Buncombe County Hurricane Helene Updates - Actualizaciones Sobre el Huracán Helene en el Condado de Buncombe

This news item expired on Friday, November 1, 2024 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.

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Update as of Oct. 8 at 2 p.m.

Buncombe County Update on Hurricane Helene: Solid Waste, Donation Centers, Metropolitan Sewerage Update, and More

Watch the recording of the Oct. 8 community briefing on the Buncombe County Facebook page.

Correction: We have updated the contact information for some of the locations where people can get their oxygen refilled. Please note that information continues to change, and we will update as we can verify more information. Call before heading out to these locations.

Palmetto Oxygen LLC 828-285-0239
Blue Ridge 828-232-1110 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m. only; no deliveries, bring your old tank to 101 Caribou Road in Asheville.)
Rotech 828-456-8782
Lincare 828-255-4545
Bradshaw Oxygen LLC 828-380-6287 (Can drop off, provides portables, and make repairs)

Update:
“As our neighbors in Florida brace for Hurricane Milton, we extend our thoughts and best wishes for their safety and well-being,” said Lillian Govus, Buncombe County Director of Communications and Public Engagement. “We encourage Florida residents to stay informed and follow the guidance of your local emergency officials to keep your loved ones safe. We want to reassure our Buncombe County community that the support and resources allocated to North Carolina will remain available to meet local needs during the continued recovery from Hurricane Helene."

Water Distribution Site Updates
Due to a road closure, the Cane Creek water distribution site is closing immediately. A new site will be announced tomorrow. Water distribution sites are available at William W. Estes Elementary, Sand Hill Elementary (enter via Acton Circle), North Windy Ridge Intermediate, Fairview Elementary, Black Mountain Ingles, Leicester Elementary, Pack Square Park, Asheville Middle, Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, Lucy Herring Elementary, and Oakley Elementary.

Donations
Donations are still needed, especially blankets and jackets as cold weather is expected. Deliver donations to:

1298 Patton Ave., West Asheville
Arden Presbyterian Church, 2215 Hendersonville Road, Asheville
Harrah's Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood St. (9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily)
BeLoved, 32 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville
6 Commerce Way, Arden

For donation inquiries, specific needs, or equipment, please email:?helenedonations@buncombecounty.org. Please also give money to recognized disaster relief organizations accessed at www.ncvoad.org/donate-2.

Nonprofit and Community Outreach Support:
Nonprofits, community partners, and schools can now request supplies for emergency outreach work. If you would like to pick up supplies from the distribution center at 6 Commerce Way in Asheville to stock your site, please use this link https://tinyurl.com/HurricaneHeleneRequests and fill out the form online. If you cannot fill out this form online, call the volunteer team at 828-393-5628 to fill it out by phone. If you cannot call in advance, you can go to 6 Commerce Way in Arden from noon to 4 p.m. and fill out a paper version of the form.

SNAP/EBT Update
As of October 6, 70% of September Food Assistance benefits have been loaded onto EBT cards to help replace food lost due to power outages. These funds can also be used for hot food purchases.

Power Outages
Duke Energy has released a public map showing the severity of damage in areas in western North Carolina still without power due to catastrophic damage. Yellow indicates repairable damage, while red highlights areas where significant infrastructure has been destroyed. As of 9 a.m. today, 58,000 customers remain without power, showing great improvement from the over 100,000 customers without power reported last week.

Trash Services
Trash pickup services continue to operate on a day-to-day basis. Today’s updates include:

Tuesday, October 8: Waste Pro is operating a bagged trash drop-off at Enka AB Tech Campus, 1459 Sand Hill Road, Candler, until 4:30 p.m. This is for bagged household trash only, no storm debris.
Wednesday, October 9: Waste Pro will run routes in accessible areas of Swannanoa. Drop-off locations will be available at Charles C. Bell Elementary (90 Maple Springs Road, Asheville) and Owen Pool (117 Stone Drive, Swannanoa) from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Recycling services are temporarily suspended for all Waste Pro customers.

Additionally, the Hominy Creek Transfer Station will open on Wednesday, October 9 for residential bagged trash only. There will be no charge for Buncombe County residents during this time. Please note, the transfer station will not accept commercial vehicles, and access roads may be impacted by dirt and silt.
The Buncombe County landfill (85 Panther Branch Road, Alexander) is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Metropolitan Sewerage District
Buncombe County's sewer system remains operational but check the lines on your own property for any damage before using. The Metropolitan Sewerage District administration building is now open to the public, at 2028 Riverside Dr. in Asheville. You can visit in person but if you have a sewer emergency you can also call 828-768-0540. Crews worked around the clock for eight days to secure the system, but the treatment plant was unaffected except for a temporary loss of power. All 40 pump stations are back online with some running on generator power. Main "interceptor" lines are working. Crews are assessing the other 1,100 miles of smaller lines.

FEMA
FEMA has approved $15.9 million in assistance in Buncombe County. FEMA grants are not loans that have to be paid back. Visit disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 to apply. FEMA disaster assistance specialists are canvassing Western North Carolina communities in coordination with local government to help survivors apply for assistance and report any emerging needs. Today, Tuesday, Oct. 8, FEMA will be at these sites from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.:

Black Mountain: 550 Hwy 9, Black Mountain
A-B Tech Shelter: (A-B Tech Conference Center, 16 Fernihurst Drive (between Conference Center & Parking Deck)
Pack Square Park
Emma Community: 528 Emma Street in Asheville (Spanish-speaking representatives)
New Bridge Baptist Church: 199 Elkwood Avenue in Asheville.
Laundry Use Trailer: Basilica of Saint Lawrence, 97 Haywood St. In Asheville.
Walmart: 60 Airport Road in Arden

VAYA
As the community begins recovery from Hurricane Helene, we recognize the importance of mental health in these highly stressful times. Dr. Richard Zenn with VAYA provided resources on taking care of yourself and at-risk individuals such as kids and the elderly. Monitor signs of stress and remember to reach out if you need help.
Important local mental health resources include:

Call or text 988 for mental health support from a trained mental health professional.
Disaster Distress Helpline is available in English and Spanish 24/7 for anyone impacted by a natural disaster. Call or text 1-800-985-5990.
Call NC’s Peer Warmline (1-855-PEERS NC) to speak to a peer living in recovery from mental health or substance use issues.
Hope4NC (1-855-587-3463) is available for first responders and volunteers.
Call VAYA Behavioral health Crisis Line 1-800-849-6127 for crisis assistance.

Updates as of Oct. 7 at 3 p.m.

Palmetto Oxygen LLC 828-285-0239
Blue Ridge 828-232-1110 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m. only; no deliveries, bring your old tank to 101 Caribou Road in Asheville.
Rotech 828-456-8782
Lincare 828-255-4545
Bradshaw Oxygen LLC 828-380-6287

Buncombe County Hurricane Helene Updates: Flushing Water Available, Water Restoration Updates & Oxygen Refill

Buncombe County's community briefings will now be once a day, every day at 11 a.m. live on the Buncombe County Facebook page. We will continue this schedule for the immediate future.

Non-potable water (grey water) for flushing toilets is now available at all County and City distribution sites:

William W. Estes Elementary - 275 Overlook Road, Asheville
Sand Hill Elementary - 154 Sand Hill School Road, Asheville (Enter via Acton Circle)
North Windy Ridge Intermediate - 20 Doan Road, Weaverville
Fairview Elementary - 1355 Charlotte Hwy, Fairview
Black Mountain Ingles - 550 NC-9, Black Mountain
Cane Creek Middle - 570 Lower Brush Creek Road, Fletcher
Leicester Elementary - 31 Gilbert Road, Leicester
Pack Square Park - 70 Court Plaza, Asheville
Asheville Middle - 211 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville
Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center - 121 Shiloh Road, Asheville
Lucy Herring Elementary - 98 Sulphur Springs Road, Asheville
Oakley Elementary - 753 Fairview Road, Asheville

Asheville Water Restoration
The City of Asheville continues to make progress on its treatment plants and distribution systems. If you currently have water, please conserve.

North Fork Water Treatment Plant: The North Fork bypass line is slated to be completed soon, which is a major milestone in the work toward the restoration of the water system in the region.
North Fork Reservoir: The reservoir continues to be murky. Sediment levels must go down before the water is drawn. Environmental Protection Agency officials are on-site providing resources and technical assistance to treat the reservoir. Water cannot be delivered from reservoirs until distribution systems are repaired.

Mills River Plant: The Mills River Plant is fully operational.

Distribution System: Contractors continue to make progress on large-scale repairs to primary transmission mains. The City’s contractors, TP Howard and Tanoka, are working with NCDOT and their contractors to complete critical repairs to the distribution system as damage is identified and materials are sourced as they arrive.

