Live Updates: Asheville restores drinkable water; FEMA assistance continues

This holiday season, WNC tourism-based businesses are holding out hope that visitors from across North Carolina and other states will plan trips and vacations that include local stays, dining and shopping.

The state has a map of travel tips and more to support tourism, specifically in the western part of North Carolina.

We've put together a list of some top events or ongoing attractions across the region. For more info, click here.

The Buncombe County government on Monday launched a new website tracking the money it has spent related to Hurricane Helene.

Buncombe County Government

The website allows users to explore the data in detail, with expenses searchable by category, date, vendor and amount.

"We have put together this dashboard to further our commitment to public transparency, particularly around Hurricane Helene," Matt Baker, who works for the county's Strategy and Innovation Department, told reporters at a regular press briefing Monday.

Read more from this story here.

After a 53-day water crisis, clean water runs through Asheville’s taps once more.

Asheville lifted its boil water notice this morning, city spokesperson Clay Chandler shared this morning at a news briefing.

The notice was lifted after the city’s water department tested 120 samples over the weekend. Turbidity is under 15 and the city expects it to remain low enough to process and meet demand.

The city has been flushing the system of untreated water for about a week, Chandler said. No raw, or untreated water, has been in the system since last Saturday.

For more information on this story, go here.

Felicia Sonmez

Asheville residents could have drinkable water in their taps as early as Wednesday of next week.

Water Resources spokesperson Clay Chandler said the city is testing water samples this weekend, and if the results are acceptable, the boil water notice could be lifted as early as Tuesday evening.

For more info on this story, go here.

A FEMA program is offering money and home renovation services to help property owners in the flood plain.

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Program offers options for property owners throughout Western North Carolina, including in Buncombe County. The program, which applies to homes that are at-risk for flood damage, allows property owners to choose between three options: acquisition, elevation and reconstruction.

Participation in the program is voluntary. If homeowners choose the acquisition option, FEMA will purchase the property at its pre-storm appraisal level. The land will be deeded to Buncombe County for parks, greenways and other municipal projects, according to Steve McGugan, the state’s Hazard Mitigation Officer.

For more on this story, go here.

The U.S. Forest Service announced on Wednesday it will be using its emergency action authority to address the problems caused by Hurricane Helene, many of which threaten both wildlife and humans.

In North Carolina, this may include bypassing some procurement or resource-related processes normally required, in an effort to rebuild infrastructure more quickly and accomplish clean-up faster, including timber sales of downed trees.

“This emergency authority allows us to address the widespread damage caused by the recent hurricanes,” said Forest Service Chief Randy Moore. “This means helping to protect the surrounding communities by addressing hazards to public health and safety, critical infrastructure, and to mitigate hazards to natural resources like streams flooded with wood debris or sediments, removing downed vegetation and other debris that may be fire hazards.”

Read more from this story here.

After close to five weeks of daily or twice-daily updates, North Carolina officials say they'll reduce the frequency (to two days per week) of updates to a public list of Helene-related fatalities.

The shift comes as officials have conducted death investigations and further identified victims who were found after the floods and landslides across the mountains.

Amid widespread devastation and community recovery, the grim statistic — the number of victims newly documented — has slowed considerably in recent weeks. Officials said the Medical Examiner's Office's revised Tuesday and Thursday reporting schedule will start next week.

Of the total 102 people confirmed in the death toll, more than 4 of every 5 victims were found and included in the state's report within less than two weeks of Helene striking the mountains, according to BPR's analysis of publicly available data.

The vast majority of fatalities verified by the state occurred in Western North Carolina, with Buncombe County suffering the worst loss of life. Forty-four victims were residents of or people in Buncombe County at the time of the storm. Fifteen counties in WNC have recorded at least one casualty, the latest data shows.

Brevard's City Council will try a rarely-used procedure to help a neighborhood of about two dozen families who live in trailers near the French Broad River make their homes habitable again before elevating the residences to comply with federal flood regulations.

Gerard Albert III

/

BPR News

Most of the trailers in the Duck’s Drive mobile home park were damaged by floods caused by Hurricane Helene. The neighborhood sits on a dead-end gravel road off Old Hendersonville Highway, just north of downtown Brevard.

Typically, obtaining a permit after a storm would not be a difficult challenge, but these permits were in jeopardy because of a regulation in the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, of which Brevard is a participant.

The rule requires “all houses in the flood hazard area elevate to two feet above base flood elevation if substantial improvements are done to the structure.” Substantial improvement is any improvement that costs 50% or more than the value of the structure.

The municipality, leaders say, is bound to NFIP's 50% rule — even if individual homeowners don't carry flood insurance through the program. Rule violations could jeopardize the city's NFIP eligibility — and future disaster assistance funding for properties that weren't in compliance.

To read the full BPR story covering the mobile home community and its recovery, go here.

Tennessee residents along the state line are often deeply interconnected with North Carolina. In Mountain City and Trade, the nearest major city is Boone, which – before Helene – was a fairly speedy trip of about 15 minutes. Now, the trip is more than an hour.

Trade, as suggested by its name, was traditionally an important mountain trading stop – a crossroads through the rugged high-country landscape. At the base of a long mountain range, it was once a way to get between North Carolina and Tennessee.

And now the Stateline Resource Center (formerly a skatepark in Trade) is a crossroads between Ashe County and western Watauga County, and Johnson County, Tenn.

“A lot of folks work in Boone. They have to come right through Trade,” said Stateline Resource Center and skatepark owner Ashley Galleher.

Around 11 a.m. most days of the week at an indoor skatepark and warehouse in Trade, Tenn., the garage door rolls open and community members begin to file in.

On one of those days last week, Galleher and her friend Valentine Reilly sat behind a table stacked with paper – emergency phone numbers and encouraging messages – and Narcan.

“So what's the condition of your home?” Galleher asked a visitor.

“It was destroyed,” the man, from Mountain City, Tenn., said.

Across state lines, the impacts were the same: deaths and washed-out roads, destroyed homes, and pummeled infrastructure like water systems.

Go here to read the full story about life in this corner of the mountains and what Stateline Resource Center organizers told BPR in a recent interview.

On Nov. 6, officials with the North Carolina Medical Examiner's Office added to its Helene fatality count a tenth victim who died in Henderson County.

The 51-year-old man, officials say, died on Sept. 30. More recently, his death was attributed to the disaster, according to the state agency.

In its daily update on Wednesday, the Medical Examiner's Office wrote: "A 51 year old male passed away in Henderson County on 09/30/2024 from a pre-existing health condition deteriorated due to the storm and he did not return to baseline condition before passing."

Confirming the man's death was caused by Helene brings the total number of victims statewide to 102. That includes 93 people killed who were residents of or otherwise were in Western North Carolina when they died. Search and recovery efforts continue in the region. Officials have not released publicly the names of those killed by Helene.

As the scale of the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene continues to come into focus, federal officials say the storm damaged one-fifth of the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests in Western North Carolina.

"Using information sourced from satellite data, aerial surveying and on-the-ground assessments, analyses found that Tropical Storm Helene caused moderate to catastrophic damage to more than 187,000 acres of both forests (roughly 20 percent of the total acreage), including 117,000 acres of vegetation loss," the U.S. Forest Service said in a statement Friday.

The hardest-hit areas are in Pisgah National Forest, much of which remains closed to the public. In total, nearly 900 miles of roads and 800 miles of trails in areas managed by the Forest Service have been damaged.

According to the Forest Service, the sweeping ecological damage caused by the storm can contribute to a higher risk of wildfires, the proliferation of invasive species and loss of wildlife habitat, among other problems.

James Melonas, forest supervisor for North Carolina, said the recovery "will be measured in years."

"Our crews are hard at work clearing debris from roads and recreation areas, but we have many areas of the forest that we simply have no means to access right now. We need the public to continue staying off all closed portions of the forest until we can finish clean-up efforts and complete assessments," Melonas said in a statement.

The Pisgah Conservancy

North Carolina state officials who are tracking Helene casualties and sharing information with the public say they'll continue daily updates Monday to Friday. The state's up-to-date statistics will no longer be shared on Saturdays and Sundays, starting Nov. 2.

On Friday, no new deaths were reported for the second day in a row.

The number of people killed during or after Hurricane Helene in North Carolina sits at 101, according to the state Medical Examiner's Office. All but nine were residents of or otherwise in Western North Carolina during the disaster. The majority of victims on record are from Buncombe County.

Death investigations ongoing

Over the last two weeks, the frequency of a rising death toll has slowed in terms of authorities adding newly recovered or newly confirmed victims to the public report. That noticeable shift has come as search and recovery crews continue combing terrain region-wide and as local law enforcement agencies report lower numbers of people believed to be missing or unaccounted for.

As new victims are discovered or confirmed, officials have said, N.C. authorities will conduct a death investigation and include the person's death in the state's reporting of fatalities. Based on the state's reporting, the Medical Examiner's Office hasn't experienced backlogs in completing this process.

State officials are tracking the number of fatalities associated with post-Helene hazards, such as those killed during tree trimming or due to weather exposure or lack of medical care. Data show around 2 of every 5 victims in the state's report were recorded as dying or being recovered on or after Oct. 1.

The official fatality count also includes a number of people who have not been fully identified by authorities and names have not been publicly released in any case so far.

The National Park Service has reopened six more miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway following the devastation of Hurricane Helene.

The newly reopened stretch runs between Milepost 405.5 (which intersects N.C. Route 151 to Candler) and Milepost 411.8 (which intersects N.C. Route 276 to Brevard and Waynesville). It includes the portions of the parkway near Mount Pisgah and Fryingpan Mountain.

Campgrounds, picnic areas and other facilities along this stretch of the parkway remain closed.

"The NPS has not yet completed trail assessments and caution is encouraged for trail users who may experience hazards resulting from landslides, downed or leaning trees, wash-outs, and other damage," the Park Service said in a press release.

Earlier this week, nearly 55 miles of the parkway reopened to the public, including one section between Mileposts 411.8 and 421 and another between Mileposts 423.2 and 469, near the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The roughly two miles between those open sections remains closed "due to a significant landslide that impacted the roadway during Hurricane Helene," the National Park Service said. The closed sections includes the popular Devil's Courthouse hike.

Felicia Sonmez

Street parking and parking in city-owned garages in Asheville will remain free, City Manager Debra Campbell announced at the community briefing on Wednesday.

The ART bus service continues to be free until further notice.

Campbell also announced that all Asheville council committees, advisory boards and quasi-judicial boards are suspended until January 1, 2025.

Boards may meet on a case-by-case basis for time-sensitive or storm-related business. City leaders also decided to postpone all board and commission appointments that were scheduled to take place on October 8.

The deadline for applications to open board spots is December 8, and appointments will be made at the January 14, 2025, City Council meeting.

In an update Wednesday, the state Medical Examiner's Office reported two additional fatalities — both of which occurred weeks back in Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene — have been linked to the disaster.

A total of 101 people died as a result of the floods, landslides, and ensuing devastation, according to data released publicly by the Medical Examiner's Office. The two additional victims were listed in the agency's Oct. 30 update. In some counties, sheriff's offices have confirmed search and recovery crews are still looking for people reported missing or who are otherwise unaccounted for.

In one case, officials said, a 74-year-old woman in Rutherford County died four weeks ago and a more recent death investigation has determined the disaster led to her death. The woman experienced "a pre-existing health condition," which "deteriorated due to [the] storm and she did not return to baseline condition before passing" on Oct. 2, the agency wrote in its Oct. 30 update.

Confirmation that the woman's death was due to Helene brings the Rutherford County death toll to four people, state officials say.

In the second case, a 62-year-old man in Henderson County died when he was unable to access oxygen in the days after the hurricane. Officials said the man died on Oct. 19. A more recent death investigation determined his pre-existing health condition was exacerbated by the storm.

The man, state officials said, is the ninth victim in Henderson County to be confirmed as a hurricane-related fatality.

WNC deaths from Helene

Authorities have not released the names of Hurricane Helene victims in North Carolina.

The vast majority of confirmed casualties are among Buncombe County residents — which includes one of the youngest and one of the oldest victims in the region: A 7-year-old boy who drowned and was found on Sept. 30; and a 90-year-old woman who died on Oct. 12 in an accidental fall at a temporary living arrangement in Wake County after she fled the Asheville area post-Helene.

Yancey County: 10 deaths; 3 missing

Also this week, the Yancey County Sheriff's Office confirmed what state officials have been reporting about how many people died there. Local authorities said three people are still missing in Yancey.

"In the wake of Hurricane Helene, the Yancey County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the recovery of ten lives lost due to the storm's devastating effects. Eight of these were residents of Yancey County, while two were from neighboring Mitchell County," the sheriff's office wrote on its Facebook page.

"Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to the families affected by this tragic loss. Three individuals are still reported missing. Continued prayers for the families, and our community."

Yancey County Sheriff's Office via Facebook

Cases of gastroenteritis have increased in Buncombe County in October as a result of Hurricane Helene, County Medical Director Dr. Jennifer Mullendore said Tuesday.

"Based on patient interviews that Buncombe County communicable disease nurses have conducted, this increase does appear to be storm-related with a variety of potential sources including deficiencies in appropriate hand hygiene, food handling and/or cleaning of food preparation services," she said at the daily briefing.

When people lack normal resources to wash hands or properly prepare food, the risk of illness increases, Mullendore said.

It is not yet clear if this is the start of an increasing trend or a fluctuation. State epidemeologists are monitoring the situation.

Mullandore advised residents to drink and use safe water. Potable water should be used for food preparation and teeth brushing. Immunocompromised people should consider antibacterial hand sanitizer in addition to handwashing, she said.

If bottled water is not available, tap water can be filtered through a cloth, paper towel or coffee filter before boiling for at least one minute. Let the water cool and store in clean containers, Mullendore advised.

Eight drops of regular household bleach may also be added to one gallon of water, allowing it to stand for 30 minutes before use.

Symptoms of gastroenteritis may include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, headache or muscle aches.

Dogwood Health Trust announced this week a second round of major philanthropic funding for Western North Carolina hurricane recovery and relief.

The board of directors approved more than $20 million in additional funds to go toward grants for local organizations, including direct services and support organizations that are working with Helene victims on a variety of needs such as legal help, housing, and more.

The announcement follows a major wave of funding detailed earlier this month, which included $10 million from Dogwood to the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina's (CFWNC) Emergency and Disaster Response Fund. The recent board approval, the organization said, brings Dogwood's total contribution to local relief efforts to more than $50 million.

Additional funding is aimed at a variety of programs and causes, including a $10 million lead grant to create the Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative (WNCSBI), which will be led by Appalachian Community Capital (ACC); $4 million in grants to partner organizations that focus on homelessness, affordable housing, and supportive housing; and $2 million in direct relief funding to groups like the United Way, YMCA, Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation, and more.

Dogwood was previously announced as one of three organizations leading relief coordination efforts in the region - alongside CFWNC and WNC Bridge Foundation. Last week, CFWNC detailed how $5 million in relief funds have already been dispersed to partner organizations.

The fundraising, coordination, and grant-making announcements come as the region crosses into its fifth week of Helene recovery.

In addition, the Duke Endowment has announced it will contribute $15 million in philanthropic gifts and grants, including to the CFWNC fund and the Central Carolina Community Foundation’s One SC Fund, which works with nonprofit organizations to provide food, housing, and other relief in South Carolina.

Mike Stewart

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AP

The recent death of a Henderson County man — who state officials say died when he fell from a tree during cleanup — brought the total number of confirmed Helene victims in North Carolina to 99 on Monday. All but nine of those victims were residents of or were otherwise in Western North Carolina.

The man, 50, was killed on Oct. 27 after falling from the tree. Neither his name nor additional information was released.

According to information from the North Carolina Medical Examiner's Office, which is investigating deaths and tracking the number of Helene victims, the man is the eighth person to die in Henderson County since the floods and landslides.

As reported by BPR News on Friday, claims of significantly higher death tolls are unfounded, including one viral post that "at least 142 bodies" have been found in Buncombe County alone. The leader of a nonprofit relief group (Western Carolina Emergency Network — to which one news outlet attributed this false claim) said his group didn’t produce, confirm, or otherwise share an inflated death toll figure.

To read the full fact-check on this claim from BPR, go here.

State officials have confirmed to BPR News that they include in the total number all victims who — after a death investigation — are determined to have been killed directly or indirectly by Helene. That includes, as in the case of the recent Henderson County fatality, people who died in the aftermath. The state agency has also said it includes in the fatality total victims who have still not been identified by name or had their families contacted.

City of Asheville

FEMA opened two new Disaster Recovery Centers for people in Buncombe and Swain counties to get face-to-face assistance on applying for FEMA relief.

