North Carolina cell service outage frustrates stranded residents after deadly Helene flooding

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More than 40 dead across western North Carolina after Helene causes catastrophic flooding

FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray is in Asheville, North Carolina where flooding has claimed dozens of lives and destroyed parts of the community known for arts and nature. 

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Hundreds of people are unaccounted for in North Carolina due to a lack of communication access in western parts of the state after Helene sent rivers surging into nearby communities.

Category 4 Hurricane Helene made landfall along Florida’s Big Bend region late Thursday night, causing widespread destruction before bringing devastating precipitation across the Southeast, leading to deadly flooding in North Carolina after nearly 30 inches of rain fell across parts of the mountains. 

More than 40 deaths have been attributed to Helene in North Carolina, according to state and local officials, with a majority of those fatalities in Buncombe County. 

Days after the storm's biggest impacts, communication is still out across much of the region because of damage to infrastructure and cell towers, delaying contact with people in the devastated region of the state.

Buncombe County, where Asheville is located, has received 11,000 requests from people trying to reach a family member or friend. Based on medical and other needs, the county has narrowed that list to more than 100 people who are at higher risk. 

Buncombe County Register of Deeds Director Drew Reisinger said the county is opening a family assistance center to help people contact loved ones. 

"With cellphone reception being spotty at best, most people just can’t get in touch with their family," Reisinger said. 

President Joe Biden approved a Major Disaster Declaration for North Carolina on Saturday, allowing additional FEMA resources to be used for the cleanup and recovery process. More than 800 FEMA staff are deployed across the states affected by Helene with distribution centers and equipment. 

Biden plans to land in Raleigh on Wednesday before visiting Asheville to see the devastation. 

Internet, water and gas in short supply

Flooding has cut off access to supplies for parts of North Carolina. Fuel, food and water are in short supply, causing tensions to run high in Buncombe County. Local media report arguments breaking out at gas stations and lines "miles long" for fuel. 

With gas in short supply, Asheville organized a bike brigade that went door to door to check on people. By Monday, less than a half-million North Carolina customers were without power. 

When asked about the delay in supplies and tensions at open gas stations, the Buncombe County sheriff said supplies are delayed because many roads have been destroyed. The Sheriff’s Office is considering posting deputies at gas stations.

Residents gather at Fire Station number 6 to access WiFi after heavy rains from Hurricane Helene caused record flooding and damage on September 28, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina. Cell service and internet had been down for over 48 hours. Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida's Big Bend on Thursday night with winds up to 140 mph and storm surges that killed at least 42 people in several states. (Photo by Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)

As of Sunday, only one lane of Interstate 40 was open for emergency crews, limiting access to communities impacted by Helene's flooding. Officials said helicopters are bringing floodwaters and supplies to areas cut off by flooding. 

On Monday, the North Carolina National Guard brought more than 100,000 pounds of supplies from FEMA to western North Carolina. Water distribution sites have been set up in Asheville and throughout Buncombe County.  

Asheville city leaders are partnering with Verizon to set up a mobile cell tower in the area to improve communication. 

A temporary cellular satellite trailer was set up at the Family Justice Center, offering limited cellular reception within several blocks of Woodfin Place. 

T-Mobile is deploying additional teams with cellular and charging trucks to Fletcher and Greenwood, North Carolina. The trucks should arrive on Monday. 

"Our crews have overcome extremely challenging conditions and limited site access to restore 132 sites and position 149 portable generators in the last 24 hours and their work will continue today," T-Mobile said in an update on Sunday about conditions in the Carolinas.

Verizon reported "slow but steady progress" in restoring service to western North Carolina. On Sunday, the company deployed a cell-enabled tethered drone to Asheville and mobile cell sites.

More than 200 people were rescued in western North Carolina over the weekend, and rescue operations continue. Since Friday, county emergency services have responded to more than 3,300 calls for service. 

Weaverville Mayor Patrick Fitzsimmons said the town is without power and water. 

VIDEO SHOWS CHIMNEY ROCK COMPLETELY DESTROYED AS HELENE UNLEASHES CATASTROPHIC FLOODING ACROSS NORTH CAROLINA

"One of our biggest problems is our water plant was flooded by 8 feet of water," Fitzsimmons said. "So there is no water for Weaverville or in the areas around the city that are serviced by our water plants. There's also, unfortunately, no commercial retail water available at this time in Weaverville."

People line up to fill their gas tanks at an Exxon station off Highway 40 on September 29, 2024 in Marion, North Carolina. According to reports, more than 60 people have been killed across the South due to Hurricane Helene, and millions have been left without power. North Carolina has been approved for a Federal Major Disaster Declaration. (Photo by Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)

According to officials, the storm "severely damaged" the water production and distribution facilities in Asheville. Roads to the above-ground pipes were washed away, preventing personnel from accessing parts of the system. Repairs and a full restoration could "potentially take weeks." 

‘Unimaginable destruction’ in Asheville's River Arts District 

In Asheville, a popular arts and nature destination in western North Carolina, people are being asked to stay home and conserve fuel and food. 

Heavy rains from hurricane Helene caused record flooding and damage  on September 28, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina. Hi-Wire Brewing is he pink building in the distance. (Photo by Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)

Flooding along the French Board River destroyed many businesses in Asheville's River Arts District. 

Hi-Wire Brewing, founded in Asheville, suffered major flooding at its headquarters in the River Arts District. The brewery closed all of its Asheville locations because the devastation to its business and its employees was too great. 

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Helene flooding puts Asheville's Hi-Wire Brewing underwater

Hi-Wire Brewing sustained major damage at its River Arts District location in the Asheville area. Bryna Frosaker, owner and chief people officer of Hi-Wire said all of their employees are safe but the physical damage will take time to repair. A timeline on when power and water will return may determine when the brewery can reopen. 

"Hurricane Helene has caused unimaginable destruction, and it may be days before we fully understand the impact," management wrote on Instagram.

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Drone video: Historic flooding of North Carolina's Biltmore Village

More than 200 people were reported rescued from floodwaters in North Carolina following Helene’s torrential rains with more expected in the coming days.

Historic Biltmore Village experienced flooding after more than a foot of rainfall fell in the community outside of Asheville. The nearby Swannanoa River flooded, sending water into the village and destroying the first floors of many buildings.

As power is slowly restored, federal, state and local officials say they will be able to identify more areas that need resources and send help.