Rescue crews and volunteers facing obstacles at every turn in North Carolina’s remote mountains paddled canoes across swollen rivers and steered horses past mudslides in the rush to reach those stranded or missing by Hurricane Helene’s rampage that killed more than 200 throughout the Southeast.
Now a week since the storm first roared onto Florida’s Gulf Coast, the search continued for people who have yet to be heard from in places where phone service and electricity were knocked out. Pleas for help came from people running low on medicine or in need of fuel for their generators.
How many people are missing or unaccounted for isn’t clear. The death toll soared to 215 people on Thursday as more victims were found, making Helene the deadliest hurricane to hit the mainland U.S. since Katrina in 2005. Roughly half the victims were in North Carolina, while dozens more were killed in South Carolina and Georgia.
Along the Cane River in western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, rescuers from the Pensacola Volunteer Fire Department were cutting their way through trees at the top of a valley nearly a week after a wall of chocolate-milk colored water swept through for hours.
Pensacola, which sits a few miles from Mount Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi River, lost an untold number of people, said Mark Harrison, chief medical officer for the department.
“We’re starting to do recovery,” he said Thursday. “We’ve got the most critical people out.”
Harrison was helping dispatch volunteers driving all-terrain vehicles on supply runs to people still on ridgetops. Many don’t want to leave their houses, while others lost their vehicles and need help getting to town.
Bradley Billheimer, who hiked down to the fire station to access the internet, said he just talked to his mom for the first time since the storm. He feared his house will be without power for months.
“I think we’re going to walk out in a couple of days,” he said.
In another county that sits alongside the Tennessee state line, crews were just finishing clearing main routes and reaching side roads that wind through switchbacks and cross small bridges that can be tricky to navigate even in the best weather. Each road presented a new challenge.
“Everything is fine and then they come around a bend and the road is gone and it’s one big gully or the bridge is gone.” said Charlie Wallin, a commissioner in Watauga County. “We can only get so far.”
Most people the crews come across turn out to be fine and just in need of water, but every day there are new requests to check on someone who hasn’t been heard from yet, Wallin said. When the search will end is hard to tell, he said.
“You hope you’re getting closer, but it’s still hard to know,” he said.
A week into the search and rescue operations in Buncombe County, which includes the hard-hit tourist city of Asheville and where more than 72 have been killed, the county doesn’t have an official tally of people who are unaccounted for or missing.
The county sheriff said his office believes more than 200 people are missing, although other officials said the number is constantly changing when crews make contact with people who hadn’t been accounted for or receive new names of people who may be missing.
“We’re continuing to find people. We know we have pockets of people who are isolated due to landslides and bridges out,” said Avril Pinder, the county manager. “So they are disconnected but not missing.”
Frank Johnson, who owns a company that makes robotic cutting machines in Mars Hill, North Carolina, said he feels like he is running a relief mission on his own. He’s using his own workers, volunteers and supplies and know-how from his company to get water, food, fuel and other supplies to his neighbors.
“I’ve been hearing there are entire neighborhoods gone. I’m still not sure people have the whole grasp of what we’re dealing with,” Johnson said.
Electricity is being slowly restored, as the number of homes and businesses without power dipped below 1 million for the first time since last weekend, according to poweroutage.us. Most of the outages are in the Carolinas and Georgia, where Helene struck after coming into Florida on Sept. 26 as a Category 4 hurricane.
More information: https://www.wcnc.com/
How to help or donate: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/community/red-cross-helene-assistance-donations-9-27-2024/275-e3a7980a-c226-4bc1-851a-4e3274520fe6
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That sounds ridiculous we don't doubt what the weather man says. We prepare. Fear mongering?
Hurricane Helene clearly left a significant impact on western North Carolina. It’s a tough situation for so many. One week after the storm, communities are often still grappling with the aftermath—whether it’s dealing with damage, loss, or supporting one another in recovery. What specific stories or experiences from that week have stood out to you?
Next time read the fine print lady. No, u took advantage of the situation they didn’t want bad publicity. You just wanted ur way now ur bagging bout it in an interview. Nothing wrong with businesses sticking to their policy. Some adults are spoiled brats
Nothing impressive bout what you did. Next to take the loss. Don't act like anything bout ur changed plans due to weather is their fault. U changed YOUR plans, reason Don't matter.
Both of you are crazy!!!!!!
The correct thing was ignored!!!!
FEMA has proved to be a waste of money. Let the US military make a decision from this point forward, minus the puppet, Lloyd Austin.
THIS STORM WAS DESIGNED & CREATED, RESEARCH ( HAARP) & YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THAT THESE STORMS OF DEATH & DESTRUCTION ARE MAN MADE…
THERE'S HAAARP COMPOUNDS ALL OVER AMERICA & THE WORLD !
The pack mules and the men that have been delivering medical & emergency supplies/ food /water to the people whom are stranded and stuck in there homes /places that Atv's ,military vehicles etc. Cant go need more recognition & support … These pack mules are really the heros for being able to travel the obstacles and terrain to the people that have no outside contact with anyone or help due to the devastating destruction and damage , but the pack mules are making it possible to reach the people and places ! LETS SHOW THE PACK MULES AND THEIR OWNERS & OPERATORS SOME APPRECIATION & SUPPORT….