Food
Residents in the Food and Nutrition Service program can now use EBT cards to purchase hot meals. Additionally, Chick-fil-A is distributing sandwiches and water at Swannanoa Ingles (2299 US-70) from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., today through Friday while supplies last.

FEMA Assistance
FEMA grants are not loans and do not need to be repaid. FEMA personnel are out in the community and have branded equipment and badges. FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) Teams will be out in the community today from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Black Mountain Ingles, A-B Tech Conference Center, Pack Square Park, Emma Community Center, New Bridge Baptist Church at 199 Elkwood Ave., Asheville, and at the laundry use trailer at Basilica of St. Lawrence, 97 Haywood Street, Asheville.

Environmental Health
If your well was flooded or damaged during Hurricane Helene it is critical that you disinfect and sample the water before using it.

Step 1: If water went on top of the well at any point or if it received structural damage, you need to disinfect the well.
Step 2: Instructions for disinfecting home wells can be found at buncombeready.org.
Step 3: After the well is disinfected, you need to get the water tested. Get it tested by calling 828-250-5016, visiting buncombecounty.org/eh and submitting an application online, or visiting 30 Valley Street Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Solid Waste
Waste Pro will run routes beginning tomorrow in the Enka-Candler area. They will also have a drop-off location at Leicester Elementary (31 Gilbert Rd., Leicester) from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
In Asheville, trash collection is beginning today and will start with regular Monday and Tuesday collections where accessible. Residents are encouraged to download the AVL Collects app to your phone to receive notifications about trash and recycling pickup in their area. There will be no recycling pick up until the recycling plant is operational. Residents can use both recycling and trash bins for household waste. Storm debris should not be placed in bins and will be collected in the future.

Permits & Inspections
Both the City of Asheville and Buncombe County are waiving fees related to emergency repairs. Visit buncombecounty.org/permits or develop.ashevillenc.gov to learn more. The Buncombe County Permits office at 30 Valley St. is open.

Bus Service
Limited Asheville Rides Transit (ART) bus service relaunched today. Outbound trips will end at 5 p.m. Riders can board the bus from any point along routes by flagging buses down. Please only do so if the bus is traveling on the same side of the street that you are on. Riders can find information about transit services through alerts or by calling (828) 253-5691.

Cellular Sites
Mobile cellular sites are available for the public at the following locations:

YMCA – 30 Woodfin St.
Grace United Methodist Church – 954 Tunnel Road
Asheville Middle School – 211 S French Broad Ave.
Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center – 285 Livingston St.

Asheville Police Department
The Asheville Police Department is at full patrol and detective staffing with 20% more officers volunteering on days off. Search teams located 336 reported persons alive and well. There are 60 active missing person cases being worked on including 20 unhoused individuals. Local teams are receiving substantial assistance from the FBI and Homeland Security. Drone teams continue to search in affected zones in and around Swannanoa and French Broad River, working alongside search and rescue teams.
Local efforts are being assisted by over 45 independent police agencies.
A curfew remains in-effect within the City of Asheville between 7:30 p.m. and 7:30 a.m.

Important Resources

Visit buncombeready.org for donation locations.
Upload photos of adverse conditions such as downed trees and blocked roadways to report.buncombecounty.org.
For questions about storm-related issues, call (828) 250-6100
For missing persons, rescues, or well-checks, please visit www.unitedwaync.org or text PERSON to 40403.

Updated as of Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m.

Buncombe Search and Rescue Efforts Continue, Shelters Available

As of October 6, 2024, there are 14 Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams operating in Buncombe County. Eight of these teams are federal resources, six are from North Carolina and three are local. Local Fire Departments and Emergency Operations assets are working side by side to conduct thorough searches. More teams are en route to assist in these efforts.

In the western areas of Buncombe County near Leicester, Candler, and Beaverdam, local authorities and emergency responders have deemed the damage from the storm to be more limited. As a result, USAR teams are focusing their efforts on central Buncombe County and moving eastward.

Currently, 90% of primary searches have been completed. These searches typically involve a 360-degree exterior survey of structures that appear undamaged. These teams expect to complete all primary searches within the next day or two.

Targeted searches, which involve areas with more severe damage or debris piles, will take longer to complete. These searches require specialized resources like heavy equipment and trained canine units to systematically search through difficult terrain. As of this morning, there are no accurate statistics available on the progress of these targeted searches.

Shelters

Buncombe County shelters are still available for the general population at:

AB Tech Conference Center, 16 Fernihurst Dr., Asheville, NC 28801 (Please use Victoria Road Entrance.)
The former's Gold's Gym, 1815 Hendersonville Road in Asheville. This location has a playroom for children, so it may be more suitable for families. Please note that no pets are allowed at this location.
Medical Emergency Shelter for individuals who are dependent on medical equipment requiring power is located at 10 Genevieve Cir, Asheville.
The shelter at the Ag Center is full – please do not go there.

Please note that the shelters do not have resources for the general community and are not donation locations. Visit Buncombeready.org for donation locations.

For questions about storm-related issues, please call our call center at 828-250-6100.

FEMA Assistance

Helping in recovery efforts is FEMA, whose representatives are out in our community helping get community members impacted by Helene connected to assistance.

These locations are:

Black Mountain Ingles
Pack Square Park
Emma Street, where Spanish language teams are also available
New Bridge Baptist
Basilica of St. Lawrence
Walmart in Arden

We’ll continue to share out their locations as they are updated.

Power

As of Sunday afternoon, 73,000 customers remain without power in Buncombe County. Both Duke Energy and our emergency services personnel ask that unless you live in one of our small communities that has been so badly damaged by the storm like Swannanoa and Garren Creek, please stay out. The traffic volume is severely impacting crews’ abilities to respond.

Solid Waste

On Monday, Oct. 7, Waste Pro collection service will resume for regular Monday route customers. Waste Pro will collect household garbage where collection vehicles can safely access customers. Waste Pro will also operate a household bagged trash drop-off location Monday from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at Leicester Elementary, 31 Gilbert Road, Leicester.

Recycling collection is temporarily suspended while repair work is underway at the recycling process facility. If needed, subscribers may use their Waste Pro recycling cart for additional bagged trash space need. Please do not place storm-generated debris at the collection points for Waste Pro service.

Updated as of Oct. 5 at 6 p.m.

Buncombe County Hurricane Helene Update: Geotagged Photo Tool, New Water Distribution Site & Scam Awareness

Correction: the phone number for home well water testing, 828-250-5016, will be active starting Monday.

Geotagged Photo Upload Tool
A reminder that Buncombe County has launched an online tool for residents to report storm-related issues by uploading geotagged photos. These can include blocked roads, landslides, and urgent needs for evacuation, supplies, or medicine. The photos will help emergency services respond faster and more accurately to specific locations. The website is live now at report.buncombecounty.org. Please use this to report for emergency-related services only. You must take the picture and upload it, so we get the geotagged information. Do not use the 'Take Photo or Video' option as it will not transmit location info. Make sure your location is turned on your phone.

Water and Food Distribution Sites
*A new distribution site has been set up at Oakley Elementary at 753 Fairview Road in Asheville. Other sites include William W. Estes Elementary, Sand Hill Elementary, and additional schools. Distribution runs until 7 p.m. or until supplies run out. Other water distribution sites include William W. Estes Elementary, Sand Hill Elementary, North Windy Ridge Intermediate, Fairview Elementary, Black Mountain Ingles, Cane Creek Middle, Leicester Elementary, Asheville Middle School, Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, Pack Square Park, and Lucy Herring Elementary School. *County sites are open noon - 4 p.m.

Donations
We thank the generosity of the community who has been providing donations. We ask that you please drop off donations only at official locations: 6 Commerce Way in Arden or 32 Old Charlotte Highway in Asheville. Do not bring donations to fire stations or emergency facilities.

Transit
The City of Asheville’s transit service ART will begin operating a modified schedule on select routes where road conditions have improved starting on Monday. These routes will run on a modified Sunday schedule, with all outbound trips ending at 5 p.m. Transportation is free of charge until further notice.

The modified routes will have flag-stop service, allowing passengers to board at their preferred location along the route.

Scam Awareness
We continue to caution the community to be aware of scams through text and social media. We are receiving reports of landowners and survivors receiving texts offering to buy land quickly for cash. Be careful and always consult with verified sources. If you are receiving texts like this, delete and block the number.

FEMA Misinformation
We are getting a lot of calls from concerned community members to our 911 dispatch and call centers with concerns about FEMA. We have been working with all of our partners on the response, including FEMA.

They are on the ground and coordinating with us and over 1,000 personnel, all working together to help our community. Unfortunately, some people take advantage of a disaster and spread false and misinformation. First and foremost, understand that all federal, state, and local governments along with our private sector and voluntary organizations, are working to help our community.

