Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller reported 72 deaths in the county alone a week after Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina. The sheriff clarified that the death toll may fluctuate as recovery efforts continue and authorities work to verify storm-related fatalities.
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA STILL REELING A WEEK AFTER HURRICANE HELENE DEVASTATIONThursday press briefing with other officials, Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller reported there were 72 deaths in the county alone
. In a statement posted on Facebook Friday, the sheriff clarified that the number of deaths reported may fluctuate because of ongoing recovery efforts, complexities identifying victims, and determining whether deaths are storm-related or not. Miller also said his department asked for assistance from other agencies to obtain a more accurate number.
"We ask for your patience and understanding as we navigate this complex process," Miller said, in part. The state's report gave some indication about the ways individuals died, including 17 drownings, 11 deaths in landslides and six wind/tree trauma deaths. Twenty-one deaths were listed under unknown circumstances.NCDHHS said the department is aware there are additional reports of deaths, and it's working to verify that they are storm-related deaths.
"Life-saving activities will always take priority, and we will continue to work to update this information as appropriately as possible," the news release said, in part.
Hurricane Helene Western North Carolina Deaths Devastation
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