LIVE UPDATES, Oct. 4: Outages could be through Sunday; McDowell Co. confirms 1st fatality
LIVE UPDATES, Oct. 4: Outages could be through Sunday; McDowell Co. confirms 1st fatality
    Posted on 10/05/2024
It has now been a week since Hurricane Helene ripped through Western North Carolina with torrential rain and hurricane-force winds, causing fatalities, power outages and a path of destruction.

6:05 P.M. - Henderson County amends curfew times; update on schools reopening

In an update posted on social media, the Henderson County government says the county remains in a State of Emergency but the curfew has been amended to 10 p.m. -7 a.m.

Read the full post:

Henderson County Schools provided an update on when schools may reopen. A social media post said schools will remain closed for students Oct. 7-11, with the goal of reopening the week of Oct.14.

Read the full post:

4 P.M. Buncombe County gives afternoon Helene recovery update

Buncombe County officials give an update on the recovery efforts from Helene in an afternoon press conference.

Mission Hospital officials said it has a steady source of potable water and has power. Greg Lowe said all emergency departments are open and that the hospital is there to serve the community.

A VA official said the VA's power is currently coming from an emergency generator and emergency power. Most of the appointments for routine care have been canceled.

1:15 P.M. - Gov. Cooper in Canton

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper visited Canton on Oct. 4 and gave remarks after seeing the devastation caused by Helene.

11:30 A.M. - Transylvania County Schools to have students return on Oct. 14

Transylvania County Schools told News 13 schools will be closed next week with optional workdays on Oct. 10 and Oct. 11.

A news release said extracurricular and athletics may resume on Oct. 10. Students will be returning to school on Oct. 14.

These are the latest updates on the recovery efforts for Oct. 4, a week after the storm hit on Sept. 26-27.

10 A.M. - Buncombe County gives morning briefing: Power outages could be through Sunday

Buncombe County officials gave an Oct. 4 morning briefing, and joining them was Bill Norton with Duke Energy to provide an update on the power outages.

While Norton had said previously that a majority of customers should have power restored by today, he said in the briefing that most should now be restored on Sunday.

As of 10 a.m. Friday, Norton said there are still 170,000 customers without power. He said some could also see power restored next week.

"We will not stop until the power is back on for everyone," Norton said.

8:45 A.M. - Pardee reports its Cancer Center is resuming normal operations

UNC Health Pardee announced in an Oct. 4 news release that its emergency department is open and also that its Cancer Center will resume normal operations today.

OPENINGS TODAY, OCT. 4:

Carolina Lung and Sleep at Pardee (CLASP)

Outpatient Radiology / Breast Imaging

Pardee BlueMD - 1027 Fleming St., Hendersonville (9 am - 4 pm)

Pardee BlueMD - 1409 Asheville Hwy., Brevard (9 am - 4 pm)

Pardee BlueMD - 1824 Pisgah Dr., Laurel Park (9 am - 4 pm)

Pardee BlueMD - 2695 Hendersonville Rd., Suite 200, Arden (9 am - 4 pm)

Pardee BlueMD - 2775 Hendersonville Rd., Arden (9 am - 4 pm)

Pardee BlueMD - 611 5th Ave. West, Hendersonville (9 am - 4 pm)

Pardee BlueMD - 6503 Brevard Rd., Etowah (10 am - 4 pm)

Pardee Cancer Center

Pardee Cardiology Associates, Brevard

Pardee Cardiology Associates, Hendersonville

Pardee Center for Infectious Disease

Pardee Comprehensive Wound Healing Center

Pardee Home Health

Pardee Neurology Associates, Arden (9 am - 4 pm)

Pardee Neurology Associates, Brevard (9 am - 4 pm)

Pardee Neurology Associates, Hendersonville (9 am - 4pm)

Pardee OB/GYN Associates - 617 6th Ave. West

Pardee Pain Center

Pardee Physical Therapy, Brevard

Pardee Physical Therapy, Hendersonville (Thompson St.)

Pardee Rx - Fleming

Pardee Surgical Associates, Hendersonville

Pardee Urgent Care, Brevard

Pardee Urgent Care, Fletcher

Pardee Urgent Care, Hendersonville

Pardee Urgent Care, Mills River

Pardee Urological Associates

Pardee @Work, Thompson St.

