Death toll from Hurricane Helene now expected to exceed 100
This weekend, after the Cat 4 Hurricane Helene slammed into Florida and raced into Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas, is going into the record books as a devastating and historically deadly event – even after being downgraded to a tropical storm after passing into Geogia. You may have seen pictures of electronic highway billboard signs warning “Do Not Travel to Western North Carolina” as that part of the State had been largely cut off due to the high winds and floods that caused mudslides and also took out bridges and roads and electricity.
As of Sunday evening, at least 30 people had been confirmed dead from the storm after it ripped through Buncombe County, North Carolina, according to Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller. The total death toll for all the States impacted by Helene are now ranging in number from 90 – 102 deaths.
“We’re still conducting search operations, and we know that those also may include recovery operations,” he said at a news conference. Officials said at Sunday evening’s news conference that there are ongoing rescue efforts in affected areas such as Fairview, Black Mountain, Swannanoa and Barnardsville. ~ ABC News
Yesterday, North Carolina’s Governor announced that critical supplies were beginning to reach those Western North Carolina communities hit hard by Helene as crews were making progress toward restoring power and cell phone service and repairing roads.
In total across the Southeast United States: “There have been at least 90 deaths as a result of the storm, according to an NBC News count of confirmed fatalities. A third of them were reported in North Carolina.“
Food, water and other needs are arriving in Asheville and also being airlifted by the North Carolina National Guard into counties across Western North Carolina. Cellphone providers are working to fix the damage and get stopgap solutions in place and rapid progress is being made. Across the region, more than 500,000 customers remain without power, down from a peak of more than one million.
“People are desperate for help — and we are pushing to get it to them. Please know that we are sending resources, and coordinating closely with local governments, first responders, state and federal partners, and volunteer organizations to help those impacted by this tragic storm,” Governor Roy Cooper said. “This is an unprecedented tragedy that requires an unprecedented response.”
NC National Guard members are working alongside local emergency responders conducting search and rescue missions, delivering needed supplies, and helping to restore infrastructure. Approximately 550 North Carolina National Guard personnel have been deployed in response to the storm, along with more than 100 vehicles and 11 aircraft.
Twenty-four emergency shelters have opened, providing capacity for 942 residents. Shelter information can be found at readync.gov.
First responders have received hundreds of calls for rescue and more than 1,000 requests for welfare checks. State search and rescue teams have conducted hundreds of rescues and are being assisted from teams from more than a dozen other states.
More than 1,600 North Carolina Department of Transportation employees and contract crews are working to clear roads and get them open again, but 280 state-maintained roads remain closed including parts of Interstate 40 and Interstate 26. NCDOT is getting food and water supply trucks, power and cellphone utility trucks, and other vehicles through damaged roads and into Western North Carolina.
People are urged to stay off Western North Carolina roads so that emergency responders, utility crews, and desperately needed supplies can get through. Real time road conditions are available at drivenc.gov.
Also yesterday, President Joe Biden and the federal government granted Govenor Cooper’s request for a Federal Major Disaster Declaration, providing immediate help for 25 North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. This disaster declaration will provide both individual assistance for people living in those counties and public assistance to reimburse local governments, state agencies and non-profits for funds spent repairing facilities and infrastructure. Additional information about these resources can be found at disasterassistance.gov or by calling the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362.
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Biden says he will visit Hurricane Helene-impacted areas this week as long as it does not disrupt rescue and recovery operations. In a brief exchange with reporters, he described the impact of the storm as “stunning” and said that the administration is giving states “everything we have” to help with their response to the storm. Biden planned to speak about the administration’s response efforts in remarks from the White House on Monday. ~ The Associate Press
North Carolina residents affected by the storm should pay close attention to advisories and updates from their local government and emergency services, as this is an evolving situation. Residents with storm-related issues or questions should call 211 for assistance and press 1. This includes requests for welfare checks for loved ones in the affected area. Call 911 for emergencies only.
Information resources and information regarding Hurricane Helene can be found at www.ncdps.gov/helene. The most up-to-date information on local conditions, shelters, and resources can be found by following county government social media and websites or by visiting ReadyNC.gov, which features traffic, power outage and shelter information.
At least 97 people have died across six states and officials believe there could be more. So far, state and county officials said 36 people died in North Carolina, 25 in South Carolina, 17 in Georgia, 11 in Florida, four in Tennessee andtwo in Virginia. Hundreds have been reported missing, perhaps unable to leave their location or unable to contact family, with phone and internet service still spotty in some hard-hit communities. ~ CNN
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(Source: Office of the Governor North Carolina)
(Cover photo, Helene hits North Carolina, Image credit: Twitter)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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