As nighttime temperatures begin to drop in North Carolina, Avery County officials told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that the urgent needs of people still recovering from deadly Hurricane Helen change with the seasons. Ta.
Avery County Emergency Operations Center Public Information Officer Alicia Stemper told Fox News Digital by phone that even though electricity has been restored to some residents in the area, they are still unable to heat their homes because HVAC units and other heating methods are unavailable. said that it is not available. Damaged or destroyed by storm floods.
“There's a real need for camp heaters and buddy heaters,” Stemper said, adding that gas, battery or electric powered heaters are best.
But Stemper said one surprising item is among the county's top priorities: laundry detergent.
First snow of the season Helen Recovery Area of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee
Retired Petty Officer Alex Nelson volunteers at Elk River Airport, a logistics distribution center in Avery County, North Carolina, on Oct. 8. (AP Photo/Eric Verduzco)
“We don't have enough laundry detergent in the county to handle all the muddy clothes,” Stemper said, adding that residents are turning to local laundry centers to wash clothes soiled from storms and recovery efforts. added.
Stemper said officials and community members are “grateful and fortunate that people have been so kind and generous with their donations,” and that the public has been so helpful in donating water. , added that community needs are changing. She said the top priority items right now include laundry detergent, heaters and mold removal products.
Volunteers “Boogie” and Andrew Buchholz load food and supplies onto a truck at Elk River Airport, a distribution center in Avery County, North Carolina, on Oct. 8. (AP Photo/Eric Verduzco)
As the weather gets colder, Stemper said donations of weather-appropriate winter clothing such as hats, gloves, warm socks and jackets will also be welcomed.
Puppies rescued from Hurricane Helen return to first responder veterans
Temperatures in the area dropped to 39 degrees overnight into Monday, the chief deputy with the Avery County Sheriff's Office told FOX News Digital. The small town of Banner Elk in Avery County posted online that Tuesday night could bring wintry temperatures and a chance of snow showers.
We encourage potential donors to review the changing needs of affected communities.
“This is a marathon, not a sprint,” Stemper said. “We need people to remember us every time the seasons change for a year or two.”
Stemper encouraged those wishing to donate to work collectively with friends, neighbors and churches to make the transportation of donations more efficient.
Avery County has listed ways you can donate. This link website.
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As of Tuesday, there were four confirmed storm-related deaths in Avery County, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. As of Tuesday, there were 95 confirmed storm-related deaths across the state.
Fox News Digital's Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.
