Asheville’s Veterans Affairs hospital is running on emergency water but has been able to see patients, Department of Veteran Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough said on Thursday.
After Hurricane Helene caused damage and devastation across Western North Carolina at the end of September, the VA hospital in Asheville began to reopen Oct. 5. McDonough said doctors, nurses and staff have braved the storm conditions to come to work everyday.
“We’re now on power. Like so many in Asheville and in Western North Carolina, we have access to emergency water, but we’re not on commercial water. But we’ve had about 140 veterans inpatient in the hospital throughout this,” McDonough said.
He says the VA hospital is “increasingly open” for walk-in care. Those who need to reschedule an appointment will be contacted or can call: 855-679-0074.
McDonough also visited the VA’s emergency shelter at the Agriculture Center in Fletcher, which was housing 52 veterans on Oct. 10. McDonough said they were moved into a new setting on Thursday and that they’ve been receiving care from the American Red Cross and VA staff.
McDonough said many veterans are still in remote areas of the region. He said that the VA has been able to get in touch with about 92% of “vulnerable veterans” in the region, and delivering oxygen and other medications is a priority.
“I heard about a 96-year-old veteran in Barnardsville to whom we delivered emergency oxygen prescription updates because he’s up there with his 96-year-old wife,” McDonough said.
“We’re using side-by-sides. We have teams that are out constantly. I just heard a story today about a team that hiked up a month a mile yesterday to deliver oxygen and water to a veteran…We won’t stop until we’ve reached 100% of our vulnerable veterans.”
McDonough did not share any veteran fatalities at this time.
“I am here hearing very tragic stories, but those are not my stories to tell,” McDonough said.
Here are the VA’s resources for veterans impacted by Helene: https://www.va.gov/asheville-health-care/programs/updates-and-resources/
The Veterans Disaster Response Line for 24/7 help is 1-800-507-4571.