North Carolina
North Carolina live updates: Death toll in triple digits as search, recovery continues
(This article will be updated. Read our earlier coverage here.)
It’s been a week since Tropical Storm Helene marched through North Carolina, bringing heavy rains to already water-logged areas. The storm left communities devastated, roads impassable and thousands without power.
The state’s death toll climbed to at least 108 people Thursday as searches continued for hundreds of missing residents throughout Western North Carolina, officials said.
More communities were beginning to transition from relief to recovery by Friday, but many local and state officials cautioned them, saying a return to normalcy would take weeks, not days, as the full scope of Helene’s devastation is not expected to be known for some time.
Check back for live updates as they roll in throughout the day Friday.
The first fatality related to Tropical Storm Helene in McDowell County has been confirmed, according to an Oct. 4 news release from the county. The identity of the deceased is being withheld out of respect for the family, officials said.
Rescue teams in the county are continuing to search for missing individuals and provide aid – the county suggests the Helene Hotline at 828-652-3241 for reporting missing persons or requesting assistance. As of Friday morning, McDowell emergency personnel numbers were over 600.
The death toll in Western North Carolina had risen to at least 108 people Thursday with officials saying the number could climb even higher as search efforts continue throughout the region.In hard-hit Buncombe County, 72 deaths had been confirmed so far, according to Sheriff Quentin Miller.
— Iris Seaton, Citizen-Times
The death toll in Western North Carolina had risen to at least 108 people Thursday with officials saying the number could climb even higher as search efforts continue throughout the region.
In hard-hit Buncombe County, 72 deaths had been confirmed so far, according to Sheriff Quentin Miller.
Avery County Manager Philip Barrier on Tuesday confirmed five deaths from Helene floodwaters after false information began circulating on social media, claiming 200 people had died in the county seat of Newland.
And in a report from Henderson County Thursday, Chief Communications Officer Mike Morgan confirmed there had been nine deaths as a result of Tropical Storm Helene.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reports the following deaths in the following counties:
- Yancey: Nine
- Cleveland: Two
- Watauga: Two
- Burke: One
- Catawba: One
- Gaston: One
- Macon: One
- Madison: One
- Mecklenburg: One
- Polk: One
- Rutherford: One
- Yadkin: One
— Staff Reports
Hot meals for hurricane survivors: A comprehensive guide is up now
Looking for a hot meal, water or other supplies or food boxes? There’s now a comprehensive county by county listing for all of WNC to assist in the effort. Find it here.
Buncombe County: Important updates to know
FEMA is on the ground. The nation’s top Incident Management Team is here from New York City. Electricity is slowly coming back, and resources are getting distributed with greater reach, but WNC is still in crisis and the extent of the damage is still being assessed.
Recovery briefings are broadcast at 88.1 FM and on Buncombe County’s Facebook page at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day.
For updated city information each day, click here. For updated County information, click here.
FINDING THE MISSING
During the Thursday afternoon briefing, officials estimated that more than 200 people remain missing in Buncombe County. For those missing a family member or friend, complete this form to notify Buncombe Co. officials.
Other organizations are also working on missing persons requests: The United Way is conducting welfare checks and active searches. Please use this form to connect with United Way’s reunification program. The Red Cross has helpful tips for getting in touch and, if you are looking for people who have not been found, you can use this form. People can also request wellness checks by texting “Person” to 40403. That goes to NC 211 and the texter will get a link to a form.
URGENT CARE SERVICES
Mercy Urgent Care has walk-in locations open at the following addresses from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.:
- West Asheville: 1201 Patton Ave.
- Weaverville: 61 Weaver Blvd.
- Brevard: 22 Trust Lane
- Waynesville: 120 Frazier St.
- Foothills: 140 W Mills St.
Novant Go-Health Urgent Care, 349 New Leicester Highway, is open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Please note, these facilities treat non-life-threatening conditions. For emergencies, dial 911.
TRASH AND RECYCLING
Residents can take trash to the county landfill, 85 Panther Branch Road in Alexander. Wastepro is scheduled to announce about Friday pick up Thursday. Also on Thursday, Wastepro will have three drop off locations for trash. Storm debris will not be collected. Here are the sites:
Ingles @ 2901 Hendersonville Road in Fletcher
Ingles @ 1865 1865 Hendersonville Road in Asheville
Ingles @ 225 Charlotte Highway in Asheville
DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AVAILABLE
People in Buncombe County who are unemployed as a direct result of Hurricane Helene may be eligible for unemployment benefits. Business owners and self-employed individuals affected by the storm may also qualify for benefits.
- People have 60 days from Oct. 1 to file an application for DUA at des.nc.gov. The deadline to apply is Dec. 2, 2024. If you are not able to file through the website, you can call the DUA Hotline at 919-629-3857.
- To get DUA benefits, all required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the day the DUA application is filed. DES will work with people who cannot provide all documentation to ensure that their unemployment benefits are not delayed.
— Staff Reports
With more than 2,000 miles of rivers and the most whitewater rivers in the southeastern U.S., North Carolina is a paddler’s paradise. From mellow riffles and Class I rapids to more challenging runs, North Carolina’s whitewater scene has something for all experience levels. But one river has earned a reputation among experienced paddlers as a bucket list whitewater experience.
