Our tiny town of Bat Cave, N.C., was devastated by Hurricane Helene. But we will find a way to vote – for our neighbors, community and country.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. — In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, North Carolina Emergency Management was keeping track of the number of missing people in western North Carolina. It utilized information from NC 211, where people could report an unaccounted person. However, that registry has since been closed.

In September Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina, washing away homes, roads and bridges and killing more than 100. It also displaced more than 6,000 people and forced election officials to scramble to ensure the disaster-affected region could still get out the vote.