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Live updates: Recovery efforts continue in western North Carolina

Published September 27, 2024 at 6:13 AM EDT
A bridge washed away in Linville, N.C.
Duncan McFadyen
/
For WFAE
A bridge washed away in Linville, N.C.

Helene made landfall as a powerful Category 4 storm in Florida's Big Bend region. The massive storm moved across Georgia and parts of the Carolinas bringing damaging winds and catastrophic flooding. WFAE will provide continuing coverage of Helene here.

Western North Carolina businesses hope tourism will bounce back

Posted November 26, 2024 at 7:06 AM EST

This holiday season, WNC tourism-based businesses are holding out hope that visitors from across North Carolina and other states will plan trips and vacations that include local stays, dining and shopping.

The state has a map of travel tips and more to support tourism, specifically in the western part of North Carolina.

We've put together a list of some top events or ongoing attractions across the region. For more info, click here.

Buncombe County launches new Helene spending dashboard

Posted November 25, 2024 at 5:11 PM EST

The Buncombe County government on Monday launched a new website tracking the money it has spent related to Hurricane Helene.

A screenshot of Buncombe County's Helene spending tracker on November 25, 2024.
Buncombe County Government
A screenshot of Buncombe County's Helene spending tracker on November 25, 2024.

The website allows users to explore the data in detail, with expenses searchable by category, date, vendor and amount.

"We have put together this dashboard to further our commitment to public transparency, particularly around Hurricane Helene," Matt Baker, who works for the county's Strategy and Innovation Department, told reporters at a regular press briefing Monday.

Read more from this story here.

Boil water notice lifted; Asheville water service restored and safe, officials say

Posted November 18, 2024 at 12:08 PM EST

After a 53-day water crisis, clean water runs through Asheville’s taps once more.

Asheville lifted its boil water notice this morning, city spokesperson Clay Chandler shared this morning at a news briefing.

The notice was lifted after the city’s water department tested 120 samples over the weekend. Turbidity is under 15 and the city expects it to remain low enough to process and meet demand.

The city has been flushing the system of untreated water for about a week, Chandler said. No raw, or untreated water, has been in the system since last Saturday.

For more information on this story, go here.

Aerial view of Asheville city water supply reservoir in November 2024.
Felicia Sonmez
Aerial view of Asheville city water supply reservoir in November 2024.

Pending tests, Asheville could have drinkable water in homes next week

Posted November 15, 2024 at 12:32 PM EST

Asheville residents could have drinkable water in their taps as early as Wednesday of next week.

Water Resources spokesperson Clay Chandler said the city is testing water samples this weekend, and if the results are acceptable, the boil water notice could be lifted as early as Tuesday evening.

For more info on this story, go here.

House damaged by Helene? FEMA might buy it.

Posted November 15, 2024 at 12:28 PM EST

A FEMA program is offering money and home renovation services to help property owners in the flood plain.

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Program offers options for property owners throughout Western North Carolina, including in Buncombe County. The program, which applies to homes that are at-risk for flood damage, allows property owners to choose between three options: acquisition, elevation and reconstruction.

Participation in the program is voluntary. If homeowners choose the acquisition option, FEMA will purchase the property at its pre-storm appraisal level. The land will be deeded to Buncombe County for parks, greenways and other municipal projects, according to Steve McGugan, the state’s Hazard Mitigation Officer.

For more on this story, go here.

U.S. Forest Service to use emergency powers for Helene recovery

Posted November 14, 2024 at 5:26 PM EST

The U.S. Forest Service announced on Wednesday it will be using its emergency action authority to address the problems caused by Hurricane Helene, many of which threaten both wildlife and humans.

In North Carolina, this may include bypassing some procurement or resource-related processes normally required, in an effort to rebuild infrastructure more quickly and accomplish clean-up faster, including timber sales of downed trees.

“This emergency authority allows us to address the widespread damage caused by the recent hurricanes,” said Forest Service Chief Randy Moore. “This means helping to protect the surrounding communities by addressing hazards to public health and safety, critical infrastructure, and to mitigate hazards to natural resources like streams flooded with wood debris or sediments, removing downed vegetation and other debris that may be fire hazards.”

Read more from this story here.

NC will update Helene fatality count twice per week; 102 victims confirmed so far

Posted November 7, 2024 at 12:10 PM EST

After close to five weeks of daily or twice-daily updates, North Carolina officials say they'll reduce the frequency (to two days per week) of updates to a public list of Helene-related fatalities.

The shift comes as officials have conducted death investigations and further identified victims who were found after the floods and landslides across the mountains.

Amid widespread devastation and community recovery, the grim statistic — the number of victims newly documented — has slowed considerably in recent weeks. Officials said the Medical Examiner's Office's revised Tuesday and Thursday reporting schedule will start next week.

Of the total 102 people confirmed in the death toll, more than 4 of every 5 victims were found and included in the state's report within less than two weeks of Helene striking the mountains, according to BPR's analysis of publicly available data.

The vast majority of fatalities verified by the state occurred in Western North Carolina, with Buncombe County suffering the worst loss of life. Forty-four victims were residents of or people in Buncombe County at the time of the storm. Fifteen counties in WNC have recorded at least one casualty, the latest data shows.

Brevard to grant permits for residents snagged by floodplain regulations post-Helene

Posted November 7, 2024 at 12:10 PM EST

Brevard's City Council will try a rarely-used procedure to help a neighborhood of about two dozen families who live in trailers near the French Broad River make their homes habitable again before elevating the residences to comply with federal flood regulations.

Nadia Paz stands outside her trailer on Duck's Drive in Brevard.
Gerard Albert III
/
BPR News
Nadia Paz stands outside her trailer on Duck's Drive in Brevard.

Most of the trailers in the Duck’s Drive mobile home park were damaged by floods caused by Hurricane Helene. The neighborhood sits on a dead-end gravel road off Old Hendersonville Highway, just north of downtown Brevard.

Typically, obtaining a permit after a storm would not be a difficult challenge, but these permits were in jeopardy because of a regulation in the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, of which Brevard is a participant.

The rule requires “all houses in the flood hazard area elevate to two feet above base flood elevation if substantial improvements are done to the structure.” Substantial improvement is any improvement that costs 50% or more than the value of the structure.

The municipality, leaders say, is bound to NFIP's 50% rule — even if individual homeowners don't carry flood insurance through the program. Rule violations could jeopardize the city's NFIP eligibility — and future disaster assistance funding for properties that weren't in compliance.

To read the full BPR story covering the mobile home community and its recovery, go here.

A skatepark serves community as life on the NC-TN border still feels 'very cut off'

Posted November 7, 2024 at 10:43 AM EST

Tennessee residents along the state line are often deeply interconnected with North Carolina. In Mountain City and Trade, the nearest major city is Boone, which – before Helene – was a fairly speedy trip of about 15 minutes. Now, the trip is more than an hour.

Trade, as suggested by its name, was traditionally an important mountain trading stop – a crossroads through the rugged high-country landscape. At the base of a long mountain range, it was once a way to get between North Carolina and Tennessee.

And now the Stateline Resource Center (formerly a skatepark in Trade) is a crossroads between Ashe County and western Watauga County, and Johnson County, Tenn.

“A lot of folks work in Boone. They have to come right through Trade,” said Stateline Resource Center and skatepark owner Ashley Galleher.

Around 11 a.m. most days of the week at an indoor skatepark and warehouse in Trade, Tenn., the garage door rolls open and community members begin to file in.

On one of those days last week, Galleher and her friend Valentine Reilly sat behind a table stacked with paper – emergency phone numbers and encouraging messages – and Narcan.

“So what's the condition of your home?” Galleher asked a visitor.

“It was destroyed,” the man, from Mountain City, Tenn., said.

Across state lines, the impacts were the same: deaths and washed-out roads, destroyed homes, and pummeled infrastructure like water systems.

Go here to read the full story about life in this corner of the mountains and what Stateline Resource Center organizers told BPR in a recent interview.

State officials report 10th victim in Henderson County; 102 killed statewide

Posted November 6, 2024 at 1:12 PM EST

On Nov. 6, officials with the North Carolina Medical Examiner's Office added to its Helene fatality count a tenth victim who died in Henderson County.

The 51-year-old man, officials say, died on Sept. 30. More recently, his death was attributed to the disaster, according to the state agency.

In its daily update on Wednesday, the Medical Examiner's Office wrote: "A 51 year old male passed away in Henderson County on 09/30/2024 from a pre-existing health condition deteriorated due to the storm and he did not return to baseline condition before passing."

Confirming the man's death was caused by Helene brings the total number of victims statewide to 102. That includes 93 people killed who were residents of or otherwise were in Western North Carolina when they died. Search and recovery efforts continue in the region. Officials have not released publicly the names of those killed by Helene.

Helene damaged one-fifth of WNC national forests, authorities say

Posted November 4, 2024 at 11:09 AM EST

As the scale of the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene continues to come into focus, federal officials say the storm damaged one-fifth of the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests in Western North Carolina.

"Using information sourced from satellite data, aerial surveying and on-the-ground assessments, analyses found that Tropical Storm Helene caused moderate to catastrophic damage to more than 187,000 acres of both forests (roughly 20 percent of the total acreage), including 117,000 acres of vegetation loss," the U.S. Forest Service said in a statement Friday.

The hardest-hit areas are in Pisgah National Forest, much of which remains closed to the public. In total, nearly 900 miles of roads and 800 miles of trails in areas managed by the Forest Service have been damaged.

According to the Forest Service, the sweeping ecological damage caused by the storm can contribute to a higher risk of wildfires, the proliferation of invasive species and loss of wildlife habitat, among other problems.

James Melonas, forest supervisor for North Carolina, said the recovery "will be measured in years."

"Our crews are hard at work clearing debris from roads and recreation areas, but we have many areas of the forest that we simply have no means to access right now. We need the public to continue staying off all closed portions of the forest until we can finish clean-up efforts and complete assessments," Melonas said in a statement.

Pisgah Conservancy wrote on Oct. 9: "We continue to stand by our region as it heals from the devastation of Hurricane Helene, holding those who have lost loved ones or suffered damage to their homes or livelihoods in our hearts."
The Pisgah Conservancy

Change in frequency of fatality reporting. No new victims recorded in 2 days.

Posted November 1, 2024 at 5:01 PM EDT

North Carolina state officials who are tracking Helene casualties and sharing information with the public say they'll continue daily updates Monday to Friday. The state's up-to-date statistics will no longer be shared on Saturdays and Sundays, starting Nov. 2.

On Friday, no new deaths were reported for the second day in a row.

The number of people killed during or after Hurricane Helene in North Carolina sits at 101, according to the state Medical Examiner's Office. All but nine were residents of or otherwise in Western North Carolina during the disaster. The majority of victims on record are from Buncombe County.

Death investigations ongoing

Over the last two weeks, the frequency of a rising death toll has slowed in terms of authorities adding newly recovered or newly confirmed victims to the public report. That noticeable shift has come as search and recovery crews continue combing terrain region-wide and as local law enforcement agencies report lower numbers of people believed to be missing or unaccounted for.

As new victims are discovered or confirmed, officials have said, N.C. authorities will conduct a death investigation and include the person's death in the state's reporting of fatalities. Based on the state's reporting, the Medical Examiner's Office hasn't experienced backlogs in completing this process.

State officials are tracking the number of fatalities associated with post-Helene hazards, such as those killed during tree trimming or due to weather exposure or lack of medical care. Data show around 2 of every 5 victims in the state's report were recorded as dying or being recovered on or after Oct. 1.

The official fatality count also includes a number of people who have not been fully identified by authorities and names have not been publicly released in any case so far.

Six miles of Blue Ridge Parkway near Mount Pisgah reopens

Posted November 1, 2024 at 1:22 PM EDT

The National Park Service has reopened six more miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway following the devastation of Hurricane Helene.

The newly reopened stretch runs between Milepost 405.5 (which intersects N.C. Route 151 to Candler) and Milepost 411.8 (which intersects N.C. Route 276 to Brevard and Waynesville). It includes the portions of the parkway near Mount Pisgah and Fryingpan Mountain.

Campgrounds, picnic areas and other facilities along this stretch of the parkway remain closed.

"The NPS has not yet completed trail assessments and caution is encouraged for trail users who may experience hazards resulting from landslides, downed or leaning trees, wash-outs, and other damage," the Park Service said in a press release.

Earlier this week, nearly 55 miles of the parkway reopened to the public, including one section between Mileposts 411.8 and 421 and another between Mileposts 423.2 and 469, near the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The roughly two miles between those open sections remains closed "due to a significant landslide that impacted the roadway during Hurricane Helene," the National Park Service said. The closed sections includes the popular Devil's Courthouse hike.

The Blue Ridge Parkway as seen from Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower in late 2023.
Felicia Sonmez
The Blue Ridge Parkway as seen from Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower in late 2023.

City of Asheville parking to remain free; government committees paused until 2025

Posted October 30, 2024 at 6:01 PM EDT

Street parking and parking in city-owned garages in Asheville will remain free, City Manager Debra Campbell announced at the community briefing on Wednesday.

The ART bus service continues to be free until further notice.

Campbell also announced that all Asheville council committees, advisory boards and quasi-judicial boards are suspended until January 1, 2025.

Boards may meet on a case-by-case basis for time-sensitive or storm-related business. City leaders also decided to postpone all board and commission appointments that were scheduled to take place on October 8.

The deadline for applications to open board spots is December 8, and appointments will be made at the January 14, 2025, City Council meeting.

Officials link 2 more WNC deaths to Helene; total now at 101 victims

Posted October 30, 2024 at 10:05 AM EDT

In an update Wednesday, the state Medical Examiner's Office reported two additional fatalities — both of which occurred weeks back in Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene — have been linked to the disaster.

A total of 101 people died as a result of the floods, landslides, and ensuing devastation, according to data released publicly by the Medical Examiner's Office. The two additional victims were listed in the agency's Oct. 30 update. In some counties, sheriff's offices have confirmed search and recovery crews are still looking for people reported missing or who are otherwise unaccounted for.

In one case, officials said, a 74-year-old woman in Rutherford County died four weeks ago and a more recent death investigation has determined the disaster led to her death. The woman experienced "a pre-existing health condition," which "deteriorated due to [the] storm and she did not return to baseline condition before passing" on Oct. 2, the agency wrote in its Oct. 30 update.

Confirmation that the woman's death was due to Helene brings the Rutherford County death toll to four people, state officials say.

In the second case, a 62-year-old man in Henderson County died when he was unable to access oxygen in the days after the hurricane. Officials said the man died on Oct. 19. A more recent death investigation determined his pre-existing health condition was exacerbated by the storm.

The man, state officials said, is the ninth victim in Henderson County to be confirmed as a hurricane-related fatality.

WNC deaths from Helene

Authorities have not released the names of Hurricane Helene victims in North Carolina.