Misinformation hurts the response and recovery process. Help keep yourself, your family, and your community safe after Hurricane Helene by being aware of rumors and scams and sharing official information from trusted sources. Rumors about FEMA turning away donations, stopping trucks or vehicles with donations, and confiscating and seizing supplies often spread after a disaster. These are all false.

If you have an emergency or believe that someone is in danger, please call 911 to report that. Call the Family Assistance Center if you have a loved one who you have not been able to be in contact with. That number is 828-250-6100 or you can visit buncombeready.org for more information.

Updated as of Oct. 5 at noon.

Buncombe County Hurricane Helene Updates: New Photo Tool for Relief Efforts and Environmental Health Updates

The Buncombe One Call Center is live and available 24/7 at 828-250-6100.

Buncombe County Launches Geotagged Photo Tool to Accelerate Relief Efforts
Buncombe County launched a new online tool that allows residents to upload geotagged photos of storm-related emergency issues as blocked roads, landslides, and urgent needs for evacuation, supplies, or medicine. This information will allow emergency crews to respond faster and with more accuracy. Access the tool and submit photos at report.buncombecounty.org. Do not use the 'Take Photo or Video' option as it will not transmit location info.

Guidance for Open Burning
Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency encourages residents to wait at least three days to let materials dry out before burning as that will help reduce emissions. Be sure to be at least 15 feet away from structures and in three-foot piles.

Open burning of leaves, brush, and yard trimmings is permitted on burning days between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. To find out if it is a burn day, check abairquality.org or call 828-250-6767.
You are allowed to burn anywhere that does not receive public yard waste pick-up.

The burning of household trash, building materials, asphaltic materials, cardboard, processed wood, and papers is always PROHIBITED.
Burning is not allowed in the City of Asheville, and the Towns of Biltmore Forest, Black Mountain, Montreat, Weaverville or Woodfin.

Food and Water Distribution Sites
Food and water distribution sites are open until 7 p.m. or supplies run out. Please bring containers to refill water.

William W. Estes Elementary School - 275 Overlook Road, Asheville
Sand Hill Elementary - 154 Sand Hill School Road, Asheville (Please enter via Acton Circle)
North Windy Ridge Intermediate School - 20 Doan Road, Weaverville
Fairview Elementary School - 1355 Charlotte Highway, Fairview
Black Mountain Ingles – 550 NC-9, Black Mountain
Cane Middle Creek Middle – 570 Lower Brush Creek Road, Fletcher
Leicester Elementary School – 31 Gilbert Road, Leicester

The City of Asheville also has sites:

Asheville Middle School: 211 S. French Broad Avenue, Asheville – Until 7 p.m.
Lindwood Crump Shiloh Community Center: 121 Shiloh Road, Asheville – Until 7 p.m.
Pack Square Park: 70 Court Plaza beginning at 1 p.m. until dark.
Lucy Herring Elementary School, 98 Sulphur Springs Road. Open 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Well Water Safety

Environmental Health is working to ensure flooded wells or wells that were damaged during the storm provide safe water for use at home. A flooded well is a well where water was over the top of the well at any point during the storm. Wells may also receive structural damage. If a well was either flooded or damaged during the storm, it must be disinfected. Instructions can be found on buncombeready.org.
Once the well is disinfected, call 828-250-5016 and some will come out to collect a water sample.
Water preservation: put a filled 2-liter bottle in the back of your toiler, reuse water by using dishwashing water in the back of the toilet for flushing. At this time, we ask that you do not use water from rivers, streams, or creeks due to contamination from the storm.

Restaurants
Environmental Health staff is visiting food service establishments and providing information to operators on how they can reopen for business as safely and as quickly as possible. Establishments can call or text 828-772-2820 to request an assessment. They can also email ehrequest@buncombecounty.org and include "restaurant" in subject line.

Childcare Centers
Operators of childcare centers should reach out to their licensed childcare consultant for guidance on safely reopening.

FEMA
There are more than 700 FEMA personnel on the ground in North Carolina, and 1,300 urban search and rescue personnel. In Buncombe County, FEMA has approved 14,000 applications and more than $12 million has been dispersed to disaster survivors. To register for Disaster Assistance, call 1-800-621-FEMA or visit disasterassistance.gov. FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are out in the community today at the WNC Agricultural Center at 1801 Fanning Bridge Road in Fletcher, Pack Square Park at 80 Court Plaza in Asheville, A-B Tech at 340 Victoria Road in Asheville, and Black Mountain Ingles.

FEMA assistance for undocumented immigrants is limited but available. Undocumented immigrants can apply on behalf of their minor child (under 18 years of age) for FEMA cash assistance (Individuals and Households Program Assistance) if you live together. To learn more, visit the FEMA website.

Updated as of Oct. 4 at 6:20 p.m.

City of Asheville Water System and Resource Updates

Water, Soil & Well Testing
The Environmental Protection Agency is aware of potential issues in the region’s water, soil, and wells and they are working to evaluate health concerns. In the interim, if you have concerns, please exercise an abundance of caution and wait for assurance from the experts that it’s safe to do so. If you have a well and aren’t sure if your water is safe to drink, boil it at a minimum for one minute or use it only for flushing toilets.

Free Food and Water
Virtelle Hospitality will provide free hot meals and drinking water on Saturday, October 5, starting at 12:30 p.m. at the Quality Inn & Suites, 1430 Tunnel Road, Asheville. Bring containers for water.

Donation Center
A hurricane relief warehouse is open at 6 Commerce Way in Arden open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily for donations.

We accept: Non-perishable, ready-to-eat food, bottled water, clean-up supplies, paper goods, baby supplies, pet supplies, personal care items

Cannot accept: baby food, glass items, furniture, clothing, perishable food, electronics, or flammable liquids. Donations are distributed by community partners and are not available for pick-up at this location.

Medical Clinic
Community Paramedics are operating a Medical Clinic that is now up and running in Black Mountain at 12 Florida Avenue in Black Mountain and can provide medical care of any non-medical (urgent care) needs except for withdrawals. They are operating 24/7.

The medical examiner has paused updates on fatalities. A state support team is being set up, and more information will be shared when available.

City of Asheville Updates
Main priorities for the City of Asheville include getting water, food and basic necessities to most vulnerable populations; the restoration of the Asheville water system; and overall public safety.

The city is working on setting up additional points of food and water distribution. A significant need has been identified for a distribution center in east Asheville, more updates are to come.

Solid Waste: trash pickup will resume in targeted areas on Monday. Routes are based on road accessibility. Download the AVL Collects app if you are able to, to receive notifications about trash pickup. There will be no recycling pick-up, it will be collected as trash at this time. It cannot collect mud or destruction debris.

Transit: The City of Asheville’s transit will provide limited fare free transit 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting on Monday to accessible routes.

Water Update: the City of Asheville provided an update on its water system through drone footage. We will have a video on this update available on buncombeready.org and the City of Asheville’s website.

Northfork: the Northfork 36-inch bypass waterline, which was re-built to be able to withstand a typical hurricane event after the flood of 2004, sustained catastrophic damage. At this location, 25 feet of ground was washed away. As of October 3, work is being done to install a pipeline that is deeper and armored.
The distribution system site at Old US 70 Highway in Swannanoa had both waterlines and roads demolished. As of October 2, a lot of debris has been removed, and the roadbed is beginning reconstruction.
The Mills River Water Plant, which was formerly operating at partial capacity, is up and running and fully functionable.

There is a lot of work to do to return water to the region, the water system includes more than 1,800 thousand miles of pipes. See the video below.

HCA Mission Hospital
The hospital has been operational through the entirety of the storm. It has stable power and is without municipal water, but it has pressurized, potable water within the facility. This requires 40-50 tanks of water feeding the hospital system. Outpatient clinics and care settings are opening as power is being restored and as they are deemed safe.

VA Hospital
The medical center at 1100 Tunnel Road in Asheville is operating under both emergency generator and traditional power 24/7 for both emergencies and inpatient services. It is able to do limited surgical internet on an emergency basis. Routine appointments have been cancelled, but those with acute needs have been scheduled.

Veterans who need medications can come to the VA pharmacy or call 855-679-0074 and press 1. The hospital has started to home visits for high-risk veterans with safe, accessible roads. It is also delivering home oxygen and respiratory therapy.

Asheville Police Department
Asheville Police Department (APD) has a missing person special unit and an existing search and rescue unit. To date, APD has accepted more than 300 missing persons reported and has located 270 of those who are alive and in contact with family and friends. There are currently 75 missing persons cases in the City of Asheville. APD is receiving assistance from the FBI and U.S. Homeland Security. Rapid DNA testing has been used and in the last 72 hours it has resulted in finding and rescuing three individuals. APD has received help from 45 agencies from the state and Southeast region.

