Western North Carolina live updates: 5 more deaths reported in Buncombe County, death toll up to 35
Posted on 09/30/2024
(This article will be updated. Read our earlier coverage here.)
Relief efforts continue in Asheville and the Western North Carolina area where a major disaster due to Tropical Storm Helene has left communities devastated, roads impassable and thousands without power. There were only estimates Sunday evening about the extent of the destruction, with the full scope of Helene devastation not expected to be known for some time.
Check back for live updates as they roll in throughout the day Monday.
How Helene is affecting mail service and voting
Helene hit North Carolina just days after mail-in ballots were scheduled to be sent out to military and overseas voters and to all others who requested them.
The United States Postal Service of Asheville said in an automated message that Helene "may impact the processing, transportation and delivery of mail and packages. Please allow additional time for final delivery of your item."
As of Sep. 29, the USPS service alerts website states that, "All retail and delivery operations for facilities in the 286, 287, 288 and 289 3-digit zip code areas are temporarily suspended until further notice due to Hurricane Helene impacts."
You can find out more, including how to track your ballot, in Sarah Gleason's story here.
How to apply for FEMA assistance after Tropical Storm Helene
North Carolina has received Federal Major Disaster Declaration after Tropical Storm Helene tore through western parts of the state last week.
More than 430,000 people in North Carolina were still left without power as of late Sunday, following the deadly storm that destroyed homes, trapped residents, spawned landslides and submerged communities under raging floodwaters.
Was your home damaged by Helene-driven flooding and landslides? Samantha Neely has details about applying for FEMA assistance in North Carolina in this story.
5 more deaths reported in Buncombe County
Five more are dead as a result of Tropical Storm Helene's historic flooding of Buncombe County communities, Sheriff Quentin Miller said during a 10 a.m. briefing Monday. The county now has reported 35 fatalities related to Helene.
In Western North Carolina, at least 41 fatalities have been attributed to the storm between Buncombe, Henderson and Macon counties.
— Will Hofmann
FEMA leader to visit North Carolina
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell is expected to survey damage from Helene in North Carolina on Monday, according to a new release updating the Biden-Harris Administration's response efforts.
On Sunday evening, Criswell and Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall briefed President Joe Biden on the ongoing impacts of Hurricane Helene in multiple states, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and Virginia.
As of Sunday, more than 3,300 federal employees were deployed and supporting response efforts across the impacted states. Of note in the Carolinas:
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is moving generators and additional power generation equipment into the hardest-hit areas of North and South Carolina as flood waters recede and debris removal permits.
FEMA is trucking dozens of trailers containing food and water in North Carolina to support the state as it sets up care and distribution sites.
Biden intends to travel to impacted communities this week, according to the news release.
Asheville City Schools to be closed all week
Asheville City Schools has announced that schools will be closed for students and staff Monday-Friday, Sept. 30-Oct. 4, due to the ongoing impacts of Tropical Storm Helene. Free WiFi and a charging station have been set up in the parking lot of Asheville Middle School at 211 S. French Broad Ave.
Some commercial flights resume at Asheville Regional Airport
The Asheville Regional Airport announced Monday, Sept. 30, that American, Allegiant, Delta and United have resumed some flights.
Travelers are encouraged to check with airlines for detailed flight information as the airport’s website is not updating.
Fuel shortages are impacting ground transportation services, such as taxis, Uber, and Lyft, which could affect availability.
For those who parked overnight at the airport, none of the parking lots with customer cars were flooded, airport spokesperson Tina Kinsey said in a Monday morning update.
Visit the Asheville airport’s Facebook page for updates.
— Will Hofmann and Aaron Nelsen
Death reported in Macon County
One death has been attributed to Tropical Storm Helene in Macon County, Macon County Emergency Services Director Warren Cabe wrote in a Sept. 29 news release.