The vast majority of confirmed casualties are among Buncombe County residents — which includes one of the youngest and one of the oldest victims in the region: A 7-year-old boy who drowned and was found on Sept. 30; and a 90-year-old woman who died on Oct. 12 in an accidental fall at a temporary living arrangement in Wake County after she fled the Asheville area post-Helene.

Yancey County: 10 deaths; 3 missing

Also this week, the Yancey County Sheriff's Office confirmed what state officials have been reporting about how many people died there. Local authorities said three people are still missing in Yancey.

"In the wake of Hurricane Helene, the Yancey County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the recovery of ten lives lost due to the storm's devastating effects. Eight of these were residents of Yancey County, while two were from neighboring Mitchell County," the sheriff's office wrote on its Facebook page.

"Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to the families affected by this tragic loss. Three individuals are still reported missing. Continued prayers for the families, and our community."

Yancey County Sheriff Shane Hilliard said in an Oct. 12 Facebook post about the help from law enforcement agencies across North Carolina: "These deputies have been nothing short of heroes, working alongside us day and night. They’ve rescued those in need, cleared trees, delivered supplies, and stepped up in ways too numerous to count."
Yancey County Sheriff's Office via Facebook
Yancey County Sheriff Shane Hilliard said in an Oct. 12 Facebook post about the help from law enforcement agencies across North Carolina: "These deputies have been nothing short of heroes, working alongside us day and night. They’ve rescued those in need, cleared trees, delivered supplies, and stepped up in ways too numerous to count."

Buncombe County experiences uptick in gastrointestinal illness due to Helene

Posted October 30, 2024 at 1:11 AM EDT

Cases of gastroenteritis have increased in Buncombe County in October as a result of Hurricane Helene, County Medical Director Dr. Jennifer Mullendore said Tuesday.

"Based on patient interviews that Buncombe County communicable disease nurses have conducted, this increase does appear to be storm-related with a variety of potential sources including deficiencies in appropriate hand hygiene, food handling and/or cleaning of food preparation services," she said at the daily briefing.

When people lack normal resources to wash hands or properly prepare food, the risk of illness increases, Mullendore said.

It is not yet clear if this is the start of an increasing trend or a fluctuation. State epidemeologists are monitoring the situation.

Mullandore advised residents to drink and use safe water. Potable water should be used for food preparation and teeth brushing. Immunocompromised people should consider antibacterial hand sanitizer in addition to handwashing, she said.

If bottled water is not available, tap water can be filtered through a cloth, paper towel or coffee filter before boiling for at least one minute. Let the water cool and store in clean containers, Mullendore advised.

Eight drops of regular household bleach may also be added to one gallon of water, allowing it to stand for 30 minutes before use.

Symptoms of gastroenteritis may include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, headache or muscle aches.

Dogwood Health Trust approves $20M in additional recovery, relief grants locally

Posted October 29, 2024 at 11:28 AM EDT

Dogwood Health Trust announced this week a second round of major philanthropic funding for Western North Carolina hurricane recovery and relief.

The board of directors approved more than $20 million in additional funds to go toward grants for local organizations, including direct services and support organizations that are working with Helene victims on a variety of needs such as legal help, housing, and more.

The announcement follows a major wave of funding detailed earlier this month, which included $10 million from Dogwood to the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina's (CFWNC) Emergency and Disaster Response Fund. The recent board approval, the organization said, brings Dogwood's total contribution to local relief efforts to more than $50 million.

Additional funding is aimed at a variety of programs and causes, including a $10 million lead grant to create the Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative (WNCSBI), which will be led by Appalachian Community Capital (ACC); $4 million in grants to partner organizations that focus on homelessness, affordable housing, and supportive housing; and $2 million in direct relief funding to groups like the United Way, YMCA, Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation, and more.

Dogwood was previously announced as one of three organizations leading relief coordination efforts in the region - alongside CFWNC and WNC Bridge Foundation. Last week, CFWNC detailed how $5 million in relief funds have already been dispersed to partner organizations.

The fundraising, coordination, and grant-making announcements come as the region crosses into its fifth week of Helene recovery.

In addition, the Duke Endowment has announced it will contribute $15 million in philanthropic gifts and grants, including to the CFWNC fund and the Central Carolina Community Foundation’s One SC Fund, which works with nonprofit organizations to provide food, housing, and other relief in South Carolina.

Debris is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in Asheville, N.C.
Mike Stewart
/
AP
Debris is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in Asheville, N.C.

Death toll rises to 99 in North Carolina

Posted October 28, 2024 at 10:56 AM EDT

The recent death of a Henderson County man — who state officials say died when he fell from a tree during cleanup — brought the total number of confirmed Helene victims in North Carolina to 99 on Monday. All but nine of those victims were residents of or were otherwise in Western North Carolina.

The man, 50, was killed on Oct. 27 after falling from the tree. Neither his name nor additional information was released.

According to information from the North Carolina Medical Examiner's Office, which is investigating deaths and tracking the number of Helene victims, the man is the eighth person to die in Henderson County since the floods and landslides.

As reported by BPR News on Friday, claims of significantly higher death tolls are unfounded, including one viral post that "at least 142 bodies" have been found in Buncombe County alone. The leader of a nonprofit relief group (Western Carolina Emergency Network — to which one news outlet attributed this false claim) said his group didn’t produce, confirm, or otherwise share an inflated death toll figure.

To read the full fact-check on this claim from BPR, go here.

State officials have confirmed to BPR News that they include in the total number all victims who — after a death investigation — are determined to have been killed directly or indirectly by Helene. That includes, as in the case of the recent Henderson County fatality, people who died in the aftermath. The state agency has also said it includes in the fatality total victims who have still not been identified by name or had their families contacted.

Asheville's North Fork reservoir remains too turbid following Helene to push water through filtration system.
City of Asheville
Asheville's North Fork reservoir remains too turbid following Helene to push water through filtration system.

New FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers in Buncombe and Swain counties

Posted October 27, 2024 at 11:37 PM EDT

FEMA opened two new Disaster Recovery Centers for people in Buncombe and Swain counties to get face-to-face assistance on applying for FEMA relief.

Located in Fairview at the Cane Creek Pool at 590 Lower Brush Creek Road, the new Buncombe County center is open Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The FEMA site previously at A.C. Reynolds High School has closed to allow students to return to classes.

FEMA is also operating a mobile unit at the Buncombe County Sports Park at 58 Apac Drive Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The center in Swain County is loated at the Swain County Technology and Training Center at 45 East Ridge Drive in Bryson City. The center is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Sunday.

"FEMA financial assistance may include money for basic home repairs, personal property losses or other uninsured, disaster-related needs, such as childcare, transportation, medical needs, funeral or dental expenses," according to a press release from the agency.

Hurricane Helene survivors can apply for financial assistance at the Centers. Applications are also available at DisasterAssistance.gov, by using the FEMA App for mobile devices or by calling toll-free 800-621-3362.

U.S. Agricultural Secretary visits local farms and promises the government is there for “the long haul”

Posted October 25, 2024 at 6:09 PM EDT
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack at the WNC Farmers Market.
Laura Hackett
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack at the WNC Farmers Market.

From toxic soil to erosion, farmers in western North Carolina are dealing with many challenges in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Some of the more long-term damage is still unclear, particularly when it comes to the health of soil and trees.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack toured several farms in the region on Friday to assess damage and identify resources to help farmers, food producers and other businesses tied to the agricultural industry get back on their feet.

Vilsack pledged that his department would be “here for the long haul” to help the region recover. The federal government has distributed $4 million in aid so far, Vilsack said.

“Obviously, that is just a very, very small down payment for the nature of losses that have been incurred,” he said.

In order for farmers to access resources, it’s vital that they conduct a damage assessment and report that to the federal government, Vilsack said.

There are 10 disaster relief programs sponsored by the US Department of Agriculture that farmers can access. Programs include relief for everything from emergency financial assistance to a fruit tree rehabilitation program. Those resources can be accessed online or by calling 877-508-8364.

The Department also oversees the D-SNAP, or Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Applicants in several counties struggled to get through on the state’s phone application system, and the federal department provided a 24-hour extension through 4 p.m. today for people in Alexander, Buncombe, Haywood, Macon and McDowell counties.

When asked why the extension was only one day, Vilsack’s press secretary Marissa Perry said the state had only asked for a one-day extension.

When asked if his department would consider a further extension, Vilsack did not directly answer the question, replying that “we do this in increments.”

Buncombe Commissioner Terri Wells accompanied Vilsack on his visit and said she was happy with his responsiveness.

“I was very impressed with how Secretary Vilsack was taking notes and already making some calls and working on some of the things that we were sharing with him,” she said.

She emphasized the importance of farmers reporting their damage to their local Farm Services Agency, or FSA.

“It is very important that all farmers do report to our FSA and reach out,” she said. “We have got to make sure that we have a really good clear, picture of all the damage and the needs. Because we have to be able to report that out to state and federal levels to try to pull in the resources and the funding that we need.”

Wells also recommended some local resources for farmers, since federal aid can sometimes take longer to access.

WNC Community and ASAP, two area nonprofits, are both offering grants for farmers who are struggling with loss of income, she said.

Legislature requires additional early voting sites in WNC

Posted October 25, 2024 at 5:36 PM EDT

The North Carolina General Assembly voted Thursday to require each county board of elections to open at least one early voting site for every 30,000 registered voters, or any portion thereof.

The measure, which did not require the approval of Gov. Roy Cooper, affected two counties in Western North Carolina: McDowell County will open an additional early voting site on Tuesday, and Henderson County will open three additional sites on Tuesday.

The sites are required to be open from Tuesday until Saturday, November 2.

"We will be able to assist those counties in the set up of those early voting sites," State Board of Elections Director Karen Brinson Bell said in a press call on Friday morning.

County boards were able to open 76 of the original 80 early voting sites despite Hurricane Helene's effects, she said.

Allegations that counties had early voting sites originally planned that they then opted not to open were "absolutely incorrect," Brinson Bell said.

"McDowell County did have an early voting site planned in Old Fort," she said, but the voting site was damaged and other possible sites were being used for recovery efforts.

Republican state representative Jennifer Balkcom of Henderson said the one site in her county was inadequate, WUNC reported.

Henderson County had unanimously adopted a plan for one voting site in the county prior to the storm, Brinson Bell said. They did not intend to have additional early sites before the storm, she said.

The State Board received $5 million in funds to assist county board affected by Hurricane Helene, she said.

Some Democrats questioned the need for additional sites after early voting already started, WUNC reported.

Republican candidate Donald Trump won 23 of the 25 FEMA-designated disaster counties in Western North Carolina in 2020. Democrat Joe Biden won Buncombe and Watagua counties in his successful White House bid.

Find more voter information in the BPR Voter Guide.

Some water from Tunnel Road and Charlotte Highway should be treated as nonpotable

Posted October 25, 2024 at 11:11 AM EDT

Residents who received unlabeled half-gallon bottles of water with green loids from the Tunnel Road and Charlotte Highway distribution sites should not drink the water.

The water should used as non-potable or gray water only, according to coutny officials.

The decision was based on discoloration. There have not been reports of any illness caused by the water, officials said.

The water may be used for flushing toilets.

NCDHHS extends D-SNAP applications for one day to Friday, Oct. 25

Posted October 24, 2024 at 5:22 PM EDT

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced in a press release on Thursday, a one-day extension for those in Alexander, Buncombe, Haywood, Macon and McDowell counties to apply for the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP).

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved the extension after the listed counties requested it due to high demand.

READ MORE HERE: D-SNAP applicants unable to get phone interviews as deadline for food assistance approaches

As of Wednesday, more than 105,000 individuals had been approved to receive D-SNAP benefits according to the press release from NCDHHS.

"Our commitment is to support individuals and families impacted by the catastrophic damage Hurricane Helene left behind," said Susan Osborne, NCDHHS deputy secretary for opportunity and well-being. “We will continue to work with our federal and local partners to use every resource we can to help our western communities heal, recover and rebuild."

People who preregistered for D-SNAP through ePASS.nc.gov by 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24 will receive a call from DSS officials by Friday, Nov. 1 to complete their application.

Anyone who is in line by 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25, will be able to complete their application and interview that same day. The D-SNAP Virtual Call Center will not be available after Oct. 24, 2024, at 4 p.m. according to the press release.

LOCATIONS TO APPLY IN-PERSON

ALEXANDER COUNTY

Alexander County Department of Social Services
Alexander County DSS Office
604 7th St. SW
Taylorsville, NC 28681

BUNCOMBE COUNTY

Buncombe County Health and Human Services
Main Buncombe County DSS Office
40 Coxe Ave.
Asheville, NC 28801

HAYWOOD COUNTY

Haywood County Health and Human Services
Haywood County DSS Office
157 Paragon Parkway #300
Clyde, NC 28721

MACON COUNTY

Macon County Department of Social Services
183 Holly Springs Plaza
Franklin, NC 28734

McDOWELL COUNTY

McDowell County YMCA Gym: Bottom Level
348 Grace Corpening Drive
Marion, NC 28752

Asheville FEMA Disaster Recovery Center to move locations; Yancey and Madison counties to host new Disaster Recovery Centers

Posted October 23, 2024 at 8:22 PM EDT

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced several changes to the locations of its Disaster Recovery Centers, or DRCs. The centers provide in-person guidance from FEMA representatives. Survivors can also apply for low-interest loans with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

FEMA's Disaster Recovery Center at Asheville's A.C. Reynolds High School will close at 7 p.m. on Thursday to allow the school to open. The new location for the Asheville center has not yet been announced.

The site at A.C. Reynolds also served as a food and water distribution location. Food and water will be relocated to the Ingles parking lot at 225 Charlotte Highway.

Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers will open to provide in-person support for those seeking FEMA assistance.

FEMA announced two mobile sites in Buncombe County:

Swannanoa Fire Rescue - Bee Tree Fire Sub Station at 510 Bee Tree Road, Swannanoa, NC 28778. The site will be open from Thursday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Buncombe County Sports Park (Parking Lot) at 58 Apac Drive, Asheville, NC 28806. The site will be open daily from Friday through the end of October from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Two additional Disaster Recovery Centers will open in Yancey and Madison Counties:

Madison County Public Library - Marshall Branch at 1335 N Main Street, Marshall, N.C. 28753 will be open 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Monday through Sunday.

County Annex Facility (Old Ridge Hardware) 671 W U.S. Hwy 19E Bypass Burnsville, N.C. 28714. The site will be open 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Monday through Sunday.

D-SNAP applicants unable to get phone interviews as deadline for food assistance approaches

Posted October 23, 2024 at 2:28 PM EDT

Update: The state Department of Health and Human Services issued a statement late Wednesday afternoon instructing that applicants may go to any D-SNAP location to apply or complete their interview. The statement also said anyone in line at 4 p.m. today or tomorrow will get an in-person interview.

At about 4:15 p.m., about three dozen people remained in line outside the Buncombe County health department offices.

Tomorrow is the final day for applications to the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or D-SNAP, but some North Carolinians are facing difficulties completing their applications as the state phone system falters.