Located in Fairview at the Cane Creek Pool at 590 Lower Brush Creek Road, the new Buncombe County center is open Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The FEMA site previously at A.C. Reynolds High School has closed to allow students to return to classes.

FEMA is also operating a mobile unit at the Buncombe County Sports Park at 58 Apac Drive Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The center in Swain County is loated at the Swain County Technology and Training Center at 45 East Ridge Drive in Bryson City. The center is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Sunday.

"FEMA financial assistance may include money for basic home repairs, personal property losses or other uninsured, disaster-related needs, such as childcare, transportation, medical needs, funeral or dental expenses," according to a press release from the agency.

Hurricane Helene survivors can apply for financial assistance at the Centers. Applications are also available at DisasterAssistance.gov, by using the FEMA App for mobile devices or by calling toll-free 800-621-3362.

Laura Hackett

From toxic soil to erosion, farmers in western North Carolina are dealing with many challenges in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Some of the more long-term damage is still unclear, particularly when it comes to the health of soil and trees.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack toured several farms in the region on Friday to assess damage and identify resources to help farmers, food producers and other businesses tied to the agricultural industry get back on their feet.

Vilsack pledged that his department would be “here for the long haul” to help the region recover. The federal government has distributed $4 million in aid so far, Vilsack said.

“Obviously, that is just a very, very small down payment for the nature of losses that have been incurred,” he said.

In order for farmers to access resources, it’s vital that they conduct a damage assessment and report that to the federal government, Vilsack said.

There are 10 disaster relief programs sponsored by the US Department of Agriculture that farmers can access. Programs include relief for everything from emergency financial assistance to a fruit tree rehabilitation program. Those resources can be accessed online or by calling 877-508-8364.

The Department also oversees the D-SNAP, or Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Applicants in several counties struggled to get through on the state’s phone application system, and the federal department provided a 24-hour extension through 4 p.m. today for people in Alexander, Buncombe, Haywood, Macon and McDowell counties.

When asked why the extension was only one day, Vilsack’s press secretary Marissa Perry said the state had only asked for a one-day extension.

When asked if his department would consider a further extension, Vilsack did not directly answer the question, replying that “we do this in increments.”

Buncombe Commissioner Terri Wells accompanied Vilsack on his visit and said she was happy with his responsiveness.

“I was very impressed with how Secretary Vilsack was taking notes and already making some calls and working on some of the things that we were sharing with him,” she said.

She emphasized the importance of farmers reporting their damage to their local Farm Services Agency, or FSA.

“It is very important that all farmers do report to our FSA and reach out,” she said. “We have got to make sure that we have a really good clear, picture of all the damage and the needs. Because we have to be able to report that out to state and federal levels to try to pull in the resources and the funding that we need.”

Wells also recommended some local resources for farmers, since federal aid can sometimes take longer to access.

WNC Community and ASAP, two area nonprofits, are both offering grants for farmers who are struggling with loss of income, she said.

The North Carolina General Assembly voted Thursday to require each county board of elections to open at least one early voting site for every 30,000 registered voters, or any portion thereof.

The measure, which did not require the approval of Gov. Roy Cooper, affected two counties in Western North Carolina: McDowell County will open an additional early voting site on Tuesday, and Henderson County will open three additional sites on Tuesday.

The sites are required to be open from Tuesday until Saturday, November 2.

"We will be able to assist those counties in the set up of those early voting sites," State Board of Elections Director Karen Brinson Bell said in a press call on Friday morning.

County boards were able to open 76 of the original 80 early voting sites despite Hurricane Helene's effects, she said.

Allegations that counties had early voting sites originally planned that they then opted not to open were "absolutely incorrect," Brinson Bell said.

"McDowell County did have an early voting site planned in Old Fort," she said, but the voting site was damaged and other possible sites were being used for recovery efforts.

Republican state representative Jennifer Balkcom of Henderson said the one site in her county was inadequate, WUNC reported.

Henderson County had unanimously adopted a plan for one voting site in the county prior to the storm, Brinson Bell said. They did not intend to have additional early sites before the storm, she said.

The State Board received $5 million in funds to assist county board affected by Hurricane Helene, she said.

Some Democrats questioned the need for additional sites after early voting already started, WUNC reported.

Republican candidate Donald Trump won 23 of the 25 FEMA-designated disaster counties in Western North Carolina in 2020. Democrat Joe Biden won Buncombe and Watagua counties in his successful White House bid.

Find more voter information in the BPR Voter Guide.

Residents who received unlabeled half-gallon bottles of water with green loids from the Tunnel Road and Charlotte Highway distribution sites should not drink the water.

The water should used as non-potable or gray water only, according to coutny officials.

The decision was based on discoloration. There have not been reports of any illness caused by the water, officials said.

The water may be used for flushing toilets.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced in a press release on Thursday, a one-day extension for those in Alexander, Buncombe, Haywood, Macon and McDowell counties to apply for the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP).

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved the extension after the listed counties requested it due to high demand.

READ MORE HERE: D-SNAP applicants unable to get phone interviews as deadline for food assistance approaches

As of Wednesday, more than 105,000 individuals had been approved to receive D-SNAP benefits according to the press release from NCDHHS.

"Our commitment is to support individuals and families impacted by the catastrophic damage Hurricane Helene left behind," said Susan Osborne, NCDHHS deputy secretary for opportunity and well-being. “We will continue to work with our federal and local partners to use every resource we can to help our western communities heal, recover and rebuild."

People who preregistered for D-SNAP through ePASS.nc.gov by 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24 will receive a call from DSS officials by Friday, Nov. 1 to complete their application.

Anyone who is in line by 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25, will be able to complete their application and interview that same day. The D-SNAP Virtual Call Center will not be available after Oct. 24, 2024, at 4 p.m. according to the press release.

LOCATIONS TO APPLY IN-PERSON

ALEXANDER COUNTY

Alexander County Department of Social Services
Alexander County DSS Office
604 7th St. SW
Taylorsville, NC 28681

BUNCOMBE COUNTY

Buncombe County Health and Human Services
Main Buncombe County DSS Office
40 Coxe Ave.
Asheville, NC 28801

HAYWOOD COUNTY

Haywood County Health and Human Services
Haywood County DSS Office
157 Paragon Parkway #300
Clyde, NC 28721

MACON COUNTY

Macon County Department of Social Services
183 Holly Springs Plaza
Franklin, NC 28734

McDOWELL COUNTY

McDowell County YMCA Gym: Bottom Level
348 Grace Corpening Drive
Marion, NC 28752

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced several changes to the locations of its Disaster Recovery Centers, or DRCs. The centers provide in-person guidance from FEMA representatives. Survivors can also apply for low-interest loans with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

FEMA's Disaster Recovery Center at Asheville's A.C. Reynolds High School will close at 7 p.m. on Thursday to allow the school to open. The new location for the Asheville center has not yet been announced.

The site at A.C. Reynolds also served as a food and water distribution location. Food and water will be relocated to the Ingles parking lot at 225 Charlotte Highway.

Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers will open to provide in-person support for those seeking FEMA assistance.

FEMA announced two mobile sites in Buncombe County:

Swannanoa Fire Rescue - Bee Tree Fire Sub Station at 510 Bee Tree Road, Swannanoa, NC 28778. The site will be open from Thursday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Buncombe County Sports Park (Parking Lot) at 58 Apac Drive, Asheville, NC 28806. The site will be open daily from Friday through the end of October from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Two additional Disaster Recovery Centers will open in Yancey and Madison Counties:

Madison County Public Library - Marshall Branch at 1335 N Main Street, Marshall, N.C. 28753 will be open 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Monday through Sunday.

County Annex Facility (Old Ridge Hardware) 671 W U.S. Hwy 19E Bypass Burnsville, N.C. 28714. The site will be open 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Monday through Sunday.

Update: The state Department of Health and Human Services issued a statement late Wednesday afternoon instructing that applicants may go to any D-SNAP location to apply or complete their interview. The statement also said anyone in line at 4 p.m. today or tomorrow will get an in-person interview.

At about 4:15 p.m., about three dozen people remained in line outside the Buncombe County health department offices.

Tomorrow is the final day for applications to the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or D-SNAP, but some North Carolinians are facing difficulties completing their applications as the state phone system falters.

The program, administered by the state Department of Health and Human Services, offers a one-time food benefit for people who have lost income due to the storm and have disaster related expenses. To qualify, an applicant must participate in a phone or in-person interview.

On Wednesday, some callers to the state hotline were unable to get through for an interview, encountering instead a message indicating high call volume and asking them to call back later.

Some Buncombe residents like Liz Evers gave up on calling and went to the Buncombe Health and Human Services office to wait in line for an in-person interview.

"I tried [calling] a couple of times and basically the answering machine almost like hangs up on you, so I figured I'd just come down here and do it in person," she said.

Erin Godleski also waited in the line of about 50 people on Wednesday afternoon. She said she tried calling as well.

"I feel like it is worth waiting for, especially since I essentially lost my job. I'm willing to stand in line," Godleski said. "I mean, it's a little frustrating, but I understand why so many people are calling. There is a huge need for it."

Wednesday afternoon, a spokesperson for the state Department of Health and Human Services issued the following statement:

NCDHHS is aware of the high call volume for D-SNAP applications and long lines at some D-SNAP locations in western North Carolina, such as Buncombe County. Anyone who is already in line at a D-SNAP location by 4 p.m. will receive their interview that day per policy requirements. Buncombe County is aware and complying with this policy. NCDHHS is working to get additional support to Buncombe County to help with processing times. Many counties are making proactive calls to people who were pre-registered to decrease call volumes at the center. This will allow more new applicants to get through to enroll in benefits. Individuals can go to any D-SNAP location to apply or complete their interview.

By Tuesday, more than 75,000 people had been approved for D-SNAP benefits. NCDHHS understands the overwhelming need in western North Carolina, and we are committed to supporting people and families impacted by Hurricane Helene. NCDHHS continues to work with USDA on additional flexibilities and will provide any updates we receive.

Jose Sandoval

/

BPR

In-person interviews are available until 4 p.m. Wednesday and again from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday at the county Department of Health and Human Services (40 Coxe Avenue, Asheville).

"Unfortunately, we cannot vary our hours because of our approved waiver from USDA," Buncombe County spokesperson Lillian Govus said in an email response to BPR. "We have applied for an extension and will share the determination of that as soon as we're notified."

Evers said despite the struggle, she is grateful for the help.

"I'm happy to do whatever I can to get this assistance. I really appreciate that it is available," she said. "Whatever it takes."

There is no timeline for reopening the Asheville portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway as crews continue to address storm damage, National Park Service representative Jana Friesen McCabe said Wednesday.

Hurricane Helene caused at least 30 landslides along the Parkway with 10 catastrophic landslides that damaged the Parkway itself. The storm also caused "tens of thousands" of downed trees, Friesen McCabe said at a joint emergency briefing.

Today, the National Park Service reopened parts of the scenic roadway near Blowing Rock — the first stretch to reopen since Hurricane Helene devastated the region. The Parkway is open from milepost 285.5, at Bamboo Gap, to milepost 305, near Beacon Heights.

October is typically the peak month for visitors to the Parkway. Last October, more than 2 million people viewed fall foliage in the park. Much of the region is experiencing peak fall colors this week, according to ExploreFall.com.

The Transylvania Business Support Task Force is accepting applications for their relief fund until Monday, Nov. 4.

Applications can be found online at brevardnc.org/community/transylvania-tomorrow/.

To be eligible for the program people must:

• Be registered business in good standing with regard to state and local taxes and licenses
• Have less than 50 full-time employees
• Have experienced a significant loss, reduction in revenue, and/or physical damage due to Hurricane Helene

Preference will be given to businesses that are headquartered and with primary operations in Transylvania County and independently owned.

People who receive funds must use the money for payroll, restoration, recovery, and remodeling services due to storm damage. The funds can also be used on utilities, rent, mortgage payments and insurance.

“This application release comes at a time when many businesses in our community are hurting financially. Those affected by the hurricane have incurred expenses to cover a quick response to physical damage and restoration services. Others have faced substantial revenue declines and are nearing a point of negative cash flow. This grant application serves as a rescue buoy for those businesses that need it most,” Blue Ridge Community College Small Business Center Director Ben Smith wrote in a press release.

The Transylvania Tomorrow Small Business Emergency Relief Fund was originally launched by the task force following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020 and 2021, $250,000 in funds were raised and distributed to 111 small businesses in Transylvania County. The program was relaunched in early October, and more than $75,000 has already been raised. In addition to contributions directly to the fund, the task force organizations are covering all administrative expenses, ensuring that every dollar donated goes straight to local businesses.

To learn more or donate today, visit online at brevardnc.org/community/transylvania-tomorrow/ or on Facebook at @TransylvaniaTomorrow.

Photo by Gerard Albert III

The City of Asheville has walked back a controversial plan to process storm debris from Hurricane Helene near a public housing complex.

The two city-owned sites, Roger Farmer Park and 65 Ford Street, are both within half a mile of Deaverview Apartments, a 160-unit development in West Asheville. The Asheville Municipal Golf Course, another city-owned property, will also be discontinued as a debris zone.

At a Monday briefing, City Manager Debra Campbell announced that the three original locations would no longer be used as a debris site, but could be “reactivated if necessary.”

A new primary site at Enka Commerce Park is secured, Campbell added. The Enka site will now be the main processing location for debris, which will be “staged, grinded, compacted and prepared for hauling out of the city,” she said.

The existing debris at 65 Ford Street, the golf course and Roger Farmer Park will eventually get transferred to the Enka site.

The Ford Street site and golf course will still undergo “security and site prep measures such as fencing and access for heavy machinery” in case they should be reactivated, Campbell said. The Roger Farmer Park site will not be used for debris moving forward.

Campbell stressed that the Ford Street and golf course sites would only be reactivated “if needed” and that the city will continue to “diligently monitor” the temporary sites to ensure environmental regulations are met.

In the wake of Helene, the city is grappling with an estimated 2.5 million cubic yards of debris, Greg Shuping, the city’s deputy emergency operations center manager, said.

To put that number into perspective, Shuping estimated the debris surpasses more than 70,000 truckloads.

None of the debris sites are available to the public. For more information on how to manage your debris, see the city’s website.

As the state General Assembly returns to session this Thursday, the recently passed $273 million Hurricane Helene relief bill may seem like a drop in the bucket compared to long-term recovery needs across Western North Carolina.

Gov. Roy Cooper told BPR the key proposals he will present to the legislature will focus on infrastructure investments such as roads, bridges and water systems.

“Out of the 1,200 roads impacted, there are still about 455 that are closed. We know there is major, major repair that needs to be done on our roads and bridges, and that’s part of the long-term funding that I’ll be proposing to the General Assembly,” Cooper said.

The governor also emphasized the need to address water and sewer infrastructure. Additionally, he highlighted the higher costs of investing in infrastructure in mountainous areas, saying: “The initial assessments of the impact on Western North Carolina are staggering. Because of the topography of the mountains, the higher cost of investing in infrastructure like roads, bridges, and water systems, communications — these are all big-ticket items.”

To ensure that recovery efforts can move forward, the governor said he is preparing both state and federal funding requests. "We’re looking for a down payment right now. We know that all of it can’t come immediately, but we’re also preparing requests for the federal government, particularly for transportation and water," he said.

Cooper also encouraged residents to apply to the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Program (D-SNAP), which provides temporary food assistance to low- and moderate-income families impacted by the disaster. The application deadline is Thursday.

Looking ahead, the governor stressed the importance of pulling together for long-term resilience. "It’s more important than ever for all of us to pull together to make sure Western North Carolina recovers fully and in a stronger way, hardening itself for future storms."

With only a few months left in his term, Cooper said he’ll leave a detailed recovery plan for the next administration. “I want to leave this blueprint for the next administration, to build the foundation of what we know we need to do to make sure that Western North Carolina comes back stronger than ever. The people there are determined and courageous, and they deserve our full attention and help.”

Gerard Albert III

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BPR News

Through Buncombe County's newly streamlined emergency operations plan, businesses - including restaurants, bars and childcare centers - have been given the green light to re-open.

With most of the area unable to access clean running water, the plan asks businesses to import their own tankards of water, install a handwashing station, maintain flushing toilets, and serve food with single-use utensils and containers, among other workarounds.

If businesses are unable to answer 'yes' to every question on the 21-question form, then a health inspector must visit the business for an inspection before it's allowed to reopen.

Inspections will also continue on a routine basis, but it's not required to happen before a business reopens, so long as all requirements from the emergency operations plan are met.

Throughout the county, restaurants and bars have reopened. At a Tuesday press briefing, the county's Environmental Health Program Manager Jessica Silver also gave an update on childcare centers.

