Screen shot: USA Today
Sept 29. As of 8 pm Saturday, 10 North Carolinians have lost their lives due to Helene, according to Gov. Roy Cooper. Swiftwater and helicopter rescue crews have rescued more than 200 people since Thursday.
North Carolina residents trying to connect with family members may call NC 211 (or 1-888-892-1162 if calling from outside the state) to report missing loved ones. People in the impacted areas can indicate they are safe by checking in on Facebook crisis response or reporting themselves safe through Red Cross Reunification by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Supplying drinkable water is a top priority for emergency crews. Seven water plants in Avery, Burke, Haywood, Jackson, Rutherford, Watauga and Yancey counties are closed, impacting nearly 70,000 households. A total of 17 water plants have reported having no power, and an additional 23 are operating on backup power.
We asked Davidson resident Chris Davis what he saw in Banner Elk. His reply:
[Sunday morning] Inside the Elk River community of Banner Elk, we are stranded. No power, no water. All day Saturday we cut trails through the trees fallen over the roads, in hope small vehicles can move around and we can check on each other.
If we reach the bottom of the mountain, we understand that the bridge over the Elk River is out. We are stranded. But, we do not know how stranded everyone else is.
We need intelligence; status of the outside world. Infrastructure. For instance, it would help to know when roads will be repaired so that help can come.
There are 20 horses at the barn. They probably have water for three days. Horses will drink 10 gallons of water a day. Do the math.
There are elderly people on the mountain. One lady has so many trees to her house we cannot see our way to cut through to check on her.
It seems as if a flood washed out the bottom and a tornado took out everything else.
Some homes have generators. That does not mean people whose generators are running are actually here. I hear them running. It is only a matter of time before fuel runs out.
I am able to connect with you because one neighbor, if he stands in the right place on his deck, has use of a telephone that allowed me to reach my wife.
She connected with my out of town neighbor who has a generator who shared her Wi-Fi password that I can at least come to their house charge batteries and send you this note.
We hear rumors of helicopters coming in to rescue people.
It is probably worse somewhere else. We will continue to try to clear the roads in our community to support one another and be ready for an evacuation.
Chris Davis
Obviously, the Mountain communities will need all the help they can get. Immediately and later.
In the meantime, basic facts matter a lot. We just need to know what the situation is so that we can make rational decisions.
I’m only getting bits and pieces of information from other people such as Newland is flooded and the National Guard is there; mud slides block the Eagles nest community from getting out; the road to Boone is washed out…
—Chris Davis
Emergency supplies are being collected at the Cornelius Police Station today as well as at Payroll Plus, 19300 Statesville Road and will be sent to established distribution sites.
I used to live in Banner Elk. My heart goes out to you all. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by Delice E Richards | September 29, 2024, 5:19 pmTrying hard to reach friends especially Carol Bernz and Ted Silver in Banner Elk NC. Very very concerned… Our hearts go out to all everywhere whose lives have been impacted by this disaster.
Posted by Steven & Myna Blumberg-Krams | September 30, 2024, 8:56 amPrayers are with you from St. Louis. My friend Marilyn Carney and husband Tom, with pets and horses live in the Elk River Club. Any news of their welfare would be appreciated.
Posted by Jane McClaren | September 30, 2024, 1:51 pmGot out of banner elk today via balm highway to valle crucis to 321. Harrowing drive through downed trees and power wires. Clear once hitting Boone. No att service. Verizon had service early on, but none as of yesterday.
Posted by Jackie | September 29, 2024, 9:23 pmWere you able to get out of Boone?
Posted by Linda Petrarca | September 30, 2024, 10:53 amWe were able to go left out of eagles nest and drive (some detours) to Boone for gas. There were stations open and cell service was available there.
Posted by Nicole Piper | October 1, 2024, 11:21 amYou are in our thoughts. Will pray for you. May all residents get help and needed supplies and return to safety.
Posted by Connie Baker | September 30, 2024, 6:20 amHelp will come. Help each other. I feel awful for the devastation you are facing. You are very brave. Prayers for you and all awaiting help after the hurricane. Hang in there.
Posted by Lida | September 30, 2024, 7:17 amMy mom and brothers live in the upstairs apt in high country square. I haven’t had contact with them since Friday. Please if anyone can help see if them and the rest of the community there is okay. Water is my main concern at this time
Posted by Carrolyn Burns | September 30, 2024, 9:11 amMy cousin, Trish Daniels lives on Mtn near Banner Elk and Boone. Can’t get thro to her. I know most communication is down, hoping someone knows more than the news? Thank you. Praying for all 🙏
CNN says all resources needed are coming, FEMA, etc.
