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Some disaster recovery teams are tasked with recovering bodies of those swept away in mudslides, landslides or drowned in the historic flooding from Tropical Storm Helene. It's a sometimes traumatic assignement.

Nash deputy and cadaver dog perform grim, yet necessary job in finding bodies along Lake James

UNBELIEVABLE LOOK. >> SOME CANINES FROM OUR AREA ARE PLAYING A CRITICAL ROLE IN RECOVERY IN THE AFTERMATH OF HELENE FOR AN ENTIRE WEEK. AND ANIMALS HAVE BEEN HELPING TO FIND AND RECOVER BODIES THERE. VICTIMS WHO WERE SWEPT AWAY BY THE FLOODWATERS AND MUDSLIDES. IT'S A GRIM MISSION, NO DOUBT, BUT AN IMPORTANT ONE THAT WRAL'S CHELSEA DONOVAN WENT ON TO SHOW US THEIR IMPACT AND THEY DOUBT COUNTY. >> LIKE JAMES NESTLED IN THE FOOTHILLS OF THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS IS USUALLY PRISTINE WITH CRYSTAL CLEAR WATERS. BUT NOW THE MASSIVE LAKE IS JUST A MURKY, MUDDY DEBRIS FIELD WAS SO MANY PEOPLE MISSING. IT'S OVERWHELMING. THE GRIM REALITY. SOME OF THOSE MISSING DURING HELENE SWEPT AWAY IN FLOOD WATERS, MUD OR LANDSLIDES AND THEY COULD BE IN THE YEARS FROM WHAT YOU UNDERSTAND, THE REASON THAT WE'RE ON LIKE JAMES TODAY IS BECAUSE THE WATER. >> THAT IS AT THE TOP OF THESE MOUNTAINS HAVE TO CLOSE SOMEWHERE, RIGHT? THIS IS SORT OF DOWNSTREAM WHERE THEY COULD BE TRAPPED IN THESE LITTLE CODES ARE ON, YOU KNOW, IN DEBRIS FIELDS, MOST LIKELY EVERYTHING WILL COME TO THIS AREA. AND AT SOME POINT, IT'S A BLEAK MISSION WAS TO BE EERIE. BUT YOU JUST KNOW THAT IT'S PROBABLY UNDER HIM. >> WE CAN FEEL IT. >> IT'S SO QUIET ON THIS VOTE. THE ONLY ENERGETIC ONE IS FIJI. SHE'S THE MOST VITAL TOOL. NASH COUNTIES, HUMAN REMAINS DETECTION DOG. BASICALLY WHAT COMES OUT FIRST ARE AIR BUBBLES. THE BODY AND THOSE FLOATS TO THE SURFACE. AND WHEN THEY BREAK THE SURFACE TENSION OF DARK AND SMELL TO GO DOWN. >> IT OF THIS TEAM, INCLUDING 2 OTHER DOGS FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA TROOPER'S ASSOCIATION HAVE LOCATED 14 BODIES IN THE PAST 6 DAYS. >> IN WATERLOGGED HOMES AND UNDERNEATH CRUMBLED BUILDINGS. AND NOW THEY'VE COME ONTO THE WATER. WHAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW IS MORE LIKE A IT'S MORE OR LESS A RECOVERY. EVERYONE ON THIS BOAT, INCLUDING MYSELF, HAVE THEIR EYES PEELED EVERYTHING, INCLUDING THIS INFLATABLE RAFT GETS A CHECK. SURE HOW MANY DAYS AND EVEN ON THE WATER NOW DOING THE SAME. PRETTY TIRED. >> IT WARNED ABOUT THE FAMILIES TALKING SLEEP BECAUSE I KNOW THERE'S PEOPLE OUT HERE AND THEY COULD BE. >> WITHIN ABOUT 4 HOURS, FIJI HIT ON TO TARGET AREAS. THIS SUBMERGED DOCK FOR STRUCTURE TO SLAY SHOES. AND THIS BIG PILE OF DEBRIS HANDLER, DEPUTY JACK STUART WITH NASH COUNTY SAYS CONTAINED IN THESE TARGET AREAS IS HUMAN DECOMPOSITION. THAT'S WHAT IF WHEN THE DOG SMELLED SOMETHING ON LAND, IT ALSO HAS TO BE CHECKED EVEN IF THEY COME UP EMPTY AT THIS DOG. JOEY, SMELLS OUT EVERYTHING TRUMP GO SEARCHING UNDER HOUSES AND IN WATER. ALL OF STRAINING TEDIOUS JOB. THE ONE THAT COULD MEAN CLOSURE FOR THESE COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES THAT REMAIN HEARTBROKEN. I DON'T REALLY FEEL A SENSE OF SATISFACTION. I THINK IT'S AFTERWARDS THE FAMILY HAS THAT PERSON BACK. CHELSEA DONOVAN, WRAL NEWS, MCDOWELL COUNTY. >> WHAT AN INCREDIBLE NATION. IT'S SO DIFFICULT THAT THAT'S

