ASHEVILLE - The death count in Buncombe County from Tropical Storm Helene climbed to 57, Sheriff Quentin Miller said during the county's 4 p.m. Oct. 1, briefing, an increase of 17 since the county's briefing in the morning.
There is still no timeline for the return of water, with Assistant City Manager Ben Woody saying it will "take us weeks" before the water is back.
"It has been a long journey so far, and I know it's going to be even longer," County Manager Avril Pinder said. "This is, definitely guys, not a sprint. It will be a marathon as we try to recover from this disaster."
As the county continues to see a high volume of 911 calls, four additional centers - New Hanover County, Fayetteville Police Department, Stanly County and Raleigh Lake - are on overflow rotation to assist Buncombe County.
With still no specific timeline on the return to the county's water system, and repairs estimated to take weeks, the county is stressing how to use potable water.
Only potable water should be used for any forms of consumption, including drinking, showering, cooking, washing hands and washing dishes. Any municipal water supply under a boil water advisory must be boiled for one minute before consumption in any form, Buncombe County Medical Director Jennifer Mullendore said.
Potable water includes bottled water or water provided from tanker trucks by the county. Non-potable water should only be used for things like flushing toilets. Rainwater is also not safe for drinking and should be treated as a non-potable water source.
Well water should remain an acceptable water source, Buncombe County Director of Communications Lillian Govus said.
The county is also looking to bring additional portable toilets and showers for the community.
The North Carolina Board of Pharmacies is maintaining a list of open pharmacies in Western North Carolina, updated every 30 minutes, to help people who need to refill their prescriptions. The list can be found at ncbop.org.
Because Buncombe County remains under a state of emergency, Mullendore said there are different rules for refilling prescriptions. Those needing refills can take their prescription bottles to any open pharmacy for a 30- or 90-day refill on medications, even with no refills remaining on that bottle.
Schedule II controlled substances, like pain medications or ADHD medications, are excluded.
The patient is also not required to pick up the prescription, Mullendore said, though some prescriptions may require a valid copy of the patient's ID.
Between 9 a.m. and noon through Thursday, ABCCM Doctors' Medical Clinic at 155 Livingston St., Asheville, is accepting donations of medications that are sealed, not expired, do not require refrigeration and are not controlled substances.
The clinic is also providing primary healthcare to all adults.