At least 61 now dead in Buncombe Co. from Helene

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) – At least 61 people have now died in Buncombe County as a result of Hurricane Helene.

Sheriff Quentin Miller announced that tally during a news conference Wednesday.

According to Miller, the sheriff’s office received 300 to 400 calls for wellness checks and have made checks on all but four people as of Wednesday afternoon.

Several local and state search and rescue teams are in Buncombe County with 19 federal urban search and rescue teams in North Carolina, officials said.

It is not known how much of the county has been searched. Teams were still working to deliver supplies to people who are stranded as of Tuesday afternoon.

“It’s complete devastation out there and we are working really hard to get to everybody so that we can get them some closure and get to their families so they can make the phone calls to let them know they are safe,” said Scott Bean with National Urban Search and Rescue team. “We are dealing with a lot of major issues from bridge closures to no power, no water, just complete infrastructure failure.”

A list of open pharmacies in western North Carolina can be found on the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy website .

Various departments around North Carolina, including New Hanover County, Fayetteville, Stanly County, and Raleigh-Wake, are assisting Buncombe County’s 911 call center.

Woodfin is distributing water at North Windy Ridge School near I-26 exit 17. Residents are asked to bring their own containers.

A curfew is in effect from 7:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. in Woodfin.

Buncombe County officials said that multiple teams are set to arrive soon to help provide additional internet and cell connectivity in the county.

Hundreds of roads remain closed in western North Carolina.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation said Interstate 40 has reopened in both directions at Old Fort, however westbound travel is limited to emergency traffic.

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