Five additional deaths have been reported in Buncombe County due to the flooding caused by Tropical Storm Helene, raising the total death toll to 35. Relief efforts are ongoing, with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell set to visit North Carolina to assess the damage. Schools in Asheville are closed for a week, and commercial flights at the Asheville Regional Airport are gradually resuming. Community organizations are actively distributing aid to those affected.
Western North Carolina is currently grappling with the devastating aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, which has led to significant loss of life and extensive destruction across the region. As of the most recent reports, five additional fatalities have been confirmed in Buncombe County, bringing the total death toll to 35. Sheriff Quintin Miller disclosed this information during a briefing on Monday morning, indicating that the overall fatality count for Western North Carolina—including Buncombe, Henderson, and Macon counties—has reached at least 41. Relief efforts are ongoing in Asheville and surrounding areas, where communities face severe flooding, impassable roads, and widespread power outages. The extent of the storm’s impact is still being assessed, with officials cautioning that the complete scope of damage will take time to reveal. In a notable development, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell is scheduled to visit North Carolina to survey storm damage as part of the federal response. In a briefing on the situation, Criswell and Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall provided updates to President Biden regarding the effects of Hurricane Helene across multiple southeastern states. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has mobilized to deliver essential power generation equipment to the hardest-hit areas as floodwaters recede. Furthermore, FEMA is actively delivering trailers filled with food and water to assist those in need while care distribution sites are being established throughout the state. President Biden has plans to visit the affected areas this week to further evaluate recovery efforts. In a related response, Asheville City Schools announced a week-long closure for students and staff from September 30 to October 4 due to the ongoing ramifications of the storm. The Asheville Regional Airport has begun to resume commercial flights, although the situation remains dynamic and subject to change. Macon County has also reported at least one death attributed to the storm. While utility restoration efforts have notably improved in some regions, challenges persist, particularly in higher elevation areas. Residents are advised to avoid unnecessary travel as recovery operations continue. Given the ongoing nature of the crisis, support for community relief initiatives is paramount. Local organizations like the Asheville Dream Center have initiated aid distribution efforts, providing essential goods to those affected by the storm. The organization is actively updating residents on distribution sites through social media and is in need of volunteers to assist with ongoing relief efforts.
Tropical Storm Helene has had a significant and widespread impact on Western North Carolina, resulting in tragic loss of life and severe damage to infrastructure. The communities have faced catastrophic flooding, prompting local and federal responses to aid recovery efforts. The effects of the storm are still unfolding, and the complete assessment of damages and needs will take time as authorities work to restore normalcy in the affected areas. Multiple agencies, including FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, are actively involved in delivering aid and support to residents grappling with the aftermath of the storm. The local education system has been disrupted, and community efforts are being mobilized to provide necessary relief to those in distress.
In conclusion, the situation in Western North Carolina following Tropical Storm Helene remains critical, with increased fatalities and significant infrastructure damage reported. Relief efforts are in full swing, with federal and local agencies mobilizing resources to assist affected communities. The impact of the storm has necessitated school closures and the resumption of commercial flights is indicative of the region’s gradual recovery. However, the full extent of the disaster is still being evaluated as community organizations rally to support those in need during this challenging time.
Original Source: www.citizen-times.com
