Asheville, NC — Initial reports overstating the number of fatalities in Buncombe County, North Carolina due to Hurricane Helene have been corrected, with recent updates significantly reducing the death toll. The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, alongside state data, confirmed that the previously reported deaths were inflated by as many as 30.
The correction aligns local numbers with those of the state, which consistently recorded a lower count. As of Oct. 10, the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reported 42 storm-related deaths in the county, a sharp decrease from the 72 deaths initially declared by county officials early in the month.
This overestimation emerged immediately following the October devastation when Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller reported the exaggerated numbers during a press conference, an error later attributed to the chaotic aftermath of the storm. According to Christina Esmay, Public Information Officer for the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, severe communication disruptions contributed to the miscalculation. “In the early days following Hurricane Helene, all deaths were prematurely categorized as storm-related within the county,” Esmay noted.
The revised figures emerged as comprehensive reviews were carried out, distinguishing between those who died directly because of the hurricane, those who were residents of Buncombe County, and those whose deaths were unrelated. This clarification process was hampered by widespread power and service outages, delaying accurate assessments.
Typically, the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Raleigh undertakes the responsibility of reviewing weather-induced deaths to ascertain their cause before releasing official data through state channels. This procedure, a standard protocol for weather-related fatalities, aims to ensure consistency and accuracy in reporting.
Statewide, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has adjusted its fatality records. According to spokesperson Hannah Jones, the official count of storm-related fatalities now stands at 96, including the 42 from Buncombe County. “We rely on comprehensive data from the Office of Chief Medical Examiner to finalize our reports,” Jones explained. She also noted that Buncombe County ceased independent reporting of death tolls a few weeks ago to align with state-managed data.
Meanwhile, Henderson County, another region affected by Helene, realigned its numbers as well, confirming seven deaths in agreement with the state’s count. This ongoing process of verification and correction across different counties underscores the challenge of managing accurate information dissemination during large-scale natural disasters.
Overall, Hurricane Helene has been linked to at least 215 fatalities across multiple states, illustrating its extensive impact beyond North Carolina. The storm stands as a somber reminder of the powerful forces of nature and the importance of precise crisis management and communication in the wake of such events. This incident also highlights the critical role of timely and accurate information to guide public awareness and recovery efforts efficiently.