Latest information on Helene's recovery and death toll

(This article is being updated. Read our previous coverage here.)

It’s been a week since Tropical Storm Helene moved through North Carolina, bringing heavy rains to already flooded areas. The storm left devastated communities, impassable roads and 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.

By Friday, more communities began transitioning from emergency relief to recovery, but many local and state officials cautioned them, saying a return to normality would take weeks, not days, as the full extent of Helene’s devastation was not expected to be known for some time will be.

Check back for live updates arriving throughout the day on Friday.

The death toll in western North Carolina rose to at least 108 people on Thursday. Officials said the number could rise further 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 circulated on social media claiming 200 people had died in the county seat of Newland.

And in a report from Henderson County on Thursday, 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:

Yancey: Nine
Cleveland: Two
Watauga: Two
Burke: One
Catawba: One
Gaston: One
Macon: One
Madison: One
Mecklenburg: One
Polk: One
Rutherford: One
Yadkin: One

— Employee 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 listing for the entire WNC to support this effort. Find it here.

Buncombe County: Important updates you should know

FEMA is on site. The best incident management team in the country is here from New York City. Power is slowly coming back and resources are being distributed more widely, but WNC is still in crisis and the extent of the damage is still being assessed.

Recovery briefings are broadcast daily at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on 88.1 FM and on the Buncombe County Facebook page.

For daily updated city information, click here. For current information about the district, click here.

Find the missing thing

During Thursday afternoon’s briefing, officials estimated that more than 200 people remain missing in Buncombe County. If you are missing a family member or friend, fill out this form to notify Buncombe Co. officials.

Other organizations also work on missing person inquiries: The United Way conducts welfare checks and active searches. Please use this form to join United Way’s reunification program. The Red Cross has helpful tips for contacting you and if you are looking for someone you haven’t found, you can use this form. People can also request health checks by texting “person” to 40403. This goes to NC 211 and the SMS recipient receives a link to a form.

URGENT CARE SERVICES

Mercy Urgent Care has walk-in locations open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the following addresses:

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 9 a.m. to 6 p.m

Please note that these facilities treat non-life-threatening illnesses. For emergencies, dial 911.

Garbage and recycling

Residents can take their trash to the county landfill, 85 Panther Branch Road in Alexander. Wastepro is expected to announce Friday pickup on Thursday. Also on Thursday, Wastepro will set up three trash drop-off points. Storm debris will not be collected. Here are the pages:

English @ 2901 Hendersonville Road in Fletcher

English @ 1865 1865 Hendersonville Road in Asheville

English @ 225 Charlotte Highway in Asheville

Disaster unemployment benefits available

Individuals in Buncombe County who are unemployed as a direct result of Hurricane Helene may be eligible for unemployment benefits. Business owners and self-employed people affected by the storm may also be entitled to benefits.

Starting October 1, people have 60 days to submit a DUA application at des.nc.gov. The application deadline is December 2, 2024. If you are unable to submit your application through the website, you can call the DUA hotline at 919-629-3857.
To receive DUA benefits, all required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the date the DUA application is submitted. DES works with individuals who cannot provide all documentation to ensure their unemployment benefits are not delayed.

— Employee reports

Latest information on Helene’s recovery and death toll

ByJasper

Hot Meals for Hurricane Survivors: A Comprehensive Guide is now available

Buncombe County: Important updates you should know

By Jasper

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