Other WRAL Top Stories
- Helene is now responsible for more than 175 deaths in the U.S.
- State data shows there are at least 89 deaths in North Carolina. The ages range from 4 to 89.
- There are 57 confirmed deaths in Buncombe County.
- At least 12 people have died in Black Mountain, Chief Wade Wright confirmed.
- Among those killed is a Fairview Volunteer Fire Department employee who died during rescue operations Friday.
- Wifi password: readmore
- Interstate 26 East in western North Carolina reopened, but I-26 West remains closed.
As of Wednesday afternoon, state data shows Helene is responsible for 89 deaths in North Carolina.
Here is the number of deaths by county, according to the state:
- Ashe: 1
- Avery: 3
- Buncombe: 57 (figure provided by the county)
- Burke: 1
- Catawba: 1
- Cleveland: 2
- Gaston: 1
- Henderson: 6
- Macon: 1
- Madison: 1
- Mecklenburg: 1
- Polk: 1
- Rutherford: 1
- Watauga: 2
- Yadkin: 1
- Yancey: 8
There are 57 confirmed deaths in Buncombe County, officials said Tuesday afternoon. At least 12 people have died in Black Mountain, the fire chief announced Tuesday.
"Devastation does not even begin to describe how we feel," Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller said.
Search-and-rescue efforts are ongoing in the western part of the state.
"We're still very much in active search and rescue," Buncombe County Town Manager Avril Pinder said Tuesday morning.
To help with the aftermath of Helene, President Joe Biden announced Wednesday that 1,000 active-duty soldiers from Fort Liberty will be deployed to reinforce the National Guard and support the delivery of food, water, medicine and other critical supplies to western N.C. communities.
Buncombe County leaders shared a few other stats about the damage by Helene:
- There are 1,100 people are in shelters throughout North Carolina and 57,000 people have applied for FEMA assistance.
- To learn how you can apply, click here.
Pinder said they've been going door-to-door to check on residents.
"We're now getting to places that we haven't before," she said.
President Joe Biden will be in the state Wednesday to survey the devastation in the mountains of Western North Carolina. On Sunday, the president approved Governor Roy Cooper’s request for a Federal Major Disaster Declaration to provide immediate federal help for 25 North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
1,000 Fort Liberty soldiers to deploy to western NC
It was announced Wednesday that 1,000 soldiers from Fort Liberty's Infantry Battalion Task Force will be deployed to western North Carolina to help with recovery efforts.
These soldiers are being deployed in addition to the support provided by the Department of Defense (DoD) and FEMA in response to Hurricane Helene. Here's a quick overview:
- U.S. Army and U.S. Navy helicopters, soldiers, and sailors to provide critical capability to move personnel and supplies in areas where access via roads is not available or viable.
- U.S. Air Force aircraft, helicopters, and airmen to provide search-and-rescue capabilities.
- U.S. Army soldiers and high wheeled vehicles to move personnel and supplies over roads and terrain damaged or impassable to normal vehicles.
- The Army Corps of Engineers is supporting with response efforts with Temporary Power Teams and subject matter experts to support for debris removal, water and wastewater management, and bridge inspections.
The DoD has activated 22 helicopters to aid in search and rescue operations and provided dozens of high-water vehicles. Hundreds of National Guard service members are assisting with debris removal, air lifts, search and rescue, road clearance, commodities and transport.
Cooper said air assets are a top priority.
"We have a lot of air assets coming in from all across the country," he said. "Gen. Hunt is helping to manage that now."
He said water system issues will require longer-term assistance.
"We know that this crisis will likely be a sustained crisis because of water system issues so we know that is going to be a continuing operation," Cooper said. "I want to make sure we get every single resource that we possibly can into North Carolina for what may be a long haul to make sure that we’re continuing to get water and supplies into western North Carolina."
Officials did not have an estimate of the number of people who are missing.
Water systems destroyed by Helene
Cooper said there is "significant damage" to water systems throughout western North Carolina. A boil water advisory remains in effect.
Authorities said, as of Sunday, 52 water systems were without power, and an additional 93 systems are under a boil water advisory. It's unclear how long it will take to repair these water systems, but authorities said it could take quite some time.
"The damage to Asheville's water system is catastrophic," said Assistant City Manager Ben Woody. "We have a severely damaged water system."
Woody said the water department is working 24/7 to restore water to the community, but it could take weeks.