Posted by Renee Highes | September 30, 2024, 11:45 amRenee,
I reached out to a friend of mine that knows Trish, her name is Cindy Keller and she lives on Beech mtn and is staying with friends who have power and water. If I hear anything else I will reply here.
Norman
Posted by Norman | October 1, 2024, 2:24 pmI lived in Banner Elk about 65 years ago. I have a HS friend (Jim Perry) who is still there and I worry about him and his family. Needless to say I will be making a good donation to Samaritans Purse to be used in the area. You folks have my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by Ray Davies | September 30, 2024, 12:34 pmLooking for my cousin Pam Lowrance, Red Fox Road, Banner Elk, She’s diabetic & I’m hoping she has what she needs until she can be rescued.
Posted by Ronnie Kalmbacher | September 30, 2024, 12:41 pmBanner Elk is such a beautiful town both in its location and its people! I wish there was some way to bring water, food, etc to that community. I would drive up today if I knew I could bring supplies and get them to the people that need it. The people there are salt of the earth and nothing will keep them down. They will take care of each other and build the community better than it was (if that’s possible). I will say prayers and donate $$ to any local organization that needs it. GOD BLESS you all!!!
Posted by William | September 30, 2024, 4:41 pmMy grandma and grandpa, Ketch and Tsutee Winters, live in Banner Elk and are currently stuck with no power, water or cell service. The last we heard from them was Friday evening and they sent photos of their yard completely flooded. We are praying that they, their dogs and their home which they just finished re-painting and their vehicles qmake it through this storm and devastation.
Posted by Lux Hunsinger | September 30, 2024, 8:47 pmHoping my bother & sister-in-law are safe, Doug & Irene Bryant they in lives in Banner Elk.
Posted by Judy | September 30, 2024, 9:01 pmMy college roommate Randall Newberry and her daughter Casey Newberry Meyer and family live in Banner Elk. Another daughter Brent Newberry is in Boone, NC. I have no information on their well-being and status. I am sending many prayers and hope for the best for them and for everyone in this horribly devastated area. Keep the faith and rely on the strength I know you have. Much love,
Your dear friend Stevie
Posted by Stevie Gray | September 30, 2024, 9:13 pmI’m looking for this family too! Please let me know.
Posted by Corinne | October 4, 2024, 10:44 pmI’m also searching for the Newberry family.
Posted by Pat Anderson | October 7, 2024, 3:36 pmStevie, Randall called a friend in Florida yedterday to say she and her family are safe.
Posted by Pat Anderson | October 9, 2024, 5:29 pmWell me and my family managed to get out of banner elk yesterday our generator got destroyed by the hurricane and we had to get one of our family member’s taken to a hospital as he only had 4 hour’s of air left then after that we got out and have taken refuge in a hotel in rockingham when we left their was no communication getting out at all and if you manage to get out the national guard will not let you back in due to the total communication blackout please stay safe out their and those that can apply for fema help for lodging if you have been displaced due to the hurrican.
Posted by Hunter | September 30, 2024, 10:24 pmI’m waiting to hear if Holly Drake and her family from Boone are safe. We have never met, but she has been instrumental in teaching many people online, including me, about wild foods. I hope her experience has been helpful to many in the wake of the flooding.
Posted by Analita Ray | October 1, 2024, 12:23 amMy cousin Mitchell and Kay Johnson live in banner elk .
Haven’t heard how they are.
Prayers for safety
Posted by Sheila Keith cousin in va | October 1, 2024, 10:22 amIf we live out of state and want to send supplies, where should we send?
Posted by Erin | October 1, 2024, 9:00 pmHoping our family Sherrill & Dana romanger are safe any word from them would be appreciated
Posted by Gerald presnell | October 2, 2024, 10:02 amOur friends in Eagles Nest were able to send us a text on Sept 30. They are OK. No power, water, cell service. There is WiFi at the North Pavillion where they meet and feed people for free. Roads washed out, mud and rock slides. If you want to find out about someone in Eagles Nest, I can see if they can find out anything about your loved ones.
Posted by Cheryl L COATNEY | October 3, 2024, 11:46 am