HOT SPRINGS – Madison County Sheriff Buddy Harwood said the number of confirmed deaths in the county stands at five people as of Oct. 4, a week after Tropical Storm Helene tore through Western North Carolina , causing historic flooding in the French Broad River and other area waterways while leaving behind scenes of devastation.
According to Harwood, four of the five bodies have been recovered, while the fifth has been confirmed but a body has not been recovered.
The News-Record & Sentinel spoke with Harwood in Hot Springs at the town’s elementary school, where school and school system officials including Assistant Superintendent Lisa Gahagan and Hot Springs Elementary School principal Jimmie McGregor are coordinating relief efforts with Madison town officials including Mayor Abby Norton and Hot Springs Town Board member Wendy Stancil, and working with other community members to conduct dropoffs and deliveries to families in the town.
As for the number of unaccounted in Madison, that number is not available.