Cleveland County opens shelter, offers updates after Hurricane Helene

A wake of destruction was left behind in the path of Hurricane Helene Saturday, and Cleveland County faced the task of cleaning up and restoring power to thousands of people.

One woman was killed Friday and a man was injured in Kings Mountain from a fallen tree, and people around the county scrambled to find groceries and gas.

Cleveland County Schools announced in an automated message sent to parents Saturday around 3 p.m. that all schools would be closed Monday for students with an optional work day for teachers and staff.

"Cleveland County Schools will continue to monitor road closures and power and will communicate changes as needed," the message said.

In response to the need, the county opened an emergency shelter Friday night at the Cleveland County Health Department located at 200 S. Post Road in Shelby.

As of Saturday morning, 25 people were at the shelter, according to Karyn Owens, county spokeswoman. She said the shelter will remain open as long as people need sheltering, which will largely be driven by the power outages.

People are encouraged to bring all medications, a change of clothes, activities or games for children, diapers,formula for infants, as well as pillows and extra blankets. Each cot will be provided with one wool blanket

The shelter will provide meals; however, residents are encouraged to bring nonperishable snacks for personal use.

According to Duke Energy's website, around 33,000 customers were without power in Cleveland County following the storm with restoration efforts predicted to take several days. The website said most customers should have power restored by midnight on Sunday.

Thursday, the city of Kings Mountain was 100% without power and most residents in Shelby were in the dark.

Kings Mountain Mayor Rob Wagman declared a state of emergency Saturday and and according to a release posted on the city's Facebook page, the city will enforce a curfew between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. with some exceptions for purposes of public health, safety and welfare. The curfew went into effect immediately.

The release went on to say that "city personnel were authorized to establish emergency shelters and to expend necessary city funds to provide temporary congregate care for the city of Kings Mountain citizens."

Shelby residents could expect to have power restored by Tuesday.

City Councilwoman Violet Arth posted on Facebook that she had received an update from City Manager Rick Howell that said one of four substations was working Saturday afternoon. She said according to Duke Power, the Grover Street substation will be restored next.

Arth said there have been between 50 and 75 power poles broken with an unknown number of trees down on lines. She said broken trees have to be removed from fallen lines before grids can be turned back on.

By the end of the day Saturday, she said 90% of streets should have at least one lane passable and most people should have power by Tuesday.

Arth encouraged people to check on and help out their neighbors.

All city parks and facilities are closed to the public until further notice.

Reach reporter Rebecca Sitzes at rsitzes@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: Cleveland County opens shelter, offers updates after Hurricane Helene