Nash County cadaver dogs help in western NC recovery efforts

Nash County deputy Jack Thorpe with cadaver dog

Victims' families of Raleigh mass shooting file lawsuit against accused shooter, his parents and HOA

Oct. 13, 2022, shooting in Raleigh neighborhood

Burnsville couple, dog rescued after Hurricane Helene flooding trapped them for days

Olivia Cooner and her Corgi terrier dog on a boat after Hurricane Helene. Courtesy: @OliviaDeeee on Instagram

'It all really got to her': Family mourns loss of wife to Helene, says she'd be alive if they had cell service

Shirley Rotolo

Dolly Parton teams up with Walmart to contribute millions of dollars for Helene relief

Dolly Parton has announced a donation of $1 million to help with Hurricane Helene recovery efforts and relief. The Dollywood Foundation and Walmart will also contribute an additional $1 million, bringing the total donation to $2 million.

Helene flooding destroys McDowell County couple's home just months before their wedding

Home of Micheal Danford

Fact-checking 5 misleading claims about Helene relief efforts

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Family members of John Norwood say he doesn't consider himself lucky or a "miracle survivor." Rescuers used a pulley system to bring him to safety over dangerous floodwaters, but the body of his fiancÃ©e, Julie Le Roux, was found Friday.

Western NC floods: Body of man's fiancÃ©e found days after she was swept away by Helene

Western NC floods: Man hospitalized, search continues for fiancÃ©e swept away by Helene

Trump made the comments in front of a 4,000-person crowd just hours after he made a campaign stop in Georgia. Trump told the crowd that FEMA is failing the western part of the state and the current presidential administration is to blame.

Donald Trump hosts town hall in Fayetteville, blasts Biden administration's response in NC to Helene

Donald Trump speaks on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at a town hall event in Fayetteville.

Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to North Carolina to survey the impacts of Hurricane Helene on Saturday, her office announced.

VP Kamala Harris to visit NC to survey Helene impact

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Banner Elk leaders are advising residents and business owners to leave the area due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.

Banner Elk leaders advise residents to seek safe shelter elsewhere due to Helene devastation

On Thursday, Sky 5 flew over Banner Elk to survey the damage from Helene.

NC State has won seven of eight in the series at home. The last Wolfpack home loss to the Demon Deacons came in 2018.

NC State, Wake Forest meet with both teams seeking 1st ACC win

NC State Clemson Football

There will also be a small chance for a shower.

Muggy start on Saturday, but cooler, drier pattern on the way in central NC

Weekend outlook, Sat, Oct. 5, through Sunday, Oct. 6

Within the span of about two weeks in July 1916, two tropical storms dropped more than 26 inches of rain over western North Carolina, leaving most of the rivers gushing out onto city streets. There are some similarities between this event and Helene.

A century before Helene, the great flood of 1916 left NC's mountains drenched

Flood of 1916

The Atlantic hurricane season runs each year from June 1 to Nov. 30. The most active time is late August into October, but it's possible to see a hurricane make landfall any time of the year.

Hurricane season 2024: Kirk strengthens into Category 4 storm, could bring dangerous surf conditions to NC

Tropical Outlook for Thursday, Oct. 3

One-thousand soldiers from Fort Liberty's Infantry Battalion Task Force deployed to western North Carolina to help with recovery efforts.



