natural disasters
Helene update: 101 deaths in NC, 7 remain missing
Nov. 1. There were 101 confirmed deaths statewide due to Helene, according to the NC Dept. of Health & Human Services; seven people remain unaccounted for more than a month later. —Approximately $195 million in FEMA Individual Assistance funds have been paid so far to Western North Carolina disaster survivors and approximately 239,000 people have […]
Helene update: More than 100 fatalities
Oct. 30. There were 101 verified storm-related fatalities in North Carolina as of Oct. 30 due to Hurricane Helene. Three deaths occurred in Mecklenburg County. The fatalities are updated five days a week and verified through official channels and are subject to change based on investigation. For a county-by-county list of fatalities, click here.
Meck County Park & Rec collecting donations for WNC through Nov. 1
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is collecting donations for victims of Tropical Storm Helene in Western North Carolina until Friday, Nov. 1. Items needed include: Mops, brooms, and scrub brushes; bottled water and other packaged drinks; first aid kits; hygiene items, including soap, detergent, disinfectant, garbage bags, and hand sanitizer; infant care items such as […]
Peninsula Community Foundation collecting new coats for Helene victims in Buncombe, Avery counties
Oct. 16. The Peninsula Community Foundation is partnering with two organizations, Eblen Charities in Asheville and High Country Charitable Foundation in Banner Elk, for a winter coat drive. Eblen is serves hard hit Buncombe County and High Country is serving Avery County. PCF will send half of the coats to Asheville and the other half […]
Helene-related death toll in NC nearing 100
Oct. 15. As of last night, 95 Tropical Storm Helene-related deaths have been confirmed in North Carolina by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner. The number is expected to continue to rise over the coming days. A total of 13 shelters are open in Western North Carolina supporting over 560 people. Ways to donate or […]
Novant offering free virtual care services to Helene victims in WNC
Oct. 10. Novant Health is providing free, on-demand virtual care services to Helene victims in Western NC. Patients may access care by visiting NovantHealth.org/VirtualCare. No appointment is necessary, Virtual care visits offer treatment 24/7 for conditions such as fever, COVID, cold and flu, ear infections, shortness of breath, rash and common skin conditions, back pain […]
Helene update from WNC
Oct. 10. Eighty-eight storm-related deaths have been confirmed by the NC Chief Medical Examiner. To report that you have been unable to reach a person in Western North Carolina, call 211 or visit NC211.org. Help from other states More than 1,300 responders from 35 state and local agencies have performed 118 missions supporting the response […]
Helene update: Mecklenburg is now part of major disaster declaration; confirmed NC deaths approaching 80
Oct. 8. As of 6 pm yesterday 77 storm-related deaths have been confirmed in North Carolina by the Office of Chief Medical Examine, but the number will continue to rise over the coming days. To report that you have been unable to reach a person in Western North Carolina, call 211. The Major Disaster Declaration […]
Why was Helene so devastating? Here are some answers…
Oct. 7. By Dave Vieser. While all eyes are on a potential hurricane later this week near the west coast of Florida, questions have begun to emerge as to why Hurricane Helene, unlike previous rain/wind events, did so much horrific damage to western North Carolina. After doing some preliminary research, Cornelius Today contacted Trisha Palmer, […]
Helene response update
Oct. 7. Four dozen search and rescue teams with more than 1,600 responders have deployed to Western North Carolina over the past 10 days. Local and state emergency responders have the assistance of approximately 1,700 North Carolina National Guard and 1,000 active-duty military personnel. To report a missing person or request non-emergency support, call NC […]
