Western North Carolina grapples with aftermath of Hurricane Helene

Devastation from the remnants of Helene isn't stopping one non-profit from continuing its life-saving work.

Manna Food Bank, which provides food for the hungry in 16 counties across western North Carolina, had its facility and warehouse wiped out by last week's storm and is now operating from a makeshift location.

But despite the location change, the food bank still delivered supplies to thousands on Wednesday.

"I want to cry," said Asheville resident Janice Edwards. "I've got tears in my eyes right now."

A devastated community that is continuing to look out for each other.

"People are basically good, and you find out how good they really are," said resident Mary Dawkins.

Dawkins was one of the thousands of people that Manna Food Bank managed to deliver food to Wednesday. Efforts that keep the 86-year-old hopeful as she manages life without power or water.

"People have been so kind and they've been so generous," Dawkins said. "People have talked to me when I've not had contact before."

Edwards is also relying on the food bank's heroic efforts.

"Well, I'm having to go to the creek to get water up, flush my toilet, and I'm taking creek water for my mom to flush toilets," she said.

Jeremy Weinstein, who ran the warehouse for Manna Food Bank before it was washed away by flood waters, said he knows what's at stake.

"The need is higher now than it's ever been especially in some of the hard-to-reach counties that we typically service that are already, you know, facing food insecurity," Weinstein said. "It's already hard to get access to those communities. And now they're really cut off."

Manna is vowing not to turn anyone away as part of a message they want delivered to a community that is hurting.

"We're still here," Weinstein said. "We're going to do what we can to get to you."

President Joe Biden has approved the deployment of 1,000 active-duty soldiers from the 18th Airborne Corps and the 82nd Airborne Division that are stationed at Fort Liberty.

Those soldiers will help FEMA in creating and stabilizing essential services for communities hit hardest by Hurricane Helene.

The soldiers will provide manpower and logistics support, which will help FEMA and other partners reach hardest hit areas in western North Carolina -- some of which became inaccessible when the storm destroyed roads into and out of the area.

Other military equipment already being utilized in North Carolina include:

• US Army and US Navy helicopters, Soldiers, and Sailors providing critical capability to move personnel and supplies in areas where access via roads is not available or viable.
• US Air Force aircraft, helicopters, and Airmen providing search-and-rescue capabilities.
• US Army Soldiers and high wheeled vehicles moving personnel and supplies over roads and terrain damaged or impassable to normal vehicles.
• Army Corps of Engineers Temporary Power Teams and subject matter experts supporting debris removal, water and wastewater management, and bridge inspections.

The National Guard has also activated more than 6,500 Guardsmen as well as hundreds of boats and helicopters.

Numerous areas in western NC will take weeks even months to fully recover from Tropical Storm Helene.

One of those communities is Black Mountain which is on the way to Asheville when taking Interstate 40.

A bridge on Blue Ridge Road there has been completely washed out leaving the road impassable for drivers.

This also makes it even more difficult for those in need to get supplies that they need.

Homes along the river in that area were also left with severe water damage.

Hurricane Helene caused 57 people to die in Buncombe County alone, according to the sheriff.

More than 100,000 people remain without power in the county, Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder said in a press conference Tuesday afternoon. Water and meals will continue to be provided at several distribution sites in the county. Neighboring counties have stepped in to help and are now receiving overflow 911 calls from Buncombe County, Pinder said.

There are "miles of complete devastation" in Buncombe County, said Scott Dean, with the responding National Urban Search and Rescue team. Nineteen federal urban search and rescue teams are on the ground in the state, working to get to those that cannot leave their homes and to provide assistance. Local police and fire departments are responding to more accessible areas to answer calls.

Buncombe County and state officials are also discussing deploying and using mobile morgues in the county, Pinder said.

Biltmore Village no longer has standing water, but roads remain blocked from the devastation, which will continue to make it difficult to respond and remove debris from the Asheville neighborhood.

Dr. Jennifer Mullendore, Buncombe County Medical Director, said that the county is accepting donations of certain medications and providing primary health care to adults in need. The NC Board of Pharmacy is helping direct people to pharmacies that are currently open in the state.

Asheville Assistant City Manager Ben Woody reiterated that it would take weeks for water services to be fully restored in the city.