CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. (October 15, 2024) – A joint response team from Carteret County, including Emergency Management (EM) and county government staff, was deployed to western North Carolina to assist with recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Helene. The team, led by County Manager Tommy Burns, has been working to bring affected communities, including the hard-hit town of Old Fort, one day closer to normalcy.
Burns, a Shelby, N.C. native located about an hour southeast of Old Fort, played a key role in the recovery efforts for the small McDowell County town, which sustained significant infrastructure damage from the storm. As Planning Section Chief, Burns and his team worked closely with town officials to restore critical services, including the town’s water treatment plant, water distribution system, and sewer collection system. While these systems are now operational and serving roughly 90% of customers, much work remains to fully restore the town’s infrastructure.
“It’s devastating what has happened to the town,” Old Fort Mayor Pam Snypes said. “One week ago, there was no infrastructure. We had no electricity, no internet, no cell service and then one week later we have gotten all of that back. Not 100%, but almost. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Carteret County team for their tireless efforts in helping us recover from this disaster. Their expertise and support have been invaluable.”
Working alongside teams from Carteret County, N.C., Louisiana, and local responders, Burns highlighted the ongoing challenges, saying, “We are Task Force Old Fort. I am here to help you through this. We want to get Old Fort back to the Old Fort I remember growing up.” He warned that the town will soon face substantial bills associated with the storm's aftermath, which could be overwhelming for a community of fewer than 1,000 residents.
The recovery work comes as Old Fort’s Board of Aldermen approved financial measures to support ongoing relief efforts. During an emergency meeting held last week, the board moved $200,000 from the general fund and water and sewer fund to create a Hurricane Helene recovery fund. They also established new revenue line items for anticipated FEMA reimbursements.
In addition to Burns, other Carteret County officials have been providing support across multiple counties. Carteret County EMS Director Stephen Rea, Emergency Management Coordinator Aaron Stryker, Paramedic Operations Supervisor Merle “DJ” Hunt, Deputy Fire Marshal Steve Gould, Advanced EMT Steve Massita, Executive Assistant and EMT Misty Long, and Paramedic Jennifer Willis were deployed to assist Catawba, Polk, Buncombe, and McDowell counties. Their efforts ranged from emergency medical response to disaster logistics and resource management.
Nick Wilson, Carteret County’s Public Information Officer, supported McDowell County EMS in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), focusing on public relations and disseminating information to residents during search and rescue missions while managing rumor control and recovery communications. Meanwhile, Safety Officer Dwayne Eury worked in Black Mountain, Buncombe County, where he coordinated the distribution of essential resources to search and rescue teams on the ground.
Other Carteret County agencies, including the Department of Social Services, were also deployed to Buncombe County to assist with shelter operations, providing support for displaced residents.
“We are incredibly proud of our county staff members who have gone above and beyond to help our neighbors in Western North Carolina,” Burns added. “Their hard work and dedication are helping bring these communities one day closer to recovery, and we remain committed to seeing this effort through.”
Staff from Carteret County are expected to return in the coming weeks to continue assisting in the recovery efforts. While the rebuilding process in Western North Carolina will take time, Carteret County’s joint response team is working to ensure steady progress, helping communities move closer to a full return to normalcy.
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