RALEIGH, N.C. — The Office of North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper sent out a press release Saturday afternoon to provide updates on the ongoing recovery efforts in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene.
According to reports, 110 people have been confrimed dead in North Carolina, including 72 in Buncombe County, as a result of the storm.
Here are the major points of interest from Saturday's press release:
- More tham 1,500 North Carolina Natuional Guard personnel are at work in western NC, supported by soldiers from the 18th Airborne Corps headquartered in Fore Liberty.
- More than 83,000 people have registered for FEMA Individual Assistance in the wake of the storm, and more than $27 million in funds have been paid out to western NC disaster survivors.
- More than 1,100 responders from 34 states are supporting response and recovery efforts through the Emergency Management Assiatance Compact (EMAC).
- More than 97,000 hot meals have been prepared daily and served by mobile kitchens, another 25,000 expected Saturday.
- Approximately 173,000 customers in NC remain without power as of noon Saturday, down from over one million at the storm's peak.
- A total of 22 shelters are open in western NC and housed more than 915 people and 102 pets on Friday night.
- Fifty-three search and rescue teams making up 1,600 personnel have conducted search and rescue operations in the last week.
- Approximately 650 roads closed in western North Carolina as of Saturday morning.
If you have been affected by Helene, here's a list of helpful resources.
Looking for ways to support residents of western North Carolina affected by Helene? We've compiled a list of reputable organizations who are already delivering aid, and you can find it here.
If you would like to donate online to the American Red Cross, you can use the following link: WFMY News 2 is supporting the American Red Cross.
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