Rescue and recovery operations ongoing in hard-hit Asheville, North Carolina
In hard-hit Buncombe County, North Carolina, which encompasses Asheville, Sunday’s clear skies "will help our crews continue intense rescue and recovery operations," county manager Avril Pinder said.
"We’re still dealing with mudslides, flooded areas and stranded individuals. Our priority remains saving every person we can," she said. "Wellness checks will have to wait."
Ten people in Buncombe County have been killed by Hurricane Helene, Sheriff Quentin Miller said.
"Our hearts are broken," he said. "We’ve lost friends, family and neighbors."
Several roads have washed away, hampering the ability for officials to set up food and water distribution sites.
"We’ve got private helicopters dropping food at key locations," said Anthony Penland, fire chief in Swannanoa, just outside of Asheville. "But we still need the community to come together and help one another."
"We intend to have water services available soon, but we're asking for one more day of patience," Pinder said.
"We’re all going to need to lift each other up to get through this," she added.
-ABC News’ Jason Volack