Nearly a month following the catastrophic landfall of Hurricane Helene, North Carolina officials reported on Monday that 26 individuals in the ravaged western part of the state remain unaccounted for, a decrease from the 92 reported missing just a week prior, as per ABC News.
According to a local ABC affiliate’s Sunday report, the death toll in western North Carolina has climbed to 95, with the majority of fatalities attributed to the destructive forces of drowning and landslides. The overall death toll from Hurricane Helene now stands at approximately 250.
Governor Roy Cooper described the hurricane as “the most devastating and deadliest storm in our state’s history,” underscoring the unprecedented scale of the disaster.
As the region embarks on the arduous path to recovery, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) unveiled a novel initiative on Monday, aimed at employing community liaisons to provide local residents with employment opportunities. This move was announced by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell.
Recognizing the significant job losses and the community’s desire to contribute to the recovery efforts, Criswell emphasized, “Our goal with these community liaisons is to keep people in their communities during this recovery period. They will work closely with us, serving as the trusted, local voice, ensuring that community concerns and considerations are integrated into our response,” as quoted by ABC News.
Criswell further detailed, “These liaisons will be embedded in every county, collaborating directly with county administrators, mayors, and community leaders to bridge the gap between local concerns and our FEMA team. These positions are immediately available for application.”
