ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Governor Roy Cooper, alongside FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, visited a Community Care Station in Asheville on Monday to assess ongoing relief efforts in western North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
Transportation officials said the essential-only travel ban in the western portion of North Carolina has now been lifted, but it did remind drivers to still be cautious and not surprised if certain roads are slower or even temporarily shut down due to ongoing repair efforts.
Cooper on Monday said it would cost about $5 billion to repairs transportation infrastructure in the area. The North Carolina Department of Transportation reports that over 7,200 road sites remain damaged, with 2,000 employees and 900 pieces of equipment engaged in repairs.
Helene is blamed for the deaths of at least 125 people in North Carolina, most in Buncombe County, which is home to Asheville.
There are 26 people still unaccounted for, Cooper said.
The station Cooper and Criswell toured on Monday is set up to assist disaster survivors, provides food and water distribution, hygiene services and medical care. During his visit, Cooper praised the local, state, and federal responders and volunteers working tirelessly to support the region, which has been severely affected by the storm.
“I urge everyone to confirm reports and information from trusted news sources and officials and be wary of bad actors on social media and the internet,” Cooper said.
His call for caution comes amid concerns over misinformation circulating online about relief efforts. Both NCEM and FEMA have launched rumor response webpages to counter false information circulating on social media. Residents are encouraged to visit these sites to stay updated on reliable, fact-checked information.
Over 3,150 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from 12 states are on the ground in western North Carolina, alongside two XVIII Airborne Corps units from Ft. Liberty and personnel from Ft. Campbell’s 101st Airborne Division. Their efforts are focused on providing essential supplies, search and rescue, and assisting with water and wastewater assessments in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
FEMA has also been actively engaged, with approximately 1,500 staff working in the state to support disaster survivors. So far, about $129 million in Individual Assistance has been distributed, with over 207,000 people registering for relief. FEMA is also helping coordinate shelter for those displaced by the storm and processing more than 5,100 loan applications through the Small Business Administration.
Residents in need of assistance can contact FEMA via phone at 1-800-621-3362 or online at disasterassistance.gov.
There are still so many ways you can help those in need, either by donating to the Red Cross, volunteer your time with the Red Cross or Samaritan's Purse.