Pinder said the county has been working with private contractors to ensure the community has water until grocery stores are open and water systems are back online.
Buncombe County set up four distribution centers Monday to provide food and meals. Bottles of water and bags of food are being handed out at the following distribution centers:
- William W. Estes Elementary School - 275 Overlook Road, Asheville
- Sand Hill Elementary - 154 Sand Hill School Road, Asheville (Please enter via Acton Circle)
- North Windy Ridge Intermediate School - 20 Doan Road, Weaverville
- Fairview Elementary School - 1355 Charlotte Highway, Fairview
- Water is also being distributed at Pack Square Park. Please bring your own container to this location.
Pinder said these are drive-thru and walk-up distribution centers. Residents can get two gallons of water – or a maximum of five gallons per family.
More distribution centers will be set up Tuesday in Asheville, county officials announced Monday evening. According to the county's latest update at 10 a.m., they still have only four distribution centers at this time.
"We are working to open up a fifth," Pinder said during a news conference Tuesday morning.
If water runs out while you're standing in line, Pinder said you can stay in line until box trucks arrive with more water – unless otherwise instructed.
"We have been replenishing those sites throughout the day," Pinder said.
Hundreds of thousands still without power in western NC
No water, no power, no cell service: This is the reality for thousands of residents in western North Carolina. Residents are unable to contact loved ones or call for help, and flooding has left roads impassable and residents trapped in the mountains.
As of noon Wednesday, nearly 345,000 customers remain without power in North Carolina, according to poweroutage.us. The number of outages in North Carolina has fluctuated since Saturday afternoon, which saw more than 700,000 customers without power.
In Buncombe County, nearly 96,000 customers remain without power Wednesday morning. That number decreased to about 8,000 for a brief period Sunday, but totals shot back up shortly after.
State and local leaders said on Sunday that they'll focus on restoring power to hospitals, schools and other essential services first.
The catastrophic damage in these mountain cities and towns – which some are comparing to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans – has made restoration efforts difficult.
There's no timetable for when power could be restored.
Communication outages in the western part of the state have also left many residents unable to contact loved ones or call for help.
A temporary cellular satellite trailer has been installed at the Family Justice Center (35 Woodfin Place) in Asheville to provide limited cell reception within several blocks. Emergency officials said for people in the area to turn their cell phone off, then back on to connect to temporarily service.
Verizon is supporting relief efforts across affected areas. For those without service or power, Verizon has deployed wireless emergency communication centers at key locations, providing 24/7 access to device charging, WiFi and cellular services.
These centers are located at:
- South Central Elementary, 2955 TN-107, Chuckey, TN
- First Baptist Church, 5 Oak St, Asheville, NC
- Groce United Methodist Church, 954 Tunnel Rd, Asheville, NC
Wifi is also available at West Asheville Library (942 Haywood Rd.) and Pack Memorial Library (67 Haywood Street). The wifi password is "readmore."
Aside from having no power or cell service, many residents are also unable to get gas.
County officials said they have gas tanks for emergency vehicles, but there's still no way for the general public to get gas.
Brittany Neal hasn't been able to see her children because she can't find anywhere to get gas.
"I can’t get home. I haven’t seen my kids. I’m tired. I'm hungry. [I] still have no power," Neal said. "I have no gas to get to my kids. I don’t know where to get gas."
At Appalachian State University, several academic buildings have significant water damage, including Walker Hall, Rankin Science Building, Varsity Gym and the academic areas of Holmes Convocation Center. ASU did not have an update on how the school will proceed with operations beyond Oct. 4.
Road conditions remain dangerous as some interstates reopen
- Traffic lights are not working in several areas because of widespread power outages.
- Remember to treat intersections like a 4-way stop.
- Whoever stops first gets to go first.
- For more information, go to ncdot.gov.
Interstate 40 East has reopened – and part of I-40 West also reopened – in Buncombe County. Interstate 26 East is also open.
All roads in western North Carolina are still considered closed, and non-emergency travel is prohibited.
Buncombe County officials are encouraging organizations to use this as an opportunity to bring food, water and other supplies to western N.C. communities. Those evacuating the area can now use I-40 East and I-26 East to leave the area.
There are currently 92 active incidents on main roads in North Carolina and 406 active incidents on secondary roads, according to DriveNC.gov. The number of road incidents has more than doubled since Monday morning – when there were only 43 active incidents on main roads and 147 on secondary roads.
