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