheville, North Carolina

Helene hits North Carolina: see photos of destruction

A large tree branch lies on the sidewalk at the corner of Broadway Street and West Walnut Street in downtown Asheville.

Passersby watch the muddy waters of the French Broad River flood the River Arts District

The French Broad River bursts its banks in the River Arts District on Friday, September 26. Hurricane Helene brings heavy rains to Asheville.

On Friday, September 26, a truck drives through standing water on Lyman Street. Hurricane Helene brings heavy rains to Asheville.

An American flag flutters in the wind as the Ewing family from North Carolina walks up the ramp to the Big Four Bridge on Friday, September 27, 2024.

Children walk next to a collapsed part of a bridge after it was destroyed by flooding during Tropical Storm Helene in Boone, North Carolina, USA

Workers examine a large section of Highway 105 that was washed away by floodwaters during Tropical Storm Helene, just outside Boone, North Carolina, U.S., September 27, 2024.

The foundation and earth beneath part of a building were swept away by floodwaters after Tropical Storm Helene just outside Boone, North Carolina, USA

BOONE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 27: People look at flood damage on September 27, 2024 in Boone, North Carolina. Heavy rains caused severe flooding in many parts of the mountains.

Florida and Georgia also saw Helene’s wrath: See the destruction

A drone view shows the flooded and damaged area after Hurricane Helene in Horseshoe Beach, Florida, USA

Debris from damaged homes is seen after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Horseshoe Beach, Florida, on September 28, 2024. At least 44 people have died in five US states hit by powerful Storm Helene, authorities said on September 27, after heavy floods called for emergency services start a massive rescue operation.

Debris from damaged homes can be seen after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Horseshoe Beach, Florida, on September 28, 2024. At least 44 people died in five U.S. states hit by powerful Storm Helene, authorities said on September 27, after heavy floods prompted emergency services to launch a massive rescue operation. — Debris from damaged homes is seen after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Horseshoe Beach, Florida, on September 28, 2024. At least 44 people have died in five US states hit by powerful Storm Helene, authorities said on September 27, after heavy floods called for emergency services start a massive rescue operation.

A car on a flooded street after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Atlanta, Georgia, on September 27, 2024. Hurricane Helene weakened on September 27 after it made landfall in the US state of Florida, and officials warned that the storm was not letting up "extremely dangerous" it penetrated inland, leaving roads and houses flooded. — A car is seen on a flooded street after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Atlanta, Georgia, on September 27, 2024. Hurricane Helene weakened on September 27 after it made landfall in the US state of Florida, with officials warning that the storm remains ” extremely strong.” dangerous” as it moved inland, leaving roads and homes flooded.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 27: People throw buckets of water from their homes as streets and homes flood near Peachtree Creek after Hurricane Helene brought heavy rains on the night of September 27, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia. Hurricane Helene made landfall late Thursday evening as a Category 4 hurricane in southern Florida and is heading north. It is currently considered a tropical storm.

Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjané covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lotteries and public policy stories. Email her at [email protected]. Follow her on Instagram, threads and X (Twitter) @forbesfineest.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Flooding in North Carolina: See the destruction in Asheville; other areas