ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- Rescuers continue to search for anyone still unaccounted for since Hurricane Helene's remnants caused catastrophic damage to the Southeast, with the death toll at least 220.
The devastation was especially bad in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where at least 40 people died in and around the city of Asheville, a tourism haven known for its art galleries, breweries and outdoor activities.
The death toll in North Carolina is at 72 after Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller reported additional deaths. At least 200 people remain missing.
The sheriff sent a message to those still stranded or unaccounted for.
"We know these are hard times, but please know we're coming. We're here to get you," Sheriff Miller said Thursday. "We will not rest until you are secure and being cared for," he said.
Exhausted emergency crews worked around the clock to clear roads, restore power and phone service, and reach those still stranded by the storm. Nearly half of the storm's deaths were in North Carolina, while dozens of others were in South Carolina and Georgia.
The ongoing search is complicated by obstacles such as landslides and blocked roads.
"Our search and rescue crews are using drones and canines to search for people," an official told ABC News. "Once those crews have exhausted every resource, we will conclude the search."
The western part of the state is in ruins from destroyed homes, severe flooding, mudslides and collapsed roads. Some roads are gone making it a challenge to deliver water, food and other supplies to people.
Search and rescue crews from all levels of government were deployed throughout western North Carolina. Federal agencies, aid groups and volunteers worked to deliver supplies by air, truck and even mule train.
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Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to North Carolina this weekend to survey the impacts of Hurricane Helene. She will give an update on the Federal government's support of emergency response and recovery efforts.
Around 200,000 Duke Energy customers in western North Carolina still have no power after Helene swept through the area last week.
ABC affiliate WLOS reported the substation Swannanoa River Road, powering customers in the Biltmore Village area, is surrounded by rubble.
It needs to be rebuilt over the next three to four months.
It is a popular time of year to head to the mountains to check out the fall foliage, but the North Carolina Department of Transportation is reminding everyone that travel in the western part of the state is limited.
On top of that, all state parks west of I-77 are closed through at least the end of the month.
That includes Chimney Rock, Crowders Mountain, Grandfather Mountain, and Mount Mitchell state parks.
Days of torrential rains in North Carolina culminating with tropical downpours from what was Hurricane Helene led to officials to close two main interstates in the mountains after the storm came through.
Relief and recovery operations continue in western North Carolina.
According to a release from the governor's office, Governor Cooper will be in Jackson and Haywood counties to meet with those affected by the storm. He will also be thanking emergency personnel and volunteers for their work. Thursday, Cooper visited Ashe, Watauga and Avery counties.
"I met with hundreds of people in Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties and heard about the help they are getting and still need," he said in the release. "The resilience, compassion and determination of the people of Western North Carolina is inspiring and we will continue working around the clock to get them the help they need."
President Biden, Thursday, approved 100% FEMA reimbursement for six months. Over 36,000 people have registered for individual assistance through FEMA.
Cooper has activated over 1,100 NC National Guard soldiers and airmen to conduct search and rescue operations, as well as deliver supplies to western North Carolina. As of Wednesday, 372 specialized vehicles and 26 aircrafts have been deployed
Biden approved the governor's request for active-duty personnel and equipment to support operations in the western part of the state. According to the governor's office, activation assets and other equipment from Fort Liberty have been deployed and up to 1,000 active-duty military personnel are expected to begin deploying.
Electricity is being slowly restored. According to the governor's office, across the region, approximately 259,000 customers remain without power as of Thursday. This is down from a peak of more than one million. Power has been restored to more than 700,000 customers.
According to the governor's office, FEMA has delivered over 5.4 million meals and 6.3 million liters of water.
As of Wednesday afternoon, approximately 500 roads remain closed.
NCDOT said people should refrain from unnecessary travel to or in the western part of the state. Road access is limited to local and hurricane response traffic as crews work. First responders also want to keep roads as clear as possible.
