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This website is not being updated anymore. Buncombe county has made their own "lite" webpage for all this information. Please use that instead. It is at https://www.buncombecounty.org/

Este sitio web ya no se actualiza. El condado de Buncombe ha creado su propia página web «lite» para toda esta información. Por favor, utilícela en su lugar. Está en https://www.buncombecounty.org/

This page was generated from content at Buncombe County Hurricane Helene Updates page and reformatted to be easier to load on slow internet connections.

Leé actualizaciones del condado de Buncombe en español

This page was generated 06:00PM Wednesday, 10/09.




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

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

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. 

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: 

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: 

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.: 

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: 

Sign up for alerts from Buncombe County at www.buncombecounty.org/codered or text “BCAlert” to 99411.  


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

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. 

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: 

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: 

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 


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: 

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:  

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.  

The City of Asheville also has sites: 

Well Water Safety 

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

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.


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.