ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Before Hurricane Helene’s landfall last week the National Weather Service began an all-out blitz to alert emergency planners, first responders and residents of the impending perils. They predicted dangerous weather as far inland as the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee. Smartphones buzzed and warnings blared with such phrases as “URGENT,” “life threatening” and “catastrophic.” Forecasts consistently called for high winds and record flooding. But the warnings weren’t enough to forestall a still-rising death toll of at least 215 across six states. Devastated homeowners and officials alike are now wondering whether more could have been done to sound the alarms.… Continue Reading