(This article is being updated. Read our previous coverage here.)

It’s been a week since Tropical Storm Helene passed through North Carolina, bringing heavy rainfall to already flooded areas. The storm has devastated communities, left roads impassable and left thousands without power.

The state’s death toll rose to at least 108 people Thursday as the search continued for hundreds of missing residents across Western North Carolina, officials said.

On Friday, more communities began moving from relief to recovery, but many local and state officials warned them, saying a return to normalcy would take weeks instead of days as the full extent of Helene’s devastation is not expected to be known for some time are. .

Check back for live updates as they roll in throughout the day Friday.

The first fatality linked to Tropical Storm Helene in McDowell County has been confirmed, according to an Oct. 4 news release from the county. The person’s identity is being withheld out of respect for the family, officials said.

County rescue teams continue to search for missing people and provide assistance – the county recommends the Helene Hotline at 828-652-3241 for reporting missing persons or requesting assistance. As of Friday morning, McDowell’s emergency responders numbered more than 600.

The latest fatality brought the death toll in Western North Carolina to at least 109 people on Friday, with officials saying the number could climb even higher as search efforts continue across the region. So far, 72 deaths have been confirmed in hard-hit Buncombe County, according to Sheriff Quentin Miller.

– Iris Seaton, Citizen Times

Leaf Global Arts has canceled the 2024 LEAF Global Arts Festival, scheduled for October 17-20 in Lake Eden, in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene, it announced in a news release Friday.

The organization is considering a Disaster reLEAF concert, more details of which will be announced.

World Drum Day, an inaugural 24-hour global drumming celebration in partnership with Drumstrong, will take place from October 19 to October 20. For more information about the virtual event, visit https://theleaf.org/world-drum-dag/.

Now that the event has been canceled, LEAF Global Arts Festival ticket holders have four options regarding passes purchased:

  • Donate the ticket value to the LEAF Artist Fund. (Each gift will be matched by the Dan Lucas Memorial Fund.)
  • Transform the ticket into a LEAF membership. (100% supports LEAF Schools & Streets/LEAF International.)
  • Credit for future LEAF events. (Valid for three years or transferred to another person; all fees waived. 2025 Signature Event Dates: May 8-11 and October 16-19. Credit is valid for anything LEAF.)
  • Refund. (Only available to affected families in Western North Carolina and in the path of Hurricane Helene.)

Visit https://theleaf.org/ for updates and to donate to the nonprofit’s Artist Relief Fund.

– Tiana Kennell, Citizen Times

The death toll in Western North Carolina had risen to at least 108 people as of Thursday, with officials saying the number could climb even higher as search efforts continue across the region.

According to Sheriff Quentin Miller, 72 deaths have been confirmed so far in hard-hit Buncombe County.

Avery County Manager Philip Barrier confirmed five deaths from the Helene floods on Tuesday after false information began circulating on social media claiming 200 people had died in the county seat of Newland.

And in a report Thursday from Henderson County, Chief Communications Officer Mike Morgan confirmed that there had been nine deaths as a result of Tropical Storm Helene.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reports the following deaths in the following counties:

  • Yancey: Nine
  • Cleveland: Two
  • Watauga: Two
  • Burke: One
  • Catawba: One
  • Gaston: One
  • Mâcon: One
  • Madison: One
  • Mecklenburg: One
  • Polk: One
  • Rutherford: One
  • Yadkin: One

— Staff reports

Hot Meals for Hurricane Survivors: A Comprehensive Guide is Now Available

Looking for a hot meal, water or other supplies or food boxes? There is now a comprehensive county-by-county list for all of WNC to aid in the effort. Find it here.

Buncombe County: Important updates to know

FEMA is on scene. The best incident management team in the country is here from New York City. Electricity is slowly returning and resources are being distributed with greater reach, but WNC is still in crisis and the extent of the damage is still being assessed.

Recovery briefings air every day at 10am and 4pm on 88.1 FM and on Buncombe County’s Facebook page.

Click here for daily updated city information. For current provincial information, please click here.

FINDING THE MISSING

During Thursday afternoon’s briefing, officials estimated that more than 200 people were still missing in Buncombe County. If you are missing a family member or friend, please complete this form to contact Buncombe Co. officials. to be informed.

Other organizations are also working on missing persons requests: The United Way conducts welfare checks and actively searches. Use this form to connect with United Way’s reunification program. The Red Cross has useful tips for getting in touch and if you are looking for people who have not yet been found, you can use this form. People can also request welfare checks by texting “Person” to 40403. That goes to NC 211 and the texter will receive a link to a form.

URGENT CARE SERVICES

Mercy Urgent Care has opened walk-in locations at the following addresses from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.:

  • West Asheville: 1201 Patton Ave.
  • Weaverville: 61 Weaver Boulevard.
  • Brevard: 22 Trust Lane
  • Waynesville: 120 Frazier Street.
  • Foothills: 140 W Mills St.

Novant Go-Health Urgent Care, 349 New Leicester Highway, is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Please note that these facilities treat non-life-threatening conditions. For emergencies, you can call 911.

WASTE AND RECYCLING

Residents can take waste to the county landfill, 85 Panther Branch Road in Alexander. Wastepro is expected to announce Friday collection on Thursday. Wastepro also has three waste drop-off locations on Thursdays. Storm waste is not collected. These are the sites:

Ingles @ 2901 Hendersonville Road in Fletcher

Ingles @ 1865 1865 Hendersonville Road in Asheville

Ingles @ Charlotte Highway 225 in Asheville

DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AVAILABLE

People in Buncombe County who are unemployed as a direct result of Hurricane Helene may be eligible for unemployment benefits. Entrepreneurs and self-employed people affected by the storm may also be eligible for benefits.

  • People have 60 days starting October 1 to apply for DUA at des.nc.gov. The application deadline is December 2, 2024. If you are unable to apply through the website, please call the DUA Hotline at 919-629-3857.
  • To receive DUA benefits, all required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the day the DUA application is submitted. DES will work with people who cannot provide all documentation to ensure their unemployment benefits are not delayed.

— Staff reports

This story has been updated to add a video.