The program, administered by the state Department of Health and Human Services, offers a one-time food benefit for people who have lost income due to the storm and have disaster related expenses. To qualify, an applicant must participate in a phone or in-person interview.

On Wednesday, some callers to the state hotline were unable to get through for an interview, encountering instead a message indicating high call volume and asking them to call back later.

Some Buncombe residents like Liz Evers gave up on calling and went to the Buncombe Health and Human Services office to wait in line for an in-person interview.

"I tried [calling] a couple of times and basically the answering machine almost like hangs up on you, so I figured I'd just come down here and do it in person," she said.

Erin Godleski also waited in the line of about 50 people on Wednesday afternoon. She said she tried calling as well.

"I feel like it is worth waiting for, especially since I essentially lost my job. I'm willing to stand in line," Godleski said. "I mean, it's a little frustrating, but I understand why so many people are calling. There is a huge need for it."

Wednesday afternoon, a spokesperson for the state Department of Health and Human Services issued the following statement:

NCDHHS is aware of the high call volume for D-SNAP applications and long lines at some D-SNAP locations in western North Carolina, such as Buncombe County. Anyone who is already in line at a D-SNAP location by 4 p.m. will receive their interview that day per policy requirements. Buncombe County is aware and complying with this policy. NCDHHS is working to get additional support to Buncombe County to help with processing times. Many counties are making proactive calls to people who were pre-registered to decrease call volumes at the center. This will allow more new applicants to get through to enroll in benefits. Individuals can go to any D-SNAP location to apply or complete their interview.

By Tuesday, more than 75,000 people had been approved for D-SNAP benefits. NCDHHS understands the overwhelming need in western North Carolina, and we are committed to supporting people and families impacted by Hurricane Helene. NCDHHS continues to work with USDA on additional flexibilities and will provide any updates we receive.

The line for in-person interviews for D-SNAP applications stretched down the block at the Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
Jose Sandoval
/
BPR
The line for in-person interviews for D-SNAP applications stretched down the block at the Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.

In-person interviews are available until 4 p.m. Wednesday and again from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday at the county Department of Health and Human Services (40 Coxe Avenue, Asheville).

"Unfortunately, we cannot vary our hours because of our approved waiver from USDA," Buncombe County spokesperson Lillian Govus said in an email response to BPR. "We have applied for an extension and will share the determination of that as soon as we're notified."

Evers said despite the struggle, she is grateful for the help.

"I'm happy to do whatever I can to get this assistance. I really appreciate that it is available," she said. "Whatever it takes."

No timeline for reopening of much of Blue Ridge Parkway

Posted October 23, 2024 at 1:57 PM EDT

There is no timeline for reopening the Asheville portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway as crews continue to address storm damage, National Park Service representative Jana Friesen McCabe said Wednesday.

Hurricane Helene caused at least 30 landslides along the Parkway with 10 catastrophic landslides that damaged the Parkway itself. The storm also caused "tens of thousands" of downed trees, Friesen McCabe said at a joint emergency briefing.

Today, the National Park Service reopened parts of the scenic roadway near Blowing Rock — the first stretch to reopen since Hurricane Helene devastated the region. The Parkway is open from milepost 285.5, at Bamboo Gap, to milepost 305, near Beacon Heights.

October is typically the peak month for visitors to the Parkway. Last October, more than 2 million people viewed fall foliage in the park. Much of the region is experiencing peak fall colors this week, according to ExploreFall.com.

Small businesses in Transylvania Co. can apply for help from local relief fund

Posted October 23, 2024 at 1:14 PM EDT

The Transylvania Business Support Task Force is accepting applications for their relief fund until Monday, Nov. 4.

Applications can be found online at brevardnc.org/community/transylvania-tomorrow/.

To be eligible for the program people must:

  • Be registered business in good standing with regard to state and local taxes and licenses
  • Have less than 50 full-time employees
  • Have experienced a significant loss, reduction in revenue, and/or physical damage due to Hurricane Helene

Preference will be given to businesses that are headquartered and with primary operations in Transylvania County and independently owned.

People who receive funds must use the money for payroll, restoration, recovery, and remodeling services due to storm damage. The funds can also be used on utilities, rent, mortgage payments and insurance.

“This application release comes at a time when many businesses in our community are hurting financially. Those affected by the hurricane have incurred expenses to cover a quick response to physical damage and restoration services. Others have faced substantial revenue declines and are nearing a point of negative cash flow. This grant application serves as a rescue buoy for those businesses that need it most,” Blue Ridge Community College Small Business Center Director Ben Smith wrote in a press release.

The Transylvania Tomorrow Small Business Emergency Relief Fund was originally launched by the task force following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020 and 2021, $250,000 in funds were raised and distributed to 111 small businesses in Transylvania County. The program was relaunched in early October, and more than $75,000 has already been raised. In addition to contributions directly to the fund, the task force organizations are covering all administrative expenses, ensuring that every dollar donated goes straight to local businesses.

To learn more or donate today, visit online at brevardnc.org/community/transylvania-tomorrow/ or on Facebook at @TransylvaniaTomorrow.

Photo by Gerard Albert III

The city pauses debris processing near Deaverview and public golf course, but says it 'could be reactivated if necessary’

Posted October 22, 2024 at 5:27 PM EDT

The City of Asheville has walked back a controversial plan to process storm debris from Hurricane Helene near a public housing complex.

The two city-owned sites, Roger Farmer Park and 65 Ford Street, are both within half a mile of Deaverview Apartments, a 160-unit development in West Asheville. The Asheville Municipal Golf Course, another city-owned property, will also be discontinued as a debris zone.

At a Monday briefing, City Manager Debra Campbell announced that the three original locations would no longer be used as a debris site, but could be “reactivated if necessary.”

A new primary site at Enka Commerce Park is secured, Campbell added. The Enka site will now be the main processing location for debris, which will be “staged, grinded, compacted and prepared for hauling out of the city,” she said.

The existing debris at 65 Ford Street, the golf course and Roger Farmer Park will eventually get transferred to the Enka site.

The Ford Street site and golf course will still undergo “security and site prep measures such as fencing and access for heavy machinery” in case they should be reactivated, Campbell said. The Roger Farmer Park site will not be used for debris moving forward.

Campbell stressed that the Ford Street and golf course sites would only be reactivated “if needed” and that the city will continue to “diligently monitor” the temporary sites to ensure environmental regulations are met.

In the wake of Helene, the city is grappling with an estimated 2.5 million cubic yards of debris, Greg Shuping, the city’s deputy emergency operations center manager, said.

To put that number into perspective, Shuping estimated the debris surpasses more than 70,000 truckloads.

None of the debris sites are available to the public. For more information on how to manage your debris, see the city’s website.

Cooper to present NC legislators with new Helene recovery fund requests

Posted October 22, 2024 at 4:40 PM EDT

As the state General Assembly returns to session this Thursday, the recently passed $273 million Hurricane Helene relief bill may seem like a drop in the bucket compared to long-term recovery needs across Western North Carolina.

Gov. Roy Cooper told BPR the key proposals he will present to the legislature will focus on infrastructure investments such as roads, bridges and water systems.

“Out of the 1,200 roads impacted, there are still about 455 that are closed. We know there is major, major repair that needs to be done on our roads and bridges, and that’s part of the long-term funding that I’ll be proposing to the General Assembly,” Cooper said.

The governor also emphasized the need to address water and sewer infrastructure. Additionally, he highlighted the higher costs of investing in infrastructure in mountainous areas, saying: “The initial assessments of the impact on Western North Carolina are staggering. Because of the topography of the mountains, the higher cost of investing in infrastructure like roads, bridges, and water systems, communications — these are all big-ticket items.”

To ensure that recovery efforts can move forward, the governor said he is preparing both state and federal funding requests. "We’re looking for a down payment right now. We know that all of it can’t come immediately, but we’re also preparing requests for the federal government, particularly for transportation and water," he said.

Cooper also encouraged residents to apply to the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Program (D-SNAP), which provides temporary food assistance to low- and moderate-income families impacted by the disaster. The application deadline is Thursday.

Looking ahead, the governor stressed the importance of pulling together for long-term resilience. "It’s more important than ever for all of us to pull together to make sure Western North Carolina recovers fully and in a stronger way, hardening itself for future storms."

With only a few months left in his term, Cooper said he’ll leave a detailed recovery plan for the next administration. “I want to leave this blueprint for the next administration, to build the foundation of what we know we need to do to make sure that Western North Carolina comes back stronger than ever. The people there are determined and courageous, and they deserve our full attention and help.”

Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer speaks with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Governor Roy Cooper in the River Arts District on Oct. 17, 2024.
Gerard Albert III
/
BPR News
Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer speaks with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Governor Roy Cooper in the River Arts District on Oct. 17, 2024.

Some businesses, childcare centers permitted to reopen under Buncombe emergency ops plan

Posted October 22, 2024 at 2:43 PM EDT

Through Buncombe County's newly streamlined emergency operations plan, businesses - including restaurants, bars and childcare centers - have been given the green light to re-open.

With most of the area unable to access clean running water, the plan asks businesses to import their own tankards of water, install a handwashing station, maintain flushing toilets, and serve food with single-use utensils and containers, among other workarounds.

If businesses are unable to answer 'yes' to every question on the 21-question form, then a health inspector must visit the business for an inspection before it's allowed to reopen.

Inspections will also continue on a routine basis, but it's not required to happen before a business reopens, so long as all requirements from the emergency operations plan are met.

Throughout the county, restaurants and bars have reopened. At a Tuesday press briefing, the county's Environmental Health Program Manager Jessica Silver also gave an update on childcare centers.

The county has received 42 emergency operations plans from childcare centers; and of those, 32 are permitted to reopen, Silver said.

Buncombe has more than 100 licensed childcare centers, indicating a steep drop in childcare centers in a region that already struggles to meet children's basic needs.

FEMA leader says agency needs Congress’ continued support to rebuild WNC

Posted October 22, 2024 at 1:54 PM EDT
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell updated the community on FEMA's recovery efforts in Asheville on Monday Oct. 21.
Jose Sandoval
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell updated the community on FEMA's recovery efforts in Asheville on Monday Oct. 21.

Head of FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell visited Asheville on Monday with Gov. Roy Cooper.

So far the agency has spent $1.4 billion in North Carolina during early Helene recovery efforts. That includes about $130 million directly to the people that have been impacted by the storm.

“The amount of damage to the infrastructure here is going to be billions and so we will be working with the state and the counties as they go through and start the repair and the rebuild process. But we also want to work with them to rebuild in a way that's going to make them more resilient,” Criswell said.

She said that the topography of the region and the wide scale of the hurricane’s impact have made recovery more complicated.

“Some of these projects are going to be years down the road. We are a reimbursement program when it comes to the rebuilding. And so as a community goes through and they repair and they rebuild their infrastructure, they submit to us for reimbursement,” Criswell said.

Criswell explained that the responsibility to continue to fund the recovery rests with Congress in the years to come.

“I have enough money to continue to support the response and the life-sustaining efforts that we're doing right now. Helping to support the people that were impacted and giving them the financial resources for some of the damages that they have, or if they need a temporary housing solution, I have enough money for that through this year,” Criswell said. “But it may mean that I have to pause those types of obligations ... those types of reimbursements for permanent repair work in other communities across the country or eventually in North Carolina down the road, if I don't have a supplemental.”

She says FEMA is in discussions with Congress about the need for a supplemental budget.

National politicians including former President Donald Trump who visited Swannanoa yesterday have said that FEMA is not helping the region. Yesterday, Trump called FEMA’s rescue effort “almost non-existent.”

Local politicians like U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards and Sen. Kevin Corbin have refuted these statements on social media. Edwards was at Trump’s visit yesterday and did not contradict his speech. Instead, Edwards, who owns seven McDonald’s franchises, presented Trump with a “French Fry Certification pin.”

Criswell says misinformation hasn’t hindered FEMA’s ability to help but that she is concerned that misinformation will discourage folks from applying for the funds that they deserve.

“I want people who have been impacted to register for assistance. What I don't want is somebody, who is listening to lies ... then not get into our system and get the type of assistance that they're eligible for and that frankly, they deserve,” Criswell said.

“We'll never know if there was a group of people or even one family that didn't because of that.”

Here’s more information about how to apply for FEMA aid.

The registration period for FEMA is through Nov. 27.

Criswell did address the threat to FEMA in Rutherford County. She said that initially, they thought the threat was more widespread. Ultimately, it led to one arrest but Criswell explained that it only paused door-to-door operations. FEMA aid was still available at disaster centers during that pause.

“They were still there, helping people, and then we quickly once we've validated or invalidated what that threat was we were able to get people back out into the communities,” Criswell said.

Criswell says that FEMA was on the ground in Asheville before the storm as well as at the state Emergency Operations Center. She added that staff were in “some counties” and that search and rescue teams, as well as food and water were in place to move into communities “once we found out where the impacts were going to be.”

“We moved pallets of water in food into local areas that the state could then draw from. And then the state moves those to the points of distribution that they set up across the different counties,” Criswell said.

She said that Helene has been “one of the fastest mobilizations and integration of our active duty military in support of the National Guard” explaining that within the first week of the storm, Cooper asked for the military to come in with rescue efforts.

In a visit that caused road closures and delays, Trump criticizes federal hurricane response

Posted October 22, 2024 at 10:03 AM EDT

At a campaign stop in Swannanoa on Monday afternoon, Former President Donald Trump surveyed the damage from Hurricane Helene and pledged his support to rebuild the region and “slash through every bureaucratic barrier” that interferes with recovery.

Trump said he visited Western North Carolina to show his support for the people, towns, bridges and businesses destroyed by Helene, but the trip caused challenges for some local drivers on stretches of I-26, I-40 and I-240.

Road blockades to secure the presidential candidate’s entrance to the desolated stretch of Highway 70 caused traffic gridlock in some parts of the town.

Trump avoided a direct answer to a question about whether climate change was making storms like Helene worse, instead touting the “cleanest air and water” on record during his presidency.

The Republican nominee also promised to “personally recruit businesses from all over the world” to help the region’s economy recover. He pointed to taxation incentives and tariffs as ways that he could also help the region’s economy, but did not provide any specifics about how the policies would aid the area.

In response to Helene, he said his campaign had launched a GoFundMe to raise money for storm victims. At the Swannanoa event, Trump said $7 million had been distributed to “various charities” and that he was taking recommendations of where the final $1 million should go.

Trump criticized the efforts of FEMA, the federal agency tasked with disaster recovery, at length, saying they’ve done a “very poor job.”

He called FEMA’s rescue effort “almost non-existent,” which is untrue. FEMA has provided more than $123 million to more than 90,000 households in North Carolina.

See the full story on Trump's visit.

Buncombe County government resuming regular operations where possible 

Posted October 21, 2024 at 5:58 PM EDT

Buncombe County government services will reopen with regular business hours on Wednesday, Oct. 23.

The reopening comes with the exception of most parks and three libraries, according to a county press release.

Only North Buncombe Fields and Hominy Valley Park will open. All other parks remain closed.

