Hundreds Still Missing In Western North Carolina

While there is devastation in East Tennessee, it pales in comparison to what has happened in Western North Carlina. In Asheville, officials there say that more than 40 people are confirmed dead in Buncombe County and hundreds more are still missing. Hundreds of thousands remain without power as roads have been destroyed making it difficult for power crews to get in and fix problems. Officials say roads are having to be rebuilt just to get into some of the mountainous areas. I-40 will be closed in North Carolina for an indefinite amount of time as parts of the roadway were washed away in differnt locations through the Pigeon River Gorge.

With I-26 closed between Erwin and the North Carolina line, that takes that vital roadway out of commission as well, making travel times for trucks bringing in supplies hours longer than normal. The trip by interstate from Knoxville to Asheville has increased by several hours as a detour of I-81 north to I-77 south in Virginia is having to be used. As of Monday, the North Carolina Department of Transportation was still saying that all roads in western North Carolina should be considered closed.