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After reviewing the damage from Hurricane Helene and the continuing recovery efforts in the region, Congressman Chuck Edwards of North Carolina’s 11th District provided an update Monday afternoon.

Edwards reminded residents that the region remains under a “DO NOT TRAVEL” advisory due to widespread road closures and power outages, with emergency crews working around the clock to restore services and clear debris.

After assessing the damage via helicopter with North Carolina House of Representatives Speaker Tim Moore Edwards said the view from above revealed the destructive effects of the storm.

“From the helicopter, it was even clearer just how much devastation Hurricane Helene has wrought across Western North Carolina and the urgency of getting resources to folks, especially for those in more remote areas which are harder to reach,” Edwards said. “We discussed the path forward and ways we can optimize congressional resources to support Western North Carolina’s recovery. Our district is facing a long road ahead, but Western North Carolinians are resilient, and I will continue to explore every avenue to bring home the support and resources that are needed in our mountains.”

In his update, Edwards said Duke Energy expects to restore power to most NC-11 customers by Friday, October 4, though some areas with severe infrastructure damage may experience delays. Nearly 400,000 customers remain without power, and many water systems are under boil advisories, with emergency crews prioritizing potable water supply.

The North Carolina National Guard has deployed 650 soldiers and airmen, along with over 250 vehicles, to distribute supplies and clear debris. They are also conducting air missions for search and rescue operations and supply deliveries. Additionally, 12,000 cases of water have been secured from Pepsi Bottling Co. for distribution, and the state is delivering 40 trailer loads of water and 20 trailer loads of food daily through at least October 6.

Resource hubs and shelters are now operational across the region, with residents encouraged to stay updated on available services. FEMA assistance is also available for individuals in the most affected counties. Despite the challenging road ahead, Edwards is confident in the resilience of Western North Carolinians and continues to advocate for additional resources.