30 storm deaths confirmed in Buncombe County

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) — Thirty people have been confirmed dead in Buncombe County following Helene.

Officials in Buncombe County said more than 100 people have been rescued by air, many in the Black Mountain area.

Food and water are being flown in by helicopter to locations which are unreachable by land.

The county said less than 600 people were still unaccounted for as of Sunday afternoon.

Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder said the devastation is “unthinkable” in Fairview, Black Mountain, Swannanoa, and Barnardsville.

“Those communities no longer resemble what they were a week ago,” said Pinder. “Loved ones are still trapped.”

15,000 power crews have arrived in the Carolinas from 19 states and Canada to help restore power in Buncombe County.

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30 storm deaths confirmed in Buncombe County

Duke Energy said they were able to restore power to Mission Hospital after two days without electricity.

A general population shelter has been set up at the AB Tech Conference Center at 16 Fernihurst Drive in Asheville.

A medical emergency shelter available at 10 Genevieve Circle. Officials said the shelter at WNC Ag Center is full.

Josh Harrold, town manager for Black Mountain, said rescues are still taking place there. They have a water tanker available with potable water at the Ingles store on Highway 9. Harrold said they are still waiting for food to arrive.

The City of Asheville worked with Verizon to install temporary cellular service at the Family Justice Center on Woodfin Place in Asheville to provide limited reception within several city blocks.

Buncombe County has extended their state of emergency until further notice.

Officials will provide another update at 10 a.m. Monday.

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