The county has received 42 emergency operations plans from childcare centers; and of those, 32 are permitted to reopen, Silver said.

Buncombe has more than 100 licensed childcare centers, indicating a steep drop in childcare centers in a region that already struggles to meet children's basic needs.

Jose Sandoval

Head of FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell visited Asheville on Monday with Gov. Roy Cooper.

So far the agency has spent $1.4 billion in North Carolina during early Helene recovery efforts. That includes about $130 million directly to the people that have been impacted by the storm.

“The amount of damage to the infrastructure here is going to be billions and so we will be working with the state and the counties as they go through and start the repair and the rebuild process. But we also want to work with them to rebuild in a way that's going to make them more resilient,” Criswell said.

She said that the topography of the region and the wide scale of the hurricane’s impact have made recovery more complicated.

“Some of these projects are going to be years down the road. We are a reimbursement program when it comes to the rebuilding. And so as a community goes through and they repair and they rebuild their infrastructure, they submit to us for reimbursement,” Criswell said.

Criswell explained that the responsibility to continue to fund the recovery rests with Congress in the years to come.

“I have enough money to continue to support the response and the life-sustaining efforts that we're doing right now. Helping to support the people that were impacted and giving them the financial resources for some of the damages that they have, or if they need a temporary housing solution, I have enough money for that through this year,” Criswell said. “But it may mean that I have to pause those types of obligations ... those types of reimbursements for permanent repair work in other communities across the country or eventually in North Carolina down the road, if I don't have a supplemental.”

She says FEMA is in discussions with Congress about the need for a supplemental budget.

National politicians including former President Donald Trump who visited Swannanoa yesterday have said that FEMA is not helping the region. Yesterday, Trump called FEMA’s rescue effort “almost non-existent.”

Local politicians like U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards and Sen. Kevin Corbin have refuted these statements on social media. Edwards was at Trump’s visit yesterday and did not contradict his speech. Instead, Edwards, who owns seven McDonald’s franchises, presented Trump with a “French Fry Certification pin.”

Criswell says misinformation hasn’t hindered FEMA’s ability to help but that she is concerned that misinformation will discourage folks from applying for the funds that they deserve.

“I want people who have been impacted to register for assistance. What I don't want is somebody, who is listening to lies ... then not get into our system and get the type of assistance that they're eligible for and that frankly, they deserve,” Criswell said.

“We'll never know if there was a group of people or even one family that didn't because of that.”

Here’s more information about how to apply for FEMA aid.

The registration period for FEMA is through Nov. 27.

Criswell did address the threat to FEMA in Rutherford County. She said that initially, they thought the threat was more widespread. Ultimately, it led to one arrest but Criswell explained that it only paused door-to-door operations. FEMA aid was still available at disaster centers during that pause.

“They were still there, helping people, and then we quickly once we've validated or invalidated what that threat was we were able to get people back out into the communities,” Criswell said.

Criswell says that FEMA was on the ground in Asheville before the storm as well as at the state Emergency Operations Center. She added that staff were in “some counties” and that search and rescue teams, as well as food and water were in place to move into communities “once we found out where the impacts were going to be.”

“We moved pallets of water in food into local areas that the state could then draw from. And then the state moves those to the points of distribution that they set up across the different counties,” Criswell said.

She said that Helene has been “one of the fastest mobilizations and integration of our active duty military in support of the National Guard” explaining that within the first week of the storm, Cooper asked for the military to come in with rescue efforts.

At a campaign stop in Swannanoa on Monday afternoon, Former President Donald Trump surveyed the damage from Hurricane Helene and pledged his support to rebuild the region and “slash through every bureaucratic barrier” that interferes with recovery.

Trump said he visited Western North Carolina to show his support for the people, towns, bridges and businesses destroyed by Helene, but the trip caused challenges for some local drivers on stretches of I-26, I-40 and I-240.

Road blockades to secure the presidential candidate’s entrance to the desolated stretch of Highway 70 caused traffic gridlock in some parts of the town.

Trump avoided a direct answer to a question about whether climate change was making storms like Helene worse, instead touting the “cleanest air and water” on record during his presidency.

The Republican nominee also promised to “personally recruit businesses from all over the world” to help the region’s economy recover. He pointed to taxation incentives and tariffs as ways that he could also help the region’s economy, but did not provide any specifics about how the policies would aid the area.

In response to Helene, he said his campaign had launched a GoFundMe to raise money for storm victims. At the Swannanoa event, Trump said $7 million had been distributed to “various charities” and that he was taking recommendations of where the final $1 million should go.

Trump criticized the efforts of FEMA, the federal agency tasked with disaster recovery, at length, saying they’ve done a “very poor job.”

He called FEMA’s rescue effort “almost non-existent,” which is untrue. FEMA has provided more than $123 million to more than 90,000 households in North Carolina.

See the full story on Trump's visit.

Buncombe County government services will reopen with regular business hours on Wednesday, Oct. 23.

The reopening comes with the exception of most parks and three libraries, according to a county press release.

Only North Buncombe Fields and Hominy Valley Park will open. All other parks remain closed.

All libraries will open with the exception of Oakley Library, Swannanoa Library and Pack Library.

County leaders announced that they plan to open “mobile parks and library programming” in the coming days.

The county also announced that the next meeting of the Board of Commissioners will be held on Nov. 7.

BPR News

Gerard Albert III

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BPR News

At a campaign stop in storm-damaged Swannanoa on Monday, former President Donald Trump said he has no reason to doubt the upcoming election results out of western North Carolina.

Earlier this month, bipartisan state Board of Elections members authorized counties in the disaster zone to make necessary changes to early voting sites or precincts in order to accommodate voter access.

Asked if he had concerns about the election results not being credible, Trump said, "No, I think in a way it's the opposite. I mean, we're so impressed. And I think they have a pretty good system here."

Trump has repeatedly made false claims about the election results of 2020 when he lost the White House to President Joe Biden.

North Carolina set records for voter turnout on the first day of early voting last week.

"It's a tragedy. But the fact that they'd come out and vote in record numbers is pretty amazing to me," Trump said.

At the visit, Trump continued to spread false information about FEMA.

He repeated the lie that FEMA money intended for victims of the storm was instead going to people who are in the country undocumented.

"They spent a lot of money on bringing illegal migrants, people that came into our country illegally, and taking them in. And all of the money they've spent, numbers that nobody can even believe. So they don't have any money for the people that live here," Trump said Monday.

While FEMA does have a Shelter and Services Program, which provides grants for local governments and nonprofits to take care of undocumented immigrants, the funds come from a separate budget. There is no evidence that any money from the disaster fund was used to help undocumented migrants.

For full coverage of Trump's Oct. 21 visit, go here.

As of Oct. 21., based on official reporting from the North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office, there have been 95 confirmed fatalities from Hurricane Helene. The majority occurred in Buncombe County – but in this report, we’re correcting inaccurate information previously provided by the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office.

At last check (Oct. 18), the state’s Medical Examiner’s Office appeared to have no backlog in terms of recovering those who died and performing autopsies or examinations for Helene victims.

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services provided a statement to BPR News on Friday saying there were three people among the 95 victims whose identities are not yet confirmed. However, “There are no decedents in Asheville awaiting examination or identification,” DHHS spokeswoman Kelly Haight Connor said.

In Buncombe County, the state’s official count of Helene fatalities is 42, as of Oct. 21. That doesn’t include one Buncombe senior who died from an accidental fall in temporary housing in Wake County after she relocated due to the disaster. The woman’s death is included in the 95 figure.

Based on this information provided to BPR News, we asked the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office to explain why it hasn’t publicly corrected a figure it provided on Oct. 3 – saying 72 people died in the disaster.

Spokeswoman Christina Esmay refused to answer some questions but said:

“In the early aftermath of Hurricane Helene all deaths were being classified as storm related and from Buncombe County. However, as the days progressed BCSO was able to identify who had passed away due to the hurricane, who was in fact from Buncombe County, and who passed away from other causes. Compounded with the lack of consistent communication, due to widespread outages, the Buncombe County fatality number that was initially provided to Sheriff Miller has decreased.”

She referred all other questions to the state Medical Examiner’s Office.

Based on the sheriff’s office’s latest response and detailed information from state leaders, BPR News’ report on Helene’s death toll has been adjusted – from 125 fatalities to 95.

That figure includes, as of Oct. 21:

• One death reported in Avery, Burke, McDowell, Polk, Catawba, Gaston, Yadkin, and Rowan counties.
• Two deaths reported in Macon, Mitchell, Cleveland, Watauga, and Mecklenburg counties
• Three deaths reported in Rutherford County
• Four deaths in Avery and Madison counties
• Five deaths in Haywood County
• Seven deaths in Henderson County
• 11 deaths reported in Yancey County
• 43 deaths in Buncombe County, including a local senior who moved to Wake County after the flooding.

26 North Carolinians unaccounted for, state leader says

On Oct. 21, Department of Public Safety Secretary Eddie Buffaloe said 26 people are missing or unaccounted for. The figure, he said, comes from reporting to N.C. 2-1-1.

Mike Stewart

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AP

All Buncombe County public libraries remain closed following Hurricane Helene, except library locations that are early voting sites.

Patrons who hold a Buncombe County Library Card may check out materials from the Madison County Library system and the Henderson County Library system.

In Madison County, the Marshall and Mars Hill branches are open regular hours. The Hot Springs Library is closed until further notice.

All Henderson County Library branches are open.

The Buncombe County Library will not charge late fines or replacement fees for materials not returned on time because of the storm. Three Buncombe County library locations are providing free charging stations for patrons to charge electronic devices:

• West Asheville Public Library (942 Haywood Road, Asheville)
• Pack Memorial Library (67 Haywood Street, Asheville)
• Enka-Candler Library (1404 Sand Hill Road, Candler)

The password at all locations is “readmore” (one word, lowercase).

Now that bathrooms are operational, the Buncombe County Courthouse is open for regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m, starting Monday.

All water in the courthouse is unsafe for drinking, but bottled water is available in the lobby.

All civil superior court cases scheduled for October will be continued. Jury trials will return in November.

Criminal and civil district and superior administrative courts are operational.

Individuals may also file electronically through Monday, Oct. 28.

North Carolina DOT will close N.C. 106 (Dillard Road) beginning Saturday, October 19.

Warwoman Road to N.C. 28 is an alternative route to Highlands while repairs to N.C. 106, the Dillard Road, are being made.

The road was severely washed out during Hurricane Helene and new 6-foot drainage pipes must be installed.

N.C. 106 between Scaly Mountain and Highlands is expected to be closed until January 2025. Here's the project on N.C. DOT's website.

Highlands Mayor Patrick Taylor shared an update in his newsletter.

“A major construction project replacing an 8 foot wide and tall pipe system and rebuilding the roadway will get underway without delay,” Taylor said.

This large pipe system consisting of hand set stone walls and a cast concrete top was installed when N.C. 106 was originally built, he explained.

This road is crucial for the many people who live in nearby Clayton, Ga., and work in Highlands, N.C.

Georgia DOT has closed Warwoman Road - from Clayton to N.C. 28 - to commercial truck traffic until November 22.

Regular vehicular traffic can travel both ways on Warwoman Road.

N.C. 106/Dillard Road is one of about 600 roads that are closed in North Carolina following Helene, according to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Gerard Albert III

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is offering initial emergency loans to 20 local governments for emergency projects to rehabilitate drinking water and/or wastewater systems.

Initial offers for zero-interest emergency loans have been extended to Asheville, Bakersville, Banner Elk, Beech Mountain, Black Mountain, Burnsville, Canton, Chimney Rock Village, Hendersonville, Hot Springs, Lake Lure, Lansing, Marshall, Montreat, Newland, Old Fort, Saluda, Spruce Pine, Watauga County, and Woodfin Sanitary District.

The water and sewer systems in those areas were severely damaged by flooding and landslides during Hurricane Helene.

DEQ is working with federal and state partners, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and NCWaterWARN, to complete detailed assessments of impacted utilities.

Local governments can also access financial assistance for emergency repairs in advance of the available FEMA Public Assistance.

The emergency loans are subject to approval by the state’s Local Government Commission and may qualify for reimbursement through FEMA’s assistance program.

Future loans are expected based on anticipated needs in the region. Additional information on funding is available on the DEQ website.

Updates on impacted water and wastewater systems are available on the DEQ Dashboard.

Laura Hackett

Helene left millions out of power, with a few thousand outages still remaining in WNC. Part of the issue is that much of our electric grid is not built to withstand the continued, intense storms that batter communities with high wind speeds and months' worth of rainfall.

Even in more normal storms, many rural communities regularly lose power.

Investing in resilient infrastructure - which could mean burying power lines, increasing transmission capacity, or building out solar microgrids with increased battery storage, among other things - is an expensive proposition for many small utilities. White House climate advisor Ali Zaidi said that's why the Biden administration is investing billions in the nation's electric grid infrastructure, particularly in rural communities where disaster-related outages can be lasting and sometimes deadly.

"Undergrounding a power line oftentimes costs six times as much as having it hang from a pole or a wire," Zaidi said. "And when you get your power from a rural cooperative or a utility that is serving lower income folks, it's a hard ask to say, 'Can you go to your ratepayers and fund the resilience upgrades?'"

The $10.5 billion Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships, or GRIP, program supported a number of projects relevant to North Carolina. In the $2 billion round of funding, though, most projects are in the more traditionally hurricane-prone eastern and central parts of the state.

The Tennessee Valley Authority, which sells power to several small western N.C. utilities, did receive $250 million for system hardening and transmission, which Zaidi said are essential to both disaster resilience and weaning utilities off carbon.

"You need more places to plug into the grid that cleaner, cheaper power," Zaidi said. Microgrids are part of that, too.

"If you think about it like a road and a highway, if the highway access is blocked off, if everyone who's traveling on those local roads no longer can, you know, get electricity, that's a problem," Zaidi said. "So what this does is, even if that main, the major transmission line, is not accessible, the local transmission lines can still run."

Zaidi said member-owned electric cooperatives are a major part of the White House's climate strategy, given the small, rural, low-income communities they often serve. He said the White House hopes to work with Western North Carolina's electric co-ops -which include French Broad EMC, Haywood EMC, Yadkins EMC, Blue Ridge Energy, and Rutherford EMC - to access future rounds of White House grid resilience funding, of which this is only the latest.

FEMA will also be working with WNC utilities to access emergency resources for the rebuild.

Buncombe County students will return to classrooms in one week.

The Buncombe County Board of Education approved a reopening plan for the county school system. The first day of school for students will be Friday, Oct. 25.

Non-potable water, power and internet are back at all 45 schools in the county. Drinking water is also getting delivered to all schools.

Maintenance crews are finishing repairs and restoration at the seven schools that saw damage from Helene. The school system also plans to bring in additional counselors from neighboring school systems to support staff and students.

Through Friday, Nov. 1, all schools will operate on a two-hour delay. This delay is to help bus drivers get accustomed to new bus routes, which were reconfigured due to damaged roads and washed out bridges.

Teachers, staff and bus drivers will return to work on Wednesday, Oct. 23.

The first semester of school has also been extended to Jan. 24, 2025.

Bus routes will be announced soon.

Asheville City Schools previously announced a restart date of Oct. 28.

Many colleges in North Carolina are waiving application fees for students from 39 disaster-declared counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, during College Application Week, which takes place Oct. 21-27.

The institutions offering free applications to high school students from disaster-declared counties are: Appalachian State University; NC State University; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; University of North Carolina at Charlotte; University of North Carolina at Greensboro; and University of North Carolina Wilmington.

“UNC System universities want to ease one small burden for students and families as they try to recover from this disaster,” said Dr. Bethany Meighen, the UNC System’s vice president for academic and student affairs.

In addition, the following UNC universities will waive application fees for all North Carolina high school students next week regardless of where they live: East Carolina University; Elizabeth City State University; Fayetteville State University; North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University; North Carolina Central University; University of North Carolina Asheville; University of North Carolina at Pembroke; University of North Carolina School of the Arts; Western Carolina University; and Winston-Salem State University.

Several universities will also extend fee waivers beyond College Application Week for students from the disaster-declared counties, including NC State, UNC-Chapel Hill and UNCW.

The disaster-declared counties are Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Forsyth, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lee, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Nash, Polk, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin and Yancey, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Several campgrounds in the Pisgah National Forest are opening Friday after Hurricane Helene.

Reopening on October 18:

• Davidson River Campground & Recreation Area

• Cove Creek Upper & Lower Group Campgrounds

• Kuykendall Group Campground

• Wash Creek Horse Camp

• Wolf Ford Horse Camp

These areas have undergone “significant cleanup and are now ready to welcome back campers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts,” according to a press release.

