Seven McDowell landslides underscore mountain risks, Isaias had no deaths, governor says

After Isaias, residents should know the warning signs, plan an evacuation route, and understand that debris can reach homes below steep slopes.

McDowell County officials say seven landslides occurred as Isaias brought heavy rain to Western North Carolina earlier this month, renewing concerns about unstable slopes in communities still recovering from Hurricane Helene.

There were no known injuries or deaths from Isaias, Governor Josh Stein said.

For residents, the danger extends beyond homes perched on mountainsides. Water-soaked soil, rocks and trees can rush downhill into valleys, following streams and drainage channels toward homes and roads.

North Carolina emergency officials warn that these debris flows can develop quickly and strike with little or no warning. Areas where slides have happened before are particularly vulnerable to future movement, according to Ready NC.

The recent slides follow the destruction caused by Helene in September 2024. A U.S. Geological Survey field report documented how multiple landslides combined into a destructive mudflow in McDowell County’s Buck Creek area. Near Fairview in Buncombe County, another flow traveled more than 1.5 miles along Flat Creek, devastating the community known as Craigtown. 13 people there died from Helene, and more than 100 statewide, according to state officials. 36 were from landslides across the impacted area, officials said in a March 2025 after-action NOAA report.

Federal officials say 140 people died statewide, as WCAB News previously reported.

The practical lesson: Knowing what lies uphill from a home can be as important as knowing whether the property floods.

Warning signs include new cracks in the ground or a foundation, trees or utility poles beginning to lean, and doors or windows that suddenly stick. Changes in drainage, including water appearing where it has not flowed before, also warrant attention, according to North Carolina’s ReadyNC preparedness guidance.

An approaching slide may produce cracking trees, knocking rocks or a growing rumble accompanied by ground vibrations. A sudden change in a nearby stream’s water level during or after heavy rain can also signal trouble. Some slides, however, occur without recognizable warning signs, the Geological Survey cautions.

Residents should follow evacuation instructions and leave threatened areas while a safe route remains available. Preparing an emergency kit, a family communications plan and a place to stay can make an early departure easier. ReadyNC advises going to a designated shelter when directed to leave or when remaining home feels unsafe.

Once a landslide is striking a building, the response changes.

The Geological Survey advises people inside a building being hit to move to the highest floor or climb onto a countertop until the slide passes. Attempting to evacuate through an active slide can sweep a person away. Slides may arrive in multiple pulses, so the first movement may not be the last.

Before the next storm, residents can ask local officials about previous slides near their property and seek a professional assessment of questionable slopes. ReadyNC recommends learning the surrounding terrain and consulting a trained professional about protective measures.

After a slide, stay away from the affected area, report it to authorities, and monitor emergency updates. Additional slides and flooding remain possible even after the initial movement stops, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.