Following a tour of flood-ravaged Swannanoa on Monday, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump offered his sympathy to storm victims. He also took numerous opportunities to continue to slam recovery efforts by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA).
Tropical Storm Fred caused massive flooding in Canton in 2021. Then the mill closed, crushing the town. Now, the damage Helene wreaked on the mill and the town’s wastewater facility has the once-enthusiastic buyer — E.J. Spiritas Group — reconsidering its options.
Asheville Watchdog is bringing you the stories behind the staggering loss of life, the children, parents, grandparents, multiple generations of a single family, all gone in one of the worst natural disasters to hit the mountains of western North Carolina. This is the first installment.
According to North Carolina Board of Elections data, 13,355 people voted in Buncombe County during the first two days of early voting.
“Everyone should applaud how HCA stepped up for our region when we all needed a major medical facility as Helene struck.”
“All of these staff members are heroes, and we love and appreciate, appreciate, appreciate them!”
“I worked from High Point and kept answering phones and coordinating help — finding out which tree crews with cranes were where and getting that information to anyone with a tree on their house.”
“We were both amazed and appreciative for our neighbors for reaching out to everyone inquiring and sharing of each other’s status and needs, and information on where to find food, water, gas and cell service.”
“By Sunday, it became clear that our water infrastructure wasn’t going to improve anytime soon, and our neighbors needed a way to flush their toilets. We decided to gather creek water using buckets and bins from a friend’s property and bring it back for our neighbors.”
“Rather than moan and wait on the government, people used their own equipment, their own gasoline and their own sweat to address a serious situation.”
“The needs remain massive, but by the grace of God, the response has been immense as well. So grateful for all the first responders and volunteers who inspire and encourage us every day.”
All 45 of the district’s schools now have nonpotable water, power and internet service, BCS Superintendent Rob Jackson told the Buncombe County Board of Education at an emergency meeting Oct. 18.
Since Tropical Storm Helene devastated the region, Taylor Knipp and her fiancé, Adam Smith, have transformed the Harley-Davidson of Asheville dealership in Swannanoa into an ad hoc private air base running daily rescue, reconnaissance and resupply missions to some of the hardest hit areas in Western North Carolina.
According to the agency, Buncombe County suffered 42 deaths, the highest toll of the 21 counties listed. Yancey County had the next highest, with 11, followed by seven in Henderson County.
Assessing storm damage and calculating Tropical Storm Helene’s effect on market prices prompts county to postpone property appraisal deadline.
