On Monday, a crisis unfolded in Asheville, North Carolina, as officials committed to bring additional water, food, and other supplies to flood-stricken communities that were without electricity and cellular service.
This declaration came just a few days after Hurricane Helene blasted across the Southeast region of the United States. The storm was responsible for more than 115 deaths across six states as of Monday morning.
A county in North Carolina that encompasses the mountain city of Asheville reported at least 35 people dead on Monday, according to the officials who made the announcement.
“Devastation does not even begin to describe how we feel,” said Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller during a news conference. “We are in completely disbelief.”
In the meantime, officials from the county have stated that overnight shelters have been at capacity, that there has been a shortage of clean water, and that there has been an issue with misinformation. There was a “hoax” that a dam was in danger of failing, which resulted in the evacuation of hundreds of individuals who did not need to be evacuated and diverted the focus of first responders.
“Please, please do not do not provide misinformation to our staff because this is delaying our response,” Miller stated in an interview.
As rescue workers and other emergency personnel reached places that were cut off from the rest of the world due to fallen roads, collapsing infrastructure, and severe flooding, Governor Roy Cooper warned that the number of fatalities will increase.
Cooper made these remarks during a press conference that took place on Sunday. “This is an unprecedented tragedy that requires an unprecedented response,” he said. Additionally, he stated that “we know there will be more” deaths as rescue workers reach out to more remote places.
The area surrounding the remote city of Asheville was receiving supplies that were being transported by helicopter. Avril Pinder, the manager of Buncombe County, made a commitment that she would ensure that the city has access to both food and water by Monday.