The report provided with cooperation with WWCU 93.5 FM
The death toll from Helene continues to rise. There are around 200 confirmed death and half of those are in Western North Carolina. Majority are in Buncombe County but there are deaths recorded in Henderson, Macon, Avery. The death toll is expected to rise as emergency crews continue to work.
Approximately 600 in Asheville remain unaccounted for. FEMA reports that as of Oct. 3 there were over 2.100 people rescued and over 40.000 had requested disaster assistance.
Individuals and households in Jackson County are eligible to apply for financial and direct services through FEMA. Residents must contact FEMA directly and applications must be submitted online or by phone at 800-621-3362. Jackson County Emergency Management Facebook page have a link to the site.
After flying over Asheville on Oct.2 President Biden directed 1000 soldiers to WNC to reinforce the national guard. Biden also directed the deployment of Starlink satellites to provide additional coverage.
National guard reported that as of Oct. 3 they had over 1000 personnel and 372 vehicles working on the relief. They have so far over 400.000 pounds of commodities delivered by ground and over half a million delivered by air. They had performed 512 areal rescues.
Duke Energy reports more than 170,000 Western North Carolina customers remain without power as of Wednesday, Oct. 2.
Jackson County
The boil water advisory from Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority for Jackson County was lifted Oct. 2. TWSA said that the water tests from Sept. 29 and 30 showed the water was good quality and safe for drinking.
Jackson County is currently accepting emergency volunteers. To get involved, go to the Jackson County Emergency Management Facebook page.
If you need food, water, or other supplies the county will be distributing resources from 2 to 6 p.m. at Mark Watson Park in Sylva, and at Cashiers Baptist Church in Cashiers. Canada fire department will be distributing supplies from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Jackson County Emergency Management is accepting donations from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at the Old Western Builders of Sylva in Dillsboro pass the Waffle House and before Best Western Hotel. The most-needed items are: bottled water, cleaning supplies, non-perishable foods, diapers, hygiene products, and pet food and supplies.
Jackson County Farmers Market in Sylva is accepting donations for nonperishable food items, clothes, baby needs, personal hygiene and utensils.
Jackson County Public Schools will be distributing free hot lunches and grab-and-go breakfasts on Thursday and Friday at Smokey Mountain High, Blue ridge school and at Smoky Mountain Elementary. These locations will distribute meals from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 3 and 4.
Community Table in Sylva is open and will be serving hot meals on-site from 4 to 5:15 p.m. and to-go meals from 5:15 to 5:30 p.m. They could also use your help if you want to volunteer. Community Table is at 23 Central St. in Sylva by the pool and the Poteet Park.
Cashiers Baptist Church is offering free food and water, baby supplies, and other resources from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday.
Haywood county is operating a community resource center at Jonathan Valley elementary and Bethel elementary school. Haywood will provide nonperishable food, water, and hot meals on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Most of the internet and phone service in WNC has been restored and where it is still not available disaster roaming has been enabled. Disaster roaming allows any phone on any cellular network to access any available network to connect to, regardless of provider.
I-phone and android users can turn on data roaming within system settings.
Several businesses and government offices in the area have opened their wireless connections and are offering free internet connection.
Road conditions
Officials in Asheville urge people not to travel to Asheville or Buncombe County.
In Jackson county: State route -1740, Moses Creek Road is closed both ways near Cullowhee.
State route 17-37, Caney Fork Road east-bound is closed south of Cullowhee.
State route 17-47, Johns Creek Road is closed both ways near Cullowhee.
NCDOT expects these roads to be open by Oct. 10.
State route 11-29 Big Ridge Road is closed both ways between mile marker 0 and 2 and NCDOT doesn’t expect repair until Oct. 25.
Here’s a few more closures you should be aware of:
I-40 is closed both ways near the Tennessee line.
I-26 east at the Tennessee state line is closed.
US 74 near Swannanoa River Road is closed in both directions until Oct. 10.
US 441 between Cherokee and Gatlinburg remains closed.
The entirety of the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed.
NC-110 near substation road in Canton is closed both ways.
NC-81 near South Tunnel Road in Asheville is closed both directions.
For detours around Western North Carolina you can take I-77 North to I-81 South to Knoxville, Tennessee. You can also take I-77 South to I-85 South to Spartanburg, South Carolina.
If you must travel, be aware of road closures and active curfews across Western North Carolina. Asheville is under a city-wide curfew from 7:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Haywood county is under curfew from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. Henderson county from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. and Transylvania county from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Update from Harris Regional Hospital
Harris’ outpatient departments, physician practices and urgent care will continue to open as logistics and staffing allow. All practices and outpatient departments are operating with limited providers and staff.
If you are unsure whether your procedure is happening or have questions about times or locations, call or visit your surgeon’s office for confirmation.
