35 people missing, bridges and roads washed out in parts of western North Carolina

Mark Price
·3 min read
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Haywood County officials say 35 people are unaccounted for after remnants of Tropical Storm Fred caused severe flooding in western North Carolina.

Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency Wednesday and noted both Haywood and Transylvania counties “were especially hard hit,” with as much as a foot of rain.

“Unconfirmed reports” in some communities put water levels at “3 to 7 feet higher than their previous high watermark,” Cooper said Wednesday.

There were 98 rescues during the storm and more than 50,000 lost power — including 11,600 still without power as of 3 p.m. Wednesday, Cooper said. The governor added that “approximately 250 public safety personnel are conducting rescue operations by boat and aircraft.”

Haywood County officials report homes were “completely destroyed,” vehicles were damaged, multiple roads were washed out and as many as 15 bridges were “damaged or destroyed.”

Haywood County EMS director Travis Donaldson said a search is ongoing for the 35 people who are unaccounted for. In each case, the person hasn’t been heard from since yesterday afternoon, officials said at the press conference.

“Several people were located safe and reunited with their families, and several others were added to the list throughout the day as loved ones called in,” Haywood County Emergency Services reported late Wednesday.

Sheriff Greg Christopher said his department is investigating reports of fatalities.

The county called a state of emergency Tuesday due to the potential for landslides, flooding, “power outages, damage to infrastructure and unsafe road conditions.”

Emergency shelters were opened and residents were warned to expect “widespread water outages” due to waterline breaks and the Canton water plant going offline. Cell phone service is also down in the area, county officials said.

At least 10 people were staying in emergency shelters Wednesday night, officials said.

Around a dozen roads in Haywood County were closed Wednesday due to flooding, officials said.

Cooper reported 49 secondary roads were closed in the region, officials said.

“Record river cresting and mudslides in the area are adding to road dangers,” the state department of transportation reported.

The state reports more than 500 employees “are working around the clock to help citizens get to and from home, work and school.”

The National Weather Service’s “Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network” reported 8.53 inches fell Tuesday in the Black Mountain area of Buncombe County and 8.35 inches was reported northwest of Burnsville in Yancey County.