RALEIGH, N.C. (WITN) – State officials say there are now 99 confirmed Helene-related deaths in North Carolina.

Monday, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services sent an updated list with the latest death toll. The death toll has been steadily increasing since Helene hit the western part of the state back in late September.

Buncombe County has the highest number of deaths with 42. The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office had previously reported 72 Helene-related deaths, but has since released a statement saying they overcounted deaths caused by Helene.

Yancey County and Henderson County were second and third with 11 and eight Helene deaths respectively.

Of those 99 deaths, 34 were from drowning, 23 due to landslides, 20 from blunt force trauma, 6 due to wind/tree trauma, 5 from other causes, 4 from motor vehicle drownings, 3 due to motor vehicle crashes, 3 due to unknown circumstances, and 1 from environmental exposure.

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