Governor Cooper gives update on Hurricane Helene recovery progress in Western N.C.
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Days after Hurricane Helene touched down in North Carolina, resources continue to pour into the western part of the state.
Governor Cooper released on Saturday the latest numbers and progress made in Western North Carolina:
More than 1,500 North Carolina National Guard personnel are in Western NC with the support of soldiers from the 18th Airborne Corps headquartered at Fort Liberty. Those soldiers are helping to clear roads and with county emergency managers in distributing commodities. They are also assisting with search and rescue, and air traffic control.
A total of 53 search and rescue teams from North Carolina and beyond, consisting of more than 1600 personnel, are conducting search and rescue operations. The teams have interacted with over 5400 people, including assists, evacuations and rescues.
According to the Chief Medical Examiner, sixty-eight storm-related deaths have been confirmed in North Carolina. Officials say they do expect that this number will continue to rise over the coming days. The North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will continue to confirm numbers twice daily.
Mecklenburg County eligible for FEMA disaster assistance
"Resources from around the nation are at work helping Western North Carolina's storm response and recovery," said Governor Roy Cooper. "We are grateful for assistance that's supporting the thousands of our North Carolina responders."
More than 97,000 hot meals were prepared and served by mobile kitchens and another 25,000 are expected to be served as of Saturday.
More than $27 million in FEMA Assistance funds have been paid so far to Western NC disaster survivors and more than 83,000 people have registered for Individual Assistance. Nearly 1,400 people are now housed in hotels through FEMA's Transitional Sheltering Assistance. More than 755 FEMA personnel are on the ground assisting in the western North Carolina relief effort.
Buncombe County has by far most NC deaths from Helene
Governor Cooper issued an executive order that increases the capacity of the healthcare workforce to respond to Helene, making it easier for healthcare professionals licensed in other states, recent retirees, and others with the necessary skills to assist with North Carolina's response and recovery. In addition, the order authorizes the State Health Director to issue standing orders for emergency medications and authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to modify or waive fees for the replacement of vital records.
Additionally, across Western North Carolina, approximately 173,000 customers still remain without power. Power has been restored to more than 800,000 customers.
