Emergency Information & Services Update
Update: At the request of the state of North Carolina, FEMA has extended the deadline to apply for
assistance after Tropical Storm Helene to April 7, 2025.
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN FOR FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS
To help food service establishments reopen as quickly and safely as possible, operators can complete the Emergency Operations Plan for Food Establishments and submit it online here.
Once you complete the form, you will receive a notification if Environmental Health requires a visit before you reopen.
If a visit is required, please make the request by emailing ehrequest@buncombecounty.org. If you do not receive this message, your establishment can reopen and Environmental Health will make a routine visit to ensure compliance.
ESTABLISHMENTS IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS/CONTACT INFO
- Life-threatening emergencies: 911
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance hotline- English: 919-629-3857 Spanish: 919-276-5698
- One Buncombe Call Center: 828-250-6100 (As of Oct. 30, the Call Center will be open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.)
- Power Outages (Duke): 1-800-419-6356
- If your power was restored and then went out again, text OUT to 57801, report it online at duke-energy.com/outages, or call 800.POWERON (800.769.3766).
- If your electrical service has not been restored, please turn off all circuit breakers in your panel, especially your water heater. Once power is restored, please turn them on one at a time with a short pause between breakers. Start with lighting and outlets first before major appliances. Do not turn on the water heater until you have ensured the tank is full. Do not re-energize your home and leave. Monitor your home for smoking, discolored, or excessively warm outlets. Visually monitor your circuit panel for smoke or excessive heat.
- Replacement Driver's License: NCDOT.gov Free photo IDs are also available at the county's Elections Office, 59 Woodfin Place, Asheville.
- Dominion Energy: 866-366-4357
- Report Asheville water main breaks to the Water Customer Service Line at 828-251-1122.
- Buncombe County Alerts: Text bcalert to 99411
- Report Damage to Personal Property
- Asheville Alerts Sign-up at ashevillenc.gov; texts sent in English and Spanish
- Asheville Airport: flyavl.com or call 828-684-2226
- If you need to report a missing loved one and you’re within the city limits of Asheville, please call APD at 828-252-1110. In the County, call the non-emergency line at 828-250-6670 to start that report.
OPERATIONS STATUS - County Parks
View a full updated list of Asheville park openings and updates.
OPERATIONS STATUS – CITY/COUNTY CURBSIDE COLLECTION
SOLID WASTE
Drop off residential bagged trash at:
- County Landfill: 85 Panther Branch Road, Alexander
- Hominy Creek Transfer Station: 190 Hominy Creek Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
FCC Environmental
FCC Environmental is Buncombe County's new trash hauler. Click here for more information.
DEBRIS PICKUP:
Title Property Debris Removal: Vehicles and Vessels: The collection of cars, RVs, boats, and containers, known as title property, is expected to begin at the end of January 2025. This is a very complex project as it involves various entities. The County is developing a process aligned with state statute and local ordinances. Teams will work across departments to locate owners and make arrangements for removal. More information will be shared on this process as details are finalized.
Waterway Debris Removal: Waterways debris removal currently taking place. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is tasked with the removal of debris from waterways.
Updated Dec. 5:
PRIVATE PROPERTIES:
Buncombe County property owners (unincorporated areas and cities) impacted by Hurricane Helene, who do not have debris removal insurance and cannot get their debris to the right of way, may apply to have qualified disaster debris removed from their property for free through the Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) Program. The program also covers the demolition of eligible unsafe structures.
What is eligible in the free PPDR program?
- Removal of hazardous limbs, trees, or other mixed debris caused by Hurricane Helene that is near a commonly used area or maintained areas of a property.
- Removal of debris impacting a waterway.
- The demolition and removal of a structure that is a health hazard, deemed unfit/unsafe, and may not be recoverable, or is in threat of collapse. This may include concrete slabs.
What is NOT eligible under the program?
- Debris on vacant lots, unimproved property, and unused or unmaintained areas.
- Debris on land used primarily for agricultural purposes, such as land for crops or livestock.
A Right of Entry (ROE) form, signed by all property owners, is legally required before contractors providing PPDR and/or demolition can access the owner’s private property. A right-of-entry is a voluntary document. Your land is private, and it is your decision to grant access. You may withdraw from the program at any time prior to the start of debris removal or demolition activities on your property.
To see if you are eligible for free debris removal or demolition of unsafe structures on your property, visit the PPDR application center at:
-
Fairview Library, 1 Taylor Road, Fairview, Monday-Friday., 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Co-located with the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center)
Apply online here.
