The North Carolina Department of Transportation reports that I-40 and I-26 are impassable in multiple locations and that all roads in Western North Carolina should be considered closed. (North Carolina DOT photo)

President Joe Biden has granted North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s request for a federal major disaster declaration for Tropical Storm Helene. The declaration means that the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) will be able to speed additional help to the state and provide individual assistance to people living in affected counties, as well as public assistance to reimburse local governments and state agencies 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.

North Carolina Emergency Management officials have been working around the clock to support local efforts and coordinate emergency supply drop-offs.

“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,” said the governor in a statement on Sunday.

Ten North Carolinians have died from the effects of the storm, and that number could rise.

Communication problems persist across the region.

North Carolinians outside the region are urged to not travel to the area.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) reports that I-40 and I-26 are impassable in multiple locations and that all roads in Western North Carolina should be considered closed.

On Saturday, Interstate 26 south of Asheville was opened but it remains the only major thoroughfare into the region due to damage to Interstate 40 and other routes. State transportation officials continue to urge people to avoid travel anywhere in western North Carolina as about 390 roads and dozens of main highways remain closed Saturday due to flooding, downed trees, landslides or storm damage.

“The catastrophic devastation to western North Carolina is like nothing we have ever seen,” said Cooper.

The Governor has deployed the NC National Guard with 410 troops and 146 vehicles including high water vehicles to help with rescues and to deliver both personnel and equipment to help with storm response.

Duke Energy reports their linesmen have restored power to 723,000 customers across the Carolinas over the past 24 hours.

Approximately 630,000 customers in North Carolina remained without power late Saturday with the bulk of those outages in Buncombe County.

Duke Energy has 13,000 line workers, tree trimmers and other support personnel dedicated to restoration efforts in the Carolinas.

Twelve shelters were still open on Sunday and housing approximately 500 people. Click here to find emergency shelters that are open and their locations.

Counties covered by the federal disaster declaration include: 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.

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