By Bill Carey
EMS1
YANCEY COUNTY, N.C. — Yancey County EMS Community Paramedics Evan Carroll and Nicole McKinney work tirelessly to provide care to residents still reeling from Hurricane Helene’s devastation.
Two and a half weeks after the storm, many areas remain without power, running water or cell service. Among those who have received care from the paramedics was a cancer patient relying on a generator to keep vital medications refrigerated, WBTV reported.
“There’s so many needs,” Carroll said. “It’s a blur at this point. The pair’s workload has doubled since the hurricane hit, delivering medications and attending to urgent health needs.
Power and water shortages present additional risks, particularly for medications requiring refrigeration and the spread of waterborne illnesses.
Running water remains a serious concern, with health officials warning of potential bacterial contamination.
Dr. Zach Moore, a state epidemiologist, highlighted the risk of gastrointestinal illness from floodwater, stressing the importance of boiling water for those without bottled water.
Carroll and McKinney are now operating from a temporary field hospital, helping those in need despite the exhausting pace. With ongoing search and recovery efforts, the county continues to cope with the aftermath of a disaster that claimed at least a dozen lives.
