<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1iz8Mu_0wB0Nvqb00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1iz8Mu_0wB0Nvqb00" width="1320" height="743" >MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — McDowell County confirmed to News 13 that there was a second death as a result of Helene.The county emergency management staff also said they are searching for one person still missing after the storm. It's the final stretch after their missing person list topped 1,500 at the height of search and rescue operations.Emergency officials are now focusing on supporting residents on a long road to recovery. The emergency operations center housed services like law enforcement, transit, public works and animal services.Will Kehler, McDowell County Emergency Services Director, said the county also partnered closely with volunteer organizations.“At the height of our storm response, we had 16 different points of distribution open across McDowell County to ensure that we were services in all of our isolated areas," Kehler said. "We continue running points of distribution where citizens can get basic commodities and other essential supplies."First Baptist Church in Old Fort is one of two comfort stations with donations stockpiled inside the building. Outside in the parking lot are mobile shower units and a place to do laundry.The county also has a free health clinic set up for residents just a short drive away. In addition to the resources after Helene, Kehler said there was life-saving work done ahead of the storm.“Forty-eight hours in advance doing door, we had knocking campaigns distributing thousands of flyers, warning people the risk of life-threatening flash flood and urging them to temporarily relocate away from the waterways. We did a reverse 911 call that hit over 18,000 phones in the county, so there was a substantial effort pre-storm to try to get people to move away from the waterways.”Kehler said at the height of the storm the 911 center received over 760 calls for service, and there were over 100 people rescued by helicopter in the county. Fifty-five people are now staying at an emergency shelter. The shelter will stay open as temperatures drop overnight, officials said.Kehler said they are still investigating how many buildings were damaged by the storm and expect to have an official number soon.For more information on resources in the county visit its recovery website.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

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McDowell County confirms 2nd death, continues search for 1 missing person

MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — McDowell County confirmed to News 13 that there was a second death as a result of Helene. The county emergency management staff also said they are searching for one person still missing after the storm. It's the final stretch after their missing person list topped 1,500 at the height of search and rescue operations.