Home » News » Govt. Cooper visits Yancey and Mitchell Counties to assess storm damage; Federal, state, local and charitable partners are continuing a unique response to Helene

Govt. Cooper visits Yancey and Mitchell Counties to assess storm damage; Federal, state, local and charitable partners are continuing a unique response to Helene

Press release in English

Today, the Gov. Roy Cooper traveled to towns Pensacola y Bakersvillewhere the ruler of FEMADeanne Criswell; Secretary of the NC Department of Public Safety (NCDPS)Eddie Buffaloe, as well as State Highway Patrol Commander Col. Freddie Johnson, to assess storm damage, witness relief work and speak with those affected by the storm. Helen. In Pensacola, The Governor visited a supply distribution center operating at a Volunteer Fire Station in Pensacola. In Bakersvillethe governor joined Mayor Charles Vines for a walking tour to see areas damaged by the storm.

“Today, in Pensacola, County Yancey and in BakersvilleCounty MitchellI was on the ground talking to those who are affected Helen and seeing how hard people are working to rebuild after the storm,” said Governor Cooper. “The people of Western North Carolina are strong; “We will continue to work with them to increase resources and enable them to rebuild and rebuild their communities.”

The Disaster Declaration requested by Governor Cooper and authorized by President Biden, now covers the following portions and counties in North Carolina, which were added Tuesday afternoon:
• Counties under the Personal Assistance Program: Cabarrus, Cherokee, Forsyth, Graham, Iredell, Lee, Nash, Rowan, Stanly, Surry, Union y Yadkin
• Counties under emergency protection and debris removal measures, including direct federal assistance under the Public Assistance Program: Cabarrus, Cherokee, Forsyth, Graham, Iredell, Lee, Nash, Rowan, Stanly, Surry, Union y Yadkin
• County for permanent works (already allocated for Individual Assistance, in addition to emergency protection measures and debris removal, including direct federal assistance under the Public Assistance Program): Sweden

Disaster Declaration now covers 27 NC counties (Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga , Wilkes y Yancey)as well as the Eastern Aboriginal Strip Cherokee.

Also today, Governor Cooper issued an emergency Executive Order, advisory in English herewhich permits the North Carolina Department of Commerce (NC Department of Commerce) to increase the amount of weekly unemployment payments, for the benefit of North Carolinians, after the Hurricane Helen. As a result of this Order, weekly unemployment benefits will increase from up to US$350 per week to up to US$600 per week. Before this Executive Order, many low-income workers and part-time workers would have received less than the maximum of US$350 per week. To ensure that employees get the necessary benefits afterwards HelenThis Order will also increase US$250 per week (up to a limit of US$600) for each eligible worker. The Order relates to the Proclamation of a State of Emergency due to the Hurricane Helentherefore it shall remain in force until the end of that Proclamation; or, until canceled.

The authorities are working to put security measures in place for relief workers, amid reports of threats and misinformation. After reports of threats on the ground, security officials FEMA They live in the communities and are working to help those affected by the storms as soon as possible. The Govt. Cooper has directed the Department of Public Safety to work with local law enforcement to identify specific threats and rumors, to coordinate actions with FEMA and other allies to ensure the safety and protection of all involved, while recovery operations continue.

Actions by the military and the NC National Guard
About 3,400 soldiers and airmen are stationed in western North Carolina. The North Carolina Joint Special Forces, a task force led by the North Carolina National Guard, is made up of soldiers and airmen from 12 different states in the country, with two different air group units. XVIII Airborne Corps from Ft. Freedomwith a unit from the air department 101St Air sector from Ft. Campbell and with several civic organizations working shoulder to shoulder to provide much needed support to the people of western North Carolina.

To facilitate missions, the NC National Guard and military personnel are operating in western NC with more than 12 active aircraft assets and more than 1,200 specialized vehicles. The US Army Corps of Engineers helps evaluate wastewater plants and irrigation dams. Residents can monitor the status of public water supply in their area through the portal presented here.

