ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Asheville police have been knocking on doors, using drones and tracking down family and friends trying to locate everyone on its missing persons list.
Asheville Police Deputy Chief Sean Aardema said more than 300 missing persons reports had been filed in the wake of last week’s catastrophic flooding and 270 of those people have been found alive and well.
“Pretty much our entire detective division has dedicated themselves to this effort,” Aardema said. “We know that it’s important to find these people both to preserve their safety as well as to give some comfort and solace to the family members that are worried about them.”
Aardema said searchers had recently rescued three people — two were found in the Swannanoa River Road area.
“Us and a combination of search and rescue team were able to locate individuals trapped in debris and rescued them and get the treatment at Mission Hospital,” Aardema said.
The third person, whose mobility was impaired, was found inside a home.
“We were able to force entry into that apartment and get that individual medical treatment, as well,” Aardema said.
He said APD officers, along with federal partners, are still working about 75 missing persons cases.
“We’ve dedicated a substantial amount of resources to that, and we very much appreciate these federal partners because they’ve really stepped in and worked side by side with us,” Aardema said.