UPDATED: 9:00 AM ET

Several major Western North Carolina roadways will remain closed indefinitely after they were severely damaged from Helene. The National Park Service gave an update earlier this week, saying the Blue Ridge Parkway will remain blocked off through the entire state as crews assess the situation. A specialized team has been deployed to provide emergency stabilized affected park resources and help employees. North Carolina transportation officials say I-40 between Haywood County and the Tennessee state line will also remain closed until further notice after three different sections of the road fell into the nearby river. Operations to stabilize the eroded interstate are set to begin within a week.

The federal government is considering using a Piedmont Triad facility used to house migrant children for Hurricane Helene victims. North Carolina Representative Kathy Manning says the Greensboro Influx Care Facility is going through a variety of steps to make sure it can be used for people whose lives have been impacted by the recent storm. The congresswoman tells FOX8 that the feds are currently reviewing its contract with the property to see if it can be repurposed. One of the biggest concerns about the proposal is who would pay for the cost of running the operation. The Department of Health and Human Services has been working on the plan for the last several days.

A critical supplier of IV fluids nationwide if feeling the impacts of Helene at its Western North Carolina operation. Baxter International says it has temporarily stopped production at its McDowell County facility due to flood damages from the storm. The medical technology company gave an update yesterday, saying it's managing its inventory to minimize disruptions to patient care. Baxter says it's encouraged by the recovery progress made, but there is still no timeline for when the manufacturing plant will reopen. The company is responsible for making IV fluids for more than half of the hospitals in the country.

UPDATED: 6:15 AM ET

The search is continuing for more missing people in Buncombe County. Sheriff Quentin Miller says crews are looking for around 200 people who haven't been heard from since Tropical Storm Helene came through a week ago. More than 70 people have now died from storm-related injuries. A call center has now been established in Buncombe County for storm information.

Crews are making progress to restore power in Western North Carolina. Half of residents in places like Buncombe, Henderson, Polk and Yancey counties are still living without electricity. Mitchell County still remains without power by at least 75%. Duke Energy is reporting around 200,000 customers still have no service.

Landslides have been having a big impact around the mountains. The United States Geological Survey has reported more than 125 landslides since Tropical Storm Helene hit a week ago. Close to a dozen of those were considered to have conditions that impacted rivers and structures. It's possible the number will still rise.

Workers are helping make improvements at the Western North Carolina Nature Center after storm damage. WLOS-TV reports more than a dozen employees from the zoo in Asheboro traveled to Asheville this week to help clean up at the nature center. The animals were reportedly unharmed. The center's executive director says the focus should still be on families in need in the area.

Homeowners and renters in North Carolina are encouraged to apply for federal assistance. Funding is being offered from FEMA for those who have been affected by Tropical Storm Helene. Anyone in need can head to Disaster-Assistance-Dot-Gov.

The Following Updates Are For Thursday, October 3, 2024:

UPDATED: 4:15 PM ET

The death toll from Helene has risen.

During an afternoon briefing, Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller reported the number now stands at 72. The number of missing is over 200.

"To the people of Buncombe County, you are in the heart of everything we do. We know these are hard times. We are coming to get you. We are coming to pick up our people that's out there. Your safety and well-being are our highest priority and we will not rest until you are secure and that you are being cared for," said Miller.

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