In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, more than 1,200 people are missing, and 10 have been confirmed dead in Buncombe County, North Carolina, as of Sunday. Local authorities shared the devastating news during an emergency meeting, where residents were updated on the status of medical crisis shelters and rescue efforts amid widespread flooding caused by the Category 4 storm, according to the New York Post.
To aid in locating the missing, officials have launched an emergency website aimed at coordinating search efforts. The hurricane caused widespread destruction, including leveling the small town of Steinhatchee, Florida, as it swept through the southern U.S.
“This is unbelievably tragic,” Olivia Rondeau posted on X, sharing an image from Asheville, NC. The photo, taken by Jessica Drye Turner moments before her house collapsed, shows her family just before tragedy struck. While Turner survived, her parents and her 6-year-old nephew tragically drowned in the flooding.
“We’re doing everything we can,” Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller said, explaining that flooded roads and debris are making rescue operations difficult. Many of the missing may be unreachable due to widespread power outages, leaving them unable to communicate their safety.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper warned that