Mountain counties make back-to-school plans
Plus: N.C. deaths rise to 121; State health department warns of tetanus risk; Taylor Swift donates $5M to Feeding America; Glimpse into Burnsville field hospital
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Hundreds of children have been out of school in Western North Carolina since Sept. 26, the day before Helene arrived. Many school buildings in the hardest-hit counties experienced some flooding and infrastructure damage, and most lost power and running water. The roads leading up to some schools were washed away, too.
And although power has been restored to a majority of customers, internet access is still out, so virtual learning is not an option.
However, a few school districts have announced definite plans moving forward — including drilling wells and bringing in “portable toilet trailers” while buildings wait for water to be restored, which is likely weeks away.
Asheville City Schools plans to return on Oct. 28, WLOS reported. The district is drilling wells on school campuses to serve as a backup water source in case the main water system goes down.
“We’re estimating a range of 2-3 weeks before we can take that water from the well to use in our schools,” ACS superintendent Maggie Fehrman said. “We know that when we fully reopen our campuses, we will need to make every second count more than ever before. We are ready to do that.”
Mitchell and Buncombe schools have not announced a start date yet, but in a special announcement yesterday, Buncombe County Schools shared that while 42 of its 45 schools have power, only 13 schools have water.
Buncombe is considering bringing “portable restroom trailers with built in hand-washing stations” to campuses until water is restored and offering prepackaged foods for breakfasts and lunches. The district also said its transportation team is working on rerouting buses to avoid damaged bridges and roads.
Henderson County Public Schools plans to start back on Monday, Oct. 14, with the exception of an elementary school in Hendersonville which needs new flooring from flooding, which will take about two months, BlueRidgeNow reported. Transylvania County Schools also plans to reopen Monday, and Haywood County students will start back Tuesday on a two-hour delay, according to the website.
McDowell, Rutherford and Polk County Schools returned yesterday. Avery, Ashe, Watauga and Yancey County Schools all say on their websites that they are closed this week, but no start date has been posted.
Here’s the latest Appalachia news:
Cooper signs relief bill: Gov. Roy Cooper signed a $273 million relief bill into law today. House Bill 149, called the “Disaster Recovery Act of 2024,” is likely one of multiple spending plans to restore Western North Carolina. (We looked into the bill in yesterday’s edition of Mountain Updates, and you can read the full bill here.)
At least 120 confirmed deaths in NC: The state has confirmed 121 deaths from Hurricane Helene, with the most in Buncombe County at 42. WLOS has a gut-wrenching list of the causes of death for each confirmed victim. The top causes of death were drownings, landslides and blunt force injuries.
Checking in on WNC towns: The Asheville Citizens Times published a recovery update yesterday on the towns ravaged by Helene. Read it here.
Buncombe water restoration update: North Fork’s 36-inch bypass line was connected to the water system early this morning, WLOS reported. It’s still going to be a while before water is restored to many customers in Asheville and Buncombe County, but it’s a big milestone. Read about plans to restore main lines here.
Black Mountain gets water for toilets: The Town of Black Mountain reconnected with the City of Asheville’s water supply today but is only to be used for flushing toilets. The water is not running through the filter so it’s still full of sediment and not drinkable, even if boiled.
Tetanus risk: The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is warning residents about the risk of tetanus during recovery efforts. Tetanus, caused by bacteria entering through cuts or puncture wounds, can lead to severe complications, including muscle stiffness and breathing difficulties. The department advises seeking immediate medical care for deep or dirty wounds and staying up to date on tetanus vaccinations. (WLOS)
Mobile medical aid: Mobile medical clinics are being set up across Western North Carolina by the Collaborative Care of Western North Carolina, offering services like prescriptions and mental health support. The initiative, coordinated by MAHEC Medical Center, aims to assist emergency services, with locations such as the First Baptist Church in Swannanoa. (WLOS)
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She’s in her giving era (and other music news)
As a Swiftie, this does not come as a surprise: Feeding America shared on Instagram that Taylor Swift has donated $5M to support communities affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton. (Swift has been quietly donating to food banks over the past two years at her Eras Tour stops.)
In other music news: A benefit album was released yesterday, called “Cardinals At The Window.” The 135-song album features unreleased music from artists including Tyler Childers, R.E.M., Fleet Foxes, The War on Drugs, Jason Isbell and Phish.
You can download the digital album for $10 on Bandcamp.
The website says 100% of the proceeds will be evenly split between BeLoved Asheville, Rural Organizing and Resilience and the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina.
In case you missed it: Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban and Bailey Zimmerman were added yesterday to the lineup at Bank of America Stadium’s benefit “Concert for Carolina” on Oct. 26, which was announced earlier this week with Luke Combs, Eric Church, Billy Strings and James Taylor.
Quotable: A one-way ticket to Burnsville
After days with no word from her family in Burnsville, Texan Laura Shelton hopped on a flight from Houston to Charlotte, prepared to hike up the mountain to find them, Shelton told WCNC.
She finally received a text, and the next day, she was reunited with her mother and grandparents.
“I haven’t heard their voices, but I got a text message on my way home yesterday,” she said last week. “I just started bawling.”
Those tears were replaced by a big smile when she reunited with her mother and grandparents in person the next day.
“I was prepared to go up on the mountain if I needed to help hike them down or whatever,” Shelton said. “But luckily, they were airlifted out. So, mamaw and pawpaw rode in a helicopter.”
Shelton’s mother and other survivors were rescued by first responders on ATVs. Eventually, her entire family made it to a friend’s home nearby.
“My mamaw was standing out on the porch and I could see her,” Shelton recalled. “I just ran up to her and I just started sobbing. And pawpaw came out and we hugged and hugged.”
Now, staying in Monroe, the family faces the challenge of rebuilding their landslide-damaged home.
Photo of the day: With bridges and roads destroyed, folks must reroute
This photo was taken off exit 55 along US-70 of a bridge over the Swannanoa River (near the Root Bar in east Asheville). A house was carried down the river and left in the middle of the road. It’s a main route many people take to get to school and work. (Photo courtesy of Rey Castillo Jr.)
Watch: New York Times offers a glimpse into a Burnsville field hospital
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Lindsey Banks is a staff reporter with The Charlotte Ledger. Reach her at lindsey@cltledger.com.
How to help
Blue Ridge Public Radio, a public radio station based in Asheville, has one of the most comprehensive lists we’ve seen of local, on-the-ground organizations that are aiding in the recovery effort. Check it out here.
Many organizations have put out a call for warm clothes and blankets as temperatures drop in the mountains. You can donate to their efforts at the links below.
Hearts with Hands, a local disaster relief organization, has a donation page to provide food, supplies and water.
United Way of North Carolina has established a fund to help residents affected by the flooding.
MANNA Foodbank, which serves 16 counties in Western North Carolina, is accepting food, supplies and monetary donations. The organization’s warehouse on Swannanoa River Road in Asheville was damaged by the hurricane.
The American Red Cross is accepting donations to help residents in the Southeast.
Samaritan’s Purse, which is headquartered in Boone, is scheduling volunteers to help with debris cleanup.
Operation Blessing has a donation page to provide food, supplies and water.
E4E Relief, a Charlotte-headquartered provider of emergency financial relief programs on behalf of corporations, is accepting donations for their newly established Hurricane Helene Community Fund, offering financial support to individuals with long-term impacts from Hurricane Helene.
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Executive editor: Tony Mecia; Managing editor: Cristina Bolling; Staff writer: Lindsey Banks; Business manager: Brie Chrisman