I-40 reopens; don’t drink well water; and remember to file for FEMA aid
Progress in recovery from the effects of Tropical Storm Helene is moving slowly but steadily, NC Gov. Roy Cooper said during an interdepartmental video news conference Tuesday.
The governor and state department heads gave updates on the state of Western North Carolina four days after Helene crippled the region, but he also wanted to praise the people in his state for their resilience.
“As heartbreaking as this damage has been, it’s encouraging to see the way people are working together,” Cooper said.
Here are some of the highlights from the video conference:
Transportation around Asheville
Cooper announced that Interstate 40 East and West at Asheville is now open.
The interstate had been closed since Friday after areas of the road were washed out from flooding and mudslides caused by Tropical Storm Helene.
North Carolina Director of Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins said although Interstate 40 is being reopened in the Asheville area, I-40 at mile marker 3 at the Tennessee line will remain closed indefinitely.
“Conditions on the ground remain extremely dangerous,” Ray said. “Roadways are damaged. Buildings are damaged or destroyed. There are power lines down and unstable ground with the risk for landslides continuing.”
Despite the interstate’s reopening, Cooper and Hopkins urged motorists to stay off the roads in western North Carolina since cleanup and repair work is still ongoing. Less congested streets and highways make it easier for emergency responders and utility crews to work unimpeded, Ray said.
“We’re working night and day to remove trees and debris from the roads and highways,” Hopkins said.
Hopkins said there are 425 road closures and over 700 damaged sites, but he suspects there are more the department doesn’t know about.
“Due to communication and access issues, the ability to collect and even disseminate information about road closures has been hindered,” he said.
Hopkins said the DOT is working with other states to bring in additional assets like temporary bridge materials.
NC Gov. Roy Cooper is with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell speaking with a restaurant worker at Flour in downtown Asheville
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 about the impacts of Hurricane Helene and the efforts from state and federal emergency services to support Western North Carolina.
Missing/dead counts from Hurricane Helene
North Carolina Emergency Management Director William Ray said there is no firm number of people missing. Anyone wanting to report a missing person can call the Department of Health and Human Services at 211 or visit nc211.org.
At least 38 people in the area have died, and more fatalities are expected, Ray said.
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Water, power supply after storm
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley warned western North Carolina residents that well water in addition to municipal water sources may not be safe to drink because of contamination from the flood damage.
“Only use bottled, boiled or treated water for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene,” he said.
Water distribution sites have been set up in Asheville and the surrounding areas.
More than 460,000 customers remain without power in western North Carolina, down from more than a million just a few days ago.
Cell service also is being restored as quickly as possible, Cooper said.
Ray added that turning cellphones off for a while then turning them back on will help connect to a network.
He warned people to use care when operating a grill or generator during power outages to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
North Carolina hospitals, nursing homes updates
Kinsley said there are 22 acute care hospitals in the area affected by Tropical Storm Helene. Twenty are on commercial power. The other two are powered by generator for now. Many of the hospitals in the area are using temporary water supply until regular service can be restored.
Additional medical support staff has been brought in with two activated federal medical disaster assistance teams and more are on the way.
Kinsley said his office has been in contact with the 91 nursing homes and 121 assisted-living facilities in the Helene-damaged area and is making sure they are able to support the patients in their care.
Four facilities have transitioned patients to other regions in the state and three more are in the process of relocating patients, Kinsley said.
FEMA assets
Those needing assistance are getting help from FEMA, Ray said. At least 57,000 residents have received more than $1 million from the federal agency.
Those needing assistance may contact FEMA at disasterassistance.gov, download the FEMA app or call 800-621-3362.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell was in North Carolina, where she will remain until the affected areas of the state are stabilized.
“We are committed to bringing in all the federal resources as are needed, not just for the ongoing response but as we move into recovery,” she said.
FEMA has delivered more than 600,000 meals and about 1 million liters of water to the state as of Tuesday morning, Cooper said.
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North Carolina National Guard
The state National Guard is contributing manpower to the Helene recovery process, North Carolina National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Todd Hunt said during the news conference.
Hundreds of guardsmen are in the Helene-impacted areas, Hunt said, and community liaison officer are in place to provide help with communications, commodity distribution and organization as well as to get a sense of what is going on in the affected areas, since communication can be spotty.
The guard has delivered more than 200,000 pounds of food and commodities to the Asheville airport.
Oxygen in demand
Kinsley also said there is a significant need for oxygen in western North Carolina. Three large shipments of oxygen have already been brought in and the department is working on securing more.
In addition, Health and Human Services is working to get oxygen to centralized locations for people at home who are oxygen-dependent and without power.
Helene response American Red Cross setting up 150-bed shelter in South Asheville
North Carolina shelters, supplies
As of Tuesday morning, 29 emergency shelters were open in the affected areas of the state with more than 1,000 people staying in them. Nurses and other medical staff have been deployed to help at the shelters and patient transportation, Kinsley said.
Food and other supplies are being airdropped in to make distribution faster.
Ray said commodities are being shipped as rescue and recovery efforts continue.
“North Carolina is strong and resilient, and we will get through this,” Ray said.
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Lici Beveridge is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact her at [email protected]. Follow her on X @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper updates on Hurricane Helene recovery
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