NC Gov. Roy Cooper says 11 confirmed deaths in NC from Helene, number likely to rise

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Governor Roy Cooper shared an update Sunday on the impacts of Helene.

It is at the Emergency Operations Center on Gold Star Drive in Raleigh at 12:30 p.m.

This comes as cleanup is underway in The western part of North Carolina. Helene moved through as a tropical storm Friday morning, leaving a trail of damage.

Houses and businesses are flooded, damaged, or destroyed. Debris and mud were all over the roads.

"This is the most significant natural disaster that any one of us has ever seen in western North Carolina," Ryan Cole, Buncombe County assistant emergency services director, said.

During the Sunday news conference, Cooper said there were 11 confirmed deaths in NC from Helene, but the number is likely to rise.

"Tragically, we know there will be more," he said.

Sheriff Quintin Miller said the death toll stood at 10 Sunday morning in Buncombe County, but it will likely go higher. It was not clear whether the numbers he cited overlap with deaths confirmed by the state. Telephone, cellphone, and internet outages make it difficult for authorities to notify families of victims.

SEE ALSO | How to help those affected by Helene: volunteering, donations and other resources

Cooper spoke with Eyewitness News Saturday about the state's effort to help those impacted by the storm.

"This storm has brought catastrophic devastation to western North Carolina, of historic proportions," he said. "We are engaged in a coordinated effort right now with the priority being to get people out and supplies in."

WATCH: Gov. Cooper speaks on recovery efforts in western NC

Cooper said supplies were being airlifted to that part of the state. Buncombe County officials said Interstate 26 between Asheville and South Carolina had reopened, but most other routes into the city were impassible.

He is expected to visit the western part of the state over the next couple of days.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The featured video is from a previous report.

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