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National Guard, state and federal rescue teams search for flood victims in Swannanoa
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National Guard, state and federal rescue teams search for flood victims in Swannanoa

Search teams from Urban Search and Rescue and the National Guard are in Buncombe County – specifically Swannanoa – looking for flood victims or mudslide victims.

Charlie Lubowicki, spokesman for the Federal Urban Search and Rescue team, said another 30 dog teams may arrive in the Swannanoa area on Thursday and Friday to continue the search.

“The terrain is very difficult right now,” Lubowicki said. “Right now in Swannanoa, North Carolina Task Force Two is operating there with a 90-person team, as well as in Nebraska. They also have a federal system contingent there, and they use dog teams.”

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In the air, Lubowicki said the planes seen over Western North Carolina included National Guard reinforcements.

The drop in supply is also part of efforts to get water and food to residents in remote areas of Swannanoa.

In addition to federal and state teams, private units, including Nashville-based Aeroluxe Aviation, deployed helicopters to help drop search teams, as well as food and water.

“Right now we’ve moved to four or five different locations on the ground to conduct search and rescue,” Adam Smith said.

Smith oversaw the dispatch of teams with Aeroluxe taking off and landing on a grassy field next to the Harley Davidson shop on I-40.

Everyone who is here knows the gravity of the situation,” Smith said.

The group brought in seven pilots and two helicopters were active Wednesday, dropping supplies to people in need in the areas of Buncombe County that were hardest hit.

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Smith says he is aware of fatalities in the Swannanoa area.

There are still a lot of missing people out there, and the fact is that people are missing, all we can do is pray and keep working to make sure we can find them,” Smith said.

Down the road from the command center for Smith’s volunteer work is the First Baptist Church of Swannanoa. At the church, Lead Pastor Jeff Dowdy and his wife Melody have been working non-stop to establish a food and water donation center for anyone in need.

“It’s the body of Christ as it is,” Melody Dowdy said of the efforts and donations coming in to help devastated families. “And it’s people mobilizing themselves until government support can get here.”

Baptist church groups from across North Carolina have caravanned to the church to bring donations and supplies.

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Pastor Jeff Dowdy knows he plays an integral role in rallying the fractured Swannanoa community to stay strong and support families when they need hope and help.

Dowdy knew President Joe Biden was flying over the region and sent a message to the White House:

President Biden, we need your help. This community is really hurting. There are so many people in desperate need. You have the power in this country to bring us together,” he said.