Officials from Watauga County, the Town of Boone and Appalachian State University came together Tuesday afternoon to provide updates on cleanup efforts across the area in the wake of Helene. Watauga County Director of Emergency Management Will Holt didn’t mince words about the levels of destruction the area saw as a result of the storm.

Buncombe County officials provided an update on Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact on the area. So far, there have been 57 confirmed deaths in the county alone. That number is expected to rise. County Manager Avril Pinder reminded the community that all drinking water should be boiled and no water from a private or shared well should be consumed until it’s been tested.