Buncombe County Revises Hurricane Helene Death Toll Downward

North Carolina officials confirm a significant decrease in reported fatalities due to updated data and communication challenges.

Buncombe County initially reported 72 deaths from Hurricane Helene, but has now adjusted the count to 42 based on state data.
The revision follows a review by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, which consistently reported lower numbers than the county.
Communication issues and power outages contributed to the initial overcounting of storm-related deaths.
Another county, Henderson, also adjusted its death toll to align with state figures, agreeing with the state's tally of seven deaths.
The statewide death toll from Hurricane Helene now stands at 96, with a total of 214 deaths confirmed across multiple states.