Childcare Centers
We will provide updates on the safe reopening of childcare centers at tomorrow's 10 a.m. briefing.

Updated as of Oct. 4 at noon

Buncombe County Hurricane Helene Updates: Duke Energy, Fire Safety & Showers and Power

The Buncombe One Call Center is live and available 24/7 at 828-250-6100.

Points of Distribution for Food & Water
Buncombe County is distributing food, water, and supplies that will be available from noon until 4 p.m. at the following locations:

William W. Estes Elementary School: 275 Overlook Road, Asheville – Noon-4 p.m. (also included non-potable or “gray” water that is not for drinking or cooking but can be used for flushing toilets)
Sand Hill Elementary: 154 Sand Hill School Road, Asheville – Noon-4 p.m.
North Windy Ridge Intermediate School: 20 Doan Road, Weaverville – Noon-4 p.m.
Fairview Elementary School: 1355 Charlotte Highway, Fairview – Noon-4 p.m.
Black Mountain Ingles: 550 NC-9, Black Mountain, 28711 - Noon-4 p.m.
Cane Middle Creek Middle: 570 Lower Brush Creek Road, Fletcher - Noon-4 p.m.
Leicester Elementary School: 31 Gilbert Road, Leicester – Noon-4 p.m.

City of Asheville Distribution

Asheville Middle School: 211 S. French Broad Avenue, Asheville – Until 7 p.m.
Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center: 121 Shiloh Road, Asheville – Until 7 p.m.
Pack Square Park: 70 Court Plaza beginning at 1 p.m. until dark.
Lucy Herring Elementary School: 98 Sulphur Springs Road. Open 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Storm Damage Survey
Residents who sustained property damage should report it via the storm damage report survey at 828-250-6100. This is separate from FEMA reporting.

Fire Safety Reminders
Turn breakers off if you are without power.
Burn storm debris (only natural items such as wood) 15+ feet from structures; only burn small piles.
Avoid traveling into small communities to prevent delays in emergency response.

New York Fire Department
A team of 34 with the New York Fire Department arrived in the region on Thursday, Oct.3. The NYPD is surveying sites to establish Community Reception Centers where the community can access portable bathrooms, water for handwashing, showers, laundry, and more. Those centers will be announced as soon as possible.

Duke Energy
Duke Energy currently has a crew of 21,000 line workers working on power restoration. Crews have repaired 1.2 million power outages in North Carolina since Hurricane Helene.

In Buncombe County, 78,000 customers are still without power as 10 a.m. Oct. 4.
In the region, Duke estimates restoring 27,000 by tonight and 69,000 in hardest to reach regions by Sunday.
About 105,000 customers are without power in the hardest to reach areas due to lack of access due to many roads gone. For these customers, no estimated repair times are available yet.

Customers can get updates via email, text, and calls and those with the ability can visit the Duke Energy website.

YMCA Support Open to the Public - Showers and Charging

Reuter Family YMCA: The Reuter Family Y in Biltmore Park is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. for showers, charging, WiFi, gymnasium, and playground.
Asheville YMCA: The Downtown Asheville YMCA is now open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. to distribute essential items to the public. This location is also open (outside) for WiFi and charging. Also, the Asheville Y will host a free mobile food market on Saturday, 10/5 at 11 a.m.
Corpening Memorial YMCA: The Corpening Memorial YMCA in Marion is open from 2-6 p.m. for showers and charging.

All services are free and open to the public.

Tax Relief
The Internal Revenue Service has announced tax relief for individuals and businesses in the entire state of North Carolina that were affected by Hurricane Helene. These taxpayers now have until May 1, 2025, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.
Following the disaster declaration issued by FEMA individuals and households that reside or have a business in the entire state qualify for tax relief.
Affected taxpayers with returns and payments with due dates postponed until Feb. 3, 2025 due to Tropical Storm Debby in North Carolina will also now have until May 1, 2025 to file and/or pay.

Updates from Buncombe County Social Services
Buncombe County Department of Social Services (DSS) continues to accept and process applications for all programs either through our own staff working remotely or through mutual aid from other county DSS offices.

If you currently receive Medicaid your benefits will be automatically extended for three months
If you currently receive Food Assistance, the program will automatically renew your eligibility
North Carolina is working to provide automatic replacement benefits for those on Food Assistance for their loss of food because of the power outages. We expect more information on this in the next week.
You can access applications online for Food Assistance, Medicaid, Work First, and the Energy programs through the online portal EPASS NC: https://epass.nc.gov/.
We are working with the state to establish a Disaster Food Assistance program. This program has fewer rules than regular food assistance and more people will qualify
If you lost your food benefits card, we are working on a streamlined replacement process.

If you have questions or need additional information, please call: 828-250-5500.

Mental Health Support
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has launched the Hope4NC Helpline (1-855-587-3463) to provide mental health support for first responders and volunteers working on our Hurricane Helene disaster response. It is help for the helpers.

Hope4NC is available to any first responder or volunteer. It is free, confidential, and available 24/7. Once again, that number is 1-855-587-3463.

The City of Asheville, Mission HCA, and the VA Hospital will join us at our community briefing at 4 p.m. live on facebook.com/buncombeGov and on many local radio stations.

Updated as of Oct. 3 at 5:40 p.m.

Buncombe County Hurricane Helene Updates: New Call Center, Donation Center & Town of Woodfin and Biltmore Forest Updates

Buncombe County has activated the One Buncombe Call Center for residents to report storm damage, access resources, and find storm-related information by calling 828-250-6100. The call center will operate seven days a week.

In Buncombe County, 72 lives have been lost due to Hurricane Helene.

Solid Waste Services
Waste Pro is resuming limited service in Weaverville on Friday where safe and accessible. Residents can drop off household trash (no storm debris) at North Buncombe Pool, 734 Clarks Chapel Road, Weaverville, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Buncombe County Landfill will be open Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Hazardous Materials
Residents are advised to avoid river areas due to debris. The County has requested testing for hazardous materials through the state emergency operations center.

Donation Center
We have set up a warehouse at 6 Commerce Way in Arden to receive hurricane relief supplies. We can receive donations from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. daily. Any size vehicle is welcome.

We have seven categories of things that we can accept, these include:

Non-perishable, ready-to-eat food
Bottled water
Clean-up supplies
Paper goods like toilet paper
Baby supplies including formula
Pet supplies
Personal Care

We cannot accept baby food, glass items, furniture, clothing, perishable food, electronics, and flammable liquids.

We will not distribute from this location – these donations will go to community partners to distribute, so please do not come here to receive supplies.

Mountain Mobility
As long as patients are accessible, Mountain Mobility is resuming life-sustaining dialysis transport in coordination with dialysis centers. This will also help open hospital beds.

Community Support for Unhoused Individuals
Code Purple, a coordinated effort among Asheville and Buncombe County shelters and other organizations to provide emergency overflow shelter for unhoused individuals, was called prior to the storm with collaboration between City, County, and service providers to quickly outreach to folks on the street and attempt to get them to Code Purple locations before the storm hit. Many of them are still in those shelters for the time being, and County Community Paramedics along with City Community Responders have been making regular rounds to homeless service and permanent supportive housing provider locations to offer support and resources to residents and staff at those locations.

Permits
The Buncombe County Permits Office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Applications are accepted electronically at buncombecounty.org/permits. Special flood hazard area requirements may apply.

Town of Woodfin Updates

Food and Water Distribution will take place at the New Bridge Baptist Church at 199 Elkwood Avenue from 2-4 p.m. Donations will be accepted from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A portion of donations to the church is being shuttled to Victory Baptist Church at 80 Olivette Rd, Asheville from 3-5 p.m.
Anyone with special needs or with a welfare check request should visit Woodfin Town Hall at 90 Elk Mountain Road or call 828-253-4887 when cellular service is restored to the line.
Trash and recycling collection will start on Friday.
There is not current definitive timeline for when water can be restored at Woodfin.
The town is hosting a briefing everyday at 1 p.m. at the Town Hall.

Town of Biltmore Forest Updates

Hurricane Helene brought down a large number of trees at Biltmore Forest, which is a primary residential area. This was the main source of destruction for this community.
All roads are currently accessible for emergency crews.

The water system will require repairs once water systems are restored.

Wi-Fi Access
Free Wi-Fi is available at the North Asheville Library use the password “readmore” lowercase, no space. Other libraries include Pack Memorial, Enka-Candler and West Asheville.

Pet Care
MedVet Asheville, an emergency and specialty veterinary hospital, will be opening starting tomorrow Friday, Oct. 4 from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. and will be open those hours every day. They are located at 677 Brevard Road, Asheville, NC 28806.

Updated as of Oct. 3 at noon.

