**Significant Overcount in Hurricane Helene Death Toll Confirmed**

Authorities have confirmed that the previously reported death toll associated with Hurricane Helene was significantly overcounted. According to a spokesperson from the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office, earlier reports had listed 72 fatalities, but the current count has been revised to 42.

The Associated Press noted that the death toll had been inflated by as many as 30 deaths. North Carolina State officials have consistently reported 42 deaths in Buncombe County since October 10, based on assessments conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Raleigh.

The spokesperson explained to WXII that in the initial chaos following Hurricane Helene, all deaths in the region were categorized as storm-related and attributed to Buncombe County. However, as officials conducted further investigations, they were able to differentiate between those who died due to the hurricane, those who were actual residents of Buncombe County, and those who succumbed to other causes. This clarification process, combined with earlier communication issues caused by widespread outages, resulted in the adjusted fatality figure.

Statewide, the Department of Health and Human Services has reported a total of 96 deaths caused by Hurricane Helene. The updated numbers from Buncombe County now provide a clearer understanding of the storm's impact on the region.