I have a few bus loads of Haitians at the border, that want you to vacate the hotels and motels for them next week in North Carolina, and they want to know, what the dog and cat situation looks like there? What?
Trump. Vote trump ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
This is a really well done video by WCNC, I commend all that are helping and encourage those outside of the area to donate, they need the help. But, I am sick of hearing "By the grace of God…" or "God saved me…". It wasn't God, because there is no God! It was luck; odds and shear luck. That's why you and your family made it and others didn't. Do a search on Sam Harris (no relation to Kamala Harris) he explains it better than I can.
Take note Church this is a spiritual warning😂
The dam management needs more instruction on lowering levels of dam water in a more timely fashion .
This is a story of community working together, and private humanitarian assistance coming together to assist communities in need 🙏🏻🙏🙏🏿🙏🏾
Pete Butigeig has too many failures.
It is OUR RESPONSIBILITY 🛟
Great coverage thank you 😊
Oh brother!! 🤣🤣 I've been hearing this same ohh same oh, for fifteen years now! Headlines read… Historic Storm, first time in history, or jibber jabber WTF is matter¿(⌐■-■)ʕಠ_ಠʔಠ益ಠ same old scripted recipe for disaster!! It's not global warming, but a more sinister plot! To get rid of people by displacing them entirely! 🤔🧐🖕🏼
I live in Western NC in Hendersonville. We were blessed as our RV park made it out unscathed. Some branches down and thats it. The owner has opened the showers to the public. But our neighbors showed their courage and hearts and I just want to say I love you WNC❤❤❤
It is one of the historical disasters that people will never forget, after a week the ruins caused by the storm are still there, the flood level is still high, people are heavily affected, the surrounding environment is devastated, I hope everyone will join hands to overcome the consequences of the storm and soon return to the peaceful life that is inherent.
Yeah, what about the truth and facts about all the lack of response and movement that created the scenario of a lot of people dying without help coming in much, much sooner. USA various brigades and such had the ability to do so, yet the NWO/UN and FEMA withheld giving them the orders/permission to help in the the most critical and immediate time of need!
Yes, I went through Hurricane Sally and people came to help that I didn't know. A lot of them were from South Carolina with the Baptist church. May God bless all those giving of themselves in time of need.
This is the outcome of samesex marriage and transgender approve in the nation ( REPENT) JESUS IS LORD! SHALOM
The world 🌎 needs to turn back to God for safety and prayers 🙏
Eww! This is the “you will own nothing and be happy” completely decimating your ownership. Vote wisely. ❤️🇬🇧
Biden and Harris and Obama are worthless and doing nothing and don't even know what the hell to do about anything!!!¡¡!
when california had devastating wildfires trump said cali should rake its forests better and everyone laughed.
think i'm lying?
let's talk about katrina. "ya'll" had a hell of a time laughing about a city built below sea level. you were laughing it up with your dumb bar talk.
lie now. doesn't matter. everything comes around eventually.
THAT'S YOUR GOVERNMENT LIBRALS AND DEMOCRATS, WHY DON'T YOU HELP THESE POOR PEOPLE, INSTEAD OF SENDING MONEY TO ISRAEL AND UKRAINE, THESE PEOPLE NEED HELP BADLY, REMEMBER WHO TO VOTE FOR, AND IT'S NOT THE DEMOCRATS, CAUSE THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT ANYONE BUT THEM SELF
There is nothing Natural about any of this . This is being done by design .And they are blaming the climate or god this was man made I believe CLOUD SEEDING GEO ENGINERRING they did this many times in the Vitnam war. they used it to flood there rice farms and jungle.. People better start waking up to this . LOOK IT UP they want you scared to control you remember you will own nothing and be happy. THIS WAS NOT DONE BY MOTHER NATURE
Wheres joe ? On a beach , wheres harris ? doing a sex podcast or in Ca for a fundraiser ! Then they come for a photo op …BS The only " support " these people are going to get is from each other . The gov't isn't going to DO anything but support ILLEGALS !! Help from fema ?? 750.00 isn't going to do SQUATE
🤓
Ppl are always trying to sue someone
Geoengineering
I’m glad you got your money back and still told your story on the news. It’s too bad you didn’t provide his name. They should have SHAME brought upon them!
It doesn’t come with home owners would be my guess unless you’re in a flood zone.
I’m glad the family was able to arrive from Alabama and save the 93 old Grandpa.
It’s amazing the hope a single Warm meal can bring back to a person.
God was with u all
God is good
Amen
“But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his Lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his Lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.”
Matthew 10:17-42
If you have God you have all you need
It's so sad that our own government didn't help.. Biden, Kamala Harris, Fema..This is what we know as COMMUNISM by Kamala.. Americans are suffering from the Hurricane Helene Tragedy.. It saddens me for all of the people. My heart hurts for you, I am praying to our Lord Jesus Christ to bring peace, and comfort to you..May God bless you. AMEN..
My heart continues to go out to these fine people. God Bless you all!🙏💕I'm in Tennessee. Not too far from those affected in TN. This is so sad for all. May you find the strength to go on. Just put God in your hearts and leave it to him. I promise, you will get through this in time. Time heals🙏
IDK seems kind of petty to insist on getting a refund from someone that probably just lost everything. She should have gotten the insurance for $15 that would have covered this situation. If the property owner would have offered me half, I would have taken it and considered the balance as my contribution towards helping the victims.