All libraries will open with the exception of Oakley Library, Swannanoa Library and Pack Library.

County leaders announced that they plan to open “mobile parks and library programming” in the coming days.

The county also announced that the next meeting of the Board of Commissioners will be held on Nov. 7.

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners meet every first and third Tuesday at 200 College Street.
BPR News
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners meet every first and third Tuesday at 200 College Street.

Trump in Swannanoa: Expresses faith in North Carolina election results, post-Helene

Posted October 21, 2024 at 3:32 PM EDT
Former President Donald Trump prays with Mike Stewart of Pine View Buildings, a nearby business that suffered damage from Hurricane Helene. Trump visited Swannanoa on Oct 21, 2024.
Gerard Albert III
/
BPR News
Former President Donald Trump prays with Mike Stewart of Pine View Buildings, a nearby business that suffered damage from Hurricane Helene. Trump visited Swannanoa on Oct 21, 2024.

At a campaign stop in storm-damaged Swannanoa on Monday, former President Donald Trump said he has no reason to doubt the upcoming election results out of western North Carolina.

Earlier this month, bipartisan state Board of Elections members authorized counties in the disaster zone to make necessary changes to early voting sites or precincts in order to accommodate voter access.

Asked if he had concerns about the election results not being credible, Trump said, "No, I think in a way it's the opposite. I mean, we're so impressed. And I think they have a pretty good system here."

Trump has repeatedly made false claims about the election results of 2020 when he lost the White House to President Joe Biden.

North Carolina set records for voter turnout on the first day of early voting last week.

"It's a tragedy. But the fact that they'd come out and vote in record numbers is pretty amazing to me," Trump said.

At the visit, Trump continued to spread false information about FEMA.

He repeated the lie that FEMA money intended for victims of the storm was instead going to people who are in the country undocumented.

"They spent a lot of money on bringing illegal migrants, people that came into our country illegally, and taking them in. And all of the money they've spent, numbers that nobody can even believe. So they don't have any money for the people that live here," Trump said Monday.

While FEMA does have a Shelter and Services Program, which provides grants for local governments and nonprofits to take care of undocumented immigrants, the funds come from a separate budget. There is no evidence that any money from the disaster fund was used to help undocumented migrants.

For full coverage of Trump's Oct. 21 visit, go here.

Buncombe Sheriff adjusts fatality count; Officials report 95 deaths in NC

Posted October 21, 2024 at 2:41 PM EDT

As of Oct. 21., based on official reporting from the North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office, there have been 95 confirmed fatalities from Hurricane Helene. The majority occurred in Buncombe County – but in this report, we’re correcting inaccurate information previously provided by the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office.

At last check (Oct. 18), the state’s Medical Examiner’s Office appeared to have no backlog in terms of recovering those who died and performing autopsies or examinations for Helene victims.

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services provided a statement to BPR News on Friday saying there were three people among the 95 victims whose identities are not yet confirmed. However, “There are no decedents in Asheville awaiting examination or identification,” DHHS spokeswoman Kelly Haight Connor said.

In Buncombe County, the state’s official count of Helene fatalities is 42, as of Oct. 21. That doesn’t include one Buncombe senior who died from an accidental fall in temporary housing in Wake County after she relocated due to the disaster. The woman’s death is included in the 95 figure.

Based on this information provided to BPR News, we asked the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office to explain why it hasn’t publicly corrected a figure it provided on Oct. 3 – saying 72 people died in the disaster.

Spokeswoman Christina Esmay refused to answer some questions but said:

“In the early aftermath of Hurricane Helene all deaths were being classified as storm related and from Buncombe County. However, as the days progressed BCSO was able to identify who had passed away due to the hurricane, who was in fact from Buncombe County, and who passed away from other causes. Compounded with the lack of consistent communication, due to widespread outages, the Buncombe County fatality number that was initially provided to Sheriff Miller has decreased.”

She referred all other questions to the state Medical Examiner’s Office.

Based on the sheriff’s office’s latest response and detailed information from state leaders, BPR News’ report on Helene’s death toll has been adjusted – from 125 fatalities to 95.

That figure includes, as of Oct. 21:

  • One death reported in Avery, Burke, McDowell, Polk, Catawba, Gaston, Yadkin, and Rowan counties.
  • Two deaths reported in Macon, Mitchell, Cleveland, Watauga, and Mecklenburg counties
  • Three deaths reported in Rutherford County
  • Four deaths in Avery and Madison counties
  • Five deaths in Haywood County
  • Seven deaths in Henderson County
  • 11 deaths reported in Yancey County
  • 43 deaths in Buncombe County, including a local senior who moved to Wake County after the flooding.

26 North Carolinians unaccounted for, state leader says

On Oct. 21, Department of Public Safety Secretary Eddie Buffaloe said 26 people are missing or unaccounted for. The figure, he said, comes from reporting to N.C. 2-1-1.

A worker moves debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in Asheville, N.C.
Mike Stewart
/
AP
A worker moves debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in Asheville, N.C.

As Buncombe County libraries remain closed, patrons may get materials from Henderson and Madison Counties

Posted October 21, 2024 at 1:13 PM EDT

All Buncombe County public libraries remain closed following Hurricane Helene, except library locations that are early voting sites.

Patrons who hold a Buncombe County Library Card may check out materials from the Madison County Library system and the Henderson County Library system.

In Madison County, the Marshall and Mars Hill branches are open regular hours. The Hot Springs Library is closed until further notice.

All Henderson County Library branches are open.

The Buncombe County Library will not charge late fines or replacement fees for materials not returned on time because of the storm. Three Buncombe County library locations are providing free charging stations for patrons to charge electronic devices:

  • West Asheville Public Library (942 Haywood Road, Asheville)
  • Pack Memorial Library (67 Haywood Street, Asheville)
  • Enka-Candler Library (1404 Sand Hill Road, Candler)

The password at all locations is “readmore” (one word, lowercase).

Buncombe courthouse reopens

Posted October 21, 2024 at 12:51 PM EDT

Now that bathrooms are operational, the Buncombe County Courthouse is open for regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m, starting Monday.

All water in the courthouse is unsafe for drinking, but bottled water is available in the lobby.

All civil superior court cases scheduled for October will be continued. Jury trials will return in November.

Criminal and civil district and superior administrative courts are operational.

Individuals may also file electronically through Monday, Oct. 28.

N.C. 106/Dillard Road closing for 3 months to repair washed-out thoroughfare

Posted October 19, 2024 at 12:29 PM EDT

North Carolina DOT will close N.C. 106 (Dillard Road) beginning Saturday, October 19.

Warwoman Road to N.C. 28 is an alternative route to Highlands while repairs to N.C. 106, the Dillard Road, are being made.

The road was severely washed out during Hurricane Helene and new 6-foot drainage pipes must be installed.

N.C. 106 between Scaly Mountain and Highlands is expected to be closed until January 2025. Here's the project on N.C. DOT's website.

Highlands Mayor Patrick Taylor shared an update in his newsletter.

“A major construction project replacing an 8 foot wide and tall pipe system and rebuilding the roadway will get underway without delay,” Taylor said.

This large pipe system consisting of hand set stone walls and a cast concrete top was installed when N.C. 106 was originally built, he explained.

This road is crucial for the many people who live in nearby Clayton, Ga., and work in Highlands, N.C.

Georgia DOT has closed Warwoman Road - from Clayton to N.C. 28 - to commercial truck traffic until November 22.

Regular vehicular traffic can travel both ways on Warwoman Road.

N.C. 106/Dillard Road is one of about 600 roads that are closed in North Carolina following Helene, according to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Governor Roy Cooper and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg survey damage in the River Arts District.
Gerard Albert III
Governor Roy Cooper and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg survey damage in the River Arts District.

DEQ offers emergency water system repair loans to local governments

Posted October 18, 2024 at 2:44 PM EDT

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is offering initial emergency loans to 20 local governments for emergency projects to rehabilitate drinking water and/or wastewater systems.

Initial offers for zero-interest emergency loans have been extended to Asheville, Bakersville, Banner Elk, Beech Mountain, Black Mountain, Burnsville, Canton, Chimney Rock Village, Hendersonville, Hot Springs, Lake Lure, Lansing, Marshall, Montreat, Newland, Old Fort, Saluda, Spruce Pine, Watauga County, and Woodfin Sanitary District.

The water and sewer systems in those areas were severely damaged by flooding and landslides during Hurricane Helene.

DEQ is working with federal and state partners, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and NCWaterWARN, to complete detailed assessments of impacted utilities.

Local governments can also access financial assistance for emergency repairs in advance of the available FEMA Public Assistance.

The emergency loans are subject to approval by the state’s Local Government Commission and may qualify for reimbursement through FEMA’s assistance program.

Future loans are expected based on anticipated needs in the region. Additional information on funding is available on the DEQ website.

Updates on impacted water and wastewater systems are available on the DEQ Dashboard.

A freshly installed well at Hall Fletcher Elementary in West Asheville.
Laura Hackett
A freshly installed well at Hall Fletcher Elementary in West Asheville.

White House announces new funding for grid resilience, prioritizing rural electric cooperatives

Posted October 18, 2024 at 2:06 PM EDT

Helene left millions out of power, with a few thousand outages still remaining in WNC. Part of the issue is that much of our electric grid is not built to withstand the continued, intense storms that batter communities with high wind speeds and months' worth of rainfall.

Even in more normal storms, many rural communities regularly lose power.

Investing in resilient infrastructure - which could mean burying power lines, increasing transmission capacity, or building out solar microgrids with increased battery storage, among other things - is an expensive proposition for many small utilities. White House climate advisor Ali Zaidi said that's why the Biden administration is investing billions in the nation's electric grid infrastructure, particularly in rural communities where disaster-related outages can be lasting and sometimes deadly.

"Undergrounding a power line oftentimes costs six times as much as having it hang from a pole or a wire," Zaidi said. "And when you get your power from a rural cooperative or a utility that is serving lower income folks, it's a hard ask to say, 'Can you go to your ratepayers and fund the resilience upgrades?'"

The $10.5 billion Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships, or GRIP, program supported a number of projects relevant to North Carolina. In the $2 billion round of funding, though, most projects are in the more traditionally hurricane-prone eastern and central parts of the state.

The Tennessee Valley Authority, which sells power to several small western N.C. utilities, did receive $250 million for system hardening and transmission, which Zaidi said are essential to both disaster resilience and weaning utilities off carbon.

"You need more places to plug into the grid that cleaner, cheaper power," Zaidi said. Microgrids are part of that, too.

"If you think about it like a road and a highway, if the highway access is blocked off, if everyone who's traveling on those local roads no longer can, you know, get electricity, that's a problem," Zaidi said. "So what this does is, even if that main, the major transmission line, is not accessible, the local transmission lines can still run."

Zaidi said member-owned electric cooperatives are a major part of the White House's climate strategy, given the small, rural, low-income communities they often serve. He said the White House hopes to work with Western North Carolina's electric co-ops -which include French Broad EMC, Haywood EMC, Yadkins EMC, Blue Ridge Energy, and Rutherford EMC - to access future rounds of White House grid resilience funding, of which this is only the latest.

FEMA will also be working with WNC utilities to access emergency resources for the rebuild.

Buncombe County school system announces reopening date

Posted October 18, 2024 at 12:58 PM EDT

Buncombe County students will return to classrooms in one week.

The Buncombe County Board of Education approved a reopening plan for the county school system. The first day of school for students will be Friday, Oct. 25.

Non-potable water, power and internet are back at all 45 schools in the county. Drinking water is also getting delivered to all schools.

Maintenance crews are finishing repairs and restoration at the seven schools that saw damage from Helene. The school system also plans to bring in additional counselors from neighboring school systems to support staff and students.

Through Friday, Nov. 1, all schools will operate on a two-hour delay. This delay is to help bus drivers get accustomed to new bus routes, which were reconfigured due to damaged roads and washed out bridges.

Teachers, staff and bus drivers will return to work on Wednesday, Oct. 23.

The first semester of school has also been extended to Jan. 24, 2025.

Bus routes will be announced soon.

Asheville City Schools previously announced a restart date of Oct. 28.

College application fees waived for students in hurricane-affected counties

Posted October 17, 2024 at 8:24 PM EDT

Many colleges in North Carolina are waiving application fees for students from 39 disaster-declared counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, during College Application Week, which takes place Oct. 21-27.

The institutions offering free applications to high school students from disaster-declared counties are: Appalachian State University; NC State University; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; University of North Carolina at Charlotte; University of North Carolina at Greensboro; and University of North Carolina Wilmington.

“UNC System universities want to ease one small burden for students and families as they try to recover from this disaster,” said Dr. Bethany Meighen, the UNC System’s vice president for academic and student affairs.

In addition, the following UNC universities will waive application fees for all North Carolina high school students next week regardless of where they live: East Carolina University; Elizabeth City State University; Fayetteville State University; North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University; North Carolina Central University; University of North Carolina Asheville; University of North Carolina at Pembroke; University of North Carolina School of the Arts; Western Carolina University; and Winston-Salem State University.

Several universities will also extend fee waivers beyond College Application Week for students from the disaster-declared counties, including NC State, UNC-Chapel Hill and UNCW.

The disaster-declared counties are Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Forsyth, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lee, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Nash, Polk, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin and Yancey, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Davidson River Campground and some Pisgah National Forest Sites Reopening After Hurricane Helene

Posted October 17, 2024 at 8:24 PM EDT

Several campgrounds in the Pisgah National Forest are opening Friday after Hurricane Helene.

Reopening on October 18:

• Davidson River Campground & Recreation Area

• Cove Creek Upper & Lower Group Campgrounds

• Kuykendall Group Campground

• Wash Creek Horse Camp

• Wolf Ford Horse Camp

These areas have undergone “significant cleanup and are now ready to welcome back campers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts,” according to a press release.

Facilities Update: While cleanup has progressed, visitors should be aware that some trails and forest roads remain affected by storm damage. Visitors may encounter fallen trees, landslides, and rough roads.

"We are proud to reopen some of the most cherished sites in Pisgah National Forest, especially Davidson River, which has long been a favorite destination. Our team has worked hard alongside the U.S. Forest Service to ensure that visitors can safely return to enjoy the forest. While there are still some hazards, we want everyone to know that these areas are open and ready for adventure, " Brian Johnson, Naventure Director of Operations, said. The company manages campgrounds and recreation areas in the forest.

Fatality report from NC officials shows no recent increase; some still unaccounted for

Posted October 16, 2024 at 6:41 PM EDT

As of Wednesday evening, there's been a two-day stretch where no additional deaths from Helene have been recorded by state officials who are tracking disaster-related fatalities.

In many known cases of fatalities, state authorities are still investigating so the official death toll may increase in the future. For example, Buncombe County's sheriff has said 72 people were killed locally. Because the state system requires death investigations, the current official figure from North Carolina's Medical Examiner's Office is 42 victims in Buncombe County.

