How Helene could scramble the election
Plus: Denny’s Mobile Relief Diner rolls into Asheville; Chimney Rock debunks rumors; Blue Ridge Parkway closed 'indefinitely'; Dolly Parton donates $1M and sings 'Helene' version of 'Jolene'
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We’re a month out from Election Day, and how Western North Carolinians will vote has become a big question in the state.
With a close presidential race between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris, and an important race for governor and other statewide races, Helene’s impact on voter turnout and results could be substantial. Election offices were closed in 5 counties (Avery, Buncombe, Mitchell, Watauga and Yancey) as of Thursday.
There are more than 1.27M registered voters in the 25 counties affected by the hurricane, and 38,229 absentee ballots that had been sent out but not yet returned, according to data from North Carolina State Board of Elections website. Absentee ballots must be returned by Nov. 5.
The 25 affected counties account for more than 16% of the state’s registered voters. In the 2020 election, Buncombe (Asheville) and Watauga (Boone) were the only two counties in the area that went for Democrat Joe Biden:
WFAE’s Steve Harrison, one of the state’s top political reporters, wrote this week that in private conversations, Republicans “are very concerned about Helene’s impact on turnout.” In 2020, Trump beat Biden in North Carolina by 73,000 votes, while racking up a margin of 57,000 votes in the 15 counties that were hit hardest by the flooding. If turnout falls, say, 20% in those counties because of difficulties or less interest in voting or people moving away, it could cost Trump about 12,000 votes in a race that polls say is expected to be close, Harrison wrote.
Where will voters cast ballots? The state board hasn’t determined the status of polling places in affected areas yet.
“There may be polling places impacted by mudslides, there may be polling places inaccessible because of damaged roads, and there may be polling places with trees that have fallen on them,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections, in an interview with NPR.
Brinson Bell said that temporary early voting sites in tents in parking lots could be a solution. Early voting begins Thursday, Oct. 17, and runs through Saturday, Nov. 2.
Here’s the latest coming out of Western North Carolina:
Gov. Cooper returns to WNC: Gov. Roy Cooper returned to Canton, west of Asheville (population of 4,401), on Friday to assess the damage. Joined by FEMA Director Deanne Criswell, Cooper met with residents, emergency workers and local officials to discuss recovery efforts. Over $6M in aid has already been distributed, with further resources directed toward restoring infrastructure and assisting hospitals. (WLOS)
Blue Ridge Parkway closed ‘indefinitely’: The entire Blue Ridge Parkway is closed indefinitely as the National Park Service works to clear storm damage and ensure safety. No reopening date has been set. (WLOS) You can check the status of parkway roads here.
Power update: As of Friday evening, Duke Energy updated its Western North Carolina customers that power is expected to now be restored by Sunday, instead of yesterday, as previously announced. More than 170,000 customers are without power. (WLOS)
Dolly Parton donates $1M to hurricane relief efforts: Tennessee native and country music legend Dolly Parton announced Friday she will donate $1M to the Mountain Ways Foundation, a nonprofit providing immediate assistance to Hurricane Helene flood victims. In her announcement, she sang a version of her hit song “Jolene,” with the lyrics changed to “Helene.” Watch her 2-minute donation speech (and singing) here.
IV fluid plant damaged: Flooding forced Baxter International's North Cove plant in North Carolina, which produces much of the U.S. supply of sterile IV fluids and dialysis solutions, to close. The disruption has led to reduced shipments, with some hospitals receiving only 40% of their usual supply, WLOS reported. As a result, hospitals are adjusting patient care by conserving IV fluids, potentially delaying elective surgeries, and using alternatives like oral hydration. The recovery process is expected to take months, with Baxter exploring global production options to mitigate the supply gap.
WNC Nature Center accessible only by boat: The WNC Nature Center, home to 60 species of Appalachian wildlife in Asheville, faced significant damage, including the loss of roads and bridges that made the zoo accessible only by boat. All animals were found safe, and no staff members were harmed, the Asheville Citizen Times reported.
Chimney Rock debunks online rumors: False information has been spreading online about the town of Chimney Rock’s status following the hurricane. “We do not have bodies washed up on shores or floating down the river,” a Rutherford Emergency official told WLOS. The town has been devastated, but its main road is still intact. Three fatalities have been reported.
Drone reveals Asheville water system damage: Tens of thousands of people have been without water for more than a week. New drone footage in Asheville reveals broken pipes and significant destruction 25 feet underground. The timeline for restoring water remains uncertain. (WLOS)
Denny’s sets up mobile relief diner in Asheville to serve free hot breakfast
Denny’s Mobile Relief Diner rolled on the scene in Asheville on Friday to serve free hot breakfasts of pancakes, butter, syrup and sausages with hot coffee or bottled water.
“We’re on our way to warm and fill your tummies,” a Denny’s Facebook post said. “Hurricane Helene is behind us, let's move forward together.”
The diner fed over 3,600 people in Spartanburg, South Carolina, over the course of two days, WLOS reported.
The 53-foot tractor trailer will be at the Lowe’s on Smokey Park Highway in Asheville from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. through Tuesday, Oct 8.
Denny’s Mobile Relief Diner has served more than 70,000 meals since 2017. (Photo from Facebook)
Photo of the day: Friends climb over destroyed bridge with bikes to deliver supplies
Damaged roads and bridges have left many people stranded in their homes. A Ledger reader sent this photo taken as he and a friend climbed over a destroyed bridge outside of Saluda in Polk County with their bikes so they could deliver a fuel siphon and dry food to another friend. (Photo courtesy of Adam Purser)
Aerial view of Chimney Rock, a village in Rutherford County, reveals the extent of the damage from Hurricane Helene
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How to help
With a cold front expected to swoop in Monday, donations of warm clothing and blankets are needed.
Axios Charlotte has a working list of places to donate in Charlotte.
In Black Mountain, east of Asheville, residents have come together to start a fund called Rebuild Black Mountain that’s partnering with government agencies, nonprofits and community organizations to focus on long-term recovery of the area.
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Lindsey Banks, a native of the Buncombe County town of Swannanoa, is a staff reporter with The Charlotte Ledger. Reach her at lindsey@cltledger.com.
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Executive editor: Tony Mecia; Managing editor: Cristina Bolling; Staff writer: Lindsey Banks; Business manager: Brie Chrisman