(This article is being updated. Read our previous coverage here.)
It’s been a week since Tropical Storm Helene passed through North Carolina, bringing heavy rainfall to already flooded areas. The storm has devastated communities, left roads impassable and left thousands without power.
The state’s death toll rose to at least 108 people Thursday as the search continued for hundreds of missing residents across Western North Carolina, officials said.
On Friday, more communities began moving from relief to recovery, but many local and state officials warned them, saying a return to normalcy would take weeks instead of days as the full extent of Helene’s devastation is not expected to be known for some time are. .
Check back for live updates as they roll in throughout the day Friday.
Officials: North Carolina’s death toll rises to at least 108
The death toll in Western North Carolina had risen to at least 108 people on Thursday, with officials saying the number could climb even higher as search efforts continue across the region.
According to Sheriff Quentin Miller, 72 deaths have been confirmed so far in hard-hit Buncombe County.
Avery County Manager Philip Barrier confirmed five deaths from the Helene floods on Tuesday after false information began circulating on social media claiming 200 people had died in the county seat of Newland.
And in a report Thursday from Henderson County, Chief Communications Officer Mike Morgan confirmed that 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:
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Yancey: Nine
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Cleveland: Two
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Watauga: Two
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Burke: One
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Catawba: One
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Gaston: One
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Mâcon: One
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Madison: One
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Mecklenburg: One
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Polk: One
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Rutherford: One
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Yadkin: One
— Staff reports
Hot Meals for Hurricane Survivors: A Comprehensive Guide is Now Available
Looking for a hot meal, water or other supplies or food boxes? There is now a comprehensive county-by-county list for all of WNC to aid in the effort. Find it here.
Buncombe County: Important updates to know
FEMA is on scene. The best incident management team in the country is here from New York City. Electricity is slowly returning and resources are being distributed with greater reach, but WNC is still in crisis and the extent of the damage is still being assessed.
Recovery briefings air every day at 10am and 4pm on 88.1 FM and on Buncombe County’s Facebook page.
Click here for daily updated city information. For current provincial information, please click here.
FINDING THE MISSING
During Thursday afternoon’s briefing, officials estimated that more than 200 people were still missing in Buncombe County. If you are missing a family member or friend, please complete this form to contact Buncombe Co. officials. to be informed.
Other organizations are also working on missing persons requests: The United Way conducts welfare checks and actively searches. Use this form to connect with United Way’s reunification program. The Red Cross has useful tips for getting in touch and if you are looking for people who have not yet been found, you can use this form. People can also request welfare checks by texting “Person” to 40403. That goes to NC 211 and the texter will receive a link to a form.
URGENT CARE SERVICES
Mercy Urgent Care has opened walk-in locations at the following addresses from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.:
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West Asheville: 1201 Patton Ave.
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Weaverville: 61 Weaver Boulevard.
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Brevard: 22 Trust Lane
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Waynesville: 120 Frazier Street.
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Foothills: 140 W Mills St.
Novant Go-Health Urgent Care, 349 New Leicester Highway, is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Please note that these facilities treat non-life-threatening conditions. For emergencies, you can call 911.
WASTE AND RECYCLING
Residents can take waste to the county landfill, 85 Panther Branch Road in Alexander. Wastepro is expected to announce Friday collection on Thursday. Wastepro also has three waste drop-off locations on Thursdays. Storm waste is not collected. These are the sites:
Ingles @ 2901 Hendersonville Road in Fletcher
Ingles @ 1865 1865 Hendersonville Road in Asheville
Ingles @ Charlotte Highway 225 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. Entrepreneurs and self-employed people affected by the storm may also be eligible for benefits.
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People have 60 days starting October 1 to apply for DUA at des.nc.gov. The application deadline is December 2, 2024. If you are unable to apply through the website, please call the DUA Hotline at 919-629-3857.
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To receive DUA benefits, all required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the day the DUA application is submitted. DES will work with people who cannot provide all documentation to ensure their unemployment benefits are not delayed.
— Staff reports
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville, NC live updates: Latest news on Helene’s recovery, death toll
