North Carolina
Aftermath of Helene making western NC survivors sick
by Jane Winik Sartwell
Carolina Public Press
One week after Tropical Storm Helene hit western North Carolina, Asheville resident Sonya Lynn woke up with stomach cramps that she could only compare to going into labor.
“The cramps woke me out of a dead sleep,” Lynn told Carolina Public Press. “I started noticing severe bloating, constant diarrhea and nausea.”
Lynn went to Mercy Urgent Care, where she was diagnosed with E. coli. The facility put her on antibiotics, but a few days later she was in the emergency room with extreme dehydration.
Lynn is just one of thousands of western North Carolinians who have experienced — or will experience — adverse health effects brought about by the damage caused by Tropical Storm Helene. Contaminated drinking water caused by flooded private wells, damaged municipal water systems, and compromised septic systems is one of the chief public health concerns.
Lynn isn’t sure how she contracted E. coli. Did she rinse her dentures under the tap in her bathroom sink? Did she use ice from her freezer in a drink? Did she wash her dishes in the kitchen sink out of habit? Did she eat some bad food that had been donated to Homeward Bound, the homeless shelter where she works?
“We’re seeing unprecedented issues in terms of the very prolonged disruption to basic services like water and sewer,” North Carolina state epidemiologist Zack Moore told Carolina Public Press.
“That raises a lot of concerns around gastrointestinal infections, things that come from contact with sewage, eating food that hasn’t been maintained properly, or not having the same access to hand hygiene that you normally would. We’re worried about Legionnaires’ disease, hepatitis A, campylobacter and other infections.”
Most people who experience gastrointestinal illness don’t immediately head to the doctor or emergency room, making the actual rate of these illnesses in western North Carolina difficult to track, Moore said.
Lynn is now healthy and back at work. But even so, she and all western North Carolina residents will have to look out for additional public health issues as the region continues to recover from Helene.
Myriad health concerns
Weeks of dry weather following the storm turned flood mud, chock full of raw sewage and industrial contaminants, into airborne dust, raising concerns about respiratory diseases.
Flooded basements and homes are rife with dangerous mold.
Moore recommends people wear N-95 masks when doing any cleanup project. FEMA offers to remove water-damaged material for free under the agency’s individual assistance programs.
Plus, flu, COVID and RSV seasons are upon us, and public health professionals are encouraging western North Carolinians to make time to get fall vaccinations, despite the chaos of the storm’s aftermath.
“Unfortunately, there are many still in shelters and campsites living in close quarters where they’re more likely to be exposed to respiratory viruses,” Moore said.
Asheville nurse Elle Kruta told CPP that in addition to an increase in communicable respiratory illnesses, GI issues and dehydration at Mission Hospital in Asheville, she has noticed that those with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are struggling due to the dust in the air.
The number of patients at the hospital is lower than average, according to Kruta, but more patients are staying longer than usual.
“There are a lot of people who cannot be discharged from the hospital into a nursing facility, because those rehabs don’t have potable water or space,” Kruta said.
“And some patients may not have homes to go back to. With shelters starting to close, people are staying in the hospital longer.”
UNC Asheville health sciences professor Fabrice Julien is teaching a course called “Public Health in Disasters” this semester. He and his students had just gotten through their unit on Hurricane Katrina when Helene struck Asheville.
One health concern he has is injuries.
“Driving by the River Arts District (in Asheville), I saw a lot of folks among the rubble doing construction, extraction and cleaning,” Julien told CPP. “A lot of them are up on ladders.”
“When you’re up on a ladder, leaning up against a foundation or structure that could cave in and collapse at any time, your risk of serious injury is very high.”
It is important to consider social determinants of health in an emergency like this one, according to Adam Hege, director of Appalachian State University’s public health program.
“The most immediate impacts are on those facing financial challenges, or those with access to less resources for their health,” Hege told CPP. “They may not be able to afford the care they need, or rebuild their lives in a way that sets them up for optimal health.
“When you look at disadvantaged communities, you start to see that how their houses are built and where they are built make them the most susceptible to the worst outcomes.”
Local public health departments
On the frontlines of the fight to keep Helene survivors healthy long term are local public health departments.
Officials are having disparate experiences of the threat: Henderson County’s health director Dave Jenkins says he has minimal concerns, while Joshua Kennedy, the health director in adjacent Polk County, is anxious about the county’s ability to serve vulnerable populations.
One of those vulnerable populations on Kennedy’s mind is the elderly.
“We’ve seen an increase in the number of senior citizens needing home-delivered meals through our nutrition programs,” Kennedy told CPP.
“We’re working to get those folks fed, but the cost of food is high right now. We see that as a budgetary concern long-term.”
The North Carolina legislature’s Helene relief bill allocated $12 million to local health departments to deal with these myriad issues, including helping residents with testing, decontaminating, and repairing their flooded wells.
Thirty percent of water samples from wells in Ashe and Watauga counties have tested positive for dangerous bacteria, AppHealthCare director Jen Greene told CPP.
“Even if your water smells fine and looks fine, it is very possible that it is not fine,” Greene said.
“If you have any concerns that your well may have flooded, we encourage you to come in and get your water tested.”
County governments are providing tests and well decontamination kits at no charge.
“Well decontamination is pretty quick and easy,” Kennedy said.
