South Raleigh News

Today, Governor Roy Cooper visited Burnsville in Yancey County and Spruce Pine in Mitchell County to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. He was accompanied by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, Federal Highway Administration Acting Administrator Kristin White, and other officials. The visit included stops at local fire departments and the Sibelco Quartz Mine in Spruce Pine, a key facility for solar panel and semiconductor chip production that is currently shut down due to storm impacts.

Governor Cooper expressed gratitude for the efforts of volunteers and first responders. “Today I visited Burnsville and Spruce Pine where more heroic work is being done by volunteers and first responders to save lives and get relief to people who need it,” he said. He also emphasized ongoing efforts to provide resources to Western North Carolina communities.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has been active in delivering essential supplies, distributing over 30,000 gallons of water to Mitchell County and nearly 25,000 gallons to Yancey County. Additionally, more than 95,000 meals ready to eat have been distributed across these areas.

More than 3,000 Soldiers and Airmen are involved in relief operations in Western North Carolina. Joint Task Force-North Carolina includes personnel from multiple states and military units working together with civilian entities. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is assisting with assessments of water infrastructure.

FEMA has provided over $37 million in Individual Assistance funds to disaster survivors in Western NC. More than 123,000 people have registered for assistance, with approximately 2,600 individuals housed through FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance program.

Efforts from other states include over 1,300 responders from various agencies performing missions under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). Public health nurses, emergency management teams, veterinarians, and search dog teams are among those providing support.

North Carolina Emergency Management warns against misinformation regarding Hurricane Helene on social media. They have launched a webpage dedicated to distinguishing facts from rumors.

As recovery continues, food distribution points remain operational throughout affected communities. Over 20,000 hot meals are being served daily by mobile kitchens.

In terms of power outages, more than 107,000 customers remain without electricity as repair efforts proceed. Road conditions remain hazardous with numerous closures affecting primary routes across the region.

Eighty-nine storm-related fatalities have been confirmed by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner. The number may rise as assessments continue.

Residents seeking assistance or information can contact various helplines or visit relevant websites for guidance on available resources.