Carter County officials provide updates following flooding

ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (WJHL)—Carter County is among many counties throughout the region recovering from Hurricane Helene's effects. Much of the damage is seen in the county's infrastructure.

"We have bridges out," said Mike Fraley, Sheriff for Carter County. "We have roads that are completely washed away. We have a couple of communities that are cut off from the world right now."

Sheriff: No confirmed deaths in Carter County, two missing

During a press conference hosted on Sunday, Sheriff Fraley said Carter County has no confirmed fatalities and is working 12 active missing person cases. As they continue to work on those cases, officials urge the public only to call 9-1-1 for emergencies.

"Please do not contact 911 for welfare checks or to avoid being unable to contact loved ones," said Chief of Police Jason Shaw.

The non-emergency number is 423-542-5421.

Terry Arnold, Carter County Emergency and Rescue Squad director, said that efforts will continue across the county.

"We still have two teams out in Roan Mountain," said Arnold. "But we've cleared everything so far. [Monday] we will do the river searches and stuff like that, boots on the ground."

Fraley said the county has been battling issues with cell service since Friday but is looking to solve that problem soon.

"We're actively working right now to get some portable towers put up," Fraley said. "To hopefully get some form of phone coverage so people can communicate with one another."

As of now, the City of Elizabethton is on a boil water notice. Chief Shaw encourages those with access to water and power to take advantage of it.

"The folks who are lucky to have both running water and electricity, please boil your water," said Shaw. "Use your water for drinking, save the bottled water for the folks in our community that lack [because] there's a whole lot of folks that lack both electric and water, and it's going to be a long time before those services are restored."

The county has not implemented a curfew, but Fraley urges residents to avoid travel when possible.

"I will tell people and publically say," said Fraley. "If you don't need to be in a community, stay out of it."

Fraley said any donations can be dropped off at the Parks and Rec Center at 300 West Mill Street in Elizabethton. The public is asked to limit donations to water, nonperishable food items and baby supplies

Shaw added that Elizabethton City Schools will be closed until Wednesday, and Carter County Schools will be closed through the end of the week.