UPDATE: 9:40 AM ET

President Biden has granted Governor Roy Cooper’s request for a Federal Major Disaster Declaration for Tropical Storm Helene providing immediate federal help for 25 North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

The declaration means that FEMA will be able to speed additional help to the state, and provide Individual Assistance to people living in those counties, as well as Public Assistance to reimburse local governments, state agencies, and non-profits or other eligible organizations for funds spent repairing facilities and infrastructure.

“The people in western North Carolina are hurting from this devastating storm and we are all working to get resources to people as fast as we can,” said Governor Cooper. “We have deployed rescue teams, transportation crews, water, mobile kitchens and more. This is going to be a long-term recovery and this federal declaration will help us respond.”

The counties in the declaration are Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey Counties as well as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. As response operations and eligible damages dictate, North Carolina may be able to add additional counties or programs as assessments move forward. This declaration will also provide Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding for future efforts to mitigate the impacts of future events.

This declaration is in addition to the federal emergency declaration already in place prior to the impacts of Tropical Storm Helene.

Read the declaration summary here.

UPDATE: 6:30 AM ET

North Carolina state transportation officials are urging people to avoid unnecessary travel in western North Carolina as about 390 roads, including areas along Interstate 40 and dozens of highways in the foothills and mountains, remain closed due to flooding, downed trees, landslides or catastrophic damage from Helene.

N.C. Department of Transportation crews are working day and night this weekend to assess the widespread damage to roads and will prioritize efforts to reopen interstates, U.S. and state highways first before getting to state-maintained secondary roads.

But the emergency response and recovery effort will likely take months as damage to many roads and bridges is serious. Hundreds of thousands of power outages and limited cell phone coverage are impacting those efforts.

“Our top priority is everyone’s safety and well-being,” said state Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins. “People should still consider roads in western North Carolina to be closed and avoid travel unless it is absolutely necessary. Priority must be given to all the emergency responders, utility and transportation crews, and others who are working hard to help with what will be a lengthy response and recovery effort.”

More than 1,600 NCDOT employees and contract crews are working with utilities to clear roads of debris, repair others where possible, and determine how to repair or replace roads more seriously damaged or destroyed. NCDOT crews from lesser impacted parts of the state have been deploying to the western part of the state since Friday and that will continue through the weekend. Those include crews who will be bringing in fuel, backhoes and front-end loaders to remove debris from mudslides, and chainsaw teams to cut and shove downed trees from roads.

Most of the road closures are west of Interstate 77 due to high water where the roads are impassable or flooded, pipes that have failed beneath roads, or roads and bridges covered by debris from rock slides, downed power lines and fallen trees. The department has begun this weekend assessing repair plans and timelines for the damage done to the road network.

More than 60 closures are along primary routes including I-40, U.S. 74, U.S. 64 and dozens of other U.S. and N.C. highways.

“The scope and magnitude of this devastation is unlike anything many long-time residents have ever seen in western North Carolina,” Hopkins said. “We’re doing everything we can to help North Carolina recover from this devastating storm but this will be a long-term effort. We need people to be patient and help us with the recovery effort by staying off the roads.”

For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov

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UPDATE: 5:00 AM ET

Deaths are being confirmed in Asheville, North Carolina from the severe flooding that has hit the region. Over 400 roads and several major highways were shut down in North Carolina because of flooding damage. Damaged roads and widespread power and cellphone outages have created what officials call "an active natural disaster."

Governor Roy Cooper announced that supplies were being airlifted to the affected areas.

The Red Cross says it has deployed more than 500 trained disaster workers to provide aid to those affected in the Southeast by Hurricane Helene, with hundreds more on their way. The Red Cross is working with local authorities to assess damage, provide meals, and distribute relief supplies. In addition, they are operating shelters and providing health services and emotional support throughout the region. If you need assistance finding a missing loved one call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). You can find a list of shelters by visiting www.redcross.org or downloading the Red Cross Emergency app.

A city-wide initial assessment by FEMA and a team of city staff (DSD, Fire, Public Works) will begin Sunday, September 29. Community members will see city staff doing assessments to understand the magnitude of the overall storm damage. Development Services Department will be set up to receive and issue permits for removal and replacement of damaged areas. Permit fees will be waived for removal and repair permits.

