News

Storm has killed 5 in county; first responders answered more than 1,000 calls

By Lightning Reports, Published: September 29, 2024

First responders on Thursday night and Friday morning responded to more than a thousand emergency calls. The county has recorded five storm-related fatalities, Emergency Service Director Jimmy Brissie said during a news conference Sunday.

Emergency calls are continuing “even as we speak,” Brissie added. "Emergency personnel are still trying to reach homes in isolated areas. At the emergency operations center, the call center is keeping a list of residents that are unaccounted for as relatives call to check on them.

This natural disaster is unprecedented in the county's history, County Manager John Mitchell said.

"The more I see of the devastation, the more certain of that I am," he said. "We have had more than 500 Henderson County employees who have come to work, to provide services and to stand up infrastructure. It's a process but we are working through it."

Although there is concern about the city water and sewer system, Mitchell said it’s in good shape overall.

“I just spoke to the Hendersonville city manager and the water system in the county is working,” he said.

Rebecca McCall, the chair of the Board of Commissioners, thanked residents for helping neighbors.

“I’ve heard story after story of people opening up their homes to their neighbors, those that had power back on, offering their neighbors a chance to take a shower,” she said. “I don’t think we realize how critical the little things are right now, things we take for granted. This also shows how we can come together and resolve this issue together.”

Both Brissie and McCall urged people not to drive unless absolutely necessary.

“If you don’t have to get out please do not get out, because many of these traffic lights are not working and it’s very difficult and dangerous to be driving,” she said. “There are resources coming our way that will be available, so just stay in tune” and call the nonemergency number.