At least 30 dead from Helene flooding, sheriff says

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The death toll from Helene is climbing.

During a Sunday afternoon news briefing, Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller said 30 people have now been confirmed dead from the flooding that devasted many communities across the area.

Miller said the State Bureau of Investigation has sent support to help notify next of kin.

“We will continue to update as we continue our search and recovery operations,” Miller said.

Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder said Fairview, Back Mountain, Swannanoa and Barnardsville were some of the areas that were hardest hit.

“Those communities no longer resemble what they were a week ago,” Pinder said.

Black Mountain Town Manager Josh Harrold said crews are still performing rescues.

“It’s still pretty bad here,” Harrold said.

No city of Asheville officials participated in the news briefing, which was held via Zoom.