Helene-related death toll in North Carolina exceeds 100

RALEIGH, N.C. (WITN) – State officials say there are currently 101 confirmed deaths related to Helene in North Carolina.

On Wednesday, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services sent out an updated list of the latest death toll. The death toll has risen steadily since Helene hit the western part of the state in late September.

Buncombe County has the highest number of deaths at 43. The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office had previously reported 72 deaths related to Helene, but has since released a statement saying they overcounted the deaths caused by Helene.

Yancey County and Henderson County ranked second and third with 10 and nine Helene deaths, respectively.

Of these 101 deaths, 34 were due to drowning, 23 were due to landslides, 21 were due to blunt force trauma, 6 were due to wind/tree trauma, 7 were due to other causes, 4 were due to motor vehicle drowning, 3 were due to motor vehicle accidents, 2 were due to unknown circumstances and 1 was due to environmental factors .

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