Helene
Cool off: Chimney Rock State Park reopens today
June 27. Chimney Rock State Park is reopening this afternoon exactly nine months after Hurricane Helene swept through the region. The first reservations begin at 2:30 pm. (Gates will be closed prior to 2:30 pm.) Regular hours of 8:30 to 4:30 will resume June 28. The only open route into Chimney Rock is NC 9 […]
Helene update: 101 deaths in NC, 7 remain missing
Nov. 1. There were 101 confirmed deaths statewide due to Helene, according to the NC Dept. of Health & Human Services; seven people remain unaccounted for more than a month later. —Approximately $195 million in FEMA Individual Assistance funds have been paid so far to Western North Carolina disaster survivors and approximately 239,000 people have […]
Helene update: More than 100 fatalities
Oct. 30. There were 101 verified storm-related fatalities in North Carolina as of Oct. 30 due to Hurricane Helene. Three deaths occurred in Mecklenburg County. The fatalities are updated five days a week and verified through official channels and are subject to change based on investigation. For a county-by-county list of fatalities, click here.
Live concerts this weekend benefit tropical storm victims in Western NC
Oct. 25. Two live concert events this weekend will benefit victims of Tropical Storm Helene in Western North Carolina. On Friday at BoatYard with Brightside and DJ Jay Wheelz are donating all proceeds from the show’s ticket sales to relief efforts for western NC victims of hurricane Helene. The concert starts at 8 pm. Tickets […]
Helene damages exceed $53 billion
Oct. 24. Hurricane Helene packed an economic wallop when it hit Western North Carolina, unlike any previous storm. Gov. Roy Cooper’s budget proposal calls for $3.9 billion just to begin rebuilding infrastructure, homes, businesses, schools and farms. Initial damage estimates are $53 billion, roughly three times Hurricane Florence estimates in 2018 and the largest in […]
Meck County Park & Rec collecting donations for WNC through Nov. 1
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is collecting donations for victims of Tropical Storm Helene in Western North Carolina until Friday, Nov. 1. Items needed include: Mops, brooms, and scrub brushes; bottled water and other packaged drinks; first aid kits; hygiene items, including soap, detergent, disinfectant, garbage bags, and hand sanitizer; infant care items such as […]
Peninsula Community Foundation collecting new coats for Helene victims in Buncombe, Avery counties
Oct. 16. The Peninsula Community Foundation is partnering with two organizations, Eblen Charities in Asheville and High Country Charitable Foundation in Banner Elk, for a winter coat drive. Eblen is serves hard hit Buncombe County and High Country is serving Avery County. PCF will send half of the coats to Asheville and the other half […]
Helene-related death toll in NC nearing 100
Oct. 15. As of last night, 95 Tropical Storm Helene-related deaths have been confirmed in North Carolina by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner. The number is expected to continue to rise over the coming days. A total of 13 shelters are open in Western North Carolina supporting over 560 people. Ways to donate or […]
Beware of hurricane-related scams
Oct. 15. As ne’er-do-wells ramp up their online fraud efforts in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene, October happens to be Cybersecurity Awareness Month in North Carolina. “Storms like Helene offer prime opportunities for cybercriminals looking to take advantage of others during a crisis situation when they may have their guard down,” said Gov. Roy […]
Novant offering free virtual care services to Helene victims in WNC
Oct. 10. Novant Health is providing free, on-demand virtual care services to Helene victims in Western NC. Patients may access care by visiting NovantHealth.org/VirtualCare. No appointment is necessary, Virtual care visits offer treatment 24/7 for conditions such as fever, COVID, cold and flu, ear infections, shortness of breath, rash and common skin conditions, back pain […]
