FEMA and state officials are meeting with the governor in Marshall to assess the damage and plan cleanup

MADISON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) – Gov. Roy Cooper traveled to Marshall, North Carolina, in Madison County, where he surveyed storm damage on the morning of Oct. 10 with Mayor Aaron Haynie, FEMA and state officials.

According to a news release, the governor met with EPA Administrator Michael Regan after his visit to Marshall to assess damage to water infrastructure and discuss federal support for rebuilding WNC's water systems.

“Today I traveled to Marshall and the Madison County Emergency Operations Center, meeting with residents, first responders, military personnel and business owners, and seeing again how they are working with local, state and federal officials to recover and rebuild,” said Governor Cooper.

“I also joined EPA Administrator Michael Regan in examining sites where work is underway to restore clean drinking water, and we discussed providing federal funding needed to rebuild these systems stronger than ever. We will continue our unprecedented response with our federal, state, local and nonprofit partners to deliver resources where they are needed in Western North Carolina.”

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According to the press release, the governor was also joined by FEMA Region 4 Administrator Robert Samaan in Marshall, where, during his trips to Haywood and Buncombe counties, Governor Cooper visited an EPA mobile command center that provides first responders and scientists with direct field activities, a mobile drinking water laboratory, to help local and state governments lift boil-water advisories, and the North Fork Water Treatment Plant to review post-storm operations.

The news release states, “Goods and services continue to flow to affected communities through state, federal and local partners,” as the North Carolina National Guard and Joint Task Force North Carolina have helped thousands of people reach the rescue , evacuation and other assistance needed .

According to the press release, more than 3,500 soldiers and airmen currently work at WNC.

The release states that Joint Task Force – North Carolina, led by the North Carolina National Guard, is comprised of Soldiers and Airmen from 12 different states, two different XVIII Airborne Corps units from Ft. Liberty, a unit from Ft. Campbell's 101st Airborne Division and numerous civilian units are all “working side by side to provide much-needed assistance to the citizens of Western North Carolina.”

According to the release, National Guard and military personnel operate 29 aviation installations and more than 1,200 specialized vehicles in western North Carolina to facilitate these missions, while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assists in assessing water and wastewater facilities and dams.

The release said the state also received ample assistance from additional outside sources, including more than 1,400 responders from 36 state and local agencies who completed 125 missions in support of response and recovery efforts under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). would have carried out. This assistance also includes public health nurses, emergency management teams supporting local governments, veterinarians, search dog teams and more.

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The press release said, “There is no right or wrong way to respond to the trauma of a hurricane.” Those affected by Helene who need someone to talk to are encouraged to call the disaster helpline at 1-800-985- Call or text 5990. Help is also available to anyone in English or Spanish by calling, texting or chatting to 988. For more information, visit 988lifeline.org.

If you or someone you know is looking for a North Carolina Joint Information Center representative, please email [email protected] or call 919-825-2599.

For general information, access to resources, or answers to frequently asked questions, visit ncdps.gov/helene.

If you are looking for information about resources to provide recovery assistance to a resident affected by the storm, please email [email protected].