PATHS at Pardee

Southeastern Sports Medicine and Orthopedics - Asheville Hwy., Thompson St., Waynesville

Vascular Surgery at Pardee

CLOSINGS / CANCELLATIONS:

Mammo on the Go in Brevard is canceled.

Pardee BlueMD practices not listed above are closed.

Pardee specialty practices not listed above are closed.

Pardee Physical Therapy locations not listed above are closed.

8:15 A.M. - McDowell County reports first fatality from Helene

On Oct. 4, McDowell County government reported the county's first fatality from Helene.

According to a news release, county officials confirmed the first fatality related to Helene.

"While search and rescue efforts are ongoing, one individual has tragically lost their life due to the storm's impact," the release said. "The identity of the deceased is being withheld out of respect for the family, who has been notified."

The release said escue teams continue to "work tirelessly, searching for missing individuals and providing aid."

The Helene Hotline remains open for reporting missing persons or requesting assistance. Anyone concerned about missing loved ones or in need of help is urged to contact the hotline at 828-652-3241.

"Residents are strongly encouraged to exercise caution and avoid traveling through areas affected by flood damage. Emergency services are actively working to ensure the safety of the community," the release said. "As of Friday morning, over 600 emergency personnel, supported by hundreds of volunteers, remain on the ground conducting search and rescue operations, delivering essential supplies and providing shelter to evacuees.

8 A.M. - AdventHealth Hendersonville: Elective surgeries postponed

AdventHealth Hendersonville said in an Oct. 4 news release that it is offering emergency and inpatient care, including ICU, behavioral health, lab and imaging services. Elective surgeries have been postponed to prioritize urgent care needs.

It also provided these updates:

The Baby Place at AdventHealth: It has remained open throughout the storm, ready to support expectant mothers. Expecting mothers who are 35 weeks or further along and not considered high risk can bring their prenatal care records or have them faxed to The Baby Place at 828-681-2749. For questions, call The Baby Place at 828-681-2260.

Outpatient Services: Primary and specialty care are available at AdventHealth Medical Group offices on Doctors Drive and Hospital Drive in Hendersonville and at its locations in South Asheville, Forge Mountain, Candler and East Asheville at the Parkway office. Providers will once again hold a Walk-In Clinic for Primary Care on Friday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Medical Office Building at 50 Hospital Drive, Hendersonville. The AdventHealth Pediatrics office in the MOB will be open until 3 p.m. today.

Support for Team Members: In this past week, at least 18 of Advent's team members lost their homes, and others have significant damage and losses. But many are still coming to work to ensure the safety and care of their patients. AdventHealth continues to provide food, shelter and other support to all our team members. We want to thank the community for their generosity through donations to our team.

Community Resources: AdventHealth is offering information on physician clinics, community resources, and other support for those impacted by the hurricane. For more details, visit AdventHealthWNC.com or follow AdventHealth on social media.

7:30 A.M. - Stores in Weaverville starting to open back up

A caller let News 13 know that several stores in Weaverville have opened back up.

The caller said all of these stores are open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. today: Walmart (25 Northridge Commons Parkway), Ingles (140 Weaver Blvd.) and Publix (165 Weaver Blvd.).

2 A.M. - Yancey County Sheriff's Office updates death toll

According to a social media post, Yancey County Sheriff's Office said its death toll from the storm currently stands at eight.

"While the search and rescue efforts are continuing, the Sheriff’s Office has worked with our partners at the State and Federal level to preserve life and honor those who have passed," the post said. "While final numbers are still pending, the current official death toll from the storm stands at eight storm-related death recoveries as well as one death from circumstances that the medical examiner believes to be natural causes. As we reflect on what we have lost and mourn with those who mourn, we remain incredibly thankful for the privilege of serving the people of our mountain home."

MIDNIGHT - French Broad Electric: Bakersville power restored

French Broad Electric reported on social media overnight that power was restored at midnight to the town of Bakersville.

"There is still so much damage left to repair in many parts of our system, but we are making our outage list smaller everyday," the post said.

The post went on to say, "The folks in Bakersville have been so patient and supportive just like many other communities we serve. It feels really good to know we could get power back to some of them tonight."
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