Note: Updates are being provided every evening at 7 PM on the Mount Mitchell repeater at a frequency of 145.190 MHz.
Hurricane Helene has caused widespread devastation across several states, with the most severe impacts felt in western North Carolina, particularly in Buncombe County. The region saw catastrophic flooding as the French Broad River overflowed, submerging entire communities. In Asheville and surrounding towns, floodwaters rose to unprecedented levels, leading to at least 40 confirmed fatalities and many more people stranded. Roads throughout the area remain impassable, making it difficult for rescue and recovery teams to reach affected areas. While some water levels have begun to recede, ongoing rainfall threatens further flooding.
Power, Cell, and Internet Services: Power outages continue to affect over 300,000 residents across North Carolina, with the majority of the outages concentrated in the western counties like Buncombe, Haywood, and Henderson. Utility crews are working around the clock, but restoring power to remote and hard-hit areas may take several more days. In Asheville, power has been restored to about 20% of the city, but many outlying areas remain without electricity. Governor Roy Cooper stated that significant progress is expected over the next 48 hours, particularly in urban centers. Cellular and internet services are gradually being restored, but some remote areas will likely be without these services for several days as towers and infrastructure have been damaged. Emergency crews are prioritizing hospitals, shelters, and communication hubs in their efforts.
Current Relief and Aid Efforts: FEMA has ramped up its efforts, with over 100,000 applications for assistance processed across the state. Federal aid continues to arrive, and FEMA has already allocated over $2 million in relief to North Carolina residents. Temporary shelters have been established in areas such as the Fletcher Agricultural Center, housing more than 300 evacuees. Local authorities have also repurposed schools and community centers to accommodate displaced individuals. The North Carolina National Guard has been deployed to assist in rescue and supply distribution operations, using high-water vehicles to reach isolated communities.
Volunteers and non-governmental organizations are playing a critical role in recovery. The American Red Cross and local organizations are distributing water, food, and hygiene kits to affected residents, with particular focus on elderly and disabled populations who remain stranded. Volunteers have been deployed to help with debris removal and to support emergency services.
Challenges and Ongoing Efforts: While aid is flowing in, distribution has been hampered by the damaged infrastructure. Roads leading into the hardest-hit areas, including portions of Interstate 40, remain flooded or blocked by debris. Airlifts have been the only means to deliver supplies to certain isolated communities, particularly in the Black Mountain and Swannanoa regions. Crews are working to clear major highways and repair bridges that were damaged by the flooding.
The National Guard has also been deployed to assist in evacuations and rescue efforts in some of the more remote parts of Haywood County, where residents were trapped by landslides and floodwaters. Helicopters have been used to evacuate individuals from isolated communities that remain unreachable by ground transportation.
Federal and State Response: The White House has approved additional disaster relief funding for North Carolina, and FEMA continues to work closely with state and local agencies to expedite the recovery process. President Joe Biden assured Governor Cooper that federal resources will remain in place for as long as necessary. National Guard units from neighboring states have also been deployed to assist in the endeavors. Volunteers from across the country are arriving to support recovery efforts, bringing essential supplies and equipment.
In addition to federal aid, several private companies are offering assistance. Local internet providers are working with the state to restore service by bringing in temporary mobile towers and equipment. Utility companies have also dispatched additional crews from surrounding states to assist with the power restoration process.
The coming days are critical for ongoing recovery efforts, as officials continue to monitor weather patterns and assess additional risks of flooding.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is based on the latest available reports and is intended for informational purposes only. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, circumstances may change rapidly, and details regarding Hurricane Helene’s impact and recovery efforts may evolve. For real-time updates and official announcements, please refer to local authorities and emergency management agencies. Updates are being provided every evening at 7 PM on the Mount Mitchell repeater at a frequency of 145.190 MHz.