Buncombe County Hurricane Helene Response – October 3 Morning Update

Correction: Small donations should be dropped off at Beloved Asheville, 32 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville, NC 28803, not Reynolds Middle Warehouse.

New Water and Food Distribution Sites
Two new sites have opened at:

Cane Creek Middle, 570 Lower Brush Creek Road, Fletcher
Leicester Elementary, 31 Gilbert Road, Leicester

Both are open from noon to 4 p.m. providing water and ready-to-eat meals.

Other locations include Estes Elementary, Sand Hill Elementary, North Windy Ridge, Fairview Elementary, and Black Mountain Ingles. Starting at 2 p.m., non-potable water will be available at Estes Elementary - please bring containers.

Power Update
85,000 customers remain without power as restoration efforts continue.
Missing Persons
Buncombe County does not have an official number for unaccounted people because:

Search and rescue continue now for a seventh day. We are continuing to find survivors.
We know we have pockets of people who are isolated due to landslides and bridges out, so they are disconnected but not missing.
Power, Wi-Fi and phone coverage remains a barrier to connection.

Only once our search and rescue ends will we truly know a number of unaccounted for.

Family Assistance
The Family Assistance Center, an initiative of our Register of Deeds office, has deployed 840 volunteers to check on 6,065 high-priority households with 700+ care packages distributed. As of Wednesday, October 2:

2,885 of our neighbors confirmed safe and sound by volunteers, and
1,828 confirmed safe and sound through email and text.

If you want to volunteer, please report any time between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at 205 College St., Asheville. Small donations of food, water, toiletries, baby formula, dog food, etc. can be dropped off, as well.

MSD Update
Metropolitan Sewerage District of Buncombe County has been operational and treating the entire time. It has 37 out of 40 pumps that are working with either backup power or with full power. They have a few transmission lines that have leaks and breakages, and they are working on repairing those and they are making progress.

FEMA Update
FEMA will remain active in the region for the duration of the response and the recovery. FEMA’s number one priority remains to be life safety with search and rescue currently active and ongoing. Those who are able to do so should register for FEMA assistance by visiting disasterassistance.gov or calling 1-800-621-3362. This is a critical first stop for the recovery process, this includes the Serious Needs Assistance which provides cash for life-sustaining and life-saving supplies like food, water, and medical equipment supplies. There is also Displacement Assistance if you cannot be in your house.

Border Patrol Presence
Border Patrol Officers are in the region to provide security and support. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol are not conducting immigration enforcement operations in the area. They are also not present at any of our shelter sites.

Connectivity
AT&T has set up a public mobile connectivity station at Sam’s Club, 645 Patton Ave, Asheville, offering charging stations and service for calls.

Big Ivy Community Center
The center at 540 Dillingham Road in Barnardsville is receiving emergency supplies including practical emergency items, food, water, and limited supplies of hay and feed for livestock. Let the center know if anyone needs items delivered.

Many in the area are still without power and water. Volunteers with 4-wheelers or willing to hike are needed to help distribute supplies. You can also drop off or pick up donations at Barnardsville Elementary School at 20 State Rd 2170 in Barnardsville. Urgent needs include: volunteers , Port-a-potties (ADA accessible), Bleach, mold cleaner, PPE, Gas, propane, Coleman stoves and more.

Assisted Care Facilities
All monitored facilities have been contacted, with water and gas for generators identified as key needs. Staff are conducting wellness checks for seniors, working with local partners to address needs.

Loss of Life
The number of lives lost in Buncombe County remains at 61.

Update from 10.2.24 at 6 p.m.

Additional General Shelter, Water Updates & More

Shelter Updates
A new general shelter has opened at the former Gold's Gym at 1815 Hendersonville Road in Asheville. This location has a playroom for children, making it ideal for families. No pets are allowed.

- A general shelter is also available at AB Tech Conference Center (16 Fernihurst Drive, Asheville, use Victoria Road entrance).

- A Medical Emergency Shelter (10 Genevieve Circle, Asheville) available for those dependent on medical equipment.

- The shelter at the WNC Agricultural Center is full.

Power Outages
91,000 customers remain without power. Duke Energy expects the majority of what can be restored to be back online Friday. Two submerged substations in Swannanoa will take months to repair, Due to this, mobile substations will be arriving soon. Wi-Fi is now available at Enka Candler Public Library. Use the password “readmore.”

BeLoved Asheville Donations
BeLoved Asheville is no longer accepting donations at its site.

Weaverville Update
A boil advisory is in effect, please conserve water. If you cannot boil water, add 8 drops of bleach to a gallon of water. Water is being distributed at North Windy Ridge Intermediate School (20 Doan Road in Weaverville). Bring your own water containers.

- Pantry items and water available at Weaverville Community Center (60 Lakeshore Drive, Weaverville) on Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Donations will be accepted from 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.

- Garbage collection will resume Oct. 7. A Mobile PNC Bank ATM is on Weaver Boulevard. T-Mobile is establishing an area for Wi-Fi and phone charging behind Tractor Supply at 14 Monticello Road in Weaverville.

City of Asheville
Ready-to-eat meals and bottled water are available at two distribution sites beginning Wednesday, October 2. Two MRE packages per adult and one per child will be allowed per day. Cases of bottled water are available, one case per family per day. Distribution will last until 7 p.m. or until supplies run out.

Asheville Middle School, 211 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville
Lindwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Road, Asheville
Bulk water is available at Pack Square Park (70 Court Plaza). Some containers are available but please bring your own if possible.

Water for flushing toilets will be available at Asheville JCC Pool at 40 Clyde Street on Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to noon. Enter from Clyde Street and pull up to the pool gate on North Crescent Street.

Water System
Work continues to restore water, with many roads not accessible for crews to make repairs.

Water Treatment Plants:

William DeBruhl Water Treatment Plant is not accessible. North Carolina Department of Transportation staff are on the ground rebuilding the road to that plant. Once road repairs are done, people and equipment can be delivered to the site to begin repairs to the plant.
Mills River Treatment Plant is functioning and providing water to some residents. The plant is being repaired and crews are working to get the pant to full capacity as soon as possible.
North Fork Water Treatment Plant is operational but not delivering water due to no water available for it to treat from the reservoir. Reservoir water has high turbidity levels and cannot be used. The plant is currently accessible, and people are working on adequate repairs.

Distribution Systems:
The damage to water distribution systems is extensive, even if plants are operational, water can't be delivered to the community if distribution systems are not available. Crews are making repairs to inaccessible areas as soon as possible.

Law Enforcement Update
The Asheville Police Department (APD) is under full patrol staffing. Many officers are working overtime to ensure safety. APD is also getting support from other police departments outside of the city. Work includes guarding food and distribution sites, critical infrastructure, medical facilities, as well as drone and search operations, recovery of the bodies of our neighbors who have lost their lives, welfare checks, and reunification with families. A reminder that when intersection traffic lights are not working, it becomes a four-way stop. The curfew is still in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Officials confirmed 61 individuals have lost their lives in Buncombe County from the storm.

Updated on 10.2.24 at noon

Additional Shelter Opens in Buncombe County at Former Gold’s Gym in Hendersonville Road

A general shelter is now open at the former Gold's Gym at 1815 Hendersonville Road in Asheville. This location has a playroom for children, so it may be more suitable for families. Please note that no pets are allowed at this location.

Additional shelter locations across the County include:

AB Tech Conference Center, 16 Fernihurst Dr., Asheville, NC 28801 (Please use Victoria Road Entrance.)
Medical Emergency Shelter (for individuals who are dependent on medical equipment requiring power) located at 10 Genevieve Cir, Asheville, NC 28801.
WNC Agriculture Center- Fanning Bridge Road. This location is full.

All shelters are equipped to provide basic needs and are open to individuals and families seeking a safe place to stay during this emergency.

Updated on 10.2.24 at noon

Buncombe County Hurricane Helene: Urgent Care Available, Water Safety & Schools Updates
As we continue recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Helene, here are key updates for our community:

Urgent Care Availability
Mercy Urgent Care has walk-in locations open at the following addresses from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.:

West Asheville: 1201 Patton Ave.
Weaverville: 61 Weaver Blvd.
Brevard: 22 Trust Lane
Waynesville: 120 Frazier St.
Foothills: 140 W Mills St.

Novant Go-Health Urgent Care at 349 New Leicester Highway is open 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Please note, these facilities treat non-life-threatening conditions. For emergencies, dial 911.

Search and Rescue Efforts
Today marks our sixth day doing rescue. Our search and rescue teams continue working to save lives. While many areas have been devastated, our skilled teams are making every effort to assist survivors. The current total of storm-related fatalities stands at 57.

Food and Water Distribution
Food and water distribution sites will open today at noon. Please bring containers to refill water.