Have these documents readily available when you apply:
- A copy of your insurance policy and proof/statement of loss from the company (if insured)
- A color copy of your driver’s license or valid U.S. government-issued ID (such as a passport)
- Proof of ownership such as a warranty deed, tax assessment, etc.
Hurricane Helene created an estimated 10 million cubic yards of debris in Buncombe County. Debris removal will be a lengthy process and we appreciate everyone’s collaboration as we begin to clean up our homes and communities.
For more information on the PPDR and other debris questions, call the One Buncombe hotline, 828-250-6100, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., and select option “2.” The deadline to apply for the PPDR program is April 15, 2025.
PUBLIC PROPERTIES:
Debris collection contractors are traveling to different areas each week.
Debris removal continues at critical infrastructures, including medical, sewer, and school facilities. Residential debris removal for Buncombe County and the City of Asheville has begun. Multiple passes will be needed for debris cleanup.
Deadline Information:
f you still have storm debris on your property after Helene, now is the time to move it to the public right-of-way to ensure crews can remove it. Crews will make final passes starting on March 1, 2025, and getting your debris out by this date guarantees it will be picked up.
What You Need to Do
To make sure your debris is collected, place it on the public right-of-way by March 1, 2025. Crews with USACE contractors have already picked more than 700,000 cubic yards of debris and they’re continuing their work through their last assignment date of March 31.
Separate storm-related debris at the curb in the right of way according to material type: appliances, construction debris, household hazardous waste like pesticides and automotive fluid, vegetative debris, and electronics.
Important Reminders:
- Debris removal is not a one-pass operation. There will be multiple trucks and passes, so residents do not have to place all debris out at one time or worry if they have debris left.
- Do not place debris near or on trees, poles or other structures. This includes fire hydrants, meters, mailboxes, and curbside trash carts.
- Do not block the roadway for large trucks/emergency vehicles.
- Contractors cannot pick up debris on private property.
- Do not attempt the cleanup process without proper PPE: masks, long pants, safety glasses, gloves and sturdy shoes are recommended.
- Residents should not attempt to bring storm debris to the landfill or debris staging sites. Mud/soil will not be accepted at any Buncombe County disposal facility.
- Still need help bringing debris to the right of way? See Private Property Debris Removal information above.
OPERATIONS STATUS – ART PUBLIC TRANSIT SERVICE
ART has resumed normal service hours and is reintroducing two modified routes. Sunday service hours will continue as normal. In this new phase, the ART system will reintroduce routes N2 and WE1-East in addition to the routes currently operating. 170 Black Mountain and 170 Circulator will be combined into one route. See below for more details about the first and last trips from the ART station and modifications to select routes. ART bus service will continue to be free of
charge to all community members until further notice.
Bus Fares: ART services will continue to be free of charge during this phase until further notice.
Route WE1: Storm impacts to roadways have resulted in indefinite stop closures on S Tunnel Rd and Swannanoa River Rd. Until further notice, route WE1 East will detour to the VA Medical Center by turning around on S Tunnel Rd near the Asheville Mall. This route will now provide service to passengers using stops on Tunnel Rd between I-240 and the VA Center. Click here to view the new route schedule and map.
Route 170: This route will resume its normal frequency by departing the ART Station every 90 minutes. On weekdays and Saturdays, service will be provided from 5:30 AM to 7:30 PM and on Sundays and holidays between 7:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
For routes in operation, check here or call customer service at 828-259-5943.
ART BUS SERVICE AND PARKING UPDATES
On-street parking meters and enforcement have resumed starting on December 2, 2024. On December 2, you will have to
pay for parking if you park at a metered on-street parking space. Parking fees for city-owned and managed garages and
ART bus service will continue to be free until the end of the year, with the exception of event parking fees at the
Harrah’s Cherokee Center garage. Fees will resume on January 2, 2025.
OPERATIONS STATUS – BUNCOMBE COUNTY INSPECTIONS & PERMITS
Permit applications are available at electrical supply companies that are open and the Permits Office at 30 Valley Street, weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Electronic permit applications are accepted on the Development Portal .
- If a home is located within a special flood hazard area and significant damage occurred, call the flood plain administrator for guidance at 828-250-4830.
- A permit is required for a project when the cost is more than $40,000.
- Always work with a licensed general contractor.
- A permit is required for any structural repair or for any trade work such as electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling, and gas piping.
- Be cautious of door-to-door offers of repairs services and flyers.
