Western NC Emergency Response Operations Persist
TL/DR –
Western North Carolina is in crisis after Hurricane Helene, with dozens of deaths confirmed and hundreds of people still unaccounted for. Recovery efforts are ongoing but complicated by the region’s terrain, and hundreds of air rescues have been performed due to areas being cut off by the storm. Federal support from the government has been deployed, including a major disaster declaration that covers 25 counties in western North Carolina, making federal funds available for housing, home repairs, low-cost loans for uninsured property loss, and support for businesses impacted by Helene.
Post-Hurricane Helene Crisis Continues in Western North Carolina
Western North Carolina is still grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, with recovery operations ongoing. Dozens of deaths are confirmed while hundreds remain missing.
“It’s like a biblical disaster.” Yancey County resident Crystal Capps described the hurricane’s impact.
Local communities were hit hard due to the region’s topography and the heavy rains that preceded the hurricane. Mt. Mitchell, the state’s highest point, feeds into the Cane River and the South Toe River, both flowing through Yancey County.
Parts of the county experienced over two feet of rain causing severe floods, as the rivers overflowed and devastated communities along their banks.
The area’s topography also complicated recovery efforts. Burnsville, Yancey’s county seat, is approximately an hour northeast of Asheville and is largely rural, making accessibility challenging even on a good day.
Gov. Roy Cooper explained the complexities of rescue operations in these areas in an interview with MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow. Hundreds of air rescues were made as areas were cut off, and efforts to find scores of missing people are ongoing.
Federal support for Western North Carolina
The federal government has a substantial role in the disaster response. President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration, providing financial aid to 25 counties in western NC, including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The aid will cover housing, home repairs, low-cost loans for uninsured property damage, and support for impacted businesses.
Biden additionally ordered 1,000 soldiers to aid in the recovery efforts and visited North Carolina for discussions with emergency personnel and first responders. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) deployed 1200 personnel who conducted search operations in 675 areas, rescuing 127 people.
Finding the missing
As resources pour into the state, search and rescue operations continue to locate the missing or unaccounted for. Friends or family unable to reach their loved ones can dial 2-1-1 in North Carolina to request a welfare check.
Asheville’s ongoing crisis
Asheville, greatly impacted by the storm, has 61 confirmed deaths according to Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller. The city’s mayor, Esther Manheimer, highlighted the urgent need for food, water, and basic necessities as power restoration efforts are underway.
Blue Ridge Radio reported that up to 100,000 people in the city may need support securing drinking water for several weeks. Repairing water treatment facilities and pipes could potentially take weeks.
Telecommunication challenges
Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers expressed frustration with telecommunication issues, which have been a problem since the disaster began. President Biden deployed 67 Starlink satellites to improve communication in the region, as mentioned in his Facebook post. Smathers stressed the need for an individualized recovery approach considering the region’s uniqueness.
Recovery efforts in Boone
The High Country was significantly impacted by the hurricane. The Red Cross currently operates a shelter at Appalachian State University, which is also offering free meals and Wi-Fi access. The university has canceled classes through at least October 11th due to the storm.
While the exact death toll and economic impact are still unknown, it’s clear that the region will face a prolonged recovery process requiring extensive federal, state, and local government partnership.
“There will be a time before and after the flood,” Capps concluded.
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