William W. Estes Elementary School - 275 Overlook Road, Asheville
Sand Hill Elementary - 154 Sand Hill School Road, Asheville (Please enter via Acton Circle)
North Windy Ridge Intermediate School - 20 Doan Road, Weaverville
Fairview Elementary School - 1355 Charlotte Highway, Fairview

In addition, Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ and World Central Kitchen will be providing free meals starting at 1 p.m. (and continuing while supplies last) at the First Baptist Church in Weaverville, located at 63 North Main St., in the back parking lot.

Water Safety
Residents using private wells should avoid drinking water from wells that were flooded until tested for contamination. We recommend boiling water before consumption, even if the well wasn’t flooded, until testing is complete.

Recycling Services
Curbie Recycling has resumed service in the Town of Fletcher and for several commercial customers despite power outages. They are working to resume services in other areas as soon as possible. There is no trash pick-up at the time. If you have a way to transport, the County Landfill (85 Panther Branch Road, Alexander) is open, but the Transfer Station is not. County officials are working with WastePro on developing routes and assessing crew numbers to provide trash and recycling pick-up. We will announce any updates as soon as possible.

Internet
Wi-Fi is available outside the West Asheville Public Library (942 Haywood Road, Asheville) and Pack Memorial Library (67 Haywood St., Asheville). The password is “readmore” (one word, lowercase).

911 Call Assistance
While 911 calls are decreasing, non-emergency call volume remains high. We have additional support from four call centers around the state to manage overflow. Buncombe County is looking to activate a call center for non-emergency, storm-related resources.

Schools Update
Both Buncombe County and Asheville City Schools had minimal damage to facilities. All facilities are without water, and many have minimal power. This, in addition to road impacts on bus routes, is a major roadblock to bringing students back to school. Schools are working diligently to account for all staff members. If you work for these schools, please contact someone to let them know you are safe. Many facilities are also being used for emergency response staff.

A-B Tech
A-B Tech facilities continue to be used for disaster relief, including sheltering. The shelter is at AB Tech Conference Center, 16 Fernihurst Dr., Asheville, NC 28801 (Please use Victoria Road Entrance.)

Updated on 10.1.24 at noon

Hurricane Helene Recovery Updates: Medication Donations and Refills, Water and Food Distribution, 911 Call Center Support

As we continue recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Helene, here are key updates for our community:

Medication Donations and Refills
The ABCCM Medical Clinic (155 Livingston St.) is accepting medication donations from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday-Thursday. For pharmacy information, emergency refill rules, and general health recommendations in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, click here.

The North Carolina Board of Pharmacy is maintaining a list of pharmacies in western NC that are open. Click here to find the list.

The list is being updated by the Board of Pharmacy every 30 minutes.

Power
Duke Energy is working to restore power, prioritizing high-need areas. Over 100,000 customers in the region are still without power. Check Duke's outage map for updates the latest updates in your region.

Water and Meals
Distribution centers are open tomorrow (Wednesday) from noon to 4 p.m., providing drinking water and ready-to-eat meals. Please bring containers for water, some empty containers will be available but are limited. We are grateful for community generosity, but no donations will be accepted at these distribution sites. To donate, email helenedonations@buncombecounty.org.

Local Distributions
MANNA FoodBank is launching a critical food and water distribution site tomorrow, Oct. 2, from noon to 4 p.m. at the farmers market at 570 Brevard Road in Asheville (Parking lot to the left, just past Jesse Israel Nursery). Donations can be made at mannafoodbank.org.

BeLoved Asheville is providing water, food, diapers, and baby formula at 32 Old Charlotte Hwy. Spanish-speaking volunteers are available.

Carolina Day School is distributing water at 1345 Hendersonville Road from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Weaverville Update
Intermittent water is in the area and a boil water advisory is in effect until further notice. Boil for at least one minute.

Water distribution is at North Windy Ridge Intermediate School at 20 Doan Rd, Weaverville. Bring your own container.
Food is available at the Methodist and Baptist Churches on Main Street. Times are unknown.
Pantry items and bottled water will be distributed at the Weaverville Community Center (60 Lakeshore Dr, Weaverville) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Water and pantry donations are accepted Wednesday, Oct. 2 from 3-4 p.m.

911 Call Center Support
Our 911 Call Center is receiving assistance from New Hanover County, Fayetteville Police Department, Stanly County, and Raleigh-Wake County.

FEMA Assistance
Nineteen federal urban search and rescue teams are in the region providing aid. Residents and businesses can apply for federal assistance by visiting www.DisasterAssistance.gov or calling (800) 621-3362.

Officials confirmed 57 individuals have lost their lives in Buncombe from the storm.

Updated at 10.1.24 at noon

Buncombe County I-40 East Reopens, Water and Food Distribution Sites Updates, and Consumer Protection Agency Line

Overnight I-40 East out of Buncombe County to McDowell County reopened. Check real-time road conditions via DriveNC.gov before traveling.

Water and Food
Bring containers to fill up water as we have tankers filled with potable (drinkable) water. MRE’s, or ready-to-eat meals, are also currently available at all sites as supplies last.
These sites are located at:

William W. Estes Elementary School - 275 Overlook Road, Asheville
Sand Hill Elementary - 154 Sand Hill School Road, Asheville (Please enter via Acton Circle)
North Windy Ridge Intermediate School - 20 Doan Road, Weaverville
Fairview Elementary School - 1355 Charlotte Highway, Fairview
Ingles Black Mountain - 550 NC-9, Black Mountain, NC 28711 (this site is operated by the Town of Black Mountain with support from County warehouse distribution)

In addition to these county sites, the City of Asheville is distributing water at:

Pack Square Park (80 Court Plaza, Asheville) – Bring containers
Asheville Middle School (211 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville) - Cases of bottled water will be available via drive-through

Shelters
The County's shelters are currently full or nearing capacity. However, efforts are underway to open an additional shelter, with details expected later this afternoon.

Search and Rescue
Search and rescue operations remain active, with teams continuing to reach individuals still trapped by the storm’s aftermath. Officials confirmed 50 individuals have lost their lives in Buncombe from the storm.

Consumer Protection
North Carolina Consumer Protection Agency lines are open to report price gouging and other Helene-related concerns. To report, call 1-877-5-NO-SCAM (1-877-566-7226). All bad actors taking advantage of this situation should be reported.

Town of Montreat Update
Three bridges that were previously damaged are now open. Montreat College has been evacuated. The town is recommended relocations for those with gas and a place to go. Lake Susan Dam continues to operate as designed and remains structurally sound. Water service restoration remains uncertain, with hundreds of feet of damaged water line slowing the process. Bottled water is being distributed at the Montreat Gate from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Power has been restored to parts of Black Mountain, easing cleanup efforts in the area.

UNC Asheville
Since Friday morning, the university has been without electricity, water, and internet access, and cellular communication has been limited. Though the university sustained minimal structural damage, the 1,300 students who remained on campus have since been relocated. Campus operations are currently closed, with only essential personnel allowed on site.

Updated at 9.30.24 at 6 p.m.

President Biden Approves Major Disaster Declaration; County Government Regular Operations Closed Indefinitely

President Joe Biden approved a Major Disaster Declaration for North Carolina, unlocking critical federal resources to aid in the recovery from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene. This declaration allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist individuals and businesses who have been affected.

Under this declaration, FEMA can offer grants for temporary housing, home repairs, help with child care, medical, lodging, moving, and funeral expenses. Low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs designed to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of Hurricane Helene are also available. Residents and businesses can apply for federal assistance by visiting www.DisasterAssistance.gov or calling (800) 621-3362.
Unemployment assistance is available at CareerOneStop.

In response to the ongoing water crisis, Buncombe County has set up several water distribution sites across the county. Residents are encouraged to pick up bottled water at the following locations:

William W. Estes Elementary School – 275 Overlook Road, Asheville
Sand Hill Elementary School– 154 Sand Hill School Road, Asheville (Please enter via Acton Circle)
North Windy Ridge Intermediate School– 20 Doan Road, Weaverville
Fairview Elementary School – 1355 Charlotte Highway, Fairview

We are working to establish sites for non-potable water, where residents will be able to fill up their own containers.

The City of Asheville is also distributing water at Pack Square Park. Please bring your own container to this location.

Buncombe County government operations will be closed indefinitely as all available resources are being directed towards emergency response efforts.

As power crews work tirelessly across the region, we have seen some progress. Currently, approximately 90,000 residents remain without power, down from earlier estimates.

Buncombe County’s death toll from the disaster now stands at 40.

City of Asheville Updates
Severe damage to Asheville’s water system includes washed out mainlines and bypass lines. City water personnel have limited access to water plants. A boil water advisory remains in effect for those who still have water. Please don’t use potable water to flush toilets - find alternative sources for this purpose.