1,000 Fort Liberty soldiers deploy to western NC

Fort Liberty responds to Helene

Pisgah Memorial Stadium in Canton was ravaged by Tropical Storm Fred in 2021. After repairs, the stadium was again flooded by Hurricane Helene.

Pisgah Memorial Stadium devastated again by floodwaters, this time from Helene

Pisgah High School football stadium floods from Helene

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WRAL News is covering the impact, aftermath and cleanup from Hurricane Helene, from the flooding as far west as the Tennessee border to tornado damage in Rocky Mount. 
Tap a pin for coverage from your hometown.

Map: County-by-county coverage of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina

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North Carolina data shows the state has had more than 100 deaths as a result of the destruction from Hurricane Helene.

Tracking Helene's impact: Search power outages in NC, number of deaths by NC county

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What, where and how to give to support western North Carolina's recovery from Hurricane Helene.

Help North Carolina rebuild: Ways to give money, goods, volunteer to help western NC

WRAL Cares

FEMA can help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs.

How to apply for FEMA assistance after Helene

Flooding aftermath in Asheville

Pisgah High School's football stadium was significantly damaged by Tropical Storm Helene. The stadium was also destroyed by a flood in 2021.

Explore the best fall and Halloween events in Raleigh, NC, from family-friendly pumpkin patches and corn mazes to thrilling haunted houses and Halloween festivities.


Pumpkin patches, fall and Halloween events in NC

Fall fun guide: Your 2024 guide to fall fun in Raleigh NC

Don't Miss It

You can't see the floor at Micheal Danford's home in Old Fort. It's covered in mud - a lingering sign of the floodwaters that filled her home last week. Many of their belongings are waterlogged.

McDowell County couple must rebuild just months before their wedding

Zero waste initiative NC State's game on Saturday

'An angel': Family remembers woman who died during Helene

From the archives: Asheville's drum circle in Pritchard Park

Helene's impact on livestock in NC

Families of Hedingham victims sue suspected gunman, his parents and HOA

Raleigh police respond to shooting in Hedingham neighborhood

Video Central

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Volunteer pilots deliver supplies, hope through Operation Airdrop

Local News

First Char-Grill is up for sale again

Raleigh urban search and rescue team heads to western NC

NC benefit concerts planned to aid in Hurricane Helene recovery

Sturgill Simpson announces benefit show for NC hurricane relief

Elon Musk to join Trump at rally at the site of first assassination attempt

Nation/World

US economy added 254,000 jobs in September, logging surprisingly robust growth

Dockworkers' union to suspend strike until Jan. 15 to allow time to negotiate new contract

When the North Carolina mountains become hurricane alley

Los Angeles prosecutors to review new evidence in Menendez brothers' 1996 murder conviction

Adult Nights: Magic & Monsters" will take place Friday, Oct. 25, at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences.

Adults Night: 'Magic and Monsters' planned at Raleigh museum

Foodie News: Big ice cream, pizza and cookie news

Open sign broad hanging on wood door front of cafe.

Triangle Parade of Homes returns, homes worth as much as $5.3 million participating

Triangle parade of homes

Eric Church gives new song, 'Darkest Hour,' to North Carolina amid Helene recovery

American Roots Festival

NC craft brewers help with Hurricane Helene relief

Rocky Mount Mills water

Remodelers home tour returns, discover six remodels 

Out & About

Fact-checking Vance and Walz claims from vice presidential debate

Politifact

Fact-check: Does Laurie Buckhout support national abortion ban with 'no exceptions?'

Fact check: Is rape up 53% in NC since Josh Stein became Attorney General?

Democrats, LGBTQ+ groups criticize Michele Morrow post

NC education candidate Michele Morrow falsely says the 'plus' in 'LGBTQ+' includes support for pedophilia

State lawmakers to vote on initial Helene relief package next week

NC Capitol

Senate candidate suspended with pay from school job as district probes role in breaking up fight

NC superintendent plans more than $100M request to lawmakers for Helene-affected schools

How the North Carolina Legislature Left Homes Vulnerable to Helene

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson criticized for skipping vote on Helene emergency declaration

Wake schools looking into Athens Drive reading assignment

Education

Wake schools adopts environmental sustainability policy

Wake County school leaders urge NC lawmakers to uphold HB10 veto for school vouchers

