CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tropical Storm Helene ripped through the Carolinas early Friday morning after making landfall in Florida late Thursday night.
It left a path of destruction in its wake, including Old Settlers' Cemetery in Uptown Charlotte at West 5th and North Church streets next to First Presbyterian Church.
Oak trees that are hundreds of years old were ripped out of the ground and toppled over onto the grounds after Helene swept through. Large limbs, leaves and twigs were strewn across the graves. Lamps were shattered, and fencing was damaged. Dozens of centuries-old gravestones were shattered.
According to the city of Charlotte, Old Settlers' Cemetery was established back in 1768 which is when Charlotte was first settled. It's the burial place for some of Charlotte's earliest settlers. Prominent Charlotte families from the Queen City's storied past are buried there of which many nearby landmarks are named after, including the the family of President James K. Polk, the Davidson family, the Berryhill family, the Caldwell family, the Wilkinson family and the Irwin family. It was reported used from 1774-1884 and is often touted as the oldest cemetery in North Carolina.
Many portions of North Carolina and South Carolina suffered damage when Helene came through. The storm brought excessive rain, damaging winds and flash flooding to several areas. Dozens of roads were closed in the state as downed trees and power lines blocked routes.