Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc in North Carolina, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. As of Wednesday, the death toll from the storm stands at 96, with 21 people still missing. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported fatalities across 21 counties, with Buncombe being the hardest hit, recording 42 deaths, followed by Yancey and Henderson at 11 and 7, respectively.
Governor Roy Cooper announced the formation of a task force to locate the missing individuals and coordinate rescue efforts. The number of people unaccounted for is expected to fluctuate as more reports come in and others are resolved. While there were initially 89 individuals missing, that number has now dropped to 21.
The North Carolina Office of Chief Medical Examiner confirmed the fatalities, highlighting the immense impact of the storm on the region. Chief of External Affairs and Communications for North Carolina Emergency Management, Justin J. Graney, mentioned that extensive search operations, including grid searches and damaged structure searches, are ongoing to locate missing persons.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, communities in Western North Carolina have rallied together to support each other and begin the long road to recovery. Governor Cooper signed a relief package of $273 million to address the immediate needs of those affected by the storm. The funds will also be used to meet the federal government’s match for disaster assistance programs, support public-school nutrition employees, and aid in election administration in the state.
The resilience and solidarity displayed by North Carolinians in the face of this catastrophic disaster are truly commendable. The state remains committed to supporting the affected regions and individuals as they rebuild and recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.
