Governor Roy Cooper gives Helene relief briefing at Asheville airport: 'so much more to do'

While it is a long road for western NC residents, the first wave of response has been massive.

There are currently 3,300 active National Guard members. Their assistance includes providing basic medical care, participating in search and rescue efforts and distributing supplies.

"We know there is much more to do," Gov. Roy Cooper said Monday during a briefing.

He stood alongside FEMA and other state officials to provide updates on relief efforts for Hurricane Helene, which hit North Carolina more than a week ago.

Cooper said restoration of power and water will occur community by community. Some residents have already experienced power restoration, however, water is a different story.

He admitted he doesn't have a timeline for water restoration, especially for Asheville and Buncombe County areas.

"We're still opening roads, still working to reach communities, still have search and rescue occurring as we speak," he said. "But we know the people of NC will pull together and the people of WNC will recover from this storm and will work to be more resilient than ever."

Watch full conference with Helene efforts updates

"We know there is much more to do," Gov. Roy Cooper said Monday.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper will give a Helene relief briefing Monday at the Asheville Airport around 11:30 a.m.

He will be joined by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell; Dual Status Commander Brig Gen Wes Morrison; and General Gregory Guillot, Commander of NORTHCO.

According to the governor's office, Cooper will then travel to Chimney Rock and Lake Lure to access damage and relief operations, as well as thank volunteers and speak to hurricane victims.

A group of about 100 volunteer helicopter pilots is flying around 400 relief missions a day over North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene, one of its co-founders says.

Matt McSwain says the group has more than 90 helicopters registered to help out Operation Helo, which formed a week ago after the hurricane devastated parts of the state, leaving entire communities destroyed and roads to hard-hit areas cut off.

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A catastrophic event like Helene can test a person's faith. That faith is also bringing people together.

Hundreds of people gathered at a makeshift service at Hendersonville High School's football stadium. For many, it was a chance to hear a message of unity and hope after escaping the destruction of their neighborhoods.

Aaron and Larissa Smith had their home destroyed by Helene.

"We heard a very loud thud, and that was a couple-ton boulder that was in the room next to ours," Aaron said. "It came and knocked the wall down in the bed we were supposed to be sleeping in, and then obviously thousands of pounds of mud and all that poured into the house."

Many at the Sunday service say God has been showing up through the kindness of others in the former of seemingly endless donations and volunteers.

A catastrophic event like Helene can test a person's faith.