Asheville Regional Airport reports flights scheduled to depart this morning and this afternoon have been canceled. Travelers were advised to check with their airline for the status of their flight before arriving at the airport, as officials expect continued disruptions and cancelations for at least the next few days.

More than 600,000 homes and businesses are still without power across North Carolina, with most of the outages in WNC. Nearly 200,000 of the outages are in Buncombe County.

Issues with Natural Gas: Dominion – 1-866-366-4357

Water Service:

Officials say Hurricane Helene severely damaged the City of Asheville's water system, and a boil order is in effect. According to the City of Asheville extensive repairs to the water system will be required and the city's Water Resources Department is already starting the process of acquiring the needed equipment and personnel. The City of Asheville advises anyone who currently has water to fill bathtubs and other containers to prepare for loss of service.

When water service is restored consumers who have electric power are advised to boil all water used for human consumption (including drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation). Those without power are advised to use bottled water for the purposes mentioned above.

Vigorous boiling for one (1) minute should kill any disease-causing organisms that may be present in the water. This advisory remains in effect until further written notification is issued.

Water customers who currently have water are encouraged to fill bathtubs in preparedness for loss of water.

Structure Damage:

Structural damage should be reported to an individual’s insurance company as soon as possible.

Emergency Shelters:

Buncombe:

A-B Technical Community College - 340 Victoria Rd, Asheville, N.C. 28801
First Baptist Church Swannanoa - 503 Park Street, Swannanoa, N.C. 28778
WNC Agricultural Center- 1301 Fanning Bridge Rd, Fletcher, N.C. 28732

Haywood:

Haywood County Government Armory - 285 Armory Drive, Clyde, N.C. 28781

Henderson:

Henderson County Recreation Center - 708 S. Grove St, Hendersonville, N.C. 28792

Jackson:

Cashiers Recreation Center - 355 Frank Allen Rd, Cashiers, N.C. 28717
Jackson County Department of Aging - 100 County Services Park, Sylva, N.C. 28779

McDowell:

First Baptist Church of Old Fort - 203 E Main St, Old Fort, N.C. 28762
Glenwood Baptist Church - 1550 Old US 221 South, Marion, N.C. 28752

Polk:

Polk County High School - 1681 NC 108 Highway East, Columbus, N.C. 28722

Transylvania:

Pisgah Forest Baptist Church - 494 Hendersonville Hwy, Pisgah Forest, N.C. 28768

Yancey:

South Toe Elementary School - 139 South Toe School Rd, Burnsville, N.C. 28714
West Yancey Volunteer Fire Department - 6557 US Hwy 19, Burnsville, N.C. 28714

List of other shelters available around the region.

Pet Care:

Brother Wolf Animal Rescue in Asheville issued an urgent plea for the community to foster animals as they were forced to evacuate their facility due to flooding. They are specifically seeking foster families for 75 cats until possibly next Tuesday. The animal shelter says those interested in fostering can contact friends@bwar.org. Brother Wolf Animal Rescue will provide all necessary supplies. Financial contributions and supply donations are also welcomed to support the animals in need.

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UPDATE: 4:00 AM ET

Western Carolina University (WCU) and UNC Asheville (UNCA) have provided an update about campus conditions after Helene.

"Conditions at UNC Asheville are difficult," Chancellor Kimberly van Noort said in a written statement shared on social media Saturday night.

Noort said there's significant tree damage and parts of campus are inaccessible, but everyone if safe.

"Cell and internet coverage is nonexistent at this point," Noort said. "Classes will be suspended until Oct. 9. We are providing security, food, water, and comfort to the students remaining on campus.”

A statement posted on WCU's social media said retroactive from Thursday, Sept. 25, through Friday, Oct. 4, WCU will operate under Condition Level 3 (Closed), as defined by its Adverse Weather Policy.

"Classes are canceled, and all non-mandatory offices are closed," the statement read. "However, administration, university public safety, dining, and residential services will remain operational."

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