NEWLAND — Avery County Government continues to provide regular update on the status of the response by the county and agencies to the ongoing relief for those affected by Hurricane Helene two weeks ago.
Avery County remains in a State of Emergency, with a curfew in effect from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily until further notice. The Avery County Courthouse is open, as is the county health department. Avery County Schools remain closed, while Avery Transportation is operating in a limited capacity and the Department of Social Services is currently operating from the Morrison Library.
According to Avery County Government, a total of four fatalities have been confirmed, with 58 injuries. A total of three people are confirmed as missing persons, while two official shelters are housing a combined 236 residents. Shelter can be found at the Avery Parks and Recreation Rock Gym, located at 185 Shady Street in Newland. The shelter at Best Western Mountain Lodge in Banner Elk is full as of 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10.
The county reports that 4,712 residents are still without power.
North Carolina elected officials passed Hurricane Helene relief legislation on Wednesday, Oct. 9, which was signed by Governor Roy Cooper less than 24 hours later. The package, totaling $273 million, is described by state leaders as a “first step” in their response to the disaster. Cooper signed House Bill 149, which both the state Senate and House approved unanimously Wednesday afternoon, on Thursday morning.
“Recovery for Western North Carolina will require unprecedented help from state and federal sources and this legislation is a strong first step," Cooper stated. "Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic damage but also showed the resiliency of North Carolina’s people and its communities and we must continue the bipartisan work to help them build back strong.”
“I’m proud of today's bipartisan vote on the 'Disaster Recovery Act of 2024' legislation to provide much-needed relief to the victims of recent hurricanes. This bill ensures immediate financial aid and resources to help families rebuild their homes, businesses, and communities," said NC House Speaker Tim Moore in a statement. "This legislation is merely a first step, and we intend to do even more for Western North Carolina in the near future. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the people who have been impacted by Hurricane Helene, and we remain committed to helping western NC rebuild.”
The vast majority of the appropriated funds will serve as a state match to qualify for FEMA federal disaster programs. The federal government has pledged 100% reimbursement for six months following the disaster.
Another $16 million will help back pay salaries for nutrition staff whose schools have been closed in the storm’s aftermath. And the bill grants impacted schools more flexibility to adjust their calendars and add remote teaching as needed.
The legislation also seeks to address challenges involved in conducting the fall election in storm-damaged counties by loosening some voting rules and allotting an extra $5 million to the State Board of Elections.
With emergency relief efforts still under way in Western North Carolina with long recovery efforts to come, the new law is the first of several potential measures that state leaders will enact. Lawmakers are expected to consider additional relief and recovery legislation when they return to Raleigh on October 24.
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