Racing Against Time: North Carolina Responders Struggle Post-Hurricane Helene

Emergency responders in western North Carolina are racing to reach people unaccounted for after Hurricane Helene's devastation. The storm killed over 100 people, left over 2 million without power, and isolated regions due to flooding. The government and emergency services continue rescue and relief efforts amidst challenging conditions.

Emergency responders in western North Carolina faced mounting pressures on Monday to locate individuals missing three days after Hurricane Helene ravaged the southeastern United States. The storm claimed more than 100 lives across six states and obliterated communication networks, leaving millions powerless.

In particularly affected Buncombe County, which includes Asheville, 35 deaths were confirmed, prompting local authorities to arrange for the distribution of food and water. Even as aerial supplies made their way into the largely cut-off area, roads remained perilous due to flooding and outages.

"We don't have water, and we do not have power across most of the county...the roads are still incredibly dangerous," stated County Manager Avril Pinder. The lack of cellular service complicated efforts, as residents like Taylor Shelton relied on neighbors with walkie-talkies for vital information. Meanwhile, Governor Roy Cooper stressed the urgency of rescuing those trapped and unaccounted for, acknowledging the significant task ahead.

(With inputs from agencies.)