Black Mountain
The water system in the town of Black Mountain remains compromised due to the storm, and there is no timeline for full restoration.

Town of Woodfin
Woodfin residents have access to roads and streets. Trash and recycling services are suspended until fuel access is restored, but the Curbie plant has suffered significant destruction. The Woodfin water supply is unable to receive its 25% water supply from Asheville due to a major break. The dam at the Woodfin Reservoir has been inspected, and there is no evidence of failure.

Town of Weaverville Update
Residents of Weaverville can obtain water distribution at North Windy Ridge Intermediate School. A boil water advisory is in effect. Town officials encourage self-evacuation and advise residents to visit www.drivenc.gov for road conditions. For assistance, Weaverville residents can call 828-250-6670 for an officer, 911 for emergencies, or walk-in to local police stations.

Mission HCA
Mission Hospital has moved into crisis protocol, with the key priority being to keep all services open. Additional HCA staff from across the country are arriving to provide further assistance.

Updated at 9.29.24 at noon.

Updates from Hurricane Helene: Volunteering, Temporary Satellite Cell Tower & More

Our search and rescue teams continue to work. We know that we have areas in Fairview, Black Mountain, Swannanoa, and Barnardsville with unimaginable devastation.

We are working to establish food and water distribution sites throughout the County, and are very close to making that announcement.
To help facilitate our shelter process, A-B Tech will be closed until further notice.

We have many people who want to contribute to the Helene Response.
If you have donations, equipment, or have questions about specific needs, please email: helenedonations@buncombecounty.org

If you want to volunteer, please email: helenevolunteers@buncombecounty.org It is important that we coordinate donations to better meet the needs of our communities most affected by Helene.

We also know that cellular service is key to easing the hearts of our loved ones. We are pleased to share that, as a provisional solution, the City of Asheville has partnered with Verizon to establish a temporary satellite cell tower in the parking lot of 35 Woodfin St. This tower will offer the opportunity for limited cellular reception within several blocks of the city where it is parked.

Updated at 9.29.24 at noon.

Updates from Hurricane Helene: More Resources Available for Locating Loved Ones

Buncombe County Government regular operations will be closed Monday and Tuesday to focus on emergency response. The landfill will be open Monday but please use caution if you are traveling to the landfill and take alternate routes. We are working with Waste Pro to determine what residential collection will look like, but we don’t have any information about that at this time.

As you know, traffic in the area is picking up significantly with long lines for gas impacting main roads. Please don’t travel if you don’t have to and refer to www.drivenc.gov for current road conditions.

The Buncombe County Register of Deeds has developed a web-based form to assist people in finding and connecting with residents of Buncombe County. Go to www.buncombeready.org to find that information. You can also call (828) 820-2761. Please leave a voicemail and someone with Register of Deeds will contact you as soon as they can.

There are two general population shelters available. Conference Center at AB Tech and WNC Agriculture Center.

AB Tech Conference Center, 16 Fernihurst Dr, Asheville, NC 28801 (Please use Victoria Road Entrance.)
Medical Emergency Shelter (for individuals who are dependent on medical equipment requiring power) located at 10 Genevieve Cir, Asheville, NC 28801.
WNC Agriculture Center- Fanning Bridge Road. This location is full.

Partners are working to set up food and water distribution sites throughout the county. It is estimated that these sites will be operational soon. To ensure that we are providing accurate information, we will share details as soon as those sites go live. We have heard unfounded rumors of potable water being available at shelter sites. This is not the case.

Buncombe County Sheriff Miller provided confirmation of 10 storm-related fatalities from the impacts of Hurricane Helene. Without more phone and internet access, we are facing a challenging gap in our ability to quickly communicate with family members for notification. We will update these storm-related fatality totals at the 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. media briefings.

Updated at 9.27.24 at 6:30 p.m.

Hurricane Helene Response Underway, Flooding Persists, Community Urged to Remain Home

Buncombe County is experiencing a full emergency situation right now on many fronts. Historic flooding, dam and reservoir breaches, landslides, massive power and water outages, continue to occur in Buncombe County. Despite the rain clearing, flooding persists, the French Broad River has yet to crest. Please stay home.

The intense and dynamic nature of this event presents major challenges that make it hard to quantify any impacts at this point. There are no current totals for injuries, fatalities or damage to personal property.

Our emergency services crews have responded to more than 3,300 calls since 5 a.m. Friday, and crews must prioritize life-saving missions. While we are actively going through the calls logged in our 911 system to track rescues. Multiple cell towers are down, but texts to 911 are starting to come through. More than 130 swiftwater rescues have occurred since the beginning of the weather event.

People who are unable to safely stay in their homes can go to the WNC Agriculture Center, 1301 Fanning Bridge Road. This is an overnight shelter. We are currently relocating shelter residents at Harrah's Cherokee Center to the Ag Center whic is a respite shelter. A new shelter is set to open Saturday.

More than 100,000 people remain without power due to downed trees and landslides, and there are more than 300 trees blocking roadways. Road closures throughout the community, notably the closure of I-26 and I-40 are impacting our operations and ability to get equipment into the area.

The next media briefing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday.

9.27.24 @ 1:00 p.m.

Rivers Have Not Crested, Continue to Take Preventative Action

Rivers in Buncombe County have not yet crested. Continue to seek higher ground and shelter in place. Do not drive unless you are moving to higher ground.

The National Weather Service has predicted:

Water will crest in Biltmore Village at approximately 2 p.m. at 27 feet
Swannanoa River is expected to crest at 2 p.m. at 27 feet
French Broad in Fletcher will crest at 8 p.m. at 30.5 feet
French Broad in Asheville will crest at 8 p.m. at 23 feet

Waters are not expected to recede before Monday morning. Even as rain dissipates, this continues to be an active natural disaster.

For those unable to evacuate to a safe location, an emergency shelter has been established at the WNC Agriculture Center located at WNC Agricultural Center, 1301 Fanning Bridge Road, Fletcher NC. An emergency shelter has also opened at the Harrah's Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood St., Asheville. Please bring essential items such as medications, important documents, and personal necessities.

9.27.24 @ 11:27 a.m.

I-40, I-26 Closed

All lanes of I-40 at milemarker 67 (Old Fort Mountain east of Ridgecrest) are closed due to a rockslide. All lanes of I-26 at mile marker 51 in Henderson County are also closed.

9.27.24 @ 8:17 AM

COUNTY-WIDE EMERGENCY - SEEK HIGHER GROUND AND SHELTER IN PLACE- DO NOT TRAVEL. EMERGENCY RESCUES ONLY. CONSIDER ALL ROADS CLOSED.

Updated on 9.27.24 @ 8:00 a.m.

Mandatory Evacuation Order - Balsam Road to Highway 70

Due to flooding of a lake with a dam at Camp Ridgecrest for Girls, a mandatory evacuation order is in effect for 105 Balsam Road from the camp south to Highway 70 in Black Mountain.

Evacuation Shelters:

For those unable to evacuate to a safe location, an emergency shelter has been established at the WNC Agriculture Center located at WNC Agricultural Center: 1301 Fanning Bridge Road, Fletcher NC.

As of 7:37 a.m., an emergency shelter has been opened at the Harrah's Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood St., Asheville.

Please bring essential items such as medications, important documents, and personal necessities.

Transportation Assistance:

If you are unable to evacuate safely, please call 911 for assistance with transportation.

Evacuation Precautions:

Avoid flooded roads and areas prone to landslides during your evacuation.
Immediately gather important documents and items needed to make yourself and your family comfortable at a shelter or other safe space.
Stay informed by tuning into local news, radio stations, and official social media channels for updates.

(Para leer las actualizaciónes del condado de Buncombe en español, utilice el cambio de idioma en el lado derecho de la página web.)

Update as of 5:15 a.m., Friday, Sept. 27, 2024

Catastrophic Flooding Imminent, Resources are Available for Residents

As the local state of emergency continues, resources are available to help residents looking to evacuate. It's anticipated that 15,000 individual residences may be impacted.

To see if your residence falls in the floodplain, click here. Please note that this tool is not a confirmation that a property will not flood, it simply shows that it is not historically prone to flooding.

An emergency shelter is open now at the WNC Agriculture Center:

WNC Agricultural Center: 1301 Fanning Bridge Road, Fletcher NC

Please use Gate 5 to access the shelter.

Explore Asheville has worked with local hotels to make rooms available for residents who are seeking shelter from the storm. Those rates are available here.

Residents, businesses, visitors, and employees in the Swannanoa and French Broad River Valleys should self-evacuate as soon as possible.

Code Purple sheltering is available through ABCCM for unhoused residents, and transportation on ART is free to Code Purple shelters.
Please refer to these useful numbers for roads and utilities. For non-emergency support, call 828-250-6650.

