Hurricane Helene left destruction in its wake in western North Carolina. But elections officials are also moving heaven and earth to bring back a sense of normalcy, one vote at a time.
A woman holds a sample ballot on the second day of early voting at a polling station, Oct. 18, in Fairview, North Carolina. Despite concerns about early voting access after Hurricane Helene, many local officials reported record turnout for early voting, like in nearby Yancey County.
Tipton said it was hard coming back into the office the first time after the storm, but soon after she walked in, the phones started ringing off the hook. “I have requested six tents from FEMA, and what they'll do is they'll come in with power generators, heat, Porta-Johns, it’s got a floor, it’s awesome,” she said. “I have to find a footprint of 60’ by 100,’ so that way we can set the tent up in these areas where we don't have anything.”
“The way it is now, we have no telephone service, no landlines in Yancey County are operating,” he said. “And the older residents of this county don't believe in cell phones, so we're having a tough time communicating.” He was one of several people who gathered at the party headquarters last week, to take a break from the new reality around them. And to grieve.
But his campaign and his viewpoints didn’t matter when it was time to clear debris and move past the worst of the flooding.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Asheville, North Carolina residents eager to early vote even as hurricane recovery continuesEarly voting turnout started strong in the presidential battleground of North Carolina, even in the mountains where Hurricane Helene’s flooding three weeks ago destroyed lives and property — but not the desire to participate in elections.
Read more »
Water Contamination Warning for North Carolina After Hurricane HeleneExperts have warned that state residents with private wells should boil or test their water before drinking it.
Read more »
Early voting begins in North Carolina amid Hurricane Helene recovery effortsThursday, Oct. 17, marked day one of early voting in North Carolina.
Read more »
Early voting begins in North Carolina amid Hurricane Helene recovery effortsThursday, Oct. 17, marked day one of early voting in North Carolina.
Read more »
Early voting begins in North Carolina amid Hurricane Helene recovery effortsThursday, Oct. 17, marked day one of early voting in North Carolina.
Read more »
Early voting begins in North Carolina amid Hurricane Helene recovery effortsThursday, Oct. 17, marked day one of early voting in North Carolina.
Read more »