National Guard, state and federal rescue teams are searching for flood victims in Swannanoa

SWANNANOA, N.C. (WLOS) — Search teams from Urban Search and Rescue and the National Guard are in Buncombe County – particularly Swannanoa – searching for flood victims or victims in mudslide areas.

Charlie Lubowicki, spokesman for the Federal Urban Search and Rescue team, said 30 more canine teams may arrive in the Swannanoa area Thursday and Friday to continue the search.

“The terrain is very difficult at the moment,” said Lubowicki. “Currently, Task Force Two is deployed in Swannanoa, North Carolina with a 90-person team, as well as in Nebraska. They also have a federal system contingent there and use dog teams.”

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In the air, Lubowicki said the planes seen over western North Carolina included National Guard reinforcements.

Supply shortages are also part of efforts to provide water and food to residents in remote areas of Swannanoa.

In addition to federal and state teams, private companies, including Nashville-based Aeroluxe Aviation, have brought helicopters to help drop search parties and provide food and water.

“At this point we have moved to four or five different locations on site to conduct a search and rescue operation,” Adam Smith said.

Smith oversaw the dispatch of Aeroluxe teams that took off and landed on a grassy field next to the Harley-Davidson store on I-40.

Everyone who is here knows how serious the situation is,” Smith said.

The group brought in seven pilots and two helicopters who were deployed Wednesday to distribute relief supplies to people in need in the hardest-hit areas in Buncombe County.

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Smith says he knows of deaths in the Swannanoa area.

There are still many people missing and the fact is that when people are missing, all we can do is pray and keep working to make sure we can find them,” Smith said.

Down the street from the command center for Smith's volunteer efforts is the First Baptist Church of Swannanoa. At the church, Senior Pastor Jeff Dowdy and his wife Melody have been working diligently to establish a food and water donation center for those in need.

“It is the body of Christ what it is,” Melody Dowdy said of the efforts and donations coming in to help devastated families. “And it is the people who are mobilizing until government help can arrive.”

Baptist church groups from across North Carolina came to the church in a caravan bringing donations and supplies.

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Pastor Jeff Dowdy knows he has an important role to play in mobilizing the broken Swannanoa community to stay strong and support families when they need hope and help.

Dowdy knew that President Joe Biden was flying over the region and sent a message to the White House:

President Biden, we need your help. This community really hurts. There are so many people in desperate need. “You have the power in this country to unite us,” he said.