- If you are in a special flood hazard area, you will have additional requirements specific to your project. Check your area and special requirements.
Visit buncombecounty.org/permits to learn more about the permitting process or call 828-250-5360.
Inspections: When performing damage assessments, the goals are to determine safety, evaluate the structural aspects and any non-structural risks, and rate the damage of the building. Once these factors are determined by the building inspector, a placard is placed on the building. A yellow placard alerts that the structure has damage, and entry is identified on the placard as to where people can and cannot go within the structure. Yellow may also indicate that a person can enter only for retrieval of personal items. A red placard illustrates that the inspector has determined there are serious issues such as structural or electrical damage and the building should not be occupied. Those with questions about the placards can call the office at 828-250-5360.
FEMA housing inspector explains inspection process. (youtube.com)
Facts About FEMA Home Inspections (youtube.com)
OPERATIONS STATUS – WATER & SEWER
Click here for information about the City of Asheville's water testing and other water-related FAQs
Lead Awareness: Water Resources advises that residents with plumbing installed before 1988 follow a flushing protocol with each water use by running cold water for 30 seconds to two minutes before gathering water for consumption. That process should be followed daily. More information about lead and testing kits can be found here.
Call (828) 251-1122 for billing questions.
Sewer emergencies should be reported immediately to (828) 255-0061.
PROPERTY REAPPRAISAL DELAYED
On October 15, 2024, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to delay the 2025 reappraisal until January 1, 2026. At this time, it is unknown how market values across the county will be impacted by the damage to real estate and personal property. The Property Assessment team is in the data collection and analysis phase and will be spending the remainder of the year working diligently to ensure damaged properties, whether real estate or personal, are assessed as accurate and equitably as possible. A recording of the meeting is available on Facebook.
COMMUNITY CARE STATIONS: Showers, Laundry, Food, and Water Resources
Community Care Stations provide space for the public to shower, do laundry, use the bathroom, access cell towers and WiFi, get potable and non-potable water, and access counseling services. They are open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hot meals are offered at each Community Care Station at lunchtime and dinnertime. Please bring towels, shower shoes, and toiletries if possible; otherwise, items will be provided.
New schedule for March 5, 2025
After assessing community needs four community care stations in the most impacted communities will continue operating until further notice: See below for important service updates.
Ingles Market Community Care Station in Fairview (self-service laundry only)
225 Charlotte Highway
Asheville, NC
Morgan Hill Baptist Church Community Care Station (self-service laundry only)
594 Barnardsville Highway
Weaverville, NC
Owen Pool Community Care Station (ADA Showers and Bathrooms, self-service laundry only)
117 Stone Drive
Swannanoa, 28778
Owen hours: open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on weekends. When temperatures drop below freezing, it will remain open overnight for warming.
Since October, Buncombe County’s Community Care Stations have provided vital services to Hurricane Helene survivors, including drinking water, hot meals, Wi-Fi and cell service, showers, laundry, mental health support, and more.
EBT/SNAP/NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS
People and families enrolled in the Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) program can use benefits to purchase hot food; full news release.
FOOD SERVICES PROVIDERS
Food service establishments that experienced an interruption in water or power need a visit from our office to re-instate their permit. We have been able to accommodate either same-day visits or schedule a visit at a time convenient with the operator. Food service establishments that do not have a functioning municipal water source AND would like to reopen need to complete an Emergency Operations Plan application. Those applications have been emailed out to all restaurants in our database. These plans are being reviewed by the state’s Environmental Health section. Once the plans are approved, our inspectors are making visits to reopen the establishments. Food service establishments with water and under a boil water advisory need to follow best practices as outlined on our Boil Water Fact Sheet found on buncombecounty.org/eh AND do NOT need to submit an Emergency Operations Plan AND do NOT need a visit from our office prior to opening. Food service establishments that did not experience an interruption in power or water need to reach out to our office and let us know.
For any questions, please call 828-250-5016 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
- Feeling overwhelmed and need support immediately? Text or call 988, or chat 988lifeline.org for free and confidential support.
- Disaster Distress Helpline for those specifically impacted by or responding to disasters, including hurricanes: call or text 1-800-985-5990 24/7, 365-day-a-year. Help is available in English and Spanish. Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL callers can call or text through their preferred Relay provider. In-person services are available at 130 Montreat Road, Black Mountain, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
- NC Peer Warmline at 1-855-PEERS-NC to speak to a peer living in recovery from mental health or substance use issues
- Hope4NC available for volunteers and first responders, 1-855-587-3463
- VAYA Behavioral Health Crisis Line at 1-800-849-6127
- The Disability Disaster Hotline, 800-626-4959, provides information, referrals and guidance to people with disabilities and their families during disasters. Help is available 24/7.
