Asheville Prepares as Hurricane Milton Approaches
As the winds pick up along the coast of Florida in anticipation of Hurricane Milton, residents of Asheville, North Carolina, can take a moment to breathe a sigh of relief knowing that help is on the way—and that their own assistance efforts are not being compromised. That’s right! The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has confirmed that their teams on the ground in Western North Carolina will remain in place and won’t be heading south to Florida.
FEMA’s Commitment to North Carolina
According to FEMA spokesperson Darrell Habisch, the agency is committed to providing resources where they are needed most, right now, that means North Carolina. “FEMA is not taking any resources away from ongoing operations here in North Carolina,” Habisch told local news. Instead, they are funneling additional resources to Florida as the state braces for the impacts of Milton, a powerful Category 4 hurricane.
Preparations in Florida are significant with federal responders gearing up for the storm’s impact on the populous West Coast. With more than 3 million residents in vulnerable areas along the coastline and barrier islands, the federal government has mobilized a significant amount of aid, including six FEMA incident management teams, five search and rescue teams, and multiple water rescue teams from the U.S. Coast Guard. Alongside this, 300 ambulances and 30 high-water vehicles from the Department of Defense are set to assist.
A Contrast in Preparedness
Reflecting on the situation in North Carolina, it’s a stark reminder of the devastating impacts that Hurricane Helene had on the region just recently. Following Helene’s landfall, FEMA’s response was somewhat slow compared to the current preparations seen in Florida. Residents experienced days without running water, and local officials were left scrambling for assistance. Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder expressed frustration at the time, detailing the community’s desperate need for water access.
A shift in strategy has been noted this time around. In light of Helene’s unexpected damage and its impact on rural and mountainous areas of North Carolina, U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito emphasized the unique challenges facing such locales in emergency situations. His recent letter to FEMA requested more transparency on their forecasting models and resource deployment strategies, urging them to learn from the past to better respond in the future.
Assistance and Resources Available
Currently, North Carolina has over 800 FEMA staff on standby, with more arriving daily. Teams have already been instrumental in providing support to over 3,200 survivors, and FEMA has approved more than $32 million in assistance for thousands of households affected by the recent storms. President Biden has ordered additional military personnel to help bolster these efforts, bringing the total to 1,500 active-duty troops ready to assist.
While the challenges are significant following back-to-back hurricanes impacting the southeast, FEMA remains optimistic. Habisch reminded that support doesn’t solely rely on FEMA’s personnel—they actively collaborate with various agencies for a comprehensive response. “Staffing is, has always been a multi-agency effort,” he explained.
As communities gear up for the incoming storm, the message from officials is clear: help is on the way, and the needs of those impacted by recent disasters are not being overlooked. With FEMA focused on both Milton and continuing efforts post-Helene, local residents can take comfort knowing that the federal government is committed to their safety and recovery.
In challenging times, solidarity and preparation can create the resilience needed to face nature’s powerful forces. As the winds howl and waters rise, Asheville and the surrounding areas are ready—united, supported, and waiting on brighter days.