Facilities Update: While cleanup has progressed, visitors should be aware that some trails and forest roads remain affected by storm damage. Visitors may encounter fallen trees, landslides, and rough roads.

"We are proud to reopen some of the most cherished sites in Pisgah National Forest, especially Davidson River, which has long been a favorite destination. Our team has worked hard alongside the U.S. Forest Service to ensure that visitors can safely return to enjoy the forest. While there are still some hazards, we want everyone to know that these areas are open and ready for adventure, " Brian Johnson, Naventure Director of Operations, said. The company manages campgrounds and recreation areas in the forest.

As of Wednesday evening, there's been a two-day stretch where no additional deaths from Helene have been recorded by state officials who are tracking disaster-related fatalities.

In many known cases of fatalities, state authorities are still investigating so the official death toll may increase in the future. For example, Buncombe County's sheriff has said 72 people were killed locally. Because the state system requires death investigations, the current official figure from North Carolina's Medical Examiner's Office is 42 victims in Buncombe County.

The latest information available indicates 125 people in North Carolina died during the tropical storm, floods, and landslides. That includes 117 people in Western North Carolina.

Photo by Gerard Albert III

Gov. Roy Cooper signed an executive order today mandating the increase of weekly unemployment benefits from maximum of $350 a week to a maximum of $600 a week for all eligible workers. The measure is designed to help people out-of-work because of Hurricane Helene.

"Prior to the executive order, many low-income and part-time workers would have received less than the $350 weekly maximum. To ensure that these workers receive necessary benefits in the wake of Helene, the order will also increase benefits by $250 a week (up to the $600 cap) for all eligible workers," a statement from the governor's office said.

Individuals can collect state unemployment benefits for 12 weeks. Under the federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance program, people who lived or worked in the impacted North Carolina counties and are out of work due to the disaster will qualify for up to 26 weeks of federal benefits.

North Carolina has the second largest Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund now stands at over $4.8 billion, according to the statement. Nevertheless, the state has maintained the $350 cap set in 2013.

The measure applies across the state but likely benefits those who are unable to work in the counties affected by Hurricane Helene. Individuals who are out of work in the storm-affected counties make up 79% of new claims — 19,735 claims — since the disaster.

Weekly benefits checks may not reflect the changes for two to three weeks.

Benefits will be retroactive to September 29, 2024, and recipients will receive adjustment payments for benefit weeks going back to that date.

Hours of operations at Canton's supply distribution center (IP Sports Complex) have changed. And the center needs supplies donated specifically for winter weather conditions.

Starting Oct. 16, the complex will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers put out a call for volunteers on Facebook this week: "We need volunteers to help unload, organize, and distribute supplies to those in need. If you are able to lend a hand, just come by during operating hours or call/text 828-734-0529. Please understand, the continued operation of this vital resource center depends on having enough volunteers."

Smathers also expressed how complicated the feeling is of progress in Western North Carolina as storm recovery continues.

"Each day, we take steps toward a new reality — not just here in Canton and Haywood County, but across Western North Carolina. Some days, those steps feel lighter; other days, they’re more difficult. But no matter the pace, we move forward. We stumble sometimes. We grieve. Yet, through it all, we must remind ourselves that this path is worth taking. The fight is worth fighting. And the hardships, as painful as they are, are worth enduring," Smathers wrote.

"As we rebuild, we must also honor the lives lost in this tragedy. Their sacrifice must become the standard by which we shape tomorrow — how we treat each other, how we unite, and how we build stronger, more compassionate communities. Let their legacy guide us and how we measure progress."

Haywood County curfew

Haywood County is still operating with a curfew.

County leaders ask everyone to please stay home between the hours of 1 a.m. –  6 a.m. until further notice, unless traveling for essential purposes.

Henderson County has been assessing property damage. Over 700 homes had at least 18 inches of water inside — that’s what FEMA qualifies as major damage. More than 100 homes were completely destroyed.

While seven people were killed by the storm in Henderson, the county is reporting no current missing residents as of Wednesday.

The county also opened a Disaster Recovery Center, or DRC, at 2111 Asheville Highway in Hendersonville. Here, people can learn more about disaster assistance programs, check the status of their FEMA application, ask questions, get referrals, and learn about Small Business Administration relief programs.

“A disaster recovery center truly is a one-stop shop where people who are having trouble with assistance or who have been denied can get assistance from your North Carolina partners or other government agencies or other nonprofits,” FEMA Intergovernmental Affairs Specialist Natalia Santana-Pollard said.

More than 20,000 people in Henderson County have applied for individual assistance from FEMA.

Henderson County schools reopened this week, all at their normal locations except Atkinson Elementary School, which experienced flooding during the storm. Students are now being taught at the Boys and Girls Club.

Photo by River Gaydish

Around $120 million in D-SNAP benefits will be available for western North Carolina residents, starting Friday.

These benefits will provide individuals or households impacted by Hurricane Helene with monthly assistance for groceries for up to nine months.

Applications for D-SNAP, or the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, opened on Thursday, Oct. 15, and will run through Thursday, Oct. 24.

Households that qualify for the benefit will be notified within three days of submitting an application. The exact amount will depend on household size, income and disaster losses.

The state is asking that residents apply by phone in alphabetical, last name order. However, no one will be turned away for applying anytime during the application period.

Here is the recommended application schedule:

• Friday, Oct. 18 – A-G
• Saturday, Oct. 19 – H-M
• Sunday, Oct. 20 – N-S
• Monday, Oct. 21 – T-Z
• Tuesday, Oct. 22 – Open to all
• Wednesday, Oct. 23 – Open to all
• Thursday, Oct. 24 – Open to all

To be eligible for D-SNAP, a person or household must:

• Live in one of the following counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes or Yancey. Or be a member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians living in zip code 28719.
• Have suffered losses and/or damages related to Hurricane Helene, such as damage to property or loss of income
• Have proof of identity and proof of residency (if available)
• Have income and resources below certain levels
• Not currently receiving benefits through the Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) program. People receiving FNS can also get extra help buying food, but do not need to fill out a D-SNAP application

Residents can also use the online ePASS Pre-Registration Tool, which opened on Tuesday, Oct. 15, and will close on Thursday, Oct. 24. To apply, call 844-453-1117 or apply in person at these locations.

Photo courtesy of the Mills River Farm Market

As Western North Carolina continues to recover from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, thousands in the region remain without internet, cable, or cell service.

Major service providers for Western North Carolinians include AT&T, Optimum, Verizon and Spectrum.

Here are updates as of Wednesday, Oct. 16:

SPECTRUM:

In North Carolina, more than 236,000 Spectrum customers lost service at the height of the storm, according to Spectrum’s website.

Spectrum.net

At a Buncombe County briefing on Oct. 14, Spectrum officials sent a statement to county officials that said, “Spectrum expects complete restoration to all locations that have power and are safe to access by October 19.”

Spectrum declined multiple interview requests from BPR. The company issued a statement to BPR on Oct. 5:

“Right now, we have over 3,000 field leaders, technicians and engineers actively working around the clock to access and repair any damage to our network as a result of Helene and its aftermath. The overwhelming impact remains loss of commercial power. Once power is restored to homes, streets and neighborhoods, Spectrum customers are seeing their services come back online. Utility companies continue to clear and confirm safe, those harder hit areas, and our teams are gaining more access, and once cleared safe by utilities, are repairing physical damage to our network. We’re in regular contact with the power companies and local authorities and our teams are ready to begin work in these areas, once they are deemed safe and opened up to us.”

On Oct. 16, Spectrum officials sent an update to Buncombe County about a cut underground line in Marion resulting in 31,000 customers going offline.

AT&T

In a statement to BPR, Madelynn Traylor, communication and public relations manager for AT&T said, “We have made a lot of progress as 97% of wireline customers have been restored; however, we realize we still have customers without service.”

Maintenance crews working on getting services back online are running into issues like critical infrastructure being damaged and areas without power.

“We also need to ensure that debris is removed to safely access sites. We will continue to refuel generators and provide mobile cell towers until they are no longer needed, Traylor said.”

There is no timeframe for when services will be restored. AT&T provided this information for its customers:

• If you have power, and you have a home internet issue, you might need to reset your modem. You can find information on AT&T’s website to troubleshoot to see if that might be the issue. 
• If customers have gone through those options, please reach out to AT&T and let them know. The issue may be something specific to your address.
• Information on cell service can be found on the website as well.

AT&T is waiving charges for residential and business wireline orders placed now through October 27, 2024. Information on that can be found at this link.

OPTIMUM

Optimum services as of Oct. 15 are 83% restored according to vice president and regional general manager Elton Hart.

“Right now, 77% of our Hendersonville customers are back online, 98% in Franklin, 98% in West Jefferson, 76% in Nebo and those are some great areas that we can continue to focus on.”

Hart said crews have been out restoring services and working closely with the Department of Transportation (DOT) since roads were open and safe to travel on.

Destroyed infrastructure, downed trees and downed power lines hindered Optimums’ crew from restoring full services, Hart explained.

“We share the same poles as power but sometimes not the same path. So some of our customers may have power, but you don't have internet yet,” Hart said. “We share poles with the power company but we don't share the same path when it comes to supplying the internet connectivity to your house that we have. So even though you have power, you may not have the internet.”

Hart added that the way the community has come together isn’t anything like he has ever seen.

Optimum is offering services for customers and for those who aren’t customers. Western North Carolinians are encouraged to head to the following locations:

• 717 South Grove Street in Hendersonville
•  Blue Ridge Mall parking lot 
• 451 N Main St., Hendersonville, NC 28792

For further support, call 888-467-8468 or visit optimum.com to see what Optimum is offering customers affected by Hurricane Helene.

As Asheville's water slowly turns back on, it's running through our faucets with a mixture of sediment and chlorine - not necessarily great for household plumbing.

Here's some advice from plumber Mike Perry, Asheville branch manager at plumbing company Roto-rooter.

• Call for professional help when dealing with potentially hazardous malfunctioning appliances like a water heater or dishwasher.
• It could be helpful to remove aerators from the kitchen sink and bathroom sinks, run water through both fixtures to clear sediment.
• If your clothes washer isn't filling up properly, take the supply lines loose from the wall, and tif there's a screen in there, check on sediment buildup.

The City of Asheville also provided some advice:

What to do before water service returns:

1. Flip off the breaker to your water heater. 
2. Turn off water to your water heater. 
3. Turn off hot water under your sinks. 
4. Remove aerator (it typically unscrews) on faucets. 
5. Turn off the ice maker.
6. Turn off water to your whole house filter, if you have one.

What to do when your water service returns

1. Flush your home plumbing by running the bathtub’s cold water faucet.
2. Your water heater may be turned back on once your home’s plumbing has been flushed.
3. It’s safe to flush your toilet after completing steps 1 and 2.

In nine Western North Carolina counties, almost 86% of cell service has been restored, leaving the remaining 14% of cell towers not operational according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC.)

The FCC shared that the most impacted county in the region is Yancey County which still had about 41% of cell towers down 17 days after Helene.

The majority of these sites are out due to lack of transport followed by lack of power. The inability to travel across the region because of road damage hindered recovery efforts. There are over 6,000 damaged sites in the region, according to NC DOT.

Buncombe followed Yancey for highest outages with about 18% of cell towers still out of service.

In Mitchell County, 15% of cell towers are out of service and in Henderson County 14% are still offline.

Overnight in Western North Carolina a fiber optic wire was cut, causing many in the region to lose cellular service.

Verizon confirmed that the cut has caused a disruption in service. "Secondary fiber cuts from debris clean up and power restoration continue to have impacts on our network. This has been the case today as a third party vendor has experienced a significant fiber cut due to ongoing restoration efforts in the Western North Carolina area," a Verizon spokesperson said.

Sen. Kevin Corbin shared this message from Verizon on Tuesday morning.

“As a result of a massive fiber cut that affected our backhaul network, Verizon lost connection with many tower sites in Western North Carolina. We are working to determine whether this was from debris removal or power restoration efforts. Efforts are underway to connect these towers back ASAP,” Corbin shared on Facebook.

Eastern Band of Cherokee Principal Chief Michell Hicks also posted that the outage was impacting the Qualla Boundary.

The issues were affecting customers west of Buncombe County, according to Macon County EMS. 9-1-1 remained operational throughout the outage. Service was completely restored around 1:00 p.m. in the county according to EMS.

Note: This post was updated Oct 16 to reflect the latest news.

Water is slowly but surely moving through the city’s system and it reached downtown Asheville on Monday afternoon.

Water has also reached Swannanoa, parts of East Asheville and some neighborhoods north of downtown. The water will move from east to west, likely reaching places like West Asheville and Candler last.

With the help of private contractors and the US Army Corps of Engineers, the city has been working as fast as possible to repair its water distribution system, Assistant City Manager Ben Woody said at Tuesday's community briefing.

Much of the city has been without running water for more than weeks.

Crews were able to connect a 36-inch bypass line at the North Fork Reservoir at 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, allowing water from the reservoir to move through the system once more.

The water is bypassing the filtration facility, so customers should expect it to be cloudy and to contain sediment. All households in the area remain under the directive to boil water vigorously for at least one minute before ingesting.

Because the water from North Fork will mix with water from the functioning Mills River facility, all customers should boil water before consumption.

People with access to bottled water are encouraged to use it in lieu of tap water for drinking and brushing teeth.

Find answers to additional water questions in this FAQ.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made disaster SNAP benefits available for residents of western North Carolina (as well as affected communities in Georgia and Tennessee) who were affected by Hurricane Helene.

D-SNAP can cover disaster survivors' grocery bills and temporarily extends SNAP eligibility to people who may ordinarily not meet SNAP criteria.

Disaster survivors' eligibility will be determined through a variety of criteria, including residence in a disaster-impacted county, loss of income due to disaster, and disaster-related expenses. Current SNAP households are not eligible for D-SNAP.

North Carolina residents can apply for D-SNAP between Oct. 18 – Oct. 24, 2024, and households can begin pre-registering online today, Oct. 15.

Eligible counties include Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey.

Applications for D-SNAP can be conducted by phone, or in person at select locations. For more information on how to apply, visit North Carolina’s Division of Health and Human Services.

Gov. Roy Cooper and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell condemned the misinformation spread online about the government’s response to Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina during a press conference Tuesday morning.

“I’ve directed the department of public safety to coordinate law enforcement assistance for FEMA to help ensure their safety and security so people can get the help they desperately need,” Cooper said.

Laura Lee/BPR

The governor gave an update on fatalities, ongoing search and rescue missions and utility repairs.

According to the governor, a task force is searching for 92 unaccounted for people. The state count on fatalities is at 95 people.

The governor noted that 77,000 people have been approved for individual assistance from FEMA. Almost $100 million has been paid out and almost 5,000 people are being temporarily housed by FEMA.

Administrator Criswell spoke about the misinformation being spread and the threats that caused her to pull door-to-door operations temporarily over the weekend.

A Rutherford County man was arrested in connection to a threat against FEMA.

“We are not going anywhere… misinformation will not deter us from our mission of helping people. Period,” Criswell said.

FEMA pulled agents from the field over the weekend who were helping people sign up for individual assistance, but the move did not affect search and rescue teams or agents at FEMA facilities in the region.

Those agents are now back in the field, she said.

FEMA authorities encouraged survivors to apply for benefits and pledged to continue assistance.

Road closures are down to 580, from 1,200. State officials said 90% of cell coverage has been restored across the impacted region.

Asheville City Schools plans to reopen all schools on Monday, Oct. 28.

This news was announced at an Asheville City Schools board meeting on Monday night by city school Superintendent Maggie Fehrman.

Fehrman made this announcement on behalf of Buncombe County Schools as well, but county officials said no decision on a county start date has been made.

School leaders, including county superintendent Rob Jackson and directors of area charter schools, are working together to coordinate the reopening, Fehrman said.

Fehrman said the first day will be abbreviated, with elementary schools open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and middle and high schools from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This post has been updated to reflect that Buncombe County does not yet have a start date.

The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, Dogwood Health Trust, and WNC Bridge Foundation are leading a coordinated relief effort across 18 counties, including the Qualla Boundary.

The Community Foundation has activated its Emergency and Disaster Response Fund, ensuring that frontline nonprofits have the resources for early response and ongoing recovery. Support for Western North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene has been swift.

“We have rolling grant applications. We want nonprofits to access these funds,” said CFWNC President, Elizabeth Brazas. “Right now, we are focusing on providing emergency relief to those affected by the hurricane and supporting organizations that are doing critical work across the region."

Brazas explained that the grants are aimed at frontline human services, with up to $25,000 available for immediate needs.

