Not unusual in disasters of this scale -- looks like it took a week before first responders made it to Fairview, NC. (no communications = no way for people to know you need help)

wlos.com/news/local/rural-wnc-… #Fairview #NC #Helene

Rural WNC residents wait nearly a week for help after Helene

People in rural communities such as Fairview, N.C., have been stranded for almost a week, awaiting help after Hurricane Helene.

^WLOS