About 100 people remain missing in North Carolina more than two weeks after Hurricane Helene impacted the western region of the state, according to Governor Roy Cooper. During a news conference on Tuesday, Cooper noted that the current count of missing individuals stands at 92, but this number may fluctuate as more reports are received and cases are resolved.
Search and rescue teams are actively working to locate the missing, with officials confirming 95 storm-related fatalities in North Carolina. The initial recovery efforts were hampered by extensive communication outages in the days following the hurricane.
Communities such as Asheville are still recovering from the destruction caused by Helene, with many residents lacking access to power, running water, and reliable transportation. The storm initially made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, subsequently causing significant rainfall and resulting in at least 200 deaths across multiple states. The mountainous areas between western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee experienced severe flooding, which damaged homes and infrastructure, isolating communities for extended periods.
Numerous federal, state, and National Guard personnel have mobilized to assist with recovery efforts. Governor Cooper reported progress in restoration efforts, with under 13,000 power outages currently reported, a significant decrease from approximately one million after the storm. Road closures have also been reduced from about 1,200 to around 580.
Despite the progress, Cooper highlighted the ongoing challenges, particularly as colder weather approaches. He expressed concern for those who lost homes and belongings due to flooding and noted that some areas still face difficulties in restoring running water.
During the briefing, Cooper addressed the issue of misinformation regarding the storm response, including unfounded claims about FEMA's actions and the availability of aid for survivors. He refuted assertions that FEMA and government agencies were withholding assistance from conservative communities, stating that 77,000 individuals have been approved for the agency’s individual assistance program, with over $99 million disbursed to date.
The spread of false information has resulted in threats against FEMA personnel involved in aid distribution. Authorities reported an arrest on Saturday of an individual who threatened federal responders, prompting FEMA to temporarily withdraw some staff who were providing assistance door-to-door.
Cooper criticized political figures, including Republican Lt. Governor Mark Robinson, for perpetuating false claims about the relief efforts. He emphasized the importance of unity in supporting the affected communities and condemned the use of disinformation for political gain during an election period.
Robinson has not publicly responded to the allegations regarding his claims. Following Cooper's news conference, Robinson shared on social media that the governor is unwilling to collaborate with anyone outside of what he described as “his political machine.”
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell echoed Cooper’s sentiments, expressing sorrow over the hostility directed at federal responders during this critical time of need.