(NewsNation) — Over 227 people have died because of Hurricane Helene, with continuing search and rescue efforts leaving many worried that number will only grow.
In rural communities, some feel like they can only rely on their neighbors for help.
Brandi Young has called western North Carolina home forever.
“There are friends and families of mine in other areas of the county that have lost everything and some who have lost their lives,” Young told NewsNation.
After Helene wrecked her hometown, she’s stepping up to organize the supplies coming in from private helicopters and partnering with the out-of-state rescue teams helping “cut” and “dig” people out of the storm’s wreckage.
“It’s terrible I have had people come in and say can you help me find my brother can you help me find my mother,” Young said.
The West Yancey Volunteer Fire Department has become a command center for volunteers and supply drop offs in the county, with some even bringing their children along to the rescue efforts.
The department is helping other smaller communities whose fire departments were wrecked by Helene. As the weather gets colder, many fear for the people without heating and air.
“I think we will come back we will and be stronger,” the department’s assistant fire chief told NewsNation. “You know who your neighbors are now.”
NewsNation reached out to FEMA after concerns from people on the ground. FEMA says that by law the agency works with the state to support the voluntary organizations. The county emergency management manager is supposed to contact the state emergency management if there is a need not being met.
It’s a formalized process that is all tracked.
In Yancey County, FEMA says more than 300 people have applied and been approved for emergency disaster relief. FEMA staff members are on the ground in the county helping people apply for disaster relief. Often FEMA starts off in shelters where people have no connectivity and helps people apply for assistance via an iPad.
The U.S. Department of Defense says there are 6,700 National Guard members from 16 states across the U.S. that have been sent to the southeast for Helene relief efforts. FEMA says the National Guard is in the lead for emergency route clearance on the roads.
Additionally, President Biden ordered an additional 500 active-duty troops into western North Carolina to aid in recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. This brings the total number of troops in the states to 1,500.