This could be a result of people trying to navigate roads that are impassable.
Hospitals overwhelmed in wake of Helene
Mission Hospital in Asheville has more than 700 patients, as of Tuesday morning.
Officials said there have been 900 emergency room (ER) visits since Helene hit the area. As of Tuesday morning, more than 80 patients in the ER were waiting to be admitted to the hospital.
County officials said Tuesday that 10 mobile units were on the way to the hospital to help with overcrowding.
In addition, several Mercy Urgent Care locations across Buncombe County are now open for walk-ins and non-emergency medical treatment.
Mission My Care Now in Biltmore Park is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 310 Long Shoals Rd., according to the Mission Health's Instagram.
If you are in need of medical attention, call 911. For non-emergencies, you can go to one of the open Mercy Urgent Care clinics.
For disability assistance, contact the Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies Disability & Disaster Hotline at 1-800-626-4959 or hotline@disasterstrategies.org.
How to get your medications refilled
To see the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy's updated list of open pharmacies in western N.C., click here. Some pharmacies may not be listed.
Emergency rules allow you to bring in your existing prescription bottle to get a 30- or 90-day refill at any open pharmacy, even if your usual pharmacy is closed – and even if you have no remaining refills listed on your bottle. This does not include refills for schedule 2 controlled substances like pain pills or ADHD medications.
Remember to bring your prescription bottles. If you are not able to travel, someone other than the patient can pick up the prescription (ID may be required for certain medications).
Republican NC lawmakers discuss relief efforts
Several Republican North Carolina lawmakers held a news conference Tuesday to discuss ongoing relief efforts from the damage caused by Helene.
The speakers at the WNC Agricultural Center - Boone Building included North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis and Ted Budd and U.S. Reps. David Rouzer and Greg Murphy.
"We’ve seen many disasters in North Carolina from hurricanes to frost and freezes, tornadoes, but I think this will probably go down as the worst disaster that we have ever seen in North Carolina," Troxler said. "Fortunately, we do have a strong emergency preparedness system in North Carolina that is working very hard along with the National Guard."
Tillis said the state is in an active rescue operation throughout western North Carolina.
"The best thing we can do is stay out of the way of the professionals and the volunteers and everybody that are doing that," Tillis said. "Our primary reason for being here is the unique nature of the storm."
Budd echoed Tillis' sentiments.
"As we’re renowned for here in this state, we’re resilient, but particularly, the mountain regions here [have] just amazing people that are largely self-sustaining," Budd said. "But part of my job as an elected official from the federal government is to bring as many resources as quickly as possible to cut through bureaucracy, and that’s what they sent us to Washington for.
"And, so far, in an unprecedented situation, we’re seeing tremendous coordination."
Tillis and Budd acknowledged a lot of work must still be done.
"The reason we’re here is to figure out what we can do to remove some of the hurdles," Tillis said. "And, this is a unique situation for North Carolina and really the Southeast, so we’re learning as we go.
"Right now, it’s just focusing on the victims and hopefully, saving lives and restoring lives."
Rouzer said the long-term recovery would be more difficult than the immediate needs in the aftermath of Helene.
"I have been so impressed and so uplifted by the spirit that you see of the many volunteers and all those who are sending supplies in," Rouzer said.
Troxler said he and the lawmakers would get into helicopters to see the locations in the state that sustained the worst damage.
"The idea is to find all of the people that need help, get them the help and sustain that help," Troxler said. "This is not going to go away overnight.
"I’ve been through these disasters time after time. I know this is the worst one we’ve ever seen because it is in the mountains and the remoteness and just trying to get from place to place, and unfortunately, in some cases, helicopters are the only way you get there."
Tillis expressed his concern about people who still need help.
"One thing I worry about are not the ones we’re waiting to get to, it’s the ones that we just don’t know about yet," Tillis said. "And, they’re throughout this part of the state."
Tillis said he and Budd would work to get resources and funding from the federal government as quickly as possible. Tillis also said they would work to make sure the support is sustained.
"We know this doesn’t go away for months and years," Tillis said.
Budd said he and Tillis are working with telecommunications, power companies and the National Guard.
Troxler shared his message to the people affected by Helene.
"Have faith in God and have faith in the people that are out here to help you," Troxler said. "I know that the state of North Carolina is going to come together, respond and help them, and we’re not going to quit until their lives are normal again."