Support from FEMA
To date, more than $102 million in Personal Assistance funds have been disbursed. FEMAsee the portal displayed hereto the victims of Western NC; Over 181,000 people have signed up to receive this Support. About 2,000 families are now staying in hotels through the Transitional Shelter Assistance Program. FEMA.

More than 1,400 elements of FEMA is in the state to help relief efforts in western NC. In addition to search, rescue and supply activities, they are meeting victims in shelters and neighborhoods to provide quick access to relief resources; Employees can be identified by their clothing with the logo FEMA and your federal government ID.

North Carolinians can apply for Personal Assistance by calling the helpline FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 from 7am to 11pm daily; also visiting the portal presented here; or by downloading the app FEMA for mobile phone. FEMA they may be able to help address important needs, displacement, temporary housing, basic home repair costs, loss of personal property, and other needs as a result of the disaster.

Help from other states in the country
More than 1,500 first responders from 38 state and local agencies have launched 142 missions to support emergency management response and recovery efforts. (Emergency Management Assistance Compact, EMAC)which includes health department nurses, emergency control teams supporting local governments, veterinarians, search dog teams and more.

Warning for incorrect information
NC Department of Emergency Management (NCEM) and local authorities are informing the public about false reports about it Helen and about misinformation being shared on social networks. NCEM has launched an answer portal comparing facts and rumours, presented hereto provide factual information after this hurricane has passed. FEMA It also maintains a portal on the topic of facts against rumours, presented here.

Actions will continue to provide food, water and basic needs to the residents of the affected communities; Guard delivery facilities are used NCNG by air and land; Food, water and merchandise distribution points are open throughout western North Carolina. For information about these sites in your community, visit social media and local emergency management and local government portals; also visit the portal presented here.

Storm debris removal
If your home has been damaged and you need help removing debris, call the service Emergency cleaning by calling 1-844-965-1386 to access volunteer organizations that may be helpful.

Power outage
Across western NC, nearly 11,000 customers are still without power, down from a peak of more than a million. Total power outage numbers will vary slightly as construction crews temporarily disconnect circuits or substations to make repairs and restore service to more customers.

Road and road closures
Some roads and highways are closed because they are too damaged and pose a danger to vehicular traffic. Other roads must remain reserved for essential vehicles, such as public service vehicles, construction equipment and supply trucks. However, some areas of the region are open and ready to welcome visitors, which is vital to the revitalization of the Western NC economy. If you are thinking of visiting the area, check out the portal presented here knowing which roads are already open to the community and businesses you want to visit, as well as whether or not these places are already receiving visitors yet.

NCDOT There are currently around 2,000 workers and 900 pieces of equipment working in more than 7,000 sites with damaged roads and highways.

Adventurous events
In North Carolina, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has confirmed eighty-five cases of deaths related to the storm; It is expected, in the coming days, that this figure will rise. The Auditor’s Office will continue to verify the figures twice a day. If you have an emergency, or if you think someone is in danger, call 911.

Volunteers and donations
If you would like to donate to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, visit the portal displayed here. Donations will support local non-profit organizations working in the field.

For information on how you can become a volunteer, visit the portal displayed here.

Additional support
There is no right or wrong way to feel about hurricane trauma response. If you have been affected by the storm and need to talk to someone, you can call or text the service’s helpline An accident of distress at 1-800-985-5990. Help is also available in English or Spanish to anyone, at any time, via call, text or online chat by dialing 988; find more information in the portal presented here.

If you would like to contact a United NC Contact Center representative (North Carolina Joint Information Center)write to: [email protected]; or call (919) 825-2599.

For general information, access to resources, or answers to common questions, consult the portal displayed here.

For information on resource support for recovery measures for residents affected by the storm, write to: [email protected]

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2024-10-17 02:06:00
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