The latest information available indicates 125 people in North Carolina died during the tropical storm, floods, and landslides. That includes 117 people in Western North Carolina.

Photo by Gerard Albert III

Unemployment benefits increase by executive order

Posted October 16, 2024 at 5:07 PM EDT

Gov. Roy Cooper signed an executive order today mandating the increase of weekly unemployment benefits from maximum of $350 a week to a maximum of $600 a week for all eligible workers. The measure is designed to help people out-of-work because of Hurricane Helene.

"Prior to the executive order, many low-income and part-time workers would have received less than the $350 weekly maximum. To ensure that these workers receive necessary benefits in the wake of Helene, the order will also increase benefits by $250 a week (up to the $600 cap) for all eligible workers," a statement from the governor's office said.

Individuals can collect state unemployment benefits for 12 weeks. Under the federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance program, people who lived or worked in the impacted North Carolina counties and are out of work due to the disaster will qualify for up to 26 weeks of federal benefits.

North Carolina has the second largest Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund now stands at over $4.8 billion, according to the statement. Nevertheless, the state has maintained the $350 cap set in 2013.

The measure applies across the state but likely benefits those who are unable to work in the counties affected by Hurricane Helene. Individuals who are out of work in the storm-affected counties make up 79% of new claims — 19,735 claims — since the disaster.

Weekly benefits checks may not reflect the changes for two to three weeks.

Benefits will be retroactive to September 29, 2024, and recipients will receive adjustment payments for benefit weeks going back to that date.

Haywood Co. update: Supply center hours change; curfew still enforced

Posted October 16, 2024 at 2:24 PM EDT

Hours of operations at Canton's supply distribution center (IP Sports Complex) have changed. And the center needs supplies donated specifically for winter weather conditions.

Starting Oct. 16, the complex will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers put out a call for volunteers on Facebook this week: "We need volunteers to help unload, organize, and distribute supplies to those in need. If you are able to lend a hand, just come by during operating hours or call/text 828-734-0529. Please understand, the continued operation of this vital resource center depends on having enough volunteers."

Smathers also expressed how complicated the feeling is of progress in Western North Carolina as storm recovery continues.

"Each day, we take steps toward a new reality — not just here in Canton and Haywood County, but across Western North Carolina. Some days, those steps feel lighter; other days, they’re more difficult. But no matter the pace, we move forward. We stumble sometimes. We grieve. Yet, through it all, we must remind ourselves that this path is worth taking. The fight is worth fighting. And the hardships, as painful as they are, are worth enduring," Smathers wrote.

"As we rebuild, we must also honor the lives lost in this tragedy. Their sacrifice must become the standard by which we shape tomorrow — how we treat each other, how we unite, and how we build stronger, more compassionate communities. Let their legacy guide us and how we measure progress."

Haywood County curfew

Haywood County is still operating with a curfew.

County leaders ask everyone to please stay home between the hours of 1 a.m. –  6 a.m. until further notice, unless traveling for essential purposes.

Henderson Co. update: 20,000 people apply for FEMA aid; official assistance center open

Posted October 16, 2024 at 1:59 PM EDT

Henderson County has been assessing property damage. Over 700 homes had at least 18 inches of water inside — that’s what FEMA qualifies as major damage. More than 100 homes were completely destroyed.

While seven people were killed by the storm in Henderson, the county is reporting no current missing residents as of Wednesday.

The county also opened a Disaster Recovery Center, or DRC, at 2111 Asheville Highway in Hendersonville. Here, people can learn more about disaster assistance programs, check the status of their FEMA application, ask questions, get referrals, and learn about Small Business Administration relief programs.

“A disaster recovery center truly is a one-stop shop where people who are having trouble with assistance or who have been denied can get assistance from your North Carolina partners or other government agencies or other nonprofits,” FEMA Intergovernmental Affairs Specialist Natalia Santana-Pollard said.

More than 20,000 people in Henderson County have applied for individual assistance from FEMA.

Henderson County schools reopened this week, all at their normal locations except Atkinson Elementary School, which experienced flooding during the storm. Students are now being taught at the Boys and Girls Club.

Flooding in Hendersonville.
Photo by River Gaydish
Flooding in Hendersonville.

Help to buy groceries: Disaster SNAP benefits available for region 

Posted October 16, 2024 at 1:27 PM EDT

Around $120 million in D-SNAP benefits will be available for western North Carolina residents, starting Friday.

These benefits will provide individuals or households impacted by Hurricane Helene with monthly assistance for groceries for up to nine months.

Applications for D-SNAP, or the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, opened on Thursday, Oct. 15, and will run through Thursday, Oct. 24.

Households that qualify for the benefit will be notified within three days of submitting an application. The exact amount will depend on household size, income and disaster losses.

The state is asking that residents apply by phone in alphabetical, last name order. However, no one will be turned away for applying anytime during the application period.

Here is the recommended application schedule:

  • Friday, Oct. 18 – A-G
  • Saturday, Oct. 19 – H-M
  • Sunday, Oct. 20 – N-S
  • Monday, Oct. 21 – T-Z
  • Tuesday, Oct. 22 – Open to all
  • Wednesday, Oct. 23 – Open to all
  • Thursday, Oct. 24 – Open to all

To be eligible for D-SNAP, a person or household must:

  • Live in one of the following counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes or Yancey. Or be a member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians living in zip code 28719.
  • Have suffered losses and/or damages related to Hurricane Helene, such as damage to property or loss of income
  • Have proof of identity and proof of residency (if available)
  • Have income and resources below certain levels
  • Not currently receiving benefits through the Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) program. People receiving FNS can also get extra help buying food, but do not need to fill out a D-SNAP application

Residents can also use the online ePASS Pre-Registration Tool, which opened on Tuesday, Oct. 15, and will close on Thursday, Oct. 24. To apply, call 844-453-1117 or apply in person at these locations.

A close up image of kale, carrots, squash and zucchini grown in Mills River.
Photo courtesy of the Mills River Farm Market
Produce grown in the Mills River area of Henderson County is sold regularly at the local farmers market.

Thousands in WNC still without internet and wireless service

Posted October 16, 2024 at 12:33 PM EDT

As Western North Carolina continues to recover from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, thousands in the region remain without internet, cable, or cell service.

Major service providers for Western North Carolinians include AT&T, Optimum, Verizon and Spectrum.

Here are updates as of Wednesday, Oct. 16:

SPECTRUM:

In North Carolina, more than 236,000 Spectrum customers lost service at the height of the storm, according to Spectrum’s website.

Spectrum service updates as of Wednesday, Oct. 16
Spectrum.net
Spectrum service updates as of Wednesday, Oct. 16

At a Buncombe County briefing on Oct. 14, Spectrum officials sent a statement to county officials that said, “Spectrum expects complete restoration to all locations that have power and are safe to access by October 19.”

Spectrum declined multiple interview requests from BPR. The company issued a statement to BPR on Oct. 5:

“Right now, we have over 3,000 field leaders, technicians and engineers actively working around the clock to access and repair any damage to our network as a result of Helene and its aftermath. The overwhelming impact remains loss of commercial power. Once power is restored to homes, streets and neighborhoods, Spectrum customers are seeing their services come back online. Utility companies continue to clear and confirm safe, those harder hit areas, and our teams are gaining more access, and once cleared safe by utilities, are repairing physical damage to our network. We’re in regular contact with the power companies and local authorities and our teams are ready to begin work in these areas, once they are deemed safe and opened up to us.”

On Oct. 16, Spectrum officials sent an update to Buncombe County about a cut underground line in Marion resulting in 31,000 customers going offline.

AT&T

In a statement to BPR, Madelynn Traylor, communication and public relations manager for AT&T said, “We have made a lot of progress as 97% of wireline customers have been restored; however, we realize we still have customers without service.”

Maintenance crews working on getting services back online are running into issues like critical infrastructure being damaged and areas without power.

“We also need to ensure that debris is removed to safely access sites. We will continue to refuel generators and provide mobile cell towers until they are no longer needed, Traylor said.”

There is no timeframe for when services will be restored. AT&T provided this information for its customers:

  • If you have power, and you have a home internet issue, you might need to reset your modem. You can find information on AT&T’s website to troubleshoot to see if that might be the issue. 
  • If customers have gone through those options, please reach out to AT&T and let them know. The issue may be something specific to your address.
  • Information on cell service can be found on the website as well.

AT&T is waiving charges for residential and business wireline orders placed now through October 27, 2024. Information on that can be found at this link.

OPTIMUM

Optimum services as of Oct. 15 are 83% restored according to vice president and regional general manager Elton Hart.

“Right now, 77% of our Hendersonville customers are back online, 98% in Franklin, 98% in West Jefferson, 76% in Nebo and those are some great areas that we can continue to focus on.”

Hart said crews have been out restoring services and working closely with the Department of Transportation (DOT) since roads were open and safe to travel on.

Destroyed infrastructure, downed trees and downed power lines hindered Optimums’ crew from restoring full services, Hart explained.

“We share the same poles as power but sometimes not the same path. So some of our customers may have power, but you don't have internet yet,” Hart said. “We share poles with the power company but we don't share the same path when it comes to supplying the internet connectivity to your house that we have. So even though you have power, you may not have the internet.”

Hart added that the way the community has come together isn’t anything like he has ever seen.

Optimum is offering services for customers and for those who aren’t customers. Western North Carolinians are encouraged to head to the following locations:

  • 717 South Grove Street in Hendersonville
  •  Blue Ridge Mall parking lot 
  • 451 N Main St., Hendersonville, NC 28792

For further support, call 888-467-8468 or visit optimum.com to see what Optimum is offering customers affected by Hurricane Helene.

As Asheville's water is trickling back, advice from a plumber

Posted October 16, 2024 at 9:31 AM EDT

As Asheville's water slowly turns back on, it's running through our faucets with a mixture of sediment and chlorine - not necessarily great for household plumbing.

Here's some advice from plumber Mike Perry, Asheville branch manager at plumbing company Roto-rooter.

  • Call for professional help when dealing with potentially hazardous malfunctioning appliances like a water heater or dishwasher.
  • It could be helpful to remove aerators from the kitchen sink and bathroom sinks, run water through both fixtures to clear sediment.
  • If your clothes washer isn't filling up properly, take the supply lines loose from the wall, and tif there's a screen in there, check on sediment buildup.

The City of Asheville also provided some advice:

What to do before water service returns:

  1. Flip off the breaker to your water heater. 
  2. Turn off water to your water heater. 
  3. Turn off hot water under your sinks. 
  4. Remove aerator (it typically unscrews) on faucets. 
  5. Turn off the ice maker.
  6. Turn off water to your whole house filter, if you have one.

What to do when your water service returns

  1. Flush your home plumbing by running the bathtub’s cold water faucet.
  2. Your water heater may be turned back on once your home’s plumbing has been flushed.
  3. It’s safe to flush your toilet after completing steps 1 and 2.

Cell towers not restored in 41% of Yancey County

Posted October 16, 2024 at 8:58 AM EDT

In nine Western North Carolina counties, almost 86% of cell service has been restored, leaving the remaining 14% of cell towers not operational according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC.)

The FCC shared that the most impacted county in the region is Yancey County which still had about 41% of cell towers down 17 days after Helene.

The majority of these sites are out due to lack of transport followed by lack of power. The inability to travel across the region because of road damage hindered recovery efforts. There are over 6,000 damaged sites in the region, according to NC DOT.

Buncombe followed Yancey for highest outages with about 18% of cell towers still out of service.

In Mitchell County, 15% of cell towers are out of service and in Henderson County 14% are still offline.

Verizon outage in Western North Carolina

Posted October 15, 2024 at 2:22 PM EDT

Overnight in Western North Carolina a fiber optic wire was cut, causing many in the region to lose cellular service.

Verizon confirmed that the cut has caused a disruption in service. "Secondary fiber cuts from debris clean up and power restoration continue to have impacts on our network. This has been the case today as a third party vendor has experienced a significant fiber cut due to ongoing restoration efforts in the Western North Carolina area," a Verizon spokesperson said.

Sen. Kevin Corbin shared this message from Verizon on Tuesday morning.

“As a result of a massive fiber cut that affected our backhaul network, Verizon lost connection with many tower sites in Western North Carolina. We are working to determine whether this was from debris removal or power restoration efforts. Efforts are underway to connect these towers back ASAP,” Corbin shared on Facebook.

Eastern Band of Cherokee Principal Chief Michell Hicks also posted that the outage was impacting the Qualla Boundary.

The issues were affecting customers west of Buncombe County, according to Macon County EMS. 9-1-1 remained operational throughout the outage. Service was completely restored around 1:00 p.m. in the county according to EMS.

Note: This post was updated Oct 16 to reflect the latest news.

Water returns to downtown Asheville

Posted October 15, 2024 at 1:11 PM EDT

Water is slowly but surely moving through the city’s system and it reached downtown Asheville on Monday afternoon.

Water has also reached Swannanoa, parts of East Asheville and some neighborhoods north of downtown. The water will move from east to west, likely reaching places like West Asheville and Candler last.

With the help of private contractors and the US Army Corps of Engineers, the city has been working as fast as possible to repair its water distribution system, Assistant City Manager Ben Woody said at Tuesday's community briefing.

Much of the city has been without running water for more than weeks.

Crews were able to connect a 36-inch bypass line at the North Fork Reservoir at 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, allowing water from the reservoir to move through the system once more.

The water is bypassing the filtration facility, so customers should expect it to be cloudy and to contain sediment. All households in the area remain under the directive to boil water vigorously for at least one minute before ingesting.

Because the water from North Fork will mix with water from the functioning Mills River facility, all customers should boil water before consumption.

People with access to bottled water are encouraged to use it in lieu of tap water for drinking and brushing teeth.

Find answers to additional water questions in this FAQ.

Disaster SNAP available soon for Helene survivors

Posted October 15, 2024 at 1:09 PM EDT

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made disaster SNAP benefits available for residents of western North Carolina (as well as affected communities in Georgia and Tennessee) who were affected by Hurricane Helene.

D-SNAP can cover disaster survivors' grocery bills and temporarily extends SNAP eligibility to people who may ordinarily not meet SNAP criteria.

Disaster survivors' eligibility will be determined through a variety of criteria, including residence in a disaster-impacted county, loss of income due to disaster, and disaster-related expenses. Current SNAP households are not eligible for D-SNAP.

North Carolina residents can apply for D-SNAP between Oct. 18 – Oct. 24, 2024, and households can begin pre-registering online today, Oct. 15.

Eligible counties include Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey.

Applications for D-SNAP can be conducted by phone, or in person at select locations. For more information on how to apply, visit North Carolina’s Division of Health and Human Services.

Gov. Cooper and FEMA officials condemn misinformation and vow to continue offering assistance in Western North Carolina

Posted October 15, 2024 at 12:41 PM EDT

Gov. Roy Cooper and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell condemned the misinformation spread online about the government’s response to Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina during a press conference Tuesday morning.

