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An unprecedented tragedy requires an unprecedented response • NC Newsline

An unprecedented tragedy requires an unprecedented response • NC Newsline
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Gov. Roy Cooper and the state's top emergency management officials provided an update on the ongoing massive response to Tropical Storm Helene on Sunday.

Helene dropped 10 to 29 inches of rain over the mountains on Friday, causing life-threatening flooding and landslides. The storm initially claimed 11 lives in North Carolina, and officials said the toll was likely to rise. As of Sunday evening, the Buncombe County sheriff said he had confirmed 30 deaths in the county.

Cooper said the state is aware that people are desperate for help and multiple agencies are actively pushing to get it to them.

“Many people are cut off from traffic because the roads are impassable and there is a lack of electricity and communication. Please know that we are deploying resources and working closely with local governments, first responders, state and federal partners, and volunteer organizations to assist those affected by this tragic storm,” Cooper said.

Because it is difficult to transport needed supplies by truck over closed and damaged roads, the state has begun airlifting food and water to the region.

Gov. Roy Cooper
Governor Roy Cooper speaks to the media about the ongoing response to Tropical Storm Helene. (Screengrab PBSNC)

A 20-bed state medical center will open in Caldwell County on Sunday, and the state will add more.

Almost 464,000 customers remain without power. That's down from the peak of more than a million customers at the height of the storm.

More than 500 North Carolina National Guard members were deployed to work with local emergency responders, conduct search and rescue operations, deliver needed supplies and work to restore infrastructure.

President Joe Biden approved Cooper's request for a federal disaster declaration that would provide immediate federal aid to 25 North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Cell phone providers are working to repair the damage and provide emergency solutions.

NC Emergency Management Director Will Ray said conditions on site remain extremely dangerous.

“We ask people not to travel to areas affected by the storm, whether to check on property, relatives or simply to visit. In addition to endangering yourself, you could also disrupt emergency responders or repair crews,” Ray warned. “Please let the professionals do their job.”

The state has more than 730 emergency responders who conduct search and rescue operations.

Telecommunications companies are working around the clock to restore cell service and mobile data in the mountains.

Ray said for those in Western North Carolina, it is recommended that you turn your phones off and on periodically to allow the phone to connect to a network.

On Friday, North Carolina's telecommunications partners activated disaster roaming on all networks. This means any phone from any carrier can access any network to make calls.

As of Sunday afternoon, 280 roads in western North Carolina remained closed because of Helene. Most of these are located in Henderson, Ash, Buncombe, Lincoln, Cleveland, Jackson, Transylvania and Yancey counties.

“Many closures are due to flooding where the roadway is impassable or flooded. We also have multiple land and rock slides along power lines, pipe failures and downed trees,” said North Carolina Secretary of Transportation Joey Hopkins.

One piece of good news, Hopkins said, is that a previously closed section of Interstate 26 south of Asheville has reopened, giving emergency responders their first major route in and out of the city.

Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins
Joey Hopkins, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Transportation (Screengrab PBSNC)

Crews have also cleared a path through the slide near Old Fort on I-40 to allow passage for some stranded vehicles and also emergency responders assisted by the State Highway Patrol.

Hopkins said unnecessary travel is preventing NCDOT crews from doing the work of reopening roads.

“Our primary message is simple: Consider all roads in Western North Carolina closed until further notice,” the NCDOT Secretary said.

One of the biggest concerns right now is the availability of clean water.

Ray said there are 93 systems that have a boil water advisory in place and 33 are awaiting test results to release that advisory.

“The power outage is a contributing factor, but we also know that there is significant damage to infrastructure from the volumes of water that have hit a number of these communities, which will have a significant impact on rebuilding these water systems so that get those water systems back online,” Ray explained.

In the coming days, they will determine which water systems need simple repairs or whether a major overhaul of a jurisdiction's water system is needed.

“As this involves significant effort and challenges, we are preparing our operations to continue transporting goods, particularly food and water, to affected areas for an extended period of time,” Ray said.

If you need accommodation, you can find a list of open accommodations here. As of Sunday afternoon, McDowell County's only shelter at Glenwood Baptist Church was at capacity.

For those wishing to donate toward recovery, the state will activate the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, administered by the United Way of North Carolina.

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