“The grant guidelines are simple, and the application is streamlined. Larger amounts will be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on need and available funds.”

She encouraged all nonprofits to apply, including those that have adapted to meet urgent needs, citing the Diana Wortham Theatre as an example.

“They’re not a frontline human services organization, but they’ve pivoted to provide relief by housing firefighters for staging. They didn’t have 24/7 staffing in their operations, but they were awarded a grant to help with those expenses because of the work they’re doing in relation to the hurricane.”

Brazas also reassured that funds will continue to be available.

“We’re not planning on running out of money. Funders have been so generous, and we’re here when you can get to us. As connectivity improves across the region, we hope more nonprofits will reach out.”

For more information or to apply for assistance, visit cfwnc.org or contact Senior Program Officer Tara Scholtz at 828-367-9913.

Photo by Gerard Albert III

In Transylvania County, crews rescued 81 people, including 60 in a single neighborhood, after Hurricane Helene. Despite widespread devastation and three dams failing in the county, no one was killed, based on the latest information from local leaders.

That makes Transylvania one of the few Western North Carolina counties where no Helene-related fatalities have been recorded.

At a county commission meeting Monday night, County Manager Jaime Laughter gave an update on the county’s response to the storm.

Some stats that stood out:

• 60 people were rescued from a neighborhood near Ducks Drive and Cherry Street
• 15 water rescues
• 15 people were trapped in a structural collapse, all survived
• At peak, 80 people living in the county shelter
• 3 dams failed in the county during flooding
• Less than 2% of homes in the region have flood insurance

Laughter said a FEMA center will likely open in the county later this week. There are also plans for a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in the works, according to Laughter.

Gerard Albert III

Housing was an issue in the county before the storm and now many are without housing after the floods. The Housing Assistance Corporation is asking residents who need housing to apply on their website. They are also asking people who have RVs, mobile homes, or land suitable for temporary housing to register on their website.

There are no changes to the county’s early voting plan. The county has two locations for early voting: Rosman Town Hall and the site of the old K-Mart at 686 North Broad Street in Brevard.

FEMA officials will continue their work of helping Hurricane Helene victims recover from the disaster despite recent threats against agency staff.

In a statement, N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper said he instructed the state Department of Public Safety to coordinate with law enforcement to ensure the safety and security of FEMA employees.

"State, federal and local response workers, including FEMA, are working around the clock to bring assistance to western North Carolina,” Governor Roy Cooper said in a statement. “We know that significant misinformation online contributes to threats against response workers on the ground, and the safety of responders must be a priority."

A Rutherford County man was arrested in connection to a threat against FEMA earlier today.

“Keeping FEMA staff safe while they are helping people in disaster impacted communities is always my top priority. I wanted to make sure we protected our staff on the ground while we worked diligently with local law enforcement to understand the full situation,” FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said in the statement.

The agency will continue to send Disaster Survivor Assistance teams door-to-door to help people register for assistance.

Some inspection appointments were previously canceled or rescheduled. A FEMA spokesperson encouraged anyone who has an appointment with a FEMA inspector to reach out and confirm the date and time.

In an update on Monday afternoon, officials with the North Carolina Medical Examiner's Office reported one more death has been confirmed connected to Hurricane Helene in Mecklenburg County. In that case, officials said, a 70-year-old man died after being struck by a falling tree. His death was recorded on Oct. 8.

The latest information available shows 125 people in North Carolina have died in connection to hurricane-induced floods, landslides, and other related conditions. Of those, 117 victims were killed or lived in Western North Carolina.

An unknown number of fatalities remains under investigation and state officials say reporting of the number of deaths will continue as recovery efforts unfold and authorities can conduct more death investigations.

In at least five of the victims' cases, authorities say they were killed in the hurricane's aftermath - due to a lack of access to basic necessities (including exposure to cold weather) or lack of access to routine medical treatment. In another instance, a senior from Buncombe County died after leaving the disaster zone and being fatally injured in a fall in temporary housing in Wake County.

In addition, the manner or cause of death has not been determined for more than 30 of the victims.

Locally, three of the victims have been confirmed to be children. That includes a 7-year-old boy who drowned in Buncombe County on Sept. 30 and two children, ages 7 and 9, in Yancey County. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of death for the two young victims in Yancey.

Editor's Note: Also Monday, state officials reported that one death previously attributed to Helene in Yancey County has been re-classified to be from Macon County. The issue occurred due to a clerical error (the total number of deaths reported was not changed due to the correction).

A 44-year-old man from Bostic, N.C., was arrested Saturday after deputies say they received a report he "had an assault rifle and made the comment about possibly harming FEMA employees."

The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office charged William Jacob Parsons with "going armed to the terror of the public" and officials said he was armed with a handgun and a rifle, according to a sheriff's office news release issued Monday.

When authorities were first told of the alleged threats to FEMA employees, the sheriff's office alerted law enforcement in Lake Lure and other jurisdictions, officials stated in the news release. Parsons was arrested roughly one hour after deputies obtained a description of his car, the sheriff's office said.

"The initial report stated there was a truck load of militia that was involved. However, after further investigation, it was determined Parsons acted alone and there were no truck loads of militia going to Lake Lure," the release stated.

On Sunday, BPR News reported FEMA had temporarily made operational adjustments in response to at least one reported threat over the weekend.

According to the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, Parsons was booked at the local detention center and a magistrate set his bond at $10,000 on Saturday. He was released on bail that night, the agency said.

No injuries were reported.

As previously reported by BPR News, conspiracy theories about FEMA's response to Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina have been pervasive — including unfounded claims that the federal agency is blocking aid and seizing land in Chimney Rock or Lake Lure. Local, state, and federal leaders — both Republican and Democrat — have decried the wave of misinformation, largely powered by social media.

It is unclear what alleged threats Parsons made regarding FEMA employees. He lives about 30 miles from the Lake Lure and Chimney Rock areas of Rutherford County. The sheriff's office on Monday said Parsons was in nearby Polk County at the time the alleged crime occurred.

The state Department of Transportation has crews repairing the damage that Helene wrought on infrastructure, including roads and bridges in Western North Carolina - many of which were closed or destroyed due to mudslides and flooding.

“Damage estimates from what we have been able to assess to this point are up to several billion dollars and we’re not done,” said state Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins. “The damage to our roads and bridges is like nothing we’ve ever seen after any storm, and this will be a long-term recovery operation. But we will be here until Western North Carolina can get back on its feet.”

Interstate 40 near Old Fort in downtown Asheville; I-26 in Henderson and Polk counties; U.S. 221; and U.S. 25 and 75 in Asheville are all open.

Roads and bridges are still damaged in over 6,900 places, according to NCDOT.

Current closures include multiple stretches of I-40, U.S. 64, U.S. 19, N.C. 215, N.C. 226, and N.C. 197.

This number may be fluid and continue to rise as assessments continue.

Wright Brothers Construction has been awarded a $10 million contract to help repair the westbound lanes of I-40, to be completed in early January.

The agency continues to discourage unnecessary travel in Western North Carolina and large commercial trucks are restricted in many areas.

Over 14,000 Duke Energy customers in Western North Carolina remain without power after Helene. The majority of these remaining outages include:

• Buncombe - 9,338
• Henderson - 1,509
• McDowell - 874
• Mitchell - 1,511
• Polk - 98
• Rutherford - 708
• Transylvania - 39
• Yancey - 122

Duke has sorted the restoration work ahead into yellow and red "zones," officials have shared. Yellow indicates complex repair zones while red indicates disaster rebuilding will be needed.

In the case of red zone areas, some of the outages being reported include service that ran to homes that are now completely destroyed or where the electric grid was so damaged, that a wholesale rebuild is required.

“We've got a helicopter bringing in poles today to spots where our heavy equipment can't get to with linemen receiving the poles on the ground, most of those customers will be restored by the end of the week for these most ongoing situations,” said Duke Energy spokesman Bill Norton.

Duke Energy

Over the last week, the utility restored Spruce Pine, Cane Creek, and Little Switzerland, among other communities, bringing in poles by helicopter. Norton predicts that most of the remaining outages should be complete by today or early tomorrow.

In order to weather storms like Helene, communities employ different strategies, many of which are being considered in the rebuild. Some rely on microgrids, or small, often solar-powered energy systems disconnected from the larger grid. In coastal areas, power lines are sometimes buried underground to protect them from high winds. Duke installed a solar-powered microgrid in Hot Springs last year, and Norton said the company hopes to replicate that in the future.

However, he said, underground power lines are not viable here due to the astronomical cost associated with removing tree roots and navigating rocky slopes.

Today, Duke is also beginning a new phase of longer-term presence in the region as the rebuild continues, opening a facility in downtown Asheville to serve as an ongoing base of operations.

“This operation center will also allow us to collaborate with national, state and local government partners from one central location, just to be sure we stay coordinated with them as the infrastructure work goes forward,” Norton said.

Norton also said last week that Hurricane Milton in Florida did not affect the utility company’s pace in Western North Carolina.

Henderson County has secured a location for a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC).

The DRC will be located at 2111 Asheville Highway in Hendersonville and will be open starting Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and then daily beginning Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The DRC will provide federal, state and local resources for Henderson County residents as they apply for FEMA assistance from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

This post was updated with additional information from a FEMA spokesperson.

Some FEMA disaster assistance operations changed plans over the weekend after threats to FEMA staff safety.

"For the safety of our dedicated staff and the disaster survivors we are helping, FEMA has made some operational adjustments," a FEMA spokesman said in a statement to BPR. "Disaster Recovery Centers will continue to be open as scheduled, survivors continue to register for assistance, and we continue to help the people of North Carolina with their recovery."

On Sunday morning, Ashe County Sheriff B. Phil Howell posted on Facebook about the challenges FEMA faced.

"Recently in the mountain region, there have been threats made against them," he wrote. "This has not happened in Ashe County or the surrounding counties. Out of an abundance of caution, they have paused their process as they are assessing the threats."

Howell asked residents to "help folks and please don't stir the pot."

FEMA has 1,250 staff on the ground in North Carolina communities.

An FEMA team in Barnardsville left a site earlier than scheduled on Saturday in the midst of helping people complete FEMA applications, according to volunteer Chloe Feinbaum.

"My neighbor was literally about to click the last button to finish her application," she said. "The person who was helping her asked, 'Can we please just wait 5 more minutes? I want to finish helping this woman.'"

A Buncombe County Sheriff's Office spokesperson said the office had not received any reports of threats to FEMA officials.

Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) Teams will be out in the field on Monday throughout the affected counties, a FEMA spokesperson said. Disaster Recovery Centers remain open in Western North Carolina, including a center at AC Reynolds High School in Asheville.

FEMA has approved more than $86 million in housing and other assistance to more than 66,000 households in North Carolina.

Find information on how to apply for FEMA benefits here.

The latest information available shows 124 people died in North Carolina during the floods, landslides, and aftermath of the disaster.

Officials confirmed on Sunday that a 90-year-old woman left Buncombe County due to the storm. She fell in temporary housing in Wake County and died.

Of those deaths reported so far, 117 of the victims were in 14 counties across Western North Carolina, including 73 fatalities in Buncombe County.

On Friday, the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration announced 25 North Carolina counties will receive up to $10 million in funding to support disaster cleanup jobs and job training to help the western part of the state recover from Helene.

These counties include Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey.

These funds come from the National Dislocated Worker Grant, which provides funding for temporary disaster relief jobs for both cleanup and humanitarian aid, delivering necessities like food, water, and other basic supplies to people affected by Helene. These jobs are intended to benefit people whose work situations may have been impacted by Helene.

However, disaster cleanup work has proven health hazards. In an investigation last year, the Center for Public Integrity and Futuro Media noted that much disaster cleanup is conducted by poorly compensated day laborers, many of whom report workplace exposure to mold and asbestos and long-term chronic health issues.

OSHA researched the hazards of disaster cleanup after many workers fell ill post-Katrina, and has attempted to create disaster-specific safety rules for about 16 years.

The University of North Carolina Asheville has announced it will move all coursework online for the rest of the Fall 2024 semester.

“We are certain that you are filled with many questions, concerns and possible challenges participating in online instruction and coursework beginning on October 28,” UNCA Chancellor Kimberly van Noort said in an email to students and faculty on Wednesday. “We continue to finalize plans to provide online instruction so that we can ensure you have the necessary support to succeed.”

In addition, students can complete their online coursework remotely. Students will be invited back to campus once the University has drinkable water.

UNCA students can head to campus to pick up essential belongings and vehicles that were relocated on Oct. 1. Students should bring their RockyCard and room key. The following pick-up dates and times are as follows:

• Tuesday, Oct. 15 from 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

Ponder and Ridges – Road access: Campus Drive to Field Drive

• Wednesday, Oct. 16 from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. 

The Woods and Founders – Road access: Founders Drive

• Thursday, Oct. 17 from 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

The Village, Governors, and Mills – Road access: Campus Drive to Field Drive for The Village and Governors; Founders Drive for Mills

Laura Hackett

Shortly after Helene devastated the region’s infrastructure, shorting out utilities and wiping out key infrastructure, Asheville’s Housing Authority plastered flyers on its residents’ doors, informing tenants that rent was still due for October.

“Rent for the month of October IS still be due and will be collected as soon as the property offices reopen,” the flier said. “Late fees will not be assessed for the month of October.”

Monique Pierre, the CEO of the housing authority, made an appearance on Friday at Klondyke Homes in Montford, along with the acting HUD Secretary Adrianne Todman. Todman and Pierre toured an empty unit as part of a private media event.

Most complexes, including the Klondyke development, lost power, water, cell service and internet access as a result of Helene. Fallen trees damaged cars and other property. And, without water, residents have relied on outside help to accomplish basic tasks such as flushing their toilets and finding hot meals.

When asked about the flyers, Pierre said that their purpose was just to “let residents know that they would not be receiving any late fees.”

“We had residents bringing us rent or attempting to bring rent when the offices were closed. We wanted to make sure that, if they came, that they understood what their options were,” she said.

Pierre also added that residents were “being notified that if they experience hardship that we immediately take their rent down to zero.”

“But we can't just carte blanche,” she continued. “We have to make sure that we serve our residents individually.”

Photo courtesy of Nick MacLeod

When asked if the housing authority had done any specific outreach about rent beyond the fliers, Pierre said that nothing had been done “at this time.”

Thousands of people, including residents and advocates, have reached out to Pierre to consider a general rent freeze, Nick MacLeod, an organizer with the North Carolina Tenants Union, told BPR.

“I've received hundreds of emails,” Pierre confirmed Friday. “It's not very helpful to be spammed. It impedes communication.”

BPR asked Todman, the acting HUD Secretary, what options the housing authority had for tenants during a natural disaster.

Todman said that in other disaster zones, housing authorities often used rent abatement and rent forgiveness. Ultimately, though, the decision to waive or pause rent lies with Pierre, she said.

BPR pressed Pierre for more details on whether or not she might waive rent for tenants, but she did not supply any.

“With regard to their rent, there’s more to come,” she told BPR.

Asheville’s Veterans Affairs hospital is running on emergency water but has been able to see patients, Department of Veteran Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough said on Thursday.

After Hurricane Helene caused damage and devastation across Western North Carolina at the end of September, the VA hospital in Asheville began to reopen Oct. 5. McDonough said doctors, nurses and staff have braved the storm conditions to come to work everyday.

“We're now on power. Like so many in Asheville and in Western North Carolina, we have access to emergency water, but we're not on commercial water. But we've had about 140 veterans inpatient in the hospital throughout this,” McDonough said.

He says the VA hospital is “increasingly open” for walk-in care. Those who need to reschedule an appointment will be contacted or can call: 855-679-0074.

McDonough also visited the VA’s emergency shelter at the Agriculture Center in Fletcher, which was housing 52 veterans on Oct. 10. McDonough said they were moved into a new setting on Thursday and that they’ve been receiving care from the American Red Cross and VA staff.

McDonough said many veterans are still in remote areas of the region. He said that the VA has been able to get in touch with about 92% of “vulnerable veterans” in the region, and delivering oxygen and other medications is a priority.

“I heard about a 96-year-old veteran in Barnardsville to whom we delivered emergency oxygen prescription updates because he's up there with his 96-year-old wife,” McDonough said.

“We're using side-by-sides. We have teams that are out constantly. I just heard a story today about a team that hiked up a month a mile yesterday to deliver oxygen and water to a veteran...We won't stop until we've reached 100% of our vulnerable veterans.”

McDonough did not share any veteran fatalities at this time.

“I am here hearing very tragic stories, but those are not my stories to tell,” McDonough said.

Here are the VA’s resources for veterans impacted by Helene: https://www.va.gov/asheville-health-care/programs/updates-and-resources/

The Veterans Disaster Response Line for 24/7 help is 1-800-507-4571.

