Full Notification

McDowell County Faces Unprecedented Disaster: Ongoing Rescues, Infrastructure Damage, and Limited Resources

While the storm has passed, McDowell County remains in a state of active disaster. Rescue missions are ongoing, and we are still facing multiple entrapments, missing persons, and critical emergencies. Although the weather may seem favorable today, please understand that this situation is far from over, and conditions remain dangerous and unpredictable.

McDowell 911 Communications is receiving hundreds of emergency calls every hour. Many of these involve patients who are entrapped with severe trauma, running out of oxygen or essential medical supplies. In many areas, responders are unable to reach those in need due to massive landslides, downed trees, power lines, and severely flooded roads.

  Critical Challenges Facing Our Emergency Response:

• Roadway Blockages: Numerous roads remain impassable due to landslides, trees, and flooding.
• Fuel Supply Shortages: Fueling operations for emergency vehicles are strained by widespread power outages and unreliable fuel supply.
• Communication Infrastructure: Our public safety communication systems are damaged. Radio and phone service are almost non-existent, further complicating rescue operations and efforts to locate missing and entrapped individuals.
• Delivery of Essential Commodities: Despite our best efforts, the delivery of food, water, and medical supplies are being hindered due to the destruction of roadway infrastructure throughout McDowell County and the surrounding regions.

 Water Supply Crisis in Old Fort:

The Town of Old Fort’s water system has been severely affected by the flash flooding in Old Fort.  There is limited to no water service in Old Fort. 

 Water Supply Crisis in Marion:

Due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene, the City of Marion's water supply is critically threatened. The city's water intakes are either without power or unable to produce water. The City of Marion is working with Duke Energy to restore power to the Buck Creek water intake, but there is no immediate timeline for restoration. Without power, the city’s water supply is expected to run out by 12:00 PM tomorrow, Sunday, September 29.
 

Current Operational Missions:

1. Air Rescues: Over 20 air rescues have been conducted since the early morning hours of September 28. These missions have successfully extracted patients from isolated areas that remain inaccessible by ground.

2. Commodities Distribution: Essential supplies ordered through the McDowell County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) are being distributed to designated drop points throughout the county by the U.S. National Guard.

3. Search and Rescue Efforts: We continue to prioritize locating and accessing missing and stranded citizens across McDowell County. Rescue teams are working tirelessly in hazardous conditions to bring those in need to safety.

 How You Can Help:

• Stay at home. Do not travel or attempt to navigate roads. Do not call 911 unless you are experiencing a true emergency.
• Shelters are filling rapidly. The current shelter status is as follows:
  1. Glenwood Baptist Shelter 155 Glenwood Baptist Church Rd Marion.– FULL
  2. Old Fort Baptist Shelter  – CLOSED
  3. McDowell County Senior Center 155 Spaulding Rd. Marion – OPEN

If you need transportation to a shelter, please call (828) 652-3241 for assistance if you have service.
This is a dire and unprecedented situation for McDowell County. We urge all residents to heed this warning and stay home for your safety and to allow first responders to focus on life-saving efforts. Please reserve 911 calls for true emergencies.
We are committed to doing everything within our power to restore services, rescue those in need, and provide resources to the community. Your cooperation and patience during this crisis are crucial to our recovery efforts.

For ongoing updates, please monitor local news and official McDowell Emergency Services communications.  We truly understand that this release will not reach the majority of our citizens due to the massive infrastructure damage that has occurred.

Stay safe, stay informed, and help us protect McDowell County.