Full Notification

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 9, 2024

Hurricane Helene Response Update from McDowell County Emergency Operations Center (EOC)

FEMA Registration Intake Centers Now Open

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) resources are now available for those affected by Hurricane Helene in McDowell County. Residents are encouraged to apply for assistance through FEMA’s official website, by calling their hotline, or by visiting one of the registration intake centers listed below. Our team at the Helene Hotline is also available to assist with navigating this process.
Locations & Hours: FEMA representatives will be at the following locations, current hours are 09:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Additional locations and resources will be forthcoming:

• McDowell Senior Center (UPPER LEVEL ONLY), 100 Spaulding Rd. Marion, NC 28752
• Glenwood Baptist Church, 155 Glenwood Baptist Church Rd. Marion, NC 28752

Disaster Recovery Centers are being established to provide community members with direct access to FEMA representatives and additional wrap-around services to support those in need. Online registration is also available at https://www.disasterassistance.gov.

McDowell County Helene Hotline: Your Primary Resource

The McDowell County Helene Hotline is the best point of contact for residents with any needs or questions regarding recovery efforts. Our team is ready to assist anyone in navigating available resources, including FEMA support, shelters, food, water, and medical assistance. Call us at 828-652-3241 for assistance.

Utility Outage Impacting the 911 Center
Due to utility outages in McDowell, our 911 Communications Center is experiencing disruptions. If you have phone service, you can still call 911, and your call will be answered. Calls are temporarily being routed to nearby 911 centers, which will notify McDowell County of your emergency. Rest assured, our 911 operators are still able to dispatch responders quickly to assist you.
We will provide updates to the public as soon as we have more information.

Current Priorities:

• Search and Rescue Operations: Our teams will continue to investigate missing person reports and systematically search all impacted areas for any survivors or casualties.
• Food, Water, and Commodity Distribution: Points of Distribution (PODs) and warm meal locations are available. Visit www.mcdowellcares.org for more information.
• Recovery Support: We are working to ensure that all available resources are accessible to the public as they become available.

Current Missing Persons Report (as of 2:00 PM, 10/9/24):

• Total Active Missing Persons Cases: 15

Town of Old Fort Update

Old Fort's water and sewer services are making progress, but the town remains under a boil water advisory until further notice to protect public health. Residents should boil all water used for drinking, cooking, and brushing teeth for at least one minute until testing confirms the water is safe for consumption.
Old Fort, under a state of emergency, remains under a curfew from 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. until further notice. Exceptions include those traveling to work or in emergencies. The curfew is in place to protect life, safety, and property. Law enforcement officers statewide are patrolling the town to maintain order and enforce laws.
The town will continue to provide updates on the progress of restoration efforts and the status of the boil water advisory.

Essential Supplies Distribution: Food, Water, and More

In collaboration with local churches and agencies, distribution points across the community are providing essential supplies, including food, water, toiletries, and other critical resources. The distribution points are open to all residents affected by Helene and are fully stocked with items to support those in need. For up-to-date information, visit www.mcdowellcares.org or call the McDowell County Helene Hotline at (828) 652-3241.

 

Power Outage Update

In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, McDowell County continues recovery efforts as crews work to restore power to affected residents. Officials urge extreme caution as power restoration efforts continue. Residents and volunteers should stay clear of downed power lines, downed wires, and debris that could be in contact with them. These hazards can be deadly. Never assume a downed line is safe; always maintain a safe distance and keep others away. If you encounter one, turn around and choose another path. Please use extreme caution in damaged areas and follow all warnings and guidance from local and state officials.
A qualified electrician should inspect your property to ensure it is safe to re-energize before restoring power to your home after a flood. To report downed lines, contact your service provider, not 911, unless there is a medical emergency or fire hazard. For outage information or to report an outage with Duke Energy, contact Duke Energy at 800-769-3766, text "OUT" to 57801, or visit their outage map at https://outagemaps.duke-energy.com/#/current-outages/ncsc. For REA customers, visit http://cvoutage.remc.com:8083/ to view power outage maps or call 1-800-521-0921 to report an outage.
 
Generator Safety
 
McDowell County Emergency Management reminds residents that generators, while helpful during power outages caused by Tropical Storm Helene, can be dangerous if not used properly. Generators emit carbon monoxide, a deadly gas, so residents should install carbon monoxide detectors and follow safety guidelines including operating generators outdoors only, maintaining a safe distance, keeping them dry, and never connecting them to household wiring.

McDowellCares.org: Your Hub for Community Resources

For comprehensive information on recovery resources, visit www.mcdowellcares.org. The website includes locations for Points of Distribution (PODs) and warm meal sites, along with other essential services available to residents. Stay informed and access the support you need.

Media Contact:

McDowell County Emergency Operations Center
Incident Management Team
(828) 652-3241