Opportunities for Connection
Reconnecting Through Hard Times Tuesdays through November 19
11 a.m. to noon or Thursdays through November 21, 3 to 4 p.m.
Call 646-876-9923 (meeting ID?859 8501 0699) or click here to access the meeting.
Listening Circles for Therapists Tuesdays through November 19
8 to 9 a.m.
Call 646-876-9923 (meeting ID?836 0452 5149) or click here.
STAYING WARM DURING POWER OUTAGES
When the power goes out, and temperatures drop, keeping warm is essential. Here are some practical tips to help you stay cozy and safe:
- Dress in Layers: Wear several layers of clothing, such as thermal underwear, sweaters, and thick socks to trap heat.
- Utilize Blankets: Wrap up in blankets, sleeping bags, or any warm fabric you have on hand. Layering multiple blankets can offer extra insulation.
- Consolidate Space: Select a smaller room to heat with your body warmth. Close off doors to minimize heat loss.
- Create a Warm Hub: Gather with family or friends in one area. The collective body heat will help everyone stay warmer.
- Use Battery-Powered Heat Sources Wisely: If available, use battery-operated heaters or heating pads to warm small spaces, ensuring safety guidelines are followed.
RESPIRATORY HEALTH
Ensure you have the right safety gear: hard hats, goggles, N95 Masks, heavy work gloves, waterproof boots with steel toe and insole, earplugs if working with noisy equipment, and at least two fire extinguishers.
Protecting Your Respiratory Health During Disaster Clean-Up
MOLD
Mold can cause many health effects. Protect your lungs from mold by wearing a respirator while cleaning up your flooded home. If there is mold in your home (or you suspect that mold growth has occurred), protect your mouth and nose against breathing in mold by wearing at least a disposable, NIOSH-approved N-95 filtering facepiece respirator (often called an “N-95 respirator” or “N-95 mask”).
Ideally, to reduce the risk of mold exposure, before moving back into a flood-damaged building:
- The building must be completely dry.
- Dirt and trash left by the flood should be removed from the building.
- Moldy or mildewed items must be completely cleaned and disinfected or thrown away. If not, mold and mildew will return and possibly cause health problems.
- Remove and discard drywall and insulation that was flooded.
- Items that cannot be cleaned and dried well or quickly enough to prevent mold and mildew from growing must be thrown away, including items like carpet, carpet padding, mattresses, rugs, and upholstered furniture.
- Clean mold on hard surfaces using a mixture of 1 cup of household bleach in 1 gallon of water.
- Wear goggles; vinyl, nitrile, or rubber gloves; and an N95 respirator.
- Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners; this produces a poisonous gas.
- Never use bleach in a closed space—open doors and windows first to ensure enough fresh air to prevent eye, nose, or throat irritation.
People at risk of severe health problems from mold exposure should not take part in cleanup. This includes:
- People with allergies to mold
- People with weakened immune systems or underlying lung disease
- People with chronic respiratory diseases like asthma or COPD
CARBON MONOXIDE
Do not use ovens, burners, grills to heat indoor spaces. Generators should operate only outside of a home and away from open doors, windows and vents by at least 20 feet.
It is produced when fuel is burned in vehicles, gas- and oil-burning furnaces, gas stoves and grills, portable generators, charcoal grills, and fireplaces.
The most common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting
- Chest pain
- Confusion
- Breathing in large amounts of carbon monoxide can cause unconsciousness or death. People who are sleeping can die from carbon monoxide poisoning without experiencing any symptoms.
While everyone is at risk, certain groups are more vulnerable, including infants, the elderly, and people with chronic heart and lung problems or anemia.
To reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning:
- Never heat your house with a gas oven.
- Never burn charcoal indoors.
- Never use a portable gas camp stove indoors.
- Never use a generator inside your home or garage, even if doors and windows are open.
- Only use generators outside, more than 20 feet away from your home, doors, and windows.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors near every sleeping area in your home.
- Check the batteries in your carbon monoxide detector every 6 months, just like with smoke detectors.
Seek fresh air immediately and contact 911 if you need medical assistance. Be sure your carbon monoxide alarms are working.