Currently, utility restoration has "significantly improved" in the Franklin area, but "will be much slower to improve in the highlands area," Cabe wrote. Roads are open to Franklin and Highlands, but residents and motorists are suggested to stay off roadways "unless absolutely necessary."
— Will Hofmann
HELENE IN NORTH CAROLINA:North Carolina town bands together after Helene wreaked havoc: 'That's what we do'
Helene death toll likely to rise in North Carolina
Reports came Sunday that 30 people had died in Buncombe County, and another five had died in Henderson County. But those early numbers are likely to rise as the full scope of the tragedy becomes clearer.
"Without more phone and internet access, we cannot share those names without being absolutely certain that we have given their loved ones this information," Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller said. "Our hearts are broken with this news and we ask that folks give our community the space and time to grieve this incredible loss."
Read more about the relief efforts underway in this story from Keith Sharon, Jacob Biba, Will Hofmann, Sarah Honosky and Iris Seaton.
A guide to Asheville shelters, food distribution sites and more
From shelters to school closures, water sources to curfew updates, the Citizen Times has compiled a reference guide of where to find essentials and other information in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene. You can find that here.
Western NC school, college closures
Though information on school closures in Western North Carolina is still sparse, several schools and universities have now issued alerts in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene.
Iris Seaton highlights what we know about school closures so far in this story.
Asheville Dream Center sets up distribution site
Asheville Dream Center brought aid to the Asheville Mall on Sept. 29, likely becoming the first mass aid distribution site for necessities in the city. The nonprofit is the local arm of the nonprofit national Dream Center outreach ministry. The nonprofit Global Empowerment Mission was the first to respond to their call to distribute aid in the city, Asheville Dream Center Executive Director Michelle Coleman said.
The Asheville Dream Center is doing rolling updates on aid distribution sites on social media, Coleman told the Citizen Times. She encouraged all interested residents to reach out on social media or check for live updates.
On its Instagram, the organization indicated that it would be back again with aid from Global Empowerment Mission at the Asheville Mall off of South Tunnel Road distributing food and water at 12:30 p.m. Sept. 30. They've asked for volunteers to meet them there at 11:30 a.m.
Relief efforts continue in Asheville and the Western North Carolina area where a major disaster due to Tropical Storm Helene has left communities devastated, roads impassable and thousands without power. There were only estimates Sunday evening about the extent of the destruction, with the full scope of Helene devastation not expected to be known for some time.
Check back for live updates as they roll in throughout the day Monday.
How Helene is affecting mail service and voting
Helene hit North Carolina just days after mail-in ballots were scheduled to be sent out to military and overseas voters and to all others who requested them.
The United States Postal Service of Asheville said in an automated message that Helene "may impact the processing, transportation and delivery of mail and packages. Please allow additional time for final delivery of your item."
As of Sep. 29, the USPS service alerts website states that, "All retail and delivery operations for facilities in the 286, 287, 288 and 289 3-digit zip code areas are temporarily suspended until further notice due to Hurricane Helene impacts."
You can find out more, including how to track your ballot, in Sarah Gleason's story here.
How to apply for FEMA assistance after Tropical Storm Helene
North Carolina has received Federal Major Disaster Declaration after Tropical Storm Helene tore through western parts of the state last week.
More than 430,000 people in North Carolina were still left without power as of late Sunday, following the deadly storm that destroyed homes, trapped residents, spawned landslides and submerged communities under raging floodwaters.
Was your home damaged by Helene-driven flooding and landslides? Samantha Neely has details about applying for FEMA assistance in North Carolina in this story.
5 more deaths reported in Buncombe County
Five more are dead as a result of Tropical Storm Helene's historic flooding of Buncombe County communities, Sheriff Quentin Miller said during a 10 a.m. briefing Monday. The county now has reported 35 fatalities related to Helene.
In Western North Carolina, at least 41 fatalities have been attributed to the storm between Buncombe, Henderson and Macon counties.