There were no additional fatalities confirmed by North Carolina authorities on Saturday, Oct. 12, and search and rescue efforts and recovery continue across the region.

The latest information available shows 123 people died in North Carolina during the floods, landslides, and aftermath of the disaster. Of those deaths reported so far, 116 of the victims were in 14 counties across Western North Carolina, including 72 fatalities in Buncombe County.

The majority of these deaths with a known cause were the result of drownings. Twenty people drowned during the storm, while four people drowned in a motor vehicle.

Buncombe County Schools Superintendent Rob Jackson confirmed that four students are part of the death toll in the county on Friday. Their names have not been shared.

Laura Hackett

At an emergency meeting on Friday, the Buncombe County School Board heard a somber update on the status of its students and facilities.

Superintendent Rob Jackson confirmed that four students have died, although their names were not shared.

"I'm extremely broken hearted to share that since the storm's arrival we have lost four of our students," he said. "The loss of anyone diminishes us. Our school system is diminished by this loss."

Jackson added that the school system has seen "significant numbers of our staff members who have lost family and friends."

The fatality count in Buncombe County is at 72 as of Friday.

There are 21 students still unaccounted for, out of more than 22,000 students in the county school system. The county has made contact with 100% of its staff.

Meanwhile, the system still has no timeline for reopening its 45 schools, primarily due to the lack of running water, which is the biggest hurdle.

Jackson said he’s “losing sleep” over how to solve the problem. In a normal situation, he said he would have never considered running a school without functional water systems, but he is “absolutely determined to reopen the schools” as soon as possible.

“In my 33 years, if we didn’t have water, we sent students home. We closed schools. We couldn’t imagine operating schools without water. Water is crucial to the operation of a building,” he said.

He explained that schools use water for pressurized sprinklers, sanitation and hygiene, and the more than 44,000 meals the system prepares for students each day.

Of the county’s 45 schools, only 13 have running water. All but one have power and all but six have internet access.

When pushed on the issue, Jackson said he would not consider reopening some schools while others remain closed, citing unfairness to the more than 4,500 students who would not be able to return to school with their peers.

He also said the county school system is not planning to follow Asheville City Schools’ idea of drilling its own wells.

Jackson said one possible solution could be combining classrooms and campuses into the functional facilities and shortening school days.

Another solution could be to import large cisterns of water into the 32 schools currently without running water and use a pump system to move the water through the facility, but the schools would need roughly 180,000 gallons of water imported per day to pull off that plan. It would also need more than 900 porta potties and 300 handwashing stations, which it does not currently possess.

There are also problems beyond water. The roads damaged by Helene have made some bus routes impassable. The system would need to redo bus routes to ensure students could safely move to and from school.

Additionally, Kim Plemmons, the Erwin District representative, raised issues around public health and sanitation. Many students are unable to bathe at home, which could result in more health issues like head lice and viruses.

Jackson also emphasized the need for mental health support for students, teachers and other faculty. He said once schools resume there will be extra counselors available.

Lilly Knoepp

More than 120 people lost their lives when Hurricane Helene devastated 25 counties in Western North Carolina. Fallen trees, landslides and mudslides damaged thousands of roads and bridges in the storm, complicating efforts to rescue victims, move supplies and make repairs. .

In an interview with BPR, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said the Federal Highway Administration has been working closely with North Carolina to fix the 6,000 damaged sites, including 600 road closures, identified by the federal administration.

“That's not just routes like I-40 or I-26 but smaller rural communities absolutely depending on a bridge or a road that has been taken out. When you're in a rural community, in a mountain Community, if you lose a bridge it might be a long way to the next one. ” Buttigieg said.

Buttigieg said the federal government understands the need for urgent funding as well as support for the “long haul.”

“We were able to approve $100 million dollars in transportation emergency relief funding and get that on its way to North Carolina - that is just the beginning of what will be needed there. And another $32 million dollars is headed to Tennessee,” Buttigieg said.

The state legislature approved a $273 million disaster recovery package this week. Gov. Roy Cooper signed the package into law the next day.

Buttigeig said he spoke to Cooper about “building back in a way that is more resilient than the infrastructure we inherited.”

“We of course hope and pray that there will never be a storm like this hitting Western North Carolina again, but what we do know is that extreme weather is becoming more frequent and more severe and the United States will be hit with more where this came from,” Buttigeig said.

In North Carolina, preparations could involve moving roads to higher ground, slope stabilization projects and more, he said. Public transportation in rural areas must also be a high priority, Buttigeig said.

“We have always believed in this department that good transit and public transportation is not just for the biggest cities, but that every community including rural communities can benefit from transit options,” Buttigieg said. Federal Transit Administration and Rail Administration staff are currently involved in recovery efforts.

Beyond the recovery effort, the November election will change the head of the executive branch. Buttigieg said he is confident the recovery efforts will continue regardless of the results of the election.

“You know, the president's views are very clear that this work needs to happen without regard for politics. I'll tell you the conversations I've been having with local officials, governors, senators - you would never know listening in on our conversations, which ones was somebody from the same political party as mine in which were the reverse,” Buttigieg said.

Asheville's broken water system took one step closer to repair as crews were able to connect a 36-inch bypass line at the North Fork Reservoir. The move allowed officials to begin pressurizing water into the system.

City of Asheville

The water is bypassing the filtration facility, so customers should expect it to be cloudly and to contain sediment. All households in the area remain under the directive to boil water vigorously for at least one minute before ingesting.

Because the water from North Fork will mix with water from the functioning Mills River facility, all customers should boil water before consumption.

People with access to bottled water are encouraged to use it in lieu of tap water for drinking and brushing teeth.

Find answers to additional water questions in this FAQ.

Two more people have been confirmed dead in Yancey County the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Haywood County, North Carolina authorities reported on Friday. 

A total of 12 people in Yancey County have died due to Helene, public data shows.

Search and rescue efforts and recovery continue across the region.

The latest information available shows 123 people died in North Carolina during the floods, landslides, and aftermath of the disaster. Of those deaths reported so far, 116 of the victims were in 14 counties across WNC, including 72 victims in Buncombe County.

With high levels of sediment still clouding the water at the North Fork reservoir, water resource officials are turning to unusual tactics.

"A private contractor will install curtains in the reservoir to create a section where water particles can be clumped together so they become heavy and fall to the bottom," a statement by officials said.

Addressing turbidity, or sediment in the water, is usually done through filtration methods, but the condition of the water post-Helene is too stirred up to use typical techniques.

Last night, officials starting pressurizing and filling the North Fork Bypass line, a major element of the city's water system.

In normal circumstances, that water would be forced through the treatment plant before distributing to other lines.

Given the damage from Helene, experts are opting instead to segment off part of the reservoir using what they call a curtain and deploying the coagulation mechanism to try to clean the water. Even when water is distributed, there are still many lines to be repaired before distribution will be successful to all areas.

Residents should not expect the water that makes it way to their homes to look clean, Water Resources spokesperson Clay Chandler said on Friday.

Officials advise water customers to take specific measures to use water when it does reach their homes:

• Turn off icemakers and turn off water from toilets while not in use. Shut off the hot water heater valve to keep sediment from accumulating.
• All water in the City of Asheville is under a boil advisory. Boil all water vigorously for at least one minute before using it for any consumption, such as cooking, brushing teeth, and drinking.
• The water is safe for showers, officials say, but residents should avoid getting water in the mouth. Parents and guardians should consider sponge baths for babies and small children. 
• If you remain without water, turn off the water heater to prevent fire risk.
  

Officials offered a special notice for Black Mountain residents: "Because Black Mountain has multiple water sources, some residents have begun receiving water. If you have water in Black Mountain do not drink it or give it to pets, even if you boil it, it is not safe to consume. Only use it to flush your toilet." 

Asheville-based attorneys are stepping up to help people fill out FEMA disaster assistance forms through November 27.

The law firm of Fisher Stark PA is teaming up with the Davis Law Group and Patton Allen Real Estate to help with the next wave of recovery efforts by providing no-cost, application help.

Attorneys will be available every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting October 15, at Fisher Stark law firm, located at 99 McDowell Street in Asheville.

The group is seeking volunteers to train on how to assist with the FEMA process. To volunteer, contact the firm at info@fisherstark.com or renee@fisherstark.com.

“People are in a marathon right now of recovery,” Perry Fisher told BPR. “This was an unmet need and we wanted to meet it.”

Asheville leaders say they've completed an important step in water system repairs. The city has been burning midnight oil to fix its mangled water system.

Water has been out for the majority of Asheville residents for two weeks after Hurricane Helene brought catastrophic damage to the region.

At 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, work crews reconnected a 36-inch bypass line at the North Fork Reservoir — a crucial step in the repair process. This bypass connects the reservoir to the distribution system. The North Fork Reservoir is responsible for providing more than 70% of the city’s water.

Water restoration is still potentially weeks away, but fixing the central distribution mechanism is an important milestone, Assistant City Manager Ben Woody said on Thursday.

In a normal construction cycle, the bypass installation would take around two years, Woody said at a briefing earlier this week.

“We are moving at lightspeed,” he said. “But this is also being done safely.”

To complete this phase of the project, T&K Utilities, the contractors on the project, had to dam sections of a newly formed creek in 20-foot parcels to reach parts of the distribution system.

The next hurdle for restoring water is two-fold: the water in the North Fork Reservoir needs treatment and other breaks in the water line must be mended.

The flooding from Helene shook the water in the reservoir from one of the cleanest in the country into a sediment-soaked mess. Woody said the city is working on creating a treatment system that helps the millions of suspended clay particles settle.

Once the water is treated and the breaks are mended, it will take additional time to refill the thousands of miles worth of water lines in the city’s system.

City of Asheville/Water

EPA talks climate change, local collaboration

Also Thursday, local leaders explained how they are collaborating with state and federal officials in the recovery process, including water restoration.

Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer, Gov. Roy Cooper, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials, and others joined together in a news conference in Black Mountain.

They were gathered at the North Fork Reservoir Dam to highlight the city’s collaborative efforts to bring back water service. The dam was nationally recognized in 2021 for its recently upgraded spillway, a $37 million project that hardened it against major storm events and, officials said at the conference, may have blunted even worse outcomes of flooding from Hurricane Helene.

EPA officials said they were working together with the city to bring quality, safe, clean drinking water back to Asheville, though they still did not give an exact timeline for water restoration.

“Many water systems across the country are 100 plus years old, so they're not only weathered, but some of them are dilapidated,” Regan said.

The EPA has $50 billion from the Biden administration to invest in water infrastructure around the country, which Regan said the agency plans to use to harden water lines against climate change, which may continue to bring intense storms and high levels of rainfall to western North Carolina.

“It matters that you have a thoughtful group of leaders, like in Asheville, that understand climate change is real,” Regan said. “We're going to see more intense storms. So they made some early investments that have paid off.”

Some parts of the Nantahala National Forest will open Friday, October 11.

In the Cheoah Ranger District, Nantahala Ranger District, Tusquitee Ranger District all developed recreation sites, trails and roads are open.

There are exceptions that are not open:

• Appletree Group Campground
• Balsam Lake Lodge
• Wayehutta OHV Trail System
• Wine Springs Horse Camp
• Rainbow Springs Road, FSR 437
• Van Hook Campground
• Cliffside recreation area

The Pisgah National Forest is still closed. Here is the full list of closures.

Some parts of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are still closed. U.S. 441/Newfound Gap Road is open. Here is the full list of closures.

A 72-year-old woman in Haywood County was killed in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Haywood County, North Carolina authorities reported on Thursday. State officials say she died on Sept. 29 "as a result of lack of basic necessities."

The woman, who has not been publicly identified, was included as the latest confirmed victim in a report from the N.C. Medical Examiner's Office on Thursday. A total of five people in Haywood County died due to Helene, public data show.

Search and rescue efforts and recovery continue across the region.

The latest information available shows 121 people died in North Carolina during the floods, landslides, and aftermath of the disaster. Of those deaths reported so far, 114 of the victims were in 14 counties across WNC, including 72 victims in Buncombe County.

Buncombe County courts are operating on a very reduced schedule, Buncombe County District Attorney Todd Williams told BPR.

"Do not fret about missing a court date if you have one coming up in this period," Williams said.

The courts remain open for "essential constitutionally mandated" matters, such as domestic violence protection orders, probable cause hearings and pleas, he said.

"We are not doing jury trials," he said. People called for jury duty can ignore those notices until services resume.

Defendants with attorneys should reach out to them to get the latest information.

Criminal defendants in custody who want to request release or reduced bond, they should do so through their attorney, he said.

"We are more than happy to review any bond, any bond motion that's made by a defense attorney or by the defendant case-by-case and determine whether or not that case is an appropriate risk and advocate yes or no," he said.

The district attorney's office may consent or request something that the judge will not grant, he said.

Williams distinguished this situation from the pandemic in that during COVID-19, defendants could not be transferred to other facilities and brought back for court proceedings.

In a statement, the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office said they transferred 162 incarcerated people to other facilities.

For the Family Justice Center assistance in a domestic violence situation, individuals can call (828) 250-6900. The Public Defender can be reached at (828) 259-2423.

As the majority of Asheville residents continue to struggle without water, some car wash facilities in South Asheville are open and operating … counter to the requests of local officials

On Wednesday afternoon, more than a dozen cars lined up at Heroes Car Wash on Hendersonville Road to use some of the city’s limited water.

The car wash uses primarily recycled water to remove dried sewage and potentially other biohazards from customer vehicles , according to an email to BPR from the spokesperson for Heroes Car Wash, Josh Moore.

Moore noted one of the company’s team members lost their apartment and vehicle, which were swept away during the storm, adding, “We are rallying around our friends, family and neighbors to support in every way we can.”

“Approximately 85% of the water we use is our own recycled and treated water. We use oil/water separators and an ozone treatment system to treat the water. We use less than 2 gallons of "new" water per vehicle, approximately the same as flushing a toilet. This is the benefit of using a professional tunnel car wash as compared to washing a car in the driveway, which typically uses 50-100 gallons per vehicle.”

A Buncombe County Sheriff vehicle was also in line to get a car wash.

BPR reached out to the Buncombe County Sheriffs’ office but did not receive a response before publication.

"We lost many vehicles in the storm so there is not much to wash. I do not have a total number of vehicles lost at this time," Buncombe County spokesperson Lillian Govus said.

Heroes Car Wash has also raised and donated money to different disaster relief organizations like the US Disaster Relief fund of Samaritan's Purse.

“We live in this community and are living through it along with our neighbors. The entire situation still seems surreal and there are some incredibly difficult stories and a lot of rebuilding ahead,” he wrote.

The NC Department of Health and Human Services reported one additional fatality today.

Hurricane Helene killed 120 people in North Carolina to date.

Local emergency management, EMS, the NC Medical Examiner System, and Office of Chief Medical Examiner staff are working cooperatively with FEMA to respond to fatalities related to Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.

The state count is delayed as some local sheriff’s offices are reporting search and rescue efforts before being additionally confirmed at the state level.

For example, the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office confirmed 72 fatalities in the county as of Oct. 3. In the official state numbers at 4 p.m., Oct. 9, there were 41 fatalities confirmed in the county.

Sprinklers running at a local luxury hotel upset some observers as the city of Asheville (and beyond) are without municipal water service close to two weeks after Hurricane Helene.

Posts circulating on social media showed the sprinklers on the Omni Grove Park Inn golf course running on Tuesday.

The golf course is using non-potable water from the property's on-site ponds to water the greens, according to an email to BPR from Grove Park Director of Marketing and Communications Isabel Miller.

“The water is never sourced from the city supply, allowing us to maintain the greens as needed without impacting local water resources,” Miller said.

Like much of the area, the hotel remains without running water, Miller said.

The golf course maintenance team manages the depressurization of the water system to reduce sediment and have a smooth restoration process, she said.

Local schools will start digging their own well water systems in order to bring school services back online.

“We can’t wait until the [municipal water system] is fully repaired to open our schools,” Asheville City Schools Superintendent Maggie Fehrman said at Buncombe County’s daily briefing.

No timeline has been announced for when Asheville's city water service will be up and running across all communities.

Asheville city school leaders say classrooms may be able to bring children back starting by early November - but that the timeline is tentative for now.

For more details on the school system's response, read the full story here.

Laura Hackett/BPR News

Water service will connect between Black Mountain and Asheville for the purpose of starting repairs - do not drink the water, officials warn.

Starting Thursday, Oct. 10, the Black Mountain system will connect to the Asheville water supply.

This is not drinkable water, even if you boil it.

This water should not be used for anything other than flushing toilets.

This water has high sediment and will be discolored.

