Buncombe County officials provide updates on Helene response efforts

Officials in Buncombe County have provided an update on their Hurricane Helene response efforts.On Saturday, the county launched an online tool for residents to upload geotag photos and report any storm-related issues, such as blocked roads, landslides and requests for evacuation supplies. Click the video player above to watch the latest headlines from WXII 12 News.TOP STORIES2 wanted for stealing Helene donations from Forsyth Mower Works, Winston-Salem officers sayBiltmore issues update on Biltmore Village and Biltmore Estate days after Helene makes impactMark Robinson criticizes Roy Cooper’s handling of Helene after Graham campaign eventGet the latest news stories of interest by clicking hereThe geotag photos will help emergency officials respond more accurately to specific locations. Officials said the tool works by first, taking a photo and then uploading it to the website. The geocode attached to the images will give emergency crews the location where the photo was posted. From there, crews will be able to travel to the location and provide any needed services.Using the “Take Photo or Video” option will not transmit location information. The photo has to be taken first and then uploaded for the information to be provided to personnel.As of 9 a.m. Saturday, 74,293 people remain without power. Food and distribution sites are open in the area until 7 p.m. For residents without water at this time, management officials suggest putting a filled 2-liter bottle in the back of toilets to reduce the amount of water needed. At this time, they advise not to use water from streams or rivers due to contamination from the storm. Officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said safety remains their top priority. Search-and-rescue efforts are ongoing. So far, officials said they have provided over $27 million statewide. In Buncombe County, 14,000 applications for disaster assistance have been approved. Over $12 million has been dispersed to disaster survivors for critical assistance in immediate needs and displacement assistance.Officials are encouraging residents to register for disaster assistance to receive the necessary help.For more details on the online tool, click here.Watch: NOWCAST streaming newscastsKeep up with the latest news and weather by downloading the WXII app here.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Watch NOWCAST TV | Local News | National | News We Love |