Known for its steep and technical rapids, the Cheoah River offers tantalizing Class III to V rapids that give even the most experienced paddlers a thrill. There’s just one catch …
Cheoah River History
Like many rivers across the country, the Cheoah River is controlled by a dam. For more than 70 years, the 9-mile section of the Cheoah River between the Santeelah Dam and Lake Calderwood at the convergence of the Little Tennessee River was dewatered, which means the once-powerful river was reduced to an average flow of 250 CFS.
Thankfully, after years of lobbying, American Whitewater and its local partners were able to negotiate for scheduled releases. Since 2005, the river has returned to its former glory at least 18 times annually for recreation and ecological purposes. That means you can have a chance to experience the iconic rapids on the Cheoah River — if you time it right.
Paddling a Scheduled Release on the Cheoah River
During scheduled water releases, approximately 1,000 CFS of water flow through the Santeelah Dam. The result is 14 Class III+ to Class V rapids in a 9-mile stretch, with additional smaller rapids mixed in. Most releases are planned for weekends in the spring through fall. To plan a trip to paddle the Cheoah River, check the Graham County Travel website for details on the annual release schedule.
Of course, release schedules are subject to change based on weather conditions and other factors, so double-check closer to your target release date to confirm everything is happening as planned. Advance permits aren’t required, but the U.S. Forest Service requires each individual to purchase a day pass — available from local vendors at the put-in — to access the river during high-flow events.
Guided Experiences on the Cheoah River
Think you’re up for the challenge, but apprehensive about setting out on your own? Opt for a guided paddle with a local outfitter. These expert guides bring a deep understanding of whitewater paddling and knowledge specific to the Cheoah River to all their trips so they can help intermediate and advanced paddlers take on challenging rapids safely.
Check out trips with outfitters like Nantahala Outdoor Center or Endless River Adventures to see if a guided paddle is the right move for you.
Beginner-Friendly Alternatives
While the Cheoah River is suitable for experienced paddlers, there are still plenty of ways for beginners to enjoy the area. Camp on the shores of Lake Santeelah, just upriver from the whitewater put-in, at Cheoah Point Campground. This beachfront recreation area offers first-come, first-served campsites for tents and RVs.
Enjoy easy access to the 2,800-acre lake, which is open for boating, fishing, jet skiing, and swimming. Or use the lake as a launchpad for exploring hiking trails in the area. Don’t miss a chance to grab a bite at the Historic Tapoco Lodge. Situated on the bank of the Cheoah River, the lodge offers prime views of the whitewater action.
If you’re keen on whitewater but aren’t ready to tackle the Cheoah, head to the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte. Home to the world’s largest manmade whitewater river, the center is well-equipped to help novice paddlers explore the sport and allow more experienced paddlers to take their skills to the next level — all in a controlled environment.
Explore North Carolina Responsibly
Let’s work together to keep North Carolina a paradise for paddling and other on-the-water activities for future generations. Learn how with Leave No Trace tips from Outdoor NC. Then, join the movement to protect North Carolina’s cherished outdoor spaces.
This post was sponsored by Visit North Carolina.
As North Carolina legislative leaders begin to negotiate a spending plan for the next two years, they’ll have a little less money to work with than expected.
Economic forecasters who work in state government have revised their budget projections downward for the next two years.
Forecasters at the legislature and the Office of State Budget and Management come to what’s known as a consensus revenue forecast every year. Then they revise it after the April 15 tax deadline.
The forecasters tend to take a conservative approach, so revised budget projections often provide good news for the state in the form of more revenue coming in than initially anticipated.
But that wasn’t the case this year.
The budget forecast released in February projected the state would collect $544 million more in taxes than expected this fiscal year, but after tax season. Now they expect collections total to be about $364 million. The state’s budget is about $32.6 billion. Forecasters say business tax collections are down slightly because rising costs are cutting into taxable revenues.
The forecast for surplus tax collection in the 2025-26 fiscal year has also been revised downward slightly by $217.6 million or 0.6%. And the forecast for 2026-27 is down a bit more, by $222.4 million or 0.7%
The Office of State Budget and Management ascribed the revision in part to “a weakening outlook for wage and profit growth.”
“Recent business surveys show fewer businesses expect to raise workers’ wages, with many expressing renewed focus on cutting costs to support profitability amid higher prices for imports,” OSBM said in a statement.
Forecasters also predicted slower growth in sales taxes due to lagging wage growth, tariffs and heightened economic uncertainty.
Larger-than-expected tax collections in years past have helped North Carolina build a rainy-day fund — which in turn has helped the state quickly react to unexpected events such as Hurricane Helene, the September storm that caused about $60 billion in damage and left more than 100 North Carolinians dead.
Democratic Gov. Josh Stein seized the news of the budget revision to call on Republican state lawmakers to drop their plans for future tax cuts. His budget proposal called for freezing taxes at their current levels.
“This news comes in the midst of an uncertain economy and federal budget pressures that may put funding for critical resources including Medicaid and SNAP in jeopardy,” Stein said. “It also comes as we find ourselves on the hook for even more Hurricane Helene recovery expenses.”
“We need to balance our books, not bury our heads in the sand,” he concluded.
Demi Dowdy, a spokeswoman for Republican North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall, provided WRAL News with a statement on Thursday.
“Joe Biden’s legacy of sky high inflation continues, but we’re confident President Trump’s policies will bring economic growth just as they did in his first term,” Dowdy wrote. “Meanwhile, the North Carolina House will continue to pursue fiscally conservative state budgets.”
Republican Senate leaders didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
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