We're getting our first look at the devastation in Western NC, what officials are now calling "Buncombe County's own Hurricane Katrina."
County Emergency Management held a press conference this afternoon, calling the damage "biblical." Here's what we learned:
- No official death toll yet, and no names are being released. Recovery of bodies is still ongoing. Asheville PD is going door to door in some areas, doing welfare checks
- Cell providers say it will be "several days" before service is restored, no solid timeline yet
- Looting is now an ongoing issue. Some arrests have been made. A curfew goes into effect at 7:30pm
- Landslides and water rescues are still happening today. There have been 150 rescues and counting in Buncombe alone
- There's currently only one major way in and out of Asheville. That's via I-26 to the South
- Water infrastructure has been severely damaged. Crews are now trying to reconstruct portions of the system. Those that do have water are under a boil water advisory
- Emergency food and water supplies haven't arrived yet. Once they do, the county will establish distribution locations
- Shelters: WNC Ag center is at capacity (400 individuals). Asheville Tech just opened as a shelter and is taking people now
- Shelters (cont'd): If you have pets you want sheltered with you you can still go to the WNC Ag center and they will make arrangements for you
- Another presser will be held 10am tomorrow (Sunday) via FB Live
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