Update as of 1 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024

Buncombe County Officials Warn Residents of Historic Flooding

Following projections from the National Weather Service, catastrophic and historic flooding is anticipated in Buncombe County along the French Broad and Swannanoa Rivers. Residents, businesses, visitors, and employees in Fletcher and Biltmore Village near the rivers should self-evacuate before anticipated crests overnight Friday and into Saturday morning. Flooding is expected to rival and/or surpass flooding from the 1916 flood.

“If you are in an impacted area, you should leave now,” said Emergency Services Director Taylor Jones. “It’s possible we may get to a point where our crews will not physically be able to perform rescues. We cannot emphasize how much you should take this seriously.”

There is an emergency shelter located at the WNC Agricultural Center: 1301 Fanning Bridge Road, Fletcher NC.

Buncombe County Government administrative offices and buildings, including the landfill and transfer station, will be closed on Friday, Sept. 27. The Buncombe County Courthouse also will be closed. All County libraries will close at 5 p.m. on Thursday.

Waste Pro customers who get services on Friday can expect delays in collection due to weather-related complications with Hurricane Helene. We will continue to share additional details on further delays in collection in the coming days.

Buncombe County will hold a virtual media briefing at 4 p.m. Email prteam@buncombecounty.org for the Zoom link to participate. It will be streamed live on Facebook at www.facebook.com/buncombegov.

Update as of 11 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024

Hurricane Helene Preparations and Situation Update

Buncombe County continues to prepare and respond as Hurricane Helene approaches the region with forecasted potentially catastrophic flooding, high winds, and landslides.

As of 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 26, 2024, emergency crews are actively responding to community members impacted by flooding caused by pre-hurricane rain. The County’s emergency operations center (EOC) is open and facilitating strong coordination between Buncombe County Emergency Services, local leaders, first responders, sheltering operations, and healthcare providers.

The County is under a local state of emergency, which includes Asheville, Weaverville, Woodfin, Black Mountain, Montreat, and Biltmore Forest. This declaration allows the County to quickly access resources from state and federal agencies. The local state of emergency is currently set to expire at 6 p.m. on Sunday. Significant flooding has already occurred, and conditions are expected to worsen. Residents should take immediate action to protect themselves and their families.

The Asheville Airport has already received 7.74 inches of rain, with an additional 9 to 14 inches expected over the next 48 hours. The most severe weather, including rain and wind gusts up to 64 mph, is predicted to impact the area later tonight. The French Broad and Swannanoa Rivers are currently at minor flood stages but are expected to rise to moderate flood levels by tomorrow evening.

Water rescues have already been conducted. We advise residents to avoid driving through flooded roadways to prevent further incidents.

Sheltering

Residents in low-lying areas near rivers should evacuate to higher grounds.

The county is prepared to send evacuation alerts through the iPaws system if needed, and residents are reminded to take their pets with them should they evacuate. Please keep phones charged and heed warnings from officials should you receive a notification to evacuate.

Code Purple sheltering is in place for the unhoused population. The County is working on opening shelters in the region. Currently, one shelter is open in Swannanoa at 503 Park St., Swannanoa, NC 28778. We will provide updates as more shelters open.

Closures

While most County operations have not been impacted, two library branches—Leicester and Skyland/South Buncombe—are currently closed today due to flooding. Swannanoa Library will close today at 1:30 p.m.

In terms of infrastructure, several secondary roads are closed due to mudslides, including U.S. 25 in the Reynolds Mountain Area.

There are approximately 2,500 power outages, with more expected as high winds move into the region. Residents should prepare for potential power outages by securing enough water, food, and supplies for 72 hours.

"We cannot reiterate enough – this is serious. If you don’t need to be out, please stay home,” said Buncombe County EMS Director Taylor Jones.

Importantly, the National Weather Service has used terms such as “catastrophic” to describe the situation, urging the community to take the warnings seriously. As such, Buncombe County Officials are issuing strong warnings to the community to take action now to prepare for power outages, flooding, landslides, and strong winds.

For updates, visit buncombecounty.org. The next media briefing is scheduled for 4 p.m. today.

Update as of 6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 25

All Buncombe County Parks Closed Due to Significant Rainfall and Flooding

Effective immediately, all Buncombe County Parks are closed until further notice due to significant rainfall and flooding. All of Buncombe County is currently under a Local State of Emergency ahead of Hurricane Helene. Based on information from the National Weather Service, County officials expect catastrophic rainfall, high winds, flooding, landslides, and power outages.

Emergency Contact Information

For Emergencies: Dial 911
Buncombe County Emergency Services Non-emergency line: (828) 250-6650
Report Downed Trees (not posing immediate danger): Call (828) 250-6670
Report power outages: 1-800-419-6356

Update as of 3 p.m. Wed., Sept. 25

At 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners declared a Local State of Emergency ahead of Hurricane Helene’s anticipated impacts. The Local State of Emergency applies within the municipal limits of the City of Asheville, the Town of Weaverville, the Town of Woodfin, the Town of Black Mountain, the Town of Montreat, and the Town of Biltmore Forest. With the declaration, Buncombe County Emergency Management personnel will implement plans for the prevention of, preparation for, response to, and recovery from any and all emergency situations that may result from the impacts of the storm.

The implementation of such emergency management plans will allow sufficient personnel to be mobilized and positioned in order to:

Reduce vulnerability of people and property of Buncombe County to damage, injury, and loss of life and property;
Prepare for prompt and efficient rescue, care, and treatment of threatened or affected persons;
Coordinate with state and federal agencies for the orderly rehabilitation of persons and restoration of property; and
Provide for cooperation and coordination of activities relating to emergency mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery among agencies and officials of Buncombe County and with similar agencies and officials of other counties, with state and federal governments, with interstate organizations, and with other private and quasi-official organizations.

The emergency management plan will remain in effect until the declaration expires at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29 or is rescinded. See below for an attachement of the Local State of Emergency.

Hurricane Helene is expected to make landfall in the Florida Panhandle late Thursday and move northward, bringing heavy rainfall and gusty winds to the area Thursday night into Friday. Prior to Helene’s arrival, widespread rain and thunderstorms are expected, with 2-3 inches of rain possible by Wednesday night, leading to a heightened risk of flash flooding. Additional heavy rain from Helene may bring total rainfall amounts exceeding 10 inches in some areas.

Based on information from the National Weather Service, County officials expect heavy rainfall, high winds, flooding, landslides, and power outages. It is anticipated that rivers including the French Broad and Swannanoa will flood. In preparation, Buncombe County Government has engaged in assigning resources to this event, including chainsaw crews, swiftwater rescue teams, and planning for the possibility of standing up emergency shelters for those who cannot safely shelter at home or with others. Buncombe County is working closely with counties across North Carolina to coordinate 911 call center overflow and to ensure prompt emergency responses.

Stay Informed: Monitor local news, weather channels, and www.buncombecounty.org for continuous updates. Sign up for BC Alerts by texting “BCAlert” (not case sensitive) to 99411.
Prepare for Flooding and Landslides: If you live in low-lying or mountainous areas, prepare to evacuate with loved ones and pets at short notice. Have an emergency kit ready for you and your animals, including food, water, and essential medications. If you must evacuate, take your pets with you.
Secure Outdoor Objects: High winds can send debris flying. Secure items such as outdoor furniture, garbage cans, and other loose items that may become hazardous.
Avoid Travel: Stay off the roads if possible, especially during the height of the storm, to avoid floodwaters and debris.

“We are preparing for the significant impact of Hurricane Helene,” said Avril Pinder, Buncombe County Manager. “Flooding, landslides, and high winds pose serious threats to our community, and we urge all residents to take every precaution necessary to protect themselves and their families.”

Emergency Contact Information:

For Emergencies: Dial 911
Buncombe County Emergency Services Non-emergency line: (828) 250-6650
Report Downed Trees (not posing immediate danger): Call (828) 250-6670
Report power outages: 1-800-419-6356

There is a Code Purple starting 10 a.m. on Thursday due to the weather system. This will allow coordination among Asheville and Buncombe County shelters and other organizations to provide emergency overflow shelter to people experiencing homelessness.

Buncombe County will continue to provide updates as the situation develops. Residents are urged to stay alert, follow official guidance, and prioritize safety during this storm.

Table: News Item Documents
File Name	Size	Type	Date & Time Added
Extended Declaration - Buncombe County State of Emergency	247 KB		09/29/2024 2:46 PM

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Updated Nov 13, 2024 02:46 PM
Published Sep 25, 2024 03:34 PM

Buncombe County Hurricane Helene Updates - Actualizaciones Sobre el Huracán Helene en el Condado de Buncombe

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