PERSONAL FIRES/BURNING*
Many residents and businesses are turning to open burning as a means of disposal, but as our region dries out, our fire chiefs and our Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency urge community members NOT to burn. Storm debris collection is beginning, so please use the collection services that are offered. Today, debris collection trucks will be in Swannanoa, Barnardsville, and outside of Woodfin.
For storm debris that is being gathered with the intention of conducting open burning including the use of air curtain burners, permission is required by the Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency and there are certain requirements that must be met. Please contact the Agency at 828-250-6777, airquality@buncombecounty.org, or abairquality.org. Never burn synthetic materials or trash.
If you determine that you absolutely must burn, help prevent wildfires by following this guidance from our fire marshal:
- Keep debris burning to small, three-foot in diameter and height piles.
- Do not ever leave a fire unattended.
- Have a method of extinguish a fire: water, dirt/sand, motorized equipment, or fire extinguisher.
- Keep all burn areas clear of any combustible debris or vegetation.
- Stay 25 feet or more from structures and all wooded areas.
- We have increased this recommendation from 15 feet based our current conditions.
*This information is analyzed daily by the “fire weather forecast” as published by the NC Forest service. We are constantly monitoring the conditions and the forecast.
Reminder that burning debris is never allowed in municipalities.
TRASH
SOLID WASTE
Drop off residential bagged trash at:
County Landfill: 85 Panther Branch Road, Alexander
Hominy Creek Transfer Station: 190 Hominy Creek Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
TRASH SERVICE TRANSITION (SIGN UP FOR FCC)
Buncombe County has transitioned to our new trash and recycling pick-up service provider, FCC Environmental Services effective Jan. 2.
Waste Pro customers will need to sign up for service with FCC Environmental to continue household trash and recycling pick-up after Jan. 1. We know it is really tough to add one more thing as we’re going through our disaster recovery response, but we ask you to get signed up now so your trash and recycling can be picked up in the new year.
To sign up call 828-820-7022 or visit fccenvironmental.com/buncombe-county.
WELL INFORMATION
A flooded well is a well where water was over the top of the well at any point in the storm. Flooded or damaged wells need to be disinfected and tested for bacteria pollution. Here’s how to disinfect wells.
Do Not Drink Well Water Until Safe
If your well was flooded during the storm, do not drink the water until it has been disinfected and tested. Contaminated water can pose serious health risks.
- Safe Water Alternatives - Use bottled water for drinking, cooking, and brushing teeth. If bottled water isn’t available, boil tap water. First, filter cloudy water, then bring it to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute (3 minutes at elevations above 6,500 feet). Let it cool and store in sanitized containers.
Well Disinfection Process
If your well was flooded but not damaged, you can disinfect it using the following steps:
1. Turn off power to the pump at the circuit breaker.
2. Open the well and check for damage. If there is any, contact a licensed well driller.
3. Mix disinfectant: In a 5-gallon bucket, mix water and bleach (5.25% chlorine). Use a funnel to pour the solution into the well.
4. Recirculate water: Turn the pump back on, attach a garden hose to an outdoor faucet, and run it back into the well for at least 30 minutes to circulate the disinfectant.
5. Run disinfectant through all taps until you smell chlorine. Let the chlorinated water sit in the system for at least 8 hours or overnight.
6. Flush the system: Run the water until the chlorine smell is gone.
7. Reconnect devices such as water filters and softeners following manufacturer instructions.
Water Testing Instructions
After disinfection, water must be tested to confirm it is safe. Applicants will complete the application online and bring their case number to 30 Valley St to pick up a water sample kit Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Water Sample Collection:
Flush the tap for 5 minutes before collecting the sample.
Use the provided sterilized bottle, following the instructions carefully.
Return the sample to 30 Valley Street the same day. Samples must be analyzed within 30 hours. Results will be provided within 48 hours by phone or email.
Well Maintenance After Flooding
Check that your well cap is secure and undamaged. A damaged well cap can allow contaminants into your well system.
If you notice unusual odors, discoloration, or particles in your water, contact a professional well contractor. Flooding can cause significant damage to your well system that may not be visible.
Septic System Reminders
If your home uses a septic system, avoid running large amounts of water through the system while it may be saturated from flooding. Do not run chlorinated water from the well disinfection process into the septic tank.
Additional Resources
For more details on disinfecting wells, water testing, and alternative water options, visit the Well Water Resources Page.
For assistance, contact your local health department or a licensed well contractor at 828-250-5016.
Learn more and watch a video demonstration.
Updated Mar 10, 2025 09:37 AM