If you have not been receiving Code Red notifications, sign up for Code Red at www.TownOfBlackMountain.org to get immediate updates from the town.

The United States Postal Service is resuming service to many routes in Western North Carolina, according to a statement released by the agency late Tuesday.

"Significant work" remains in order to "deliver a backlog of mail and packages and reopen routes in the areas hit hardest by Hurricane Helene," the statement said.

Locations with ZIP Codes beginning in 286, 287, and 288 saw the most impact to service from the storm.

The Postal Service operates 838 facilities across the state. As of Monday, all USPS North Carolina processing facilities were operating.

Most retail and delivery units are also running but for those that remain inaccessible, USPS relocated operations to nearby units. Forty-four retail offices are operating on a cash only basis.

Thirty-five routes remain inoperable.

Mail sent to inaccessible addresses is being held at local post offices office until it is safe to deliver.

"We remain committed to delivering mail wherever it's feasible and safe, constantly adjusting our operations for a swift restoration of services," the statement said.

Find service alert updates here.

Individuals displaced by the storm should complete a change of address form.

Postal service employees will be on site to assist residents of temporary shelters with change of address forms and alternative mailing locations.

The following chart outlines retail and delivery points across the three most impacted ZIP codes in North Carolina:

Residents without home service can send and receive mail and packages to the following 21 mobile operations units:

Buncombe County Board of Elections announced modifications to the early election sites because of Hurricane Helene.

An emergency resolution of the State Board of Elections gave the local authorities some flexibility to adapt to the post-storm conditions.

Early voting in Buncombe County will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., from Oct. 17 through Nov. 1 at the following locations:

• Black Mountain Library, 105 N. Dougherty St., Black Mountain
• East Asheville Library, 3 Avon Road, Asheville
• Enka-Candler Library, 1404 Sand Hill Road, Candler
• Fairview Library, 1 Taylor Road, Fairview
• Leicester Community Center, 2979 New Leicester Hwy., Leicester
• South Buncombe Library, 260 Overlook Road, Asheville
• UNCA Health & Counseling Center, 118 W.T Weaver Blvd., Asheville (new location)
• Weaverville Community Center, 60 Lakeshore Drive, Weaverville
• Dr. Wesley Grant Southside Center, 285 Livingston St., Asheville (in lieu of Board of Elections location)

• West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Road, Asheville

Among the 120 people killed in North Carolina during Hurricane Helene, one more person has been confirmed dead in Avery County.

State officials issued an additional update on fatalities to remove one death from the official count in Rowan County. Authorities clarified on Oct. 9 that they are continuing to investigate the cause of death regarding one of the two people initially reported as killed in Rowan County. Until the death investigation is complete, officials said, the decedent will not be included in state fatality statistics.

The report from the NC Department of Health and Human Services brings the number of fatalities in Avery County up to four total including a 58-year-old man who may have been involved in a house collapse.

Local emergency management, EMS, the NC Medical Examiner System, and Office of Chief Medical Examiner staff are working cooperatively with FEMA to respond to fatalities related to Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.

The state count is delayed as some local sheriff’s offices are reporting search and rescue efforts before being additionally confirmed at the state level.

For example, the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office has confirmed 72 fatalities in the county as of Oct. 3. In the official state numbers at 4 p.m., Oct. 8, there were 40 fatalities confirmed in the county.

“We are aware there are additional reports of decedents, and our team is working to verify that these are storm related deaths. Life-saving activities will always take priority, and we will continue to work to update this information as appropriately as possible,” NC DHHS spokesperson said in an email.

The names of victims of Hurricane Helene have not been publicly shared by state or local leaders.

Anyone seeking assistance locating a loved one who is missing or unaccounted for can call 2-1-1.

“Every death related to a hurricane is a tragedy. If a family or individual is seeking assistance with a loved one who has died, emergency responders are available in every impacted county to provide help and ensure their loved one is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve, and that information gets reported back through the appropriate channels as needed,” NCDHHS spokesperson said in an email.

Deaths in  Western North Carolina

In the mountains, the youngest victim confirmed killed in the storm was a 7-year-old boy who drowned.

In Western North Carolina counties alone, 113 people have been found dead. Sparse details in the official reports on deaths provide some information about the last moments of the victims:

• Three people, a 60-year-old female, a 50-year-old female and a 60-year-old male were killed in Henderson County on Sept. 29 after a home was overcome with flood waters. There are seven confirmed fatalities in the county. 
• A 37-year-old female died in Madison County on Sept. 27. Officials say she was evacuating her home due to rising flood waters and her car was swept away by floodwaters a short distance from her home. There are four confirmed fatalities in the county. 

To report on updates as accurately as possible, BPR News checks information on fatalities from across available counties and in twice-daily updates from state officials. With the exception of Buncombe County's report on deaths, the total number of 120 deaths reflects official data from the N.C. Medical Examiner's Office.

Macon County Emergency Management announced Tuesday that it has finished the damage assessment in the county following Helene.

The county fared better than many further east in the region but some residents are now without homes.

The reports says that two residential structures were damaged to the extent that they are uninhabitable. Twenty-four structures will require extensive repairs, 28 structures will require at least some repair, and three other structures experienced at least some issue that requires some minor attention.

There may be more reports of damage as time allows residents and property owners to survey their remote or second home locations.

A supply distribution center has been established at Holly Springs Plaza at the vacant Ingles location to collect donations and distribute items to people in need both inside and outside of Macon County.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a representative on the ground in Macon County to make site visits and answer questions. They are in the process of setting up Disaster Recovery Center locations where the public can meet face-to-face to discuss and apply for recovery options. The locations and hours of those locations will be announced as soon as they are available and their support staff arrive. There is a link on our webpage at www.maconnc.org as well as a contact number where assistance can be requested as well.

An email has been established for residents to submit unmet needs and other requests. Send information to Heleneneeds@maconnc.org.

US 441/Newfound Gap Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) is open 24 hours a day.

The park was forced to close overnight due to illegal, large commercial vehicles attempting to travel the road. GSMNP officials said that the park has turned away 173 commercial vehicles over five days.

Officials explained that the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Government and Sevier County including the Cities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville and the Sevier County Government are assisting with resources to turning around commercial vehicles at checkpoints on both sides of US 441/Newfound Gap Road overnight.

"While the National Park Service recognizes that major routes outside the park are currently closed, Newfound Gap Road is not safe for large, commercial vehicles. Newfound Gap Road is a two-lane road with steep, continuous grades and tight curves. There are no truck lanes, runaway truck ramps or places for a large commercial vehicle to slow down and pull over," a press release said.

Commercial vehicles are always prohibited on US 441/Newfound Gap Road and in all of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (with the exception of the Spur).

Commercial vehicles will be stopped, turned around at checkpoints and may be subject to a federal misdemeanor violation notice and fine.

Most of Great Smoky Mountains National Park is open. Visitors are always encouraged to check current conditions in the park before visiting.

Mountain Bizworks, a regional nonprofit that provides loans and training to small businesses, is launching a rapid recovery loan program to assist Western North Carolina small businesses in recovering from the devastating impacts of Helene.

On Monday, The WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund launched with an initial $7.5 million in support from the Golden LEAF Foundation.

“Even in this darkest hour, we believe the path forward lies in unity and our common good. Together, we can rebuild our community. We're honored to contribute our resources to this initial wave of emergency funds, a crucial step towards a more resilient future for our region,” Mountain BizWorks Board Chair, Zane Adams said in a press release.

Impacted small businesses will be able to apply for loans up to $100,000 to help meet immediate needs and bridge to longer term relief resources from SBA disaster loans, FEMA assistance, insurance, and other sources. The loans will have a one-percent (1%) interest rate and interest-only payments for twelve months. If not repaid in the first year, the loans will automatically convert to a term loan, according to Mountain Bizworks.

“Small businesses in Western North Carolina are essential to their communities and this help from Golden LEAF can give them a start to building back,” Governor Roy Cooper said in a press release.

Mountain BizWorks and program partners hope to secure additional funding capacity in the coming days and weeks.

“The Golden LEAF Foundation’s $7.5 million in bridge loans through Mountain BizWorks will provide critical relief to small businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. Small businesses are the backbone of North Carolina's economy, and this funding ensures that entrepreneurs can continue their operations during this challenging time,” North Carolina Speaker of the House, Tim Moore said in a press release.

The nonprofit’s website also has information about how to apply for state and federal support.

"Recovering from Hurricane Helene will be a difficult journey, but if there's anyone that can come back stronger than before it's the people of Western North Carolina. The Golden LEAF Foundation's small business loans will be a good step in helping Hurricane victims get their shops up and running," North Carolina Senate Leader, Phil Berger said in a press release.

Here are more details on the program, as well as FAQs in English and Spanish.

After multiple viral posts on social media concerning potential chemical exposure, volunteers and residents engaged in Helene cleanup have begun to worry that a PVC pipe manufacturer in Asheville may have spilled volatile compounds into the water.

Though it was difficult to tell where the source of this information was, many residents of Marshall, Hot Springs, and other communities became concerned about the potential for chemical burns or damage to their clothing and boots.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality received these concerning reports of potential contamination stemming from Silver Line Plastics. According to DEQ public information officer Katherine Lucas, inspectors visited the location. "No injuries were confirmed related to potential exposure in the area," she said.

Silver Line is not listed as a hazardous waste generator with the DEQ, which means they have an air permit with the local air program in Buncombe County and did not have significant quantities of hazardous chemicals, so were operating within their regulatory limits.

However, Lucas said, this does not rule out other hazards, as flood mud in general can be quite toxic.

Both the DEQ and Buncombe County have advised taking care and wearing personal protective equipment when coming into contact with river mud, as the storm damaged multiple sewage plants. Water infiltrated gas stations, and may contain other chemicals that were spilled such as paint and pesticides.

North Carolina-based organization MountainTrue and another, independent group are also testing soil around the French Broad for signs of industrial contamination.

Chris Carlson/AP

/

AP

Many Duke customers are still without power. As of midday Monday, 96% of customers in Madison County were still without electricity, along with

• 65% in Mitchell
• 45% in Buncombe
• 39% in Avery
• 26% in Yancey
• 13% in McDowell

Duke spokesman Bill Norton said a new substation is being brought into Madison County that will restore power to 1,000 customers.

In Buncombe County, the majority of outages are in Black Mountain and Swannanoa, the latter of which has two new substations.

"One has already been powered up, the other one should receive power very shortly. So you'll begin to see chunks of customers, not just, you know, tens and hundreds, but thousands at a time come back on as critical transmission infrastructure is restored," Norton said.

Originally, Duke estimated 90% of reachable customers would be restored by last Friday, which Norton asserts is true.

"After reassessing late last week, we told customers on Friday that we expected to have about 105,000 customers remaining as of Sunday night, and we hit that target," Norton said. "But for our last, you know, 100,000 or so, many will be restored within a week.

Norton said that Duke would try to be flexible with customers are the power comes back on.

"You know, there's not a formal policy in place in terms of a certain amount of time," Norton said. "This is an ongoing situation. It's still developing, and we will be flexible with our customers who have bill-paying needs."

Norton said that power restoration is collaborative, relying on government agencies to rebuild infrastructure, which is part of why the pace from here on in is difficult to predict.

"We cannot do it ourselves, so we're going to keep commuting with communicating with our customers by email, text, phone as soon as their individual details become available, there's really not one size fits all solutions for what's left."

The North Carolina Board of Elections Board approved additional support and solutions to ensure voting accessibility in 13 counties in Western North Carolina deeply impacted by Helene.

The unanimous adoption of an elections board resolution allows for certain adaptions or changes, directed at the local level, only by bipartisan decision-making in the following counties: Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, and Yancey.

Multipartisan Assistance Teams will be available to assist with absentee ballot requests and absentee voting at disaster shelters and other places such as assisted living facilities.

Stacy “Four” Eggers IV, a Republican from Boone was appointed in 2023, spoke about the need for these changes.

“I think ultimately is a necessary step and that this is an unprecedented amount of damage and destruction that's been caused by this storm. Not only has it resulted in loss of life and personal property but it has severely damaged the road systems water systems and communications systems up here in the High Country,” Eggers said.

These counties will be able to change early voting locations by adding sites, or removing sites that are unusable as well as updating days and hours those locations are open. This could include moving sites to neighboring counties for those places that have been devastated by the storm.

To read the full story from BPR News, go here.

Photo by Gerard Albert III

On Monday, Republican U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards - whose congressional district encompasses most of Western North Carolina - provided an update on disaster response, resources for residents, and more.

In the newsletter to constituents, Edwards wrote:

"More than 4,000 first responders, national guardsmen, and active-duty military are in Western North Carolina looking for your friends, your family, or if you’re still stranded waiting for help - they’re looking for you. And they won’t stop until every missing person is accounted for."

Many have criticized FEMA's response to the historic floods and widespread devastation that Hurricane Helene unleashed on the mountains. Across social media, that scrutiny has turned to conspiracy, with some sharing debunked or fake reports about government actions or presence.

In his email newsletter, Edwards writes:

"FEMA has shipped 13 million meals and 13 million liters of water utilizing the $20 billion in funds that I helped to draft and pass for disaster relief just two days before Hurricane Helene hit. Of the shipped food and water, more than 6 million liters of water and 4 million individual meals have already been delivered to Western NC communities."

The congressman also pointed out the importance of coordinating disaster response, especially in air operations, saying:

"The state of North Carolina is NOT turning away civil aviation support so long as it has been coordinated through the proper channels with NC Emergency Management. If you or someone you know is interested in providing civil aviation support and don’t know where to coordinate your efforts, please call my office and we will help you get in touch with the right folks."

The entirety of the correspondence from Edwards - which includes a long list of resources for support and supplies - can be found here on the congressman's website.

Among the 119 people killed in North Carolina during Hurricane Helene are at least two people who were found dead after recovery from the floods commenced in Buncombe County. Officials attribute their deaths to a "lack of basic necessities."

In an update from the N.C. Medical Examiner's Office, officials say two women - an 84-year-old and a 72-year-old - were found on Sept. 29. They died, officials wrote, "as a result of lack of basic necessities."

The names of victims of Hurricane Helene have not been publicly shared by state or local leaders.

In the mountains, the youngest victim confirmed to have been killed in the storm was a 7-year-old boy who drowned. Further east, in Catawba County, a 4-year-old girl died in a car accident on a flooded road, which first responders had closed due to safety concerns.

Deaths in Asheville, Buncombe

The latest report from Buncombe County Sheriff's Office indicates 72 deaths have been confirmed locally. In addition, state leaders report 47 other fatalities across 19 counties.

In Western North Carolina counties alone, 111 people have been found dead. Sparse details in the official reports on deaths provide some information about the last moments of the victims:

• One woman in Madison County was killed on Sept. 27 as she tried to evacuate her home during flooding. Her car was swept away in floodwaters a short distance from her house, officials say.
• Two people killed in Rutherford County died due to a tree falling on them. Six other similar deaths were reported in other counties.
• Days after widespread flooding and landslides, the body of a woman in McDowell County was recovered from a collapsed home. Officials note at least 11 deaths were caused by landslides.
• At least 27 of those who lost their lives are believed to have drowned or have been found in waterways or along the side of rivers. More, however, died from causes that haven't been specified or concluded.

How many people have died?

While the grim statistic of the number of people killed has been rising, search and rescue and recovery efforts are ongoing across the region. In some cases, local emergency responder reports on fatalities are higher or different than the state's report.

"We are aware there are additional reports of decedents, and our team is working to verify that these are storm-related deaths. Life-saving activities will always take priority, and we will continue to work to update this information as appropriately as possible," state officials have said.

To report on updates as accurately as possible, BPR News has checked information on fatalities from across available counties and in twice-daily updates from state officials. With the exception of Buncombe County's report on deaths, the total number of 119 deaths reflects official data from the N.C. Medical Examiner's Office.

Highlighting the ongoing search and rescue effort in Helene's aftermath, Western North Carolina's Republican congressman shared an update Monday, saying:

"Here’s to hope: 6,586 people have been rescued, evacuated or assisted by search and rescue teams since Hurricane Helene hit, including 39 survivors being rescued on Saturday, October 5, over eight full days into rescue efforts."

U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards noted that FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) has been on the ground and has pledged to deliver 120 truckloads a day of food and water into WNC - with no current end-date in mind.

"FEMA has shipped 13 million meals and 13 million liters of water utilizing the $20 billion in funds that I helped to draft and pass for disaster relief just two days before Hurricane Helene hit," Edwards wrote.

"Of the shipped food and water, more than 6 million liters of water and 4 million individual meals have already been delivered to Western NC communities."

Photo by Gerard Albert III

Government response; search and rescue

Air search and rescue teams continue to rescue people across Western North Carolina, Gov. Cooper said in a statement late Sunday.

