ASHEVILLE - There have been "multiple" fatalities in Buncombe County as a result of Tropical Storm Helene, officials confirmed at a Sept. 28, 4 p.m. briefing, but did not provide an estimated count of those who have died.
"It is a catastrophic event, but now we are sad to report, it is a fatal event," Winston Parrish, senior pastor at Trinity Baptist Church, said of Helene during the briefing. He is also the chaplain for Buncombe County Sheriff's Department.
"Our emergency crews are not just conducting rescues at this time, but they are also recovering people who have perished in this tragedy. We know that this is just the beginning of what has been, and will continue to be, an awful and devastating natural disaster."
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He said they could not confirm the identities of those individuals at this time and are still waiting to communicate with next of kin.
"We can confirm this: They are our friends, they are our neighbors and they are our loved ones," Parrish said. "And no doubt for all of us this is a sad moment for us too. Just taking a deep breath and realizing not only is there infrastructure that has been lost, but now there are lives that have been lost here in Buncombe County."
Buncombe County Emergency Services Assistant Director Ryan Cole said the sheriff's department is working to compile a count of fatalities, "and as we move forward we will try to have that information for the briefing from the sheriff's department."
"You've heard us say catastrophic devastation within our county. It would go a little bit further and say we have biblical devastation through the county, we've had biblical flooding here and it has been extremely significant," Cole said.
More than 72 hours into the disaster, as County Manager Avril Pinder put it, "this is looking to be Buncombe County's own Hurrican Katrina."
Devastating, historic flooding continues Sept. 28 across the French Broad and Swannanoa River Valleys following six to 22 inches of rainfall, the National Weather Service said in a 1:49 p.m. update. Floodwaters will leave behind "tragic scars," the post said, revealing the extent of the resultant damage.
Rainfall resulted from both Helene, which made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane Sept. 26, and rain events that preceded the storm, resulting in 4 to 8 inches.
In areas of Asheville, whole roads have been ripped away, asphalt and concrete split and scattered. Buildings are destroyed and flooded, swept with mud and debris. Cars were abandoned in the streets. Roadways and entire portions of the city are underwater.
Off Tunnel Road, on the Wood Avenue bridge, cargo containers were strewn like building blocks.
New form to report missing people
The Register of Deeds has developed a web-based form to assist people in finding and connecting with residents of Buncombe County, officials said in both the briefing and a news release directly following it.
Anyone inside or outside of Buncombe County can use this to report someone who might be missing or who cannot be reached.
The Family Assistance Form can be found at https://bit.ly/3BjnVWq . You can also call 828-820-2761.
All information submitted will be reviewed by the Buncombe Search Team. This team will create and maintain a list of people who are currently unreachable and work with Buncombe County Emergency Operations Center to find information about their person.
“We are committed to working tirelessly to connect people with their loved ones,” said Drew Reisinger, Buncombe County Register of Deeds, in the release.
Where can you find shelter?
Buncombe County Public Health Preparedness Officer Nathan Greene said the county is opening two additional shelters at the A-B Technical Community College’s Asheville campus, offering a place to stay for individuals who were displaced by Tropical Storm Helene.
The overnight emergency shelter for the general population is at the A-B Tech conference center at 16 Fernihurst Drive. Greene said individuals should use the Victoria Road entrance. It has just opened, with about 70 people transferred over. It can hold 300-500 people.
The medical emergency center, for those with medical equipment requiring power, is at 10 Genevieve Circle. There are about 30 people there now, Greene said.
Greene said those coming to the shelter are welcome to bring children’s toys, clothing, diapers, toys, prescriptions and comfort items like towels and blankets.
The shelter at the WNC Agricultural Center is at capacity, Greene said, at about 400 people. However, people with pets who need shelter are to go to the Agricultural Center, where they will be accommodated as possible.
Harrah’s Cherokee Center in downtown is no longer a shelter nor a water distribution center, according to the Asheville Police Department’s Facebook page.
Will the county distribute food and water?
The county is working to open water distribution sites and will announce the sites when they get water and are open, Pinder said. None are open yet, as of 4 p.m., Sept. 28.
“We expect to have that up and running by tomorrow,” Pinder said. “We continue to be without water, for most, without power and without cell service.”
Cole said Highway Patrol is trying to escort “needed supplies” and resources into the area.
Interstate 26 is open to South Carolina, he said.
“With that we are able to utilize that for resources to be able to get those in. All other access points, from I-40, going over Old Fort mountain; I-40 through the gorge; and I-26 going to Tennessee will remain closed for an extended period of time due to the damage.”
Cole said there are “several tractor trailer loads” of resources, including food and water, requested to come into the area.
With only one access point, Cole urged people not drive unless they have to.
"Please stay at home so that we can get these resources in," he said.
“Once we receive those we will coordinate with the city of Asheville in setting up locations for distribution. We will have points of distribution for food and water in Buncombe County, the city of Asheville and surrounding communities."
He said the amount that can be given out to each family will likely be “minimal.”
When will water be restored?
Preliminary assessments of the Asheville water system revealed that the storm had caused severe damage, said Assistant City Manager Ben Woody. “This means that extensive repairs are required to restore our water system.”
Government and private sector partners have been engaged. Assessment is ongoing and will continue as flood waters recede, he said.
He reminded people that a boil water advisory is in place, meaning: boil water vigorously for at least one minute before using as drinking water.
This is a “generational weather event,” Woody said. “Although providing an accurate timeline is impossible, I want to be clear that service restoration will be an extended effort.”
Evan Gerike contributed to this report.
This story will be updated.
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Sarah Honosky is the city government reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. News Tips? Email shonosky@citizentimes.com or message on Twitter at @slhonosky. Please support local, daily journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
(This story was updated to add a video.)
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville, NC flooding: Multiple fatalities reported in Buncombe County, officials say; 'Biblical devastation'
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