“I’ve directed the department of public safety to coordinate law enforcement assistance for FEMA to help ensure their safety and security so people can get the help they desperately need,” Cooper said.

A sign outside AC Reynolds High School in Asheville, the site of a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center.
Laura Lee/BPR
A sign outside AC Reynolds High School in Asheville, the site of a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center.

The governor gave an update on fatalities, ongoing search and rescue missions and utility repairs.

According to the governor, a task force is searching for 92 unaccounted for people. The state count on fatalities is at 95 people.

The governor noted that 77,000 people have been approved for individual assistance from FEMA. Almost $100 million has been paid out and almost 5,000 people are being temporarily housed by FEMA.

Administrator Criswell spoke about the misinformation being spread and the threats that caused her to pull door-to-door operations temporarily over the weekend.

A Rutherford County man was arrested in connection to a threat against FEMA.

“We are not going anywhere… misinformation will not deter us from our mission of helping people. Period,” Criswell said.

FEMA pulled agents from the field over the weekend who were helping people sign up for individual assistance, but the move did not affect search and rescue teams or agents at FEMA facilities in the region.

Those agents are now back in the field, she said.

FEMA authorities encouraged survivors to apply for benefits and pledged to continue assistance.

Road closures are down to 580, from 1,200. State officials said 90% of cell coverage has been restored across the impacted region.

Asheville schools will reopen at end of the month 

Posted October 15, 2024 at 12:27 PM EDT

Asheville City Schools plans to reopen all schools on Monday, Oct. 28.

This news was announced at an Asheville City Schools board meeting on Monday night by city school Superintendent Maggie Fehrman.

Fehrman made this announcement on behalf of Buncombe County Schools as well, but county officials said no decision on a county start date has been made.

School leaders, including county superintendent Rob Jackson and directors of area charter schools, are working together to coordinate the reopening, Fehrman said.

Fehrman said the first day will be abbreviated, with elementary schools open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and middle and high schools from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This post has been updated to reflect that Buncombe County does not yet have a start date.

Emergency funds available for WNC nonprofits doing disaster relief

Posted October 15, 2024 at 9:09 AM EDT

The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, Dogwood Health Trust, and WNC Bridge Foundation are leading a coordinated relief effort across 18 counties, including the Qualla Boundary.

The Community Foundation has activated its Emergency and Disaster Response Fund, ensuring that frontline nonprofits have the resources for early response and ongoing recovery. Support for Western North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene has been swift.

“We have rolling grant applications. We want nonprofits to access these funds,” said CFWNC President, Elizabeth Brazas. “Right now, we are focusing on providing emergency relief to those affected by the hurricane and supporting organizations that are doing critical work across the region."

Brazas explained that the grants are aimed at frontline human services, with up to $25,000 available for immediate needs.

“The grant guidelines are simple, and the application is streamlined. Larger amounts will be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on need and available funds.”

She encouraged all nonprofits to apply, including those that have adapted to meet urgent needs, citing the Diana Wortham Theatre as an example.

“They’re not a frontline human services organization, but they’ve pivoted to provide relief by housing firefighters for staging. They didn’t have 24/7 staffing in their operations, but they were awarded a grant to help with those expenses because of the work they’re doing in relation to the hurricane.”

Brazas also reassured that funds will continue to be available.

“We’re not planning on running out of money. Funders have been so generous, and we’re here when you can get to us. As connectivity improves across the region, we hope more nonprofits will reach out.”

For more information or to apply for assistance, visit cfwnc.org or contact Senior Program Officer Tara Scholtz at 828-367-9913.

Food distribution volunteers in Hot Springs, NC
Photo by Gerard Albert III
Food distribution volunteers in Hot Springs, NC

Transylvania County update: No deaths reported; FEMA center to open soon

Posted October 15, 2024 at 9:06 AM EDT

In Transylvania County, crews rescued 81 people, including 60 in a single neighborhood, after Hurricane Helene. Despite widespread devastation and three dams failing in the county, no one was killed, based on the latest information from local leaders.

That makes Transylvania one of the few Western North Carolina counties where no Helene-related fatalities have been recorded.

At a county commission meeting Monday night, County Manager Jaime Laughter gave an update on the county’s response to the storm.

Some stats that stood out:

  • 60 people were rescued from a neighborhood near Ducks Drive and Cherry Street
  • 15 water rescues
  • 15 people were trapped in a structural collapse, all survived
  • At peak, 80 people living in the county shelter
  • 3 dams failed in the county during flooding
  • Less than 2% of homes in the region have flood insurance

Laughter said a FEMA center will likely open in the county later this week. There are also plans for a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in the works, according to Laughter.

The Transylvania Recreation Center serves as a shelter during Hurricane Helene.
Gerard Albert III
The Transylvania Recreation Center serves as a shelter during Hurricane Helene.

Housing was an issue in the county before the storm and now many are without housing after the floods. The Housing Assistance Corporation is asking residents who need housing to apply on their website. They are also asking people who have RVs, mobile homes, or land suitable for temporary housing to register on their website.

There are no changes to the county’s early voting plan. The county has two locations for early voting: Rosman Town Hall and the site of the old K-Mart at 686 North Broad Street in Brevard.

State and federal officials pledge to continue FEMA action despite threats

Posted October 14, 2024 at 6:20 PM EDT
BPR's Laura Lee talks with FEMA External Affairs Officer Michael Cappannari

FEMA officials will continue their work of helping Hurricane Helene victims recover from the disaster despite recent threats against agency staff.

In a statement, N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper said he instructed the state Department of Public Safety to coordinate with law enforcement to ensure the safety and security of FEMA employees.

"State, federal and local response workers, including FEMA, are working around the clock to bring assistance to western North Carolina,” Governor Roy Cooper said in a statement. “We know that significant misinformation online contributes to threats against response workers on the ground, and the safety of responders must be a priority."

A Rutherford County man was arrested in connection to a threat against FEMA earlier today.

“Keeping FEMA staff safe while they are helping people in disaster impacted communities is always my top priority. I wanted to make sure we protected our staff on the ground while we worked diligently with local law enforcement to understand the full situation,” FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said in the statement.

The agency will continue to send Disaster Survivor Assistance teams door-to-door to help people register for assistance.

Some inspection appointments were previously canceled or rescheduled. A FEMA spokesperson encouraged anyone who has an appointment with a FEMA inspector to reach out and confirm the date and time.

State reports a total of 125 fatalities in North Carolina, including 3 local children

Posted October 14, 2024 at 6:14 PM EDT

In an update on Monday afternoon, officials with the North Carolina Medical Examiner's Office reported one more death has been confirmed connected to Hurricane Helene in Mecklenburg County. In that case, officials said, a 70-year-old man died after being struck by a falling tree. His death was recorded on Oct. 8.

The latest information available shows 125 people in North Carolina have died in connection to hurricane-induced floods, landslides, and other related conditions. Of those, 117 victims were killed or lived in Western North Carolina.

An unknown number of fatalities remains under investigation and state officials say reporting of the number of deaths will continue as recovery efforts unfold and authorities can conduct more death investigations.

In at least five of the victims' cases, authorities say they were killed in the hurricane's aftermath - due to a lack of access to basic necessities (including exposure to cold weather) or lack of access to routine medical treatment. In another instance, a senior from Buncombe County died after leaving the disaster zone and being fatally injured in a fall in temporary housing in Wake County.

In addition, the manner or cause of death has not been determined for more than 30 of the victims.

Locally, three of the victims have been confirmed to be children. That includes a 7-year-old boy who drowned in Buncombe County on Sept. 30 and two children, ages 7 and 9, in Yancey County. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of death for the two young victims in Yancey.

Editor's Note: Also Monday, state officials reported that one death previously attributed to Helene in Yancey County has been re-classified to be from Macon County. The issue occurred due to a clerical error (the total number of deaths reported was not changed due to the correction).

Rutherford County man arrested in connection with threat against FEMA workers in North Carolina

Posted October 14, 2024 at 6:05 PM EDT

A 44-year-old man from Bostic, N.C., was arrested Saturday after deputies say they received a report he "had an assault rifle and made the comment about possibly harming FEMA employees."

The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office charged William Jacob Parsons with "going armed to the terror of the public" and officials said he was armed with a handgun and a rifle, according to a sheriff's office news release issued Monday.

When authorities were first told of the alleged threats to FEMA employees, the sheriff's office alerted law enforcement in Lake Lure and other jurisdictions, officials stated in the news release. Parsons was arrested roughly one hour after deputies obtained a description of his car, the sheriff's office said.

"The initial report stated there was a truck load of militia that was involved. However, after further investigation, it was determined Parsons acted alone and there were no truck loads of militia going to Lake Lure," the release stated.

On Sunday, BPR News reported FEMA had temporarily made operational adjustments in response to at least one reported threat over the weekend.

According to the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, Parsons was booked at the local detention center and a magistrate set his bond at $10,000 on Saturday. He was released on bail that night, the agency said.

No injuries were reported.

As previously reported by BPR News, conspiracy theories about FEMA's response to Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina have been pervasive — including unfounded claims that the federal agency is blocking aid and seizing land in Chimney Rock or Lake Lure. Local, state, and federal leaders — both Republican and Democrat — have decried the wave of misinformation, largely powered by social media.

It is unclear what alleged threats Parsons made regarding FEMA employees. He lives about 30 miles from the Lake Lure and Chimney Rock areas of Rutherford County. The sheriff's office on Monday said Parsons was in nearby Polk County at the time the alleged crime occurred.

600 roads reopened since Helene. Major closures will continue, NCDOT says.

Posted October 14, 2024 at 4:38 PM EDT

The state Department of Transportation has crews repairing the damage that Helene wrought on infrastructure, including roads and bridges in Western North Carolina - many of which were closed or destroyed due to mudslides and flooding.

“Damage estimates from what we have been able to assess to this point are up to several billion dollars and we’re not done,” said state Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins. “The damage to our roads and bridges is like nothing we’ve ever seen after any storm, and this will be a long-term recovery operation. But we will be here until Western North Carolina can get back on its feet.”

Interstate 40 near Old Fort in downtown Asheville; I-26 in Henderson and Polk counties; U.S. 221; and U.S. 25 and 75 in Asheville are all open.

Roads and bridges are still damaged in over 6,900 places, according to NCDOT.

Current closures include multiple stretches of I-40, U.S. 64, U.S. 19, N.C. 215, N.C. 226, and N.C. 197.

This number may be fluid and continue to rise as assessments continue.

Destruction from Helene in Boone, N.C., on Sept. 30, 2024. Photo by Water Mission non-profit.
Destruction from Helene in Boone, N.C., on Sept. 30, 2024. Photo by Water Mission non-profit.

Wright Brothers Construction has been awarded a $10 million contract to help repair the westbound lanes of I-40, to be completed in early January.

The agency continues to discourage unnecessary travel in Western North Carolina and large commercial trucks are restricted in many areas.

Duke Energy enters longer-term rebuild phase for power restoration

Posted October 14, 2024 at 12:02 PM EDT

Over 14,000 Duke Energy customers in Western North Carolina remain without power after Helene. The majority of these remaining outages include:

  • Buncombe - 9,338
  • Henderson - 1,509
  • McDowell - 874
  • Mitchell - 1,511
  • Polk - 98
  • Rutherford - 708
  • Transylvania - 39
  • Yancey - 122

Duke has sorted the restoration work ahead into yellow and red "zones," officials have shared. Yellow indicates complex repair zones while red indicates disaster rebuilding will be needed.

In the case of red zone areas, some of the outages being reported include service that ran to homes that are now completely destroyed or where the electric grid was so damaged, that a wholesale rebuild is required.

“We've got a helicopter bringing in poles today to spots where our heavy equipment can't get to with linemen receiving the poles on the ground, most of those customers will be restored by the end of the week for these most ongoing situations,” said Duke Energy spokesman Bill Norton.

Image reflects areas where significant damage originally occurred. Get the latest outage information at duke-energy.com/OutageMap.
Duke Energy
Image reflects areas where significant damage originally occurred. Get the latest outage information at duke-energy.com/OutageMap.

Over the last week, the utility restored Spruce Pine, Cane Creek, and Little Switzerland, among other communities, bringing in poles by helicopter. Norton predicts that most of the remaining outages should be complete by today or early tomorrow.

In order to weather storms like Helene, communities employ different strategies, many of which are being considered in the rebuild. Some rely on microgrids, or small, often solar-powered energy systems disconnected from the larger grid. In coastal areas, power lines are sometimes buried underground to protect them from high winds. Duke installed a solar-powered microgrid in Hot Springs last year, and Norton said the company hopes to replicate that in the future.

However, he said, underground power lines are not viable here due to the astronomical cost associated with removing tree roots and navigating rocky slopes.

Today, Duke is also beginning a new phase of longer-term presence in the region as the rebuild continues, opening a facility in downtown Asheville to serve as an ongoing base of operations.

“This operation center will also allow us to collaborate with national, state and local government partners from one central location, just to be sure we stay coordinated with them as the infrastructure work goes forward,” Norton said.

Norton also said last week that Hurricane Milton in Florida did not affect the utility company’s pace in Western North Carolina.

FEMA opening recovery center in Henderson

Posted October 14, 2024 at 11:14 AM EDT

Henderson County has secured a location for a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC).

The DRC will be located at 2111 Asheville Highway in Hendersonville and will be open starting Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and then daily beginning Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The DRC will provide federal, state and local resources for Henderson County residents as they apply for FEMA assistance from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

FEMA officials make adjustments after reports of safety concerns

Posted October 13, 2024 at 7:30 PM EDT

This post was updated with additional information from a FEMA spokesperson.

Some FEMA disaster assistance operations changed plans over the weekend after threats to FEMA staff safety.

"For the safety of our dedicated staff and the disaster survivors we are helping, FEMA has made some operational adjustments," a FEMA spokesman said in a statement to BPR. "Disaster Recovery Centers will continue to be open as scheduled, survivors continue to register for assistance, and we continue to help the people of North Carolina with their recovery."

On Sunday morning, Ashe County Sheriff B. Phil Howell posted on Facebook about the challenges FEMA faced.

"Recently in the mountain region, there have been threats made against them," he wrote. "This has not happened in Ashe County or the surrounding counties. Out of an abundance of caution, they have paused their process as they are assessing the threats."

Howell asked residents to "help folks and please don't stir the pot."

FEMA has 1,250 staff on the ground in North Carolina communities.

An FEMA team in Barnardsville left a site earlier than scheduled on Saturday in the midst of helping people complete FEMA applications, according to volunteer Chloe Feinbaum.

"My neighbor was literally about to click the last button to finish her application," she said. "The person who was helping her asked, 'Can we please just wait 5 more minutes? I want to finish helping this woman.'"

A Buncombe County Sheriff's Office spokesperson said the office had not received any reports of threats to FEMA officials.

Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) Teams will be out in the field on Monday throughout the affected counties, a FEMA spokesperson said. Disaster Recovery Centers remain open in Western North Carolina, including a center at AC Reynolds High School in Asheville.

