ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Over three weeks after Tropical Storm Helene devastated western North Carolina, 26 individuals remain unaccounted for as of Tuesday, while schools and government facilities gear up to reopen amidst ongoing power outages and water service issues.

A North Carolina Department of Public Safety task force is actively searching for the missing individuals, following a situation where hundreds were untraceable during extensive communication and power failures. Just last week, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper noted that 96 individuals were reported missing.

Helene’s official death count has reached 224, including 96 storm-related fatalities in North Carolina alone. Other states saw losses as well, with 49 in South Carolina, 33 in Georgia, 27 in Florida, 17 in Tennessee, and 2 in Virginia.

In addition to search and rescue, large-scale recovery efforts are ongoing in the wake of what Cooper described as “the deadliest and most devastating storm” in North Carolina’s history.

Numerous roads continue to be closed, and many parks are unavailable. As of Tuesday, at least 7,300 homes and businesses were still without electricity. Additionally, residents in the heavily impacted city of Asheville are under a boil water advisory.

However, some aspects of life are beginning to return to normal. The Buncombe County school board voted to reopen schools on Friday. In Asheville, city officials ended a curfew on Monday, and officials announced that classes will commence again next week. Major attractions, such as the North Carolina Arboretum and the Biltmore Estate, are also preparing to reopen.

Here’s an update on the recovery efforts in western North Carolina.

Three weeks after Helene, many residents are still without running water

While a large part of Asheville’s water system has been restored, the water is still not safe for drinking. Areas affected by landslides remain completely without water, causing frustration among locals.

City officials report that approximately 95% of Asheville’s water system is providing non-potable water. For many residents, the water that comes out of their taps is often brown and contains sediment, though it is sufficient for flushing toilets.

Nevertheless, some areas of the city are experiencing “particularly problematic” conditions due to pipes being damaged during the severe flooding, as noted by Water Resources Department spokesperson Clay Chandler. Residents living at higher elevations may also face longer wait times for their water services to be restored.

Del Coufal and his neighbors are among those who have been without water for three weeks. During this outage, Coufal has developed a new routine, visiting various water distribution points around the city to gather water for his family.

While he is sympathetic to the ongoing challenges, Coufal expressed frustration at seeing water being restored to other parts of Asheville and Buncombe County. “Honestly, it’s just the life essentials that you take for granted, and now that they’re gone, it can be really difficult,” he stated. He feels he can manage for another week or two, but the uncertainty is hard to bear. “You just keep going. That’s all you can do.”

Schools in stricken Asheville and Buncombe County plan to reopen

The Asheville City School District, serving 3,900 students, will restart on Oct. 28, starting with two shortened days before returning to a regular schedule on Oct. 30. Superintendent Maggie Fehrman mentioned that staff are preparing lessons to help students process their experiences from the storm.

“Once the students return, we need to provide them time to discuss and process what happened, allowing their voices to be acknowledged so they feel recognized,” Fehrman remarked.

The district is also developing plans to assist staff who have faced traumatic events. “Some of our staff have lost their homes, while others have tragically lost family members. One staff member lost 11 relatives,” Fehrman added.

Buncombe County Schools, which includes Asheville and the surrounding areas, will resume classes on Friday, the district announced previously earlier this month.

Four students from Helene are still unaccounted for, but all other students have been located.

Each district campus has resumed non-potable water service; however, due to an ongoing boil water alert, the district has not reopened pre-K classes. An emergency plan is awaiting state approval, with no specific timeline yet disclosed, according to Fehrman.

Local Residents Rally Over Debris Processing Amid Health Fears

In response to growing concerns from residents about temporary debris processing sites set up in Asheville, including two close to a public housing community, officials have shut down some sites and established a new central location for debris management.

The city announced that debris will no longer be collected at the site located at 65 Ford St., near the Deaverview Apartments public housing complex and adjacent to Westmore, which offers 72 affordable units for low-income families. City Manager Debra Campbell shared this information during a Buncombe County briefing while the city works on securing alternative sites.

Additionally, officials have closed a debris processing area that was recently established at the Asheville Municipal Golf Course.

“We understand the concerns expressed by the community regarding the initial locations chosen for storm debris management,” stated Campbell. “It is critical for the well-being of our environment, economy, and community that we swiftly and responsibly clear storm debris from homes and businesses.”

The temporary debris processing sites were established to manage the 10 million cubic yards of debris caused by Hurricane Helene in Buncombe County and Asheville.

Last week, Campbell indicated that these sites would temporarily handle organic waste, such as trees and plants; construction materials; appliances and electronics; and household hazardous wastes like batteries, pesticides, paint, and cleaning agents. She noted that processing these materials could generate “noise, dust, and odors.”

Expected to operate for at least a year, these sites have quickly mobilized local residents.

“We’re working on forming a committee to push for their removal. We have children, babies. This impacts our health,” expressed Vivian Pagan, a longtime resident of a nearby public housing complex. “We don’t want them here; they can find another place for it.”

Reopening Plans as Residents Yearn for ‘Normalcy’

Campbell announced that city offices will resume operations on Wednesday, although several facilities, including various recreation centers and regional entertainment venues, will remain closed.

The Biltmore Estate, a major tourist destination and employer in Asheville, has declared it will reopen on Nov. 2 following damage to parts of its property, including the entrance and numerous low-lying structures.

“We are immensely thankful for the overwhelming support for our community and the tireless work of our first responders, utility workers, and community volunteers,” remarked Bill Cecil Jr., president and CEO of Biltmore. “As we recover, reopening Biltmore not only signifies our return but also provides essential support to our local economy, aiding employees and businesses in the area.”

The North Carolina Arboretum, located in southern Asheville, aims to reopen by Nov. 18, aligning with the start of its annual Winter Lights Festival.

The storm caused the uprooting of over 5,000 trees within the 434-acre area. To ensure a successful reopening, arboretum officials are coordinating with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“We are striving for a swift reopening,” stated Drake Fowler, executive director of the North Carolina Arboretum. “We receive numerous inquiries from people wanting to visit and enjoy some normalcy.”