— Will Hofmann
FEMA leader to visit North Carolina
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell is expected to survey damage from Helene in North Carolina on Monday, according to a new release updating the Biden-Harris Administration's response efforts.
On Sunday evening, Criswell and Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall briefed President Joe Biden on the ongoing impacts of Hurricane Helene in multiple states, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and Virginia.
As of Sunday, more than 3,300 federal employees were deployed and supporting response efforts across the impacted states. Of note in the Carolinas:
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is moving generators and additional power generation equipment into the hardest-hit areas of North and South Carolina as flood waters recede and debris removal permits.
FEMA is trucking dozens of trailers containing food and water in North Carolina to support the state as it sets up care and distribution sites.
Biden intends to travel to impacted communities this week, according to the news release.
Asheville City Schools to be closed all week
Asheville City Schools has announced that schools will be closed for students and staff Monday-Friday, Sept. 30-Oct. 4, due to the ongoing impacts of Tropical Storm Helene. Free WiFi and a charging station have been set up in the parking lot of Asheville Middle School at 211 S. French Broad Ave.
Some commercial flights resume at Asheville Regional Airport
The Asheville Regional Airport announced Monday, Sept. 30, that American, Allegiant, Delta and United have resumed some flights.
Travelers are encouraged to check with airlines for detailed flight information as the airport’s website is not updating.
Fuel shortages are impacting ground transportation services, such as taxis, Uber, and Lyft, which could affect availability.
For those who parked overnight at the airport, none of the parking lots with customer cars were flooded, airport spokesperson Tina Kinsey said in a Monday morning update.
Visit the Asheville airport’s Facebook page for updates.
— Will Hofmann and Aaron Nelsen
Death reported in Macon County
One death has been attributed to Tropical Storm Helene in Macon County, Macon County Emergency Services Director Warren Cabe wrote in a Sept. 29 news release.
Currently, utility restoration has "significantly improved" in the Franklin area, but "will be much slower to improve in the highlands area," Cabe wrote. Roads are open to Franklin and Highlands, but residents and motorists are suggested to stay off roadways "unless absolutely necessary."
— Will Hofmann
HELENE IN NORTH CAROLINA:North Carolina town bands together after Helene wreaked havoc: 'That's what we do'
Helene death toll likely to rise in North Carolina
Reports came Sunday that 30 people had died in Buncombe County, and another five had died in Henderson County. But those early numbers are likely to rise as the full scope of the tragedy becomes clearer.
"Without more phone and internet access, we cannot share those names without being absolutely certain that we have given their loved ones this information," Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller said. "Our hearts are broken with this news and we ask that folks give our community the space and time to grieve this incredible loss."
Read more about the relief efforts underway in this story from Keith Sharon, Jacob Biba, Will Hofmann, Sarah Honosky and Iris Seaton.
A guide to Asheville shelters, food distribution sites and more
From shelters to school closures, water sources to curfew updates, the Citizen Times has compiled a reference guide of where to find essentials and other information in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene. You can find that here.
Western NC school, college closures
Though information on school closures in Western North Carolina is still sparse, several schools and universities have now issued alerts in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene.
Iris Seaton highlights what we know about school closures so far in this story.
Asheville Dream Center sets up distribution site
Asheville Dream Center brought aid to the Asheville Mall on Sept. 29, likely becoming the first mass aid distribution site for necessities in the city. The nonprofit is the local arm of the nonprofit national Dream Center outreach ministry. The nonprofit Global Empowerment Mission was the first to respond to their call to distribute aid in the city, Asheville Dream Center Executive Director Michelle Coleman said.
The Asheville Dream Center is doing rolling updates on aid distribution sites on social media, Coleman told the Citizen Times. She encouraged all interested residents to reach out on social media or check for live updates.
On its Instagram, the organization indicated that it would be back again with aid from Global Empowerment Mission at the Asheville Mall off of South Tunnel Road distributing food and water at 12:30 p.m. Sept. 30. They've asked for volunteers to meet them there at 11:30 a.m.
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