FEMA has approved more than $86 million in housing and other assistance to more than 66,000 households in North Carolina.

Find information on how to apply for FEMA benefits here.

NC officials report 124 confirmed deaths from Hurricane Helene

Posted October 13, 2024 at 7:07 PM EDT

The latest information available shows 124 people died in North Carolina during the floods, landslides, and aftermath of the disaster.

Officials confirmed on Sunday that a 90-year-old woman left Buncombe County due to the storm. She fell in temporary housing in Wake County and died.

Of those deaths reported so far, 117 of the victims were in 14 counties across Western North Carolina, including 73 fatalities in Buncombe County.

CLEANUP

Jobs in disaster cleanup may become available, but they could be dangerous

Posted October 13, 2024 at 6:14 PM EDT

On Friday, the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration announced 25 North Carolina counties will receive up to $10 million in funding to support disaster cleanup jobs and job training to help the western part of the state recover from Helene.

These counties include Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey.

These funds come from the National Dislocated Worker Grant, which provides funding for temporary disaster relief jobs for both cleanup and humanitarian aid, delivering necessities like food, water, and other basic supplies to people affected by Helene. These jobs are intended to benefit people whose work situations may have been impacted by Helene.

However, disaster cleanup work has proven health hazards. In an investigation last year, the Center for Public Integrity and Futuro Media noted that much disaster cleanup is conducted by poorly compensated day laborers, many of whom report workplace exposure to mold and asbestos and long-term chronic health issues.

OSHA researched the hazards of disaster cleanup after many workers fell ill post-Katrina, and has attempted to create disaster-specific safety rules for about 16 years.

UNCA moving to online coursework for remainder of the Fall 2024 semester

Posted October 13, 2024 at 6:09 PM EDT

The University of North Carolina Asheville has announced it will move all coursework online for the rest of the Fall 2024 semester.

“We are certain that you are filled with many questions, concerns and possible challenges participating in online instruction and coursework beginning on October 28,” UNCA Chancellor Kimberly van Noort said in an email to students and faculty on Wednesday. “We continue to finalize plans to provide online instruction so that we can ensure you have the necessary support to succeed.”

In addition, students can complete their online coursework remotely. Students will be invited back to campus once the University has drinkable water.

UNCA students can head to campus to pick up essential belongings and vehicles that were relocated on Oct. 1. Students should bring their RockyCard and room key. The following pick-up dates and times are as follows:

  • Tuesday, Oct. 15 from 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

Ponder and Ridges – Road access: Campus Drive to Field Drive

  • Wednesday, Oct. 16 from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. 

The Woods and Founders – Road access: Founders Drive

  • Thursday, Oct. 17 from 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

The Village, Governors, and Mills – Road access: Campus Drive to Field Drive for The Village and Governors; Founders Drive for Mills

Asheville Housing Authority still asking residents for October rent

Posted October 12, 2024 at 7:11 PM EDT
HUD Secretary Adrianne Todman, left, speaks with Monique Pierre, CEO of the Asheville Housing Authority. Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer looks on in this background.
Laura Hackett
HUD Secretary Adrianne Todman, left, speaks with Monique Pierre, CEO of the Asheville Housing Authority. Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer looks on in this background.

Shortly after Helene devastated the region’s infrastructure, shorting out utilities and wiping out key infrastructure, Asheville’s Housing Authority plastered flyers on its residents’ doors, informing tenants that rent was still due for October.

“Rent for the month of October IS still be due and will be collected as soon as the property offices reopen,” the flier said. “Late fees will not be assessed for the month of October.”

Monique Pierre, the CEO of the housing authority, made an appearance on Friday at Klondyke Homes in Montford, along with the acting HUD Secretary Adrianne Todman. Todman and Pierre toured an empty unit as part of a private media event.

Most complexes, including the Klondyke development, lost power, water, cell service and internet access as a result of Helene. Fallen trees damaged cars and other property. And, without water, residents have relied on outside help to accomplish basic tasks such as flushing their toilets and finding hot meals.

When asked about the flyers, Pierre said that their purpose was just to “let residents know that they would not be receiving any late fees.”

“We had residents bringing us rent or attempting to bring rent when the offices were closed. We wanted to make sure that, if they came, that they understood what their options were,” she said.

Pierre also added that residents were “being notified that if they experience hardship that we immediately take their rent down to zero.”

“But we can't just carte blanche,” she continued. “We have to make sure that we serve our residents individually.”

A flyer posted by the Asheville Housing Authority.
Photo courtesy of Nick MacLeod
A flyer posted by the Asheville Housing Authority.

When asked if the housing authority had done any specific outreach about rent beyond the fliers, Pierre said that nothing had been done “at this time.”

Thousands of people, including residents and advocates, have reached out to Pierre to consider a general rent freeze, Nick MacLeod, an organizer with the North Carolina Tenants Union, told BPR.

“I've received hundreds of emails,” Pierre confirmed Friday. “It's not very helpful to be spammed. It impedes communication.”

BPR asked Todman, the acting HUD Secretary, what options the housing authority had for tenants during a natural disaster.

Todman said that in other disaster zones, housing authorities often used rent abatement and rent forgiveness. Ultimately, though, the decision to waive or pause rent lies with Pierre, she said.

BPR pressed Pierre for more details on whether or not she might waive rent for tenants, but she did not supply any.

“With regard to their rent, there’s more to come,” she told BPR.

Department of Veteran Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough said about 92% of vulnerable veterans had been contacted

Posted October 12, 2024 at 6:10 PM EDT

Asheville’s Veterans Affairs hospital is running on emergency water but has been able to see patients, Department of Veteran Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough said on Thursday.

After Hurricane Helene caused damage and devastation across Western North Carolina at the end of September, the VA hospital in Asheville began to reopen Oct. 5. McDonough said doctors, nurses and staff have braved the storm conditions to come to work everyday.

“We're now on power. Like so many in Asheville and in Western North Carolina, we have access to emergency water, but we're not on commercial water. But we've had about 140 veterans inpatient in the hospital throughout this,” McDonough said.

He says the VA hospital is “increasingly open” for walk-in care. Those who need to reschedule an appointment will be contacted or can call: 855-679-0074.

McDonough also visited the VA’s emergency shelter at the Agriculture Center in Fletcher, which was housing 52 veterans on Oct. 10. McDonough said they were moved into a new setting on Thursday and that they’ve been receiving care from the American Red Cross and VA staff.

McDonough said many veterans are still in remote areas of the region. He said that the VA has been able to get in touch with about 92% of “vulnerable veterans” in the region, and delivering oxygen and other medications is a priority.

“I heard about a 96-year-old veteran in Barnardsville to whom we delivered emergency oxygen prescription updates because he's up there with his 96-year-old wife,” McDonough said.

“We're using side-by-sides. We have teams that are out constantly. I just heard a story today about a team that hiked up a month a mile yesterday to deliver oxygen and water to a veteran...We won't stop until we've reached 100% of our vulnerable veterans.”

McDonough did not share any veteran fatalities at this time.

“I am here hearing very tragic stories, but those are not my stories to tell,” McDonough said.

Here are the VA’s resources for veterans impacted by Helene: https://www.va.gov/asheville-health-care/programs/updates-and-resources/

The Veterans Disaster Response Line for 24/7 help is 1-800-507-4571.

No additional fatalities confirmed Saturday,123 fatalities in NC

Posted October 12, 2024 at 6:04 PM EDT

There were no additional fatalities confirmed by North Carolina authorities on Saturday, Oct. 12, and search and rescue efforts and recovery continue across the region.

The latest information available shows 123 people died in North Carolina during the floods, landslides, and aftermath of the disaster. Of those deaths reported so far, 116 of the victims were in 14 counties across Western North Carolina, including 72 fatalities in Buncombe County.

The majority of these deaths with a known cause were the result of drownings. Twenty people drowned during the storm, while four people drowned in a motor vehicle.

Buncombe County Schools Superintendent Rob Jackson confirmed that four students are part of the death toll in the county on Friday. Their names have not been shared.

Buncombe schools share update on fatalities, reopening plans and unaccounted students

Posted October 12, 2024 at 5:54 PM EDT
Superintendent Rob Jackson addressed the Buncombe County School Board on Friday, Oct. 11.
Laura Hackett
Superintendent Rob Jackson addressed the Buncombe County School Board on Friday, Oct. 11.

At an emergency meeting on Friday, the Buncombe County School Board heard a somber update on the status of its students and facilities.

Superintendent Rob Jackson confirmed that four students have died, although their names were not shared.

"I'm extremely broken hearted to share that since the storm's arrival we have lost four of our students," he said. "The loss of anyone diminishes us. Our school system is diminished by this loss."

Jackson added that the school system has seen "significant numbers of our staff members who have lost family and friends."

The fatality count in Buncombe County is at 72 as of Friday.

There are 21 students still unaccounted for, out of more than 22,000 students in the county school system. The county has made contact with 100% of its staff.

Meanwhile, the system still has no timeline for reopening its 45 schools, primarily due to the lack of running water, which is the biggest hurdle.

Jackson said he’s “losing sleep” over how to solve the problem. In a normal situation, he said he would have never considered running a school without functional water systems, but he is “absolutely determined to reopen the schools” as soon as possible.

“In my 33 years, if we didn’t have water, we sent students home. We closed schools. We couldn’t imagine operating schools without water. Water is crucial to the operation of a building,” he said.

He explained that schools use water for pressurized sprinklers, sanitation and hygiene, and the more than 44,000 meals the system prepares for students each day.

Of the county’s 45 schools, only 13 have running water. All but one have power and all but six have internet access.

When pushed on the issue, Jackson said he would not consider reopening some schools while others remain closed, citing unfairness to the more than 4,500 students who would not be able to return to school with their peers.

He also said the county school system is not planning to follow Asheville City Schools’ idea of drilling its own wells.

Jackson said one possible solution could be combining classrooms and campuses into the functional facilities and shortening school days.

Another solution could be to import large cisterns of water into the 32 schools currently without running water and use a pump system to move the water through the facility, but the schools would need roughly 180,000 gallons of water imported per day to pull off that plan. It would also need more than 900 porta potties and 300 handwashing stations, which it does not currently possess.

There are also problems beyond water. The roads damaged by Helene have made some bus routes impassable. The system would need to redo bus routes to ensure students could safely move to and from school.

Additionally, Kim Plemmons, the Erwin District representative, raised issues around public health and sanitation. Many students are unable to bathe at home, which could result in more health issues like head lice and viruses.

Jackson also emphasized the need for mental health support for students, teachers and other faculty. He said once schools resume there will be extra counselors available.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg says North Carolina will be rebuilt with ‘more resilience’

Posted October 12, 2024 at 5:41 PM EDT
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg on Zoom with BPR.
Lilly Knoepp
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg on Zoom with BPR.

More than 120 people lost their lives when Hurricane Helene devastated 25 counties in Western North Carolina. Fallen trees, landslides and mudslides damaged thousands of roads and bridges in the storm, complicating efforts to rescue victims, move supplies and make repairs. .

In an interview with BPR, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said the Federal Highway Administration has been working closely with North Carolina to fix the 6,000 damaged sites, including 600 road closures, identified by the federal administration.

“That's not just routes like I-40 or I-26 but smaller rural communities absolutely depending on a bridge or a road that has been taken out. When you're in a rural community, in a mountain Community, if you lose a bridge it might be a long way to the next one. ” Buttigieg said.

Buttigieg said the federal government understands the need for urgent funding as well as support for the “long haul.”

“We were able to approve $100 million dollars in transportation emergency relief funding and get that on its way to North Carolina - that is just the beginning of what will be needed there. And another $32 million dollars is headed to Tennessee,” Buttigieg said.

The state legislature approved a $273 million disaster recovery package this week. Gov. Roy Cooper signed the package into law the next day.

Buttigeig said he spoke to Cooper about “building back in a way that is more resilient than the infrastructure we inherited.”

“We of course hope and pray that there will never be a storm like this hitting Western North Carolina again, but what we do know is that extreme weather is becoming more frequent and more severe and the United States will be hit with more where this came from,” Buttigeig said.

In North Carolina, preparations could involve moving roads to higher ground, slope stabilization projects and more, he said. Public transportation in rural areas must also be a high priority, Buttigeig said.

“We have always believed in this department that good transit and public transportation is not just for the biggest cities, but that every community including rural communities can benefit from transit options,” Buttigieg said. Federal Transit Administration and Rail Administration staff are currently involved in recovery efforts.

Beyond the recovery effort, the November election will change the head of the executive branch. Buttigieg said he is confident the recovery efforts will continue regardless of the results of the election.

“You know, the president's views are very clear that this work needs to happen without regard for politics. I'll tell you the conversations I've been having with local officials, governors, senators - you would never know listening in on our conversations, which ones was somebody from the same political party as mine in which were the reverse,” Buttigieg said.

Progress at North Fork Reservoir but boil water directive remains

Posted October 12, 2024 at 4:16 PM EDT

Asheville's broken water system took one step closer to repair as crews were able to connect a 36-inch bypass line at the North Fork Reservoir. The move allowed officials to begin pressurizing water into the system.

North Fork Reservoir work on October 9, 2024.
City of Asheville
North Fork Reservoir work on October 9, 2024.

The water is bypassing the filtration facility, so customers should expect it to be cloudly and to contain sediment. All households in the area remain under the directive to boil water vigorously for at least one minute before ingesting.

Because the water from North Fork will mix with water from the functioning Mills River facility, all customers should boil water before consumption.

People with access to bottled water are encouraged to use it in lieu of tap water for drinking and brushing teeth.

Find answers to additional water questions in this FAQ.

NC officials report two additional deaths in Yancey Co.; 123 fatalities in NC

Posted October 11, 2024 at 4:46 PM EDT

Two more people have been confirmed dead in Yancey County the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Haywood County, North Carolina authorities reported on Friday. 

A total of 12 people in Yancey County have died due to Helene, public data shows.

Search and rescue efforts and recovery continue across the region.

The latest information available shows 123 people died in North Carolina during the floods, landslides, and aftermath of the disaster. Of those deaths reported so far, 116 of the victims were in 14 counties across WNC, including 72 victims in Buncombe County.

City water takes unique approach to restoring service.

Posted October 11, 2024 at 3:49 PM EDT

With high levels of sediment still clouding the water at the North Fork reservoir, water resource officials are turning to unusual tactics.

"A private contractor will install curtains in the reservoir to create a section where water particles can be clumped together so they become heavy and fall to the bottom," a statement by officials said.

Addressing turbidity, or sediment in the water, is usually done through filtration methods, but the condition of the water post-Helene is too stirred up to use typical techniques.

Last night, officials starting pressurizing and filling the North Fork Bypass line, a major element of the city's water system.

In normal circumstances, that water would be forced through the treatment plant before distributing to other lines.

Given the damage from Helene, experts are opting instead to segment off part of the reservoir using what they call a curtain and deploying the coagulation mechanism to try to clean the water. Even when water is distributed, there are still many lines to be repaired before distribution will be successful to all areas.