The crews flew 48 additional missions on Saturday, locating 39 survivors stranded by the catastrophic flooding from Hurricane Helene.

“Continuing search and rescue missions in rough terrain, better communications and more resources on the ground are helping as we race to find missing people, reunite families and coordinate the delivery of supplies," Cooper said in a statement.

About 1,700 North Carolina National Guard and 1,000 active-duty military personnel are assisting the 50 search and rescue teams in the region.

Waste Pro collection service, the provider for Buncombe County, is resuming pick up for regular Monday route customers that are accessible.

Residents can also drop off household bagged trash on Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Leicester Elementary at 31 Gilbert Road, Leicester.

There is no recycling collection at this time. Residents may use their Waste Pro recycling cart for additional trash space if needed.

Storm debris is not included in any collection at this time.

Black Mountain authorities have moved their work from search and rescue to recovery.

Some people in Black Mountain continue to shelter in place, with authorities providing supplies and resources as needed.

About 90 percent of roads are open for accessibility for emergency vehicles, Black Mountain Fire Chief John Coffey said.

In Swannanoa, the landscape has changed, Swannanoa Fire Department Chief Anthony Penland said.

He said crews are actively searching for the missing in the Bee Tree area.

"Our citizens are hurting," he said.

He described the warning residents received to evacuate in advance of the storm, including campers at the KOA campground.

The City of Asheville announced a road closure effect through October 13, 2024.

Hendersonville Road/Biltmore Avenue will be closed from All Souls Crescent to Meadow Road between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.

All lanes will be closed to all vehicular traffic except for emergency vehicles.

Traffic will be rerouted to the McDowell Street bridge.

According to the city, the detour is required to maintain safety while cleanup activities take place in the Biltmore Village area.

Asheville's food and water distribution locations now have nonpotable water, or grey water, which can be used for flushing toilets. 

The water is in addition to drinking and cooking water. People should bring their own containers for grey water.

The City of Asheville food and water distribution site locations are:

• Pack Square Park, 70 Court Plaza 
• Asheville Middle School, 211 S. French Broad Ave
• Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd
• Lucy Herring Elementary, 98 Sulphur Springs Rd
• Oakley Elementary School, 753 Fairview Rd

Resources are available until 7p.m. or until supplies run out.

The Buncombe County briefings will no longer be twice a day.

Since the storm, county officials provided information at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. every day.

The government and community operations partners hold daily updates to let the community know about a range of topics from environmental health to water restoration to educational institutional updates.

The Sunday afternoon briefing will be held at 4 p.m. in Black Mountain.

Volunteers from near and far were all over the roads of Yancey and Mitchell Counties Saturday.

In the town of Spruce Pine, the roads have become crowded with volunteers on all sorts of vehicles. On ATVs, motorcycles, and tactical trucks, people are lining up to drop off pallets of water and other goods, or loading them into trunks to speed off. They’re on the relatively clear roads downtown by the closed-off Blue Ridge Parkway, and they’re down by the still-muddy Ingles parking lot and the even more remote mountain roads, many of which have been cleared by ordinary people with chainsaws and hatchets.

At the Skyline Village Inn, Lisette Buckner of Lizzy’s Glizzies, a Charlotte-based mobile hot dog operation, had 800 hot dogs to hand out before the end of the day. She described the harrowing journey taken by her little hot dog cart, which had never traveled more than forty-five minutes before.

“There was, you know, poles down. There was roads gone. There was a lot of obstacles to get here, but we did it,” Buckner said, patting her hot dog cart. “It's the farthest that she has ever traveled, the craziest terrain, but she did it. She's a trooper.”

In the Walmart parking lot, the Cajun Navy was also giving away food and water. The volunteer search-and-rescue group is named for volunteers who helped navigate relief and rescues in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. And there were supplies available by the Spruce Pine Taco Bell, and the Mitchell County Shepherd’s Staff.

In Burnsville, behind the McDonald’s off Highway 19, farmer Henry Payne set up his produce as an impromptu farmer’s market. Payne runs a half-acre no-till farm called Five Pine Farm, which survived the flood, unlike many other farms in the area.

“I've been donating to the neighbors around me up in Green Mountain,” Payne said. “And I have so much produce, thousands of pounds to harvest. So it's, I'm still trying to figure that out. It's a good problem to have.”

Payne plans to set up in the same spot every day for as long as he can.

“I didn't become a farmer to make money,” Payne said. “I became a farmer because it brought a sense of community.”

On Saturday, the town of Canton announced they will remain on a boil water advisory until tomorrow morning due to a 6” inch water line break.

This does not affect Clyde as they have switched water sources.

The Town of Black Mountain is providing, food, water, and public restrooms. The locations are open daily and is as follows:

Food and Water

• Ingles 550 NC-9 Black Mountain, NC 9am - 7pm
• Ashley’s Kitchen and Bath 2950 US-70 Black Mountain, NC 9am -6pm

Health Services

• Ingles 550 NC-9 Black Mountain, NC 9am -7pm (Basic medical care and ability to fill prescriptions at Ingles Pharmacy)
• First Baptist Church 130 Montreat Rd Black Mountain, NC 9am - 6pm (Basic medical care and mental health support.)

Several courts in the region are closed.

In McDowell County, all Sessions of court this coming week are cancelled. The Courthouse and the Clerks office will open at 10:00 A.M. and close at 2:00 P.M.

District court sessions in Madison County are cancelled for the week. Emergency hearings should contact Evan Redmond at 828-434-0721.

In Madison County, there's a note on the courthouse door, according to the NC Courts website.

All Superior Court sessions in Madison County are also cancelled this coming week.

The Yancey County Courthouse will be closed until further notice including all court sessions.

All Superior Court Sessions for Judicial District 35, which includes Madison county are canceled the week of October 7, 2024.

All courts are closed this week in Avery county.

Rebuilding roadways remains a difficult challenge for local, state and federal officials throughout the region.

Today, the NC Department of Transportation offered a glimpse of road repairs efforts in the community of Bat Cave near Chimney Rock.

Road reconstruction is expected to take weeks to restore throughout the region.

Jacquelyn Martin

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AP

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris is heading to North Carolina on Saturday as the state recovers from Hurricane Helene, arriving there one day after a visit by Republican Donald Trump, who is spreading false claims about the federal response to the disaster.

Earlier in the week, Harris was in Georgia, where she helped distribute meals, toured the damage and consoled families hard-hit by the storm. President Joe Biden, too, visited the disaster zone. During stops over two days in the Carolinas, Florida and Georgia, Biden surveyed the damage and met with farmers whose crops have been destroyed.

The two have been vocal and visible about the government's willingness to help, and the administration's efforts so far include covering costs for all of the rescue and recovery efforts across the Southeast for several months as states struggle under the weight of the mass damage.

In a letter late Friday to congressional leaders, Biden wrote that while the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Disaster Relief Fund "has the resources it requires right now to meet immediate needs, the fund does face a shortfall at the end of the year." He also called on lawmakers to act quickly to restore funding to the Small Business Administration's disaster loan program.

More than 200 people have died. It's the worst storm to hit the U.S. mainland since Katrina in 2005, and scientists have warned such storms will only worsen in the face of climate change.

The facts emerging from Hurricane Helene's destruction are heartrending: Businesses and homes destroyed, whole communities nearly wiped out, hundreds of lives lost, hundreds of people missing.

Yet this devastation and despair is not enough for the extremist groups, disinformation agents, hucksters and politicians who are exploiting the disaster to spread false claims and conspiracy theories about it and the government's response.

According to former President Donald Trump, the federal government is intentionally withholding aid to Republican disaster victims. Far-right extremist groups warn on social media that officials plan to bulldoze affected communities and seize the land from residents. A tale straight from science fiction asserts that Washington used weather control technology to steer Helene toward Republican voters in order to tilt the presidential election toward Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.

The claims, according to experts and local officials dealing with disaster response, say less about the reality of the widespread damage from Helene than they do about America's fractured politics and the fear and distrust shadowing an election year marked by assassination attempts and escalating global tension.

Read the full story from the Associated Press here

Buncombe County officials provided updates on a few items on Saturday morning. They include:

Burn notice

Open burning of leaves, brush, and yard trimmings is permitted on burning days between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Check abairquality.org or call 828-250-6767 to find out if it is a burn day.

Burning is not allowed in the City of Asheville, and the Towns of Biltmore Forest, Black Mountain, Montreat, Weaverville or Woodfin.

Buncombe tracking damages

Buncombe County has launched an online tool for residents to report storm-related issues by uploading geotagged photos. These can include blocked roads, landslides, and urgent needs for evacuation, supplies, or medicine. The photos will help emergency services respond faster and more accurately to specific locations. The website is live now at report.buncombecounty.org. Please use this to report for emergency services only.

FEMA

FEMA teams will be at WNC Ag Center, AB Tech , and Black Mountain at 310 East State St. to help survivors to register for disaster assistance. There are more than 3,000 federal responders in NC

Fleets of law enforcement officers from 45 state and federal agencies have descended on Asheville to help out with various safety and recovery efforts.

"We asked them what they needed, and obviously they needed manpower," Kernersville Police Chief Jason Tilley told BPR.

In addition to ongoing search and rescue efforts, officers also guard food and water distribution sites and critical infrastructure, according to a press release from the City of Asheville.

Tilley said his officers have done a variety of tasks including providing roadblocks for washout roadways and keeping residents out of unsafe areas.

According to the city, officers also work to protect medical facilities and pharmacies from theft.

Officers are housed in a variety of locations including tents, hotels and recreational centers.

"Each time that we see other cities or counties that need us, we try to help in any way we can," Tilley said.

The National Park Service has temporarily closed US 441/Newfound Gap Road on from 10 p.m. Friday to 7:30 a.m. Saturday.

The Park Service said the measure was in response to an influx of illegal, large commercial vehicles through the park.

Park Service Facebook

Officials said there were two significant accidents overnight—one involving a car hauler that crashed into a wall and down an embankment, and one in which a semi-truck’s brakes caught on fire.

Commercial vehicles are always prohibited on Newfound Gap Road and in all of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (with the exception of the Spur), a post from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park said.

Newfound Gap Road, a curvy two-lane road with steep continuous grades, is not safe for large commercial vehicles.

The City of Asheville announced a new site for water distribution today.

Bulk water is available at Lucy Herring Elementary (98 Sulphur Springs Rd).

While some containers are available, local officials ask people to bring their own if they have them.

Assistant City Manager Ben Woody gave a detailed breakdown of where the majority of the damage was sustained. While there is no timeline for when everything will be fixed, the 160 public works employees are all working 12-hour shifts to get the system up and running again.

Once repairs at North Fork are made, the water system should be capable of providing water to the entire city. But the storm knocked away more than 25 feet of infrastructure at the plant, according to Woody.

VA Hospital

The medical center at 1100 Tunnel Road in Asheville is operating under both emergency generator and traditional power 24/7 for both emergencies and inpatient services.

It is able to do limited surgical internet on an emergency basis. Routine appointments have been canceled, but those with acute needs have been scheduled.

Veterans who need medications can come to the VA pharmacy or call 855-679-0074 and press 1.

The VA is accepting donations, call: 828-299-2514. Currently not accepting volunteers.

City of Asheville Updates

A small business assistance center is being set up at the city’s Chamber of Commerce and will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Solid Waste: Trash pickup will resume in targeted areas on Monday. Routes are based on road accessibility.

Download the AVL Collects app if you can to receive notifications about trash pickup. There will be no recycling pick-up, it will be collected as trash at this time. The city cannot collect mud or destruction debris.

Transit: The City of Asheville’s transit will provide limited fare-free transit starting on Monday to accessible routes. More information to come.

Mission Updates: Throughout the week nearly 200 patients have been treated at the decompression tent facility set up by federal disaster medical assistance teams.

The facility has been able to alleviate the emergency room capacity – which at one point was at 200%, according to HCA officials who spoke at a press conference this afternoon.

The medical professionals at the hospital have delivered more than 50 babies and have cared for more than 1,800 patients since the storm made landfall, CEO of Mission Health.

“We've been able to bring water tankers to bypass the water system. The facility just behind you is fully operational for all trauma care, cardiac care, stroke care and routine care of our facility. That's our number one priority,” Michael Wargo, Enterprise Vice President for Preparedness & Emergency Operations said.

MountainTrue says its French Broad Riverkeeper has reached out to environmental regulators amid concerns that possible runoff of harmful chemicals - like those typically used in the production of plastics - pose a threat to flood victims, first responders, and volunteers in some WNC communities.

Some citizens have reported that lingering flood waters and sludge possess chemical smells or have had caustic reactions with clothes, shoes, or their skin.

BPR has been unable to confirm any chemical testing or HAZMAT response but has reached out to MountainTrue. There's been no confirmation that dangerous runoff or chemical leaks occurred from specific plants or facilities in the area. Still, all local officials involved in flood response in WNC have urged residents and workers to use caution during cleanup.

MountainTrue officials say they've tried to contact the EPA and state environmental regulators in North Carolina.

On Friday afternoon, MountainTrue posted on Instagram:

"We want to address the recent reports and rumors regarding river sediment and sludge toxicity ... Our French Broad Riverkeeper is actively investigating these concerns. He has reached out to the EPA and DEQ and we will let you know as soon as we hear back from them."

MountainTrue is a non-profit organization based in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains, that focuses on environmental threats to land, air, and water resources.

"Your health and the integrity of our river are our top priorities," the group wrote on Instagram on Friday.

"In the meantime, we urge people to avoid contact with river sediment and sludge. If you need to clean your home or business, please use Personal Protective Equipment (N95 mask or better, gloves, safety glasses, and rubber boots) and make sure to wash thoroughly afterward."

Federal, state, and local agencies are working in western North Carolina to increase medical support for those impacted by Helene.

A disaster medical assistance team is in Asheville and a second team is in Spruce Pine. During a press conference Friday, the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Dawn O’Connell, gave that update. She also said the department recently launched the emergency prescription access program for those that are uninsured.

"They are entitled to receive free 30 day supply of the prescriptions that they need," she said.

She says people who qualify can sign up online for the prescriptions on the U-S Health and Human Services website.

At the morning Buncombe County briefing, Duke Energy spokesperson said about 27,000 households in Buncombe County should see their power restored today and another 69,000 households will get power by Sunday.

About 100,000 households across the area will still be without power at the start of next week.

Several substations were completely destroyed, Norton said, including the substation serving Biltmore Village. Duke Energy brought in a 200,000-pound mobile substation from Garner to help get power back up and running.

Norton said he anticipates rebuilding substations in a way that would be more resistant to storm damage.

With a quavering voice, Sheriff Quentin Miller shared that another 11 people have perished in Buncombe County from Hurricane Helene.

At the afternoon briefing, Sheriff Miller said that latest fatality count has risen to 72.

There are also still 200 people unaccounted for in Buncombe County.

Spokesperson Lillian Govus said there will be no "finite number" on those unaccounted for until search and rescue missions end. This is the 7th consecutive day of search and rescue missions.

The search and rescue will continue until "all resources have been exhausted." Those resources include drones, canines, trucks and high water vehicles.

Tractor trailers and big rigs hauling essentials such as food, water, supplies, and fuel are able to resume deliveries in some parts of Western North Carolina, officials say. Some roads are not open due to lingering standing water or damage.

NCDOT officials on Thursday told BPR — in response to some rumor as well as some confusion over an earlier emergency alert sent to phones — that authorities have opened access for lawful deliveries to grocery stores or other locations where resources are much needed.

Part of what sparked concern was an emergency alert sent to phones in the area saying, "Tractor trailers must stay on the interstate, otherwise you will get stuck."

A spokesperson interviewed on BPR News as well as a spokesperson from NCDOT connected to the state's joint information center based in Raleigh confirmed: Commercial truck drivers heading into the mountains to deliver food, supplies, and more, are cleared to travel off the interstate — provided the roads they plan to use are open and deemed safe by law enforcement.

"The damage is so severe in the region, we are telling drivers access is limited to local and hurricane response traffic. Any other traffic is hindering emergency response," an NCDOT official told BPR via email.

"We are getting several reports of trucks getting stuck on secondary roads. We are advising that trucks not critical to the emergency response effort stay on interstates."

NCDOT officials reiterated the need for volunteers not to "self-deploy" as the roads that are open need to be clear for first responders and authorized workers. Plus, unnecessary travel can further burden already-strained resources across the region.

Instead, the majority of local governments along with transportation officials have stressed the need to coordinate delivery of relief resources and deployment of volunteers. In a couple of small towns across the region, too, local leaders have said increased traffic and unsolicited volunteer groups have slowed local recovery efforts.