Mecklenburg County Faces Severe Flooding After Hurricane Helene’s Relentless Downpour

Mecklenburg County Residents Reel from Hurricane Helene’s Devastation

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, residents of Mecklenburg County are grappling with profound loss and disruption, especially those who live along the beautiful Catwaba River just south of Mountain Island Lake.

As floodwaters surged, streets turned into rivers, and many homes found themselves submerged in near-ceiling-high brown water. The initial assessments have been sobering, with reports indicating that at least four homes are total losses, and nearly 100 households have been displaced. The fallout from this natural disaster is substantial, and many residents are pointing fingers at Duke Energy for its role in the flooding.

A Familiar Struggle with Flooding

One of these residents, Erik Jendresen, is no stranger to flooding issues, having previously taken Duke Energy to court over similar disputes. In the days leading up to Helene’s arrival, he noted that water levels at Mountain Island Lake were above the levels the power company had targeted, igniting questions about their preparedness. Jendresen wondered why the company didn’t take proactive steps to release some water in anticipation of the incoming storm. “They could have taken steps well in advance to drastically lower levels at all lakes in the 11-lake system to the bare minimum they’re allowed to,” he explained.

Jendresen, a 64-year-old resident, has expressed a growing perception that Duke Energy has developed an image akin to “the evil empire.” His frustrations reflect a wider sentiment among the community, which has suffered too much from preventable circumstances.

Mixed Responses from Duke Energy

When the issue was put to Duke Energy, the response was somewhat defensive. They indicated that they began releasing water across the system on September 25th, just a few days before the hurricane hit. Duke’s spokesperson pointed out that rainfall totals from Helene were above expectations, overwhelming the lake and necessitating the flow of water downstream. “Due to the historic amount of rainfall from this event,” they stated, “any additional storage that would have been created in Mountain Island would not have prevented the flooding.”

However, critics like Jendresen remain skeptical, emphasizing the need for better planning and management in handling such massive stormwater inflow.

The Catawba River’s Record Flooding

Over the weekend, as Hurricane Helene dumped close to two feet of rain in certain parts of western North Carolina, it led to catastrophic flooding along the Catawba River. According to Brandon Jones, the Catawba Riverkeeper, this recent flooding ranks as the most significant flood event on record, surpassing even the great flood of 1916. “This will be the flood of record,” Jones stated, highlighting the devastating impact on homes and communities along the river.

Jones noted that much of the flooding was concentrated around the Mountain Island Lake dam, which differs from other dams in that it lacks adequate flood gates. Water must navigate the spillway or hydroelectric turbines, restricting the rate of water movement and exacerbating downstream flooding. He called this a “1,000-year flood,” showcasing how unpredictable and damaging nature’s impacts can be.

Recovery and Moving Forward

For many, the recovery process is compounded by recent memories of past floods, like the one that occurred in June 2019. After that event, Jendresen and a number of his neighbors found themselves knee-deep in struggle as their homes were severely damaged. Jendresen had to rebuild on elevated pilings, which helped him escape the recent flood with only minor close calls. “Nobody got hurt,” he assured, “but there’s a lot of hurt feelings and a lot of ruined lives.”

As the weeks unfold, county officials will begin assessing the full extent of damages along Lake Drive and Riverside Drive. Meghan Grande from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management has confirmed that damage assessments will last about a week, but it’s clear that the path to recovery will require a collective effort and a reassessment of how this community can better prepare for future storms.

This story serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities we face in the face of nature’s fury, raising important questions about responsibility and resilience for those who call this region home.