“We have kits provided by the state, so after folks come pick those up, it generally doesn’t take much time before their well is back in order.”
Less than two weeks after losing its head coach to Duke University, a North Carolina high school football program has been promoted from within.
Kevin Reddick will become the new head coach at Rolesville High School, replacing Ranier Rackley, who became the Director of Player Development at Duke University.
News of the decision was first reported by High School OT.
Reddick was the defensive coordinator for the Rams for the past three seasons, helping the team win 25 games during that run. Last year, Rolesville allowed just under 15 points per game with Reddick in charge of the defense.
North Carolina High School Promotes Defensive Coordinator To Head Coach
Rolesville finished 9-4 last season under Rackley and Reddick.
Reddick is a graduate of New Bern High School, helping the Bears capture the 2007 Class 4AA North Carolina High School Athletic Association State Football championship. He was tabbed the most valuable player of that title game as a sophomore fullback after scoring two touchdowns in a 28-17 victory over Independence.
At New Bern, Reddick earned conference defensive player of the year honors and was all-state at lineback as a senior after recording 189 tackles, eight quarterback sacks, six forced fumbles and four blocked punts. He also ran for over 160 yards and scored six touchdowns.
Kevin Reddick Was College Standout, Had NFL Career Before Becoming Coach
Following his high school career, Reddick signed with North Carolina as a four-star prospect, earning first team all-ACC honors as a senior. He also had offers from North Carolina State, Virginia and Clemson.
With the Tar Heels, Reddick played in 50 games, recording 275 tackles, including 36 for loss, with 8.5 quarterback sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.
Reddick signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted rookie free agent, and also had stints with the San Diego Chargers, Carolina Panthers and Buffalo Bills.
Rolesville reached the North Carolina High School Athletic Association State Football championship game with Reddick on the coaching staff and the third round this past season.
Rolesville Returns Top Rusher, Several Other Key Players
The Rams will be replacing starting quarterback Kaleb Williams, who had almost 2,500 yards passing and 22 touchdowns, as freshman Chase Williams was 8-for-8 for 98 yards with a touchdown in three games.
They will have top running back Amir Brown back, as he ran for 1,374 yards with 22 touchdowns and six games of 100 yards rushing as a junior. He also had 13 receptions for 106 yards and another TD.
Anthony Roberts is another key player back, as he caught 35 passes for 656 yards and nine TDs. Top tacklers Jayden Broadie, Javon Campbell, Genesis Allen and Keonte Sutton are all set to return, as well.
Follow
At least two people are dead and “several” others are injured after a “planned fight” at a North Carolina park escalated into a mass shooting, authorities said.
Police have identified several victims and suspects after Monday’s shooting at Leinbach Park near Jefferson Middle School, according to the Winston-Salem Police Department.
Authorities confirmed there were multiple victims in the shooting, but did not provide an exact number. The suspects were still at large over two hours later.
Officers were called to the park just before 10 a.m. after reports of a fight, which then escalated into multiple people shooting each other.
Area schools are not in lockdown, and classes are operating as normal, police said.
“Due to the number of people involved, efforts are ongoing to account for everyone. At this time, some of those involved in the incident are juveniles,” police said.
According to local news station WFMY, at least three people were taken to the hospital. Officials have not shared their conditions.
Police said the shooting was an isolated incident and remains under investigation.
This is a developing story
The NC Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Sunday, April 19, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 19 drawing
Day: 6-2-0, Fireball: 6
Evening: 4-1-7, Fireball: 5
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 19 drawing
Day: 7-6-9-4, Fireball: 4
Evening: 8-1-5-6, Fireball: 6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 5 numbers from April 19 drawing
02-21-32-35-37
Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Double Play numbers from April 19 drawing
18-26-27-31-42
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 19 drawing
32-42-52-53-55, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All North Carolina Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.
For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at North Carolina Lottery Offices. By mail, send a prize claim form, your signed lottery ticket, copies of a government-issued photo ID and social security card to: North Carolina Education Lottery, P.O. Box 41606, Raleigh, NC 27629. Prize claims less than $600 do not require copies of photo ID or a social security card.
To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a prize claim form and deliver the form, along with your signed lottery ticket and government-issued photo ID and social security card to any of these locations:
- Asheville Regional Office & Claim Center: 16-G Regent Park Blvd., Asheville, NC 28806, 877-625-6886 press #1. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Greensboro Regional Office & Claim Center: 20A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407, 877-625-6886 press #2. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Charlotte Regional Office & Claim Center: 5029-A West W. T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28269-1861, 877-625-6886 press #3. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- NC Lottery Headquarters: Raleigh Claim Center & Regional Office, 2728 Capital Blvd., Suite 144, Raleigh, NC 27604, 877-625-6886 press #4. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
- Greenville Regional Office & Claim Center: 2790 Dickinson Avenue, Suite A, Greenville, NC 27834, 877-625-6886 press #5. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Wilmington Regional Office & Claim Center: 123 North Cardinal Drive Extension, Suite 140, Wilmington, NC 28405, 877-625-6886 press #6. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://nclottery.com/.
When are the North Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
- Pick 3, 4: 3:00 p.m. and 11:22 p.m. daily.
- Cash 5: 11:22 p.m. daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Carolina Connect editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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