Officials in Asheville, North Carolina, are diligently working to establish contact with 26 individuals who remain unaccounted for following the aftermath of Helene, as confirmed in a news conference held on Wednesday. The city of Asheville, located in Buncombe County, has been facing challenges in determining the exact number of missing persons within the county.
Initially, Asheville had a daunting list of 155 individuals reported as missing. However, through concerted efforts, officials have successfully narrowed down this list to 26 individuals, as disclosed by Asheville Police Chief Mike Lamb. Tragically, one individual from the list was discovered deceased, and their family has been duly notified.
On the other hand, Buncombe County authorities had initiated welfare checks on a substantial list of 300 to 400 individuals. Remarkably, this number has significantly decreased to just four individuals, according to Sheriff Quentin Miller. When pressed for further details regarding the total count of missing persons in the county, Sheriff Miller expressed his current inability to provide an exact figure.
The collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies and emergency responders in Asheville and Buncombe County are commendable as they strive to locate and ensure the safety of those who are unaccounted for. The situation remains fluid, and authorities are working tirelessly to gather accurate information and provide updates to the concerned families and the community at large.