Wake school leaders take a stance against private school voucher expansion bill

Wake County school leaders share concerns with plan to expand school vouchers in NC

Community event at NC State aims to address, reduce cancer disparities

WRAL In Depth

N.C. State's 'Zero-Waste Game' tackles stadium waste on bin at a time

'We had entire roads collapse:' Road closures make it harder for western NC towns to get supplies, aid

'He died from vaping:' The rise of vaping among teens in NC

Place your bets: The top 5 sports Americans wager money on

Due to Helene, UNC moves men's basketball scrimmage date, location

WRALSportsFan

CIAA suspends St. Augustine's athletics for 2024-25 

Duke puts unbeaten record on the line in ACC challenge against QB Haynes King, Georgia Tech

Seeking to avoid third straight loss, UNC hosts unbeaten Pittsburgh

Boozer twins expected to decide between Duke and Miami

Clayton pulls away from Southeast Raleigh in undefeated showdown as Aiden Smalls tallies 314 total yards

HighSchoolOT

No. 12 Seventy-First unafraid of No. 20 Cape Fear as Nance scores 6 total TDs

Statewide high school football scoreboard: Week 7

South Point hands Crest first loss of season: HSOT Postgame

Ashley stuns New Hanover, Mideastern Conference becomes unpredictable: HSOT Postgame

Many people sent WRAL News questions about the lack of internet and cell service after Hurricane Helene.

Answering viewer questions about lack of internet and cell service from Hurricane Helene

Only 0.7% of Buncombe County residents had flood insurance when Helene flooded their properties. 

5 On Your Side: Most of western NC didn't have flood insurance to pay for Helene damage. What's next?

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North Carolina elections officials say they're working to ensure voting still happens in areas damaged by flooding and mudslides from last week's powerful storm.

NC election officials grapple with Helene's impact

Republican State Sen. Danny Britt contacted Elon Musk through an assistant of former President Donald Trump. Trump then communicated with Musk to provide additional Starlink satellite terminals.

Helene recovery: NC lawmaker teams up with Elon Musk to help restore internet in western North Carolina

Starlink receivers are headed to western North Carolina to help get people devastated by Hurricane Helene get back online.

NC elections officials scramble to get ready for voting in western NC amid Helene's damage

Vote; election

With a rise of teens vaping in the state, advocates have called on lawmakers to address what they call a "loophole" in state law that is allowing young people to get easier access to tobacco products.


NC's vaping registry bill: What's the loophole that advocates are concerned about and why Big Tobacco stands to benefit

Gen V: Teen Vaping in North Carolina

WRAL Specialists

Take flight with Operation Airdrop to deliver supplies to the mountains

Flooding, mudslides not typically covered by homeowners insurance

Hundreds of gas stations offline in western NC

Protecting consumers from dangerous products sold by Amazon

5 On Your Side

Hope Mills man charged with murder of 25-year-old man after turning himself in

How difficult is it for underage people to get vapes? WRAL goes undercover to find out

Man killed outside barbershop Saturday in Clinton

Police investigate abuse allegations at Mount Olive nursing home

Investigations

Mike Walden: NCSU Index shows no signs of imminent recession

Tweener Fund will invest $778K in Triangle startups in Q3

Grace Ueng: Why 'practice makes perfect' is misleading

Donald Thompson: Renaming DEI isnât enough to boost employee engagement

WRAL TechWire

The president could invoke a 1947 law to try to suspend the dockworkers' strike. Here's how

More Americans file for unemployment benefits last week, but layoffs remain historically low

Here's how Starlink satellites are getting western NC back online

Raleigh catering company to deliver 12,000 meals to western NC this week

Business

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Weekend best bets: Fall fun, movies and more

Family

Shifting from parenting to coaching: How and when to make the switch

Volunteer pilots airdrop donations to isolated, rural communities in western NC

Weekend best bets: Selma Railroad Days, Triangle Oktoberfest

49th annual Selma Railroad Days Festival is this weekend

HOT Amazon Deals: Amazon devices up to 72% off, LED Rechargeable Camping Lanterns 4 Pk only $16.79, Echo Pop smart speaker w/Smart Bulb only $17.99 (72% off), Blink home security up to 68% off, Prime Big Deal Days event Oct. 8-9

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