Residents should not expect the water that makes it way to their homes to look clean, Water Resources spokesperson Clay Chandler said on Friday.

Officials advise water customers to take specific measures to use water when it does reach their homes:

  • Turn off icemakers and turn off water from toilets while not in use. Shut off the hot water heater valve to keep sediment from accumulating.
  • All water in the City of Asheville is under a boil advisory. Boil all water vigorously for at least one minute before using it for any consumption, such as cooking, brushing teeth, and drinking.
  • The water is safe for showers, officials say, but residents should avoid getting water in the mouth. Parents and guardians should consider sponge baths for babies and small children. 
  • If you remain without water, turn off the water heater to prevent fire risk.

Officials offered a special notice for Black Mountain residents: "Because Black Mountain has multiple water sources, some residents have begun receiving water. If you have water in Black Mountain do not drink it or give it to pets, even if you boil it, it is not safe to consume. Only use it to flush your toilet." 

legal

Lawyers offer free assistance with FEMA applications 

Posted October 11, 2024 at 3:23 PM EDT

Asheville-based attorneys are stepping up to help people fill out FEMA disaster assistance forms through November 27.

The law firm of Fisher Stark PA is teaming up with the Davis Law Group and Patton Allen Real Estate to help with the next wave of recovery efforts by providing no-cost, application help.

Attorneys will be available every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting October 15, at Fisher Stark law firm, located at 99 McDowell Street in Asheville.

The group is seeking volunteers to train on how to assist with the FEMA process. To volunteer, contact the firm at info@fisherstark.com or renee@fisherstark.com.

“People are in a marathon right now of recovery,” Perry Fisher told BPR. “This was an unmet need and we wanted to meet it.”

Major milestone for water restoration in Asheville — timeline still unclear

Posted October 10, 2024 at 9:43 PM EDT

Asheville leaders say they've completed an important step in water system repairs. The city has been burning midnight oil to fix its mangled water system.

Water has been out for the majority of Asheville residents for two weeks after Hurricane Helene brought catastrophic damage to the region.

At 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, work crews reconnected a 36-inch bypass line at the North Fork Reservoir — a crucial step in the repair process. This bypass connects the reservoir to the distribution system. The North Fork Reservoir is responsible for providing more than 70% of the city’s water.

Water restoration is still potentially weeks away, but fixing the central distribution mechanism is an important milestone, Assistant City Manager Ben Woody said on Thursday.

In a normal construction cycle, the bypass installation would take around two years, Woody said at a briefing earlier this week.

“We are moving at lightspeed,” he said. “But this is also being done safely.”

To complete this phase of the project, T&K Utilities, the contractors on the project, had to dam sections of a newly formed creek in 20-foot parcels to reach parts of the distribution system.

The next hurdle for restoring water is two-fold: the water in the North Fork Reservoir needs treatment and other breaks in the water line must be mended.

The flooding from Helene shook the water in the reservoir from one of the cleanest in the country into a sediment-soaked mess. Woody said the city is working on creating a treatment system that helps the millions of suspended clay particles settle.

Once the water is treated and the breaks are mended, it will take additional time to refill the thousands of miles worth of water lines in the city’s system.

Image presented by Asheville Assistant City Manager Ben Woody showing recent repairs made to help eventually bring the municipal water system back after Hurricane Helene.
City of Asheville/Water
Image presented by Asheville Assistant City Manager Ben Woody showing recent repairs made to help eventually bring the municipal water system back after Hurricane Helene.

EPA talks climate change, local collaboration

Also Thursday, local leaders explained how they are collaborating with state and federal officials in the recovery process, including water restoration.

Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer, Gov. Roy Cooper, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials, and others joined together in a news conference in Black Mountain.

They were gathered at the North Fork Reservoir Dam to highlight the city’s collaborative efforts to bring back water service. The dam was nationally recognized in 2021 for its recently upgraded spillway, a $37 million project that hardened it against major storm events and, officials said at the conference, may have blunted even worse outcomes of flooding from Hurricane Helene.

EPA officials said they were working together with the city to bring quality, safe, clean drinking water back to Asheville, though they still did not give an exact timeline for water restoration.

“Many water systems across the country are 100 plus years old, so they're not only weathered, but some of them are dilapidated,” Regan said.

The EPA has $50 billion from the Biden administration to invest in water infrastructure around the country, which Regan said the agency plans to use to harden water lines against climate change, which may continue to bring intense storms and high levels of rainfall to western North Carolina.

“It matters that you have a thoughtful group of leaders, like in Asheville, that understand climate change is real,” Regan said. “We're going to see more intense storms. So they made some early investments that have paid off.”

Nantahala National Forest will open Oct. 11

Posted October 10, 2024 at 6:37 PM EDT

Some parts of the Nantahala National Forest will open Friday, October 11.

In the Cheoah Ranger District, Nantahala Ranger District, Tusquitee Ranger District all developed recreation sites, trails and roads are open.

There are exceptions that are not open:

  • Appletree Group Campground
  • Balsam Lake Lodge
  • Wayehutta OHV Trail System
  • Wine Springs Horse Camp
  • Rainbow Springs Road, FSR 437
  • Van Hook Campground
  • Cliffside recreation area

The Pisgah National Forest is still closed. Here is the full list of closures.

Some parts of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are still closed. U.S. 441/Newfound Gap Road is open. Here is the full list of closures.

NC officials report additional death in Haywood Co.; senior who died after flooding

Posted October 10, 2024 at 4:53 PM EDT

A 72-year-old woman in Haywood County was killed in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Haywood County, North Carolina authorities reported on Thursday. State officials say she died on Sept. 29 "as a result of lack of basic necessities."

The woman, who has not been publicly identified, was included as the latest confirmed victim in a report from the N.C. Medical Examiner's Office on Thursday. A total of five people in Haywood County died due to Helene, public data show.

Search and rescue efforts and recovery continue across the region.

The latest information available shows 121 people died in North Carolina during the floods, landslides, and aftermath of the disaster. Of those deaths reported so far, 114 of the victims were in 14 counties across WNC, including 72 victims in Buncombe County.

Buncombe County courts operate on reduced schedule, District Attorney says

Posted October 10, 2024 at 10:33 AM EDT
Buncombe County District Attorney Todd Williams

Buncombe County courts are operating on a very reduced schedule, Buncombe County District Attorney Todd Williams told BPR.

"Do not fret about missing a court date if you have one coming up in this period," Williams said.

The courts remain open for "essential constitutionally mandated" matters, such as domestic violence protection orders, probable cause hearings and pleas, he said.

"We are not doing jury trials," he said. People called for jury duty can ignore those notices until services resume.

Defendants with attorneys should reach out to them to get the latest information.

Criminal defendants in custody who want to request release or reduced bond, they should do so through their attorney, he said.

"We are more than happy to review any bond, any bond motion that's made by a defense attorney or by the defendant case-by-case and determine whether or not that case is an appropriate risk and advocate yes or no," he said.

The district attorney's office may consent or request something that the judge will not grant, he said.

Williams distinguished this situation from the pandemic in that during COVID-19, defendants could not be transferred to other facilities and brought back for court proceedings.

In a statement, the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office said they transferred 162 incarcerated people to other facilities.

For the Family Justice Center assistance in a domestic violence situation, individuals can call (828) 250-6900. The Public Defender can be reached at (828) 259-2423.

Understanding how deaths are accounted for in Western North Carolina

Posted October 10, 2024 at 10:03 AM EDT

For several weeks, the state's official fatality count was lower than the number of deaths reported by BPR and other sources. That's because Buncombe officials, in early October, said there were at least 72 people in the county who were killed by conditions caused by Helene. The Sheriff’s Office now says the initial number was inaccurate but declines to comment or answer additional questions about the process.

From the earliest point of government and law enforcement leaders sharing information about Helene's death toll in Western North Carolina, there have been two main caveats in terms of determining accuracy:

  1. A prolonged search and rescue period (due to terrain and other challenges) may mean that people who died in the storm have not yet been accounted for.
  2. Authorities at the county level may share updates on the number of victims locally before state officials complete the usual process of determining the exact cause of death.

Below, you'll find regular updates from BPR on the number of fatalities reported — both by the N.C. Medical Examiner's Office and county authorities.

Car wash facilities in South Asheville are open, operating even under water conservation alert

Posted October 9, 2024 at 8:25 PM EDT

As the majority of Asheville residents continue to struggle without water, some car wash facilities in South Asheville are open and operating … counter to the requests of local officials

On Wednesday afternoon, more than a dozen cars lined up at Heroes Car Wash on Hendersonville Road to use some of the city’s limited water.

The car wash uses primarily recycled water to remove dried sewage and potentially other biohazards from customer vehicles , according to an email to BPR from the spokesperson for Heroes Car Wash, Josh Moore.

Moore noted one of the company’s team members lost their apartment and vehicle, which were swept away during the storm, adding, “We are rallying around our friends, family and neighbors to support in every way we can.”

“Approximately 85% of the water we use is our own recycled and treated water. We use oil/water separators and an ozone treatment system to treat the water. We use less than 2 gallons of "new" water per vehicle, approximately the same as flushing a toilet. This is the benefit of using a professional tunnel car wash as compared to washing a car in the driveway, which typically uses 50-100 gallons per vehicle.”

Vehicles lined up at Heroes Car Wash
Vehicles lined up at Heroes Car Wash

A Buncombe County Sheriff vehicle was also in line to get a car wash.

BPR reached out to the Buncombe County Sheriffs’ office but did not receive a response before publication.

"We lost many vehicles in the storm so there is not much to wash. I do not have a total number of vehicles lost at this time," Buncombe County spokesperson Lillian Govus said.

Heroes Car Wash has also raised and donated money to different disaster relief organizations like the US Disaster Relief fund of Samaritan's Purse.

“We live in this community and are living through it along with our neighbors. The entire situation still seems surreal and there are some incredibly difficult stories and a lot of rebuilding ahead,” he wrote.

Hurricane Helene killed 120 people in North Carolina

Posted October 9, 2024 at 7:40 PM EDT

The NC Department of Health and Human Services reported one additional fatality today.

Hurricane Helene killed 120 people in North Carolina to date.

Local emergency management, EMS, the NC Medical Examiner System, and Office of Chief Medical Examiner staff are working cooperatively with FEMA to respond to fatalities related to Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.

The state count is delayed as some local sheriff’s offices are reporting search and rescue efforts before being additionally confirmed at the state level.

For example, the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office confirmed 72 fatalities in the county as of Oct. 3. In the official state numbers at 4 p.m., Oct. 9, there were 41 fatalities confirmed in the county.

Grove Park Inn watering golf course with pond water - not city water, official says

Posted October 9, 2024 at 4:59 PM EDT

Sprinklers running at a local luxury hotel upset some observers as the city of Asheville (and beyond) are without municipal water service close to two weeks after Hurricane Helene.

Posts circulating on social media showed the sprinklers on the Omni Grove Park Inn golf course running on Tuesday.

The golf course is using non-potable water from the property's on-site ponds to water the greens, according to an email to BPR from Grove Park Director of Marketing and Communications Isabel Miller.

“The water is never sourced from the city supply, allowing us to maintain the greens as needed without impacting local water resources,” Miller said.

Like much of the area, the hotel remains without running water, Miller said.

The golf course maintenance team manages the depressurization of the water system to reduce sediment and have a smooth restoration process, she said.

Asheville school system to start digging its own wells

Posted October 9, 2024 at 3:01 PM EDT

Local schools will start digging their own well water systems in order to bring school services back online.

“We can’t wait until the [municipal water system] is fully repaired to open our schools,” Asheville City Schools Superintendent Maggie Fehrman said at Buncombe County’s daily briefing.

No timeline has been announced for when Asheville's city water service will be up and running across all communities.

Asheville city school leaders say classrooms may be able to bring children back starting by early November - but that the timeline is tentative for now.

For more details on the school system's response, read the full story here.

Machinery used to create a well water system at Hall Fletcher Elementary School.
Laura Hackett/BPR News
Machinery used to create a well water system at Hall Fletcher Elementary School.

Black Mountain water cannot be consumed. System ties into Asheville supply for repairs.

Posted October 9, 2024 at 2:43 PM EDT

Water service will connect between Black Mountain and Asheville for the purpose of starting repairs - do not drink the water, officials warn.

Starting Thursday, Oct. 10, the Black Mountain system will connect to the Asheville water supply.

This is not drinkable water, even if you boil it.

This water should not be used for anything other than flushing toilets.

This water has high sediment and will be discolored.

If you have not been receiving Code Red notifications, sign up for Code Red at www.TownOfBlackMountain.org to get immediate updates from the town.

The water line at Pisgah Brewing in Black Mountain on Saturday, September 29. Photo by John Murphy.
The water line at Pisgah Brewing in Black Mountain on Saturday, September 29. Photo by John Murphy.

Postal Services resume

Posted October 8, 2024 at 9:49 PM EDT

The United States Postal Service is resuming service to many routes in Western North Carolina, according to a statement released by the agency late Tuesday.

"Significant work" remains in order to "deliver a backlog of mail and packages and reopen routes in the areas hit hardest by Hurricane Helene," the statement said.

Locations with ZIP Codes beginning in 286, 287, and 288 saw the most impact to service from the storm.

The Postal Service operates 838 facilities across the state. As of Monday, all USPS North Carolina processing facilities were operating.

Most retail and delivery units are also running but for those that remain inaccessible, USPS relocated operations to nearby units. Forty-four retail offices are operating on a cash only basis.

Thirty-five routes remain inoperable.

Mail sent to inaccessible addresses is being held at local post offices office until it is safe to deliver.

"We remain committed to delivering mail wherever it's feasible and safe, constantly adjusting our operations for a swift restoration of services," the statement said.

Find service alert updates here.

Individuals displaced by the storm should complete a change of address form.

Postal service employees will be on site to assist residents of temporary shelters with change of address forms and alternative mailing locations.

  

The following chart outlines retail and delivery points across the three most impacted ZIP codes in North Carolina:

RETAIL AND DELIVERY OPERATIONS  BY 3 DIGIT ZIP

(AS OF 10/7/2024)

3 DIGIT ZIP CODE
286
287
288
TOTAL
Total Offices
111
102
5
218
Offices Open for Retail
105
87
3
195
Offices Closed for Retail
6
15
0
21
% Offices Closed
5%
15%
0%
10%
Total Street Deliveries
298,491
285,640
75,858
659,989
Deliveries made (projection)
295,880
247,040
68,358
611,278
Deliveries Not Made (projection)
2,611
38,600
7,500
48,711
% Deliveries not made (projection)
1%
15%
10%
7%
Number of PO Boxes
28,006
40,856
1,296
70,158
# PO Boxes Unable to Deliver
1,290
452
0
1,742
% PO Boxes Impacted
5%
1%
0%
2%

Residents without home service can send and receive mail and packages to the following 21 mobile operations units:

USPS Mobile Operations Units in

North Carolina

Open as of 10/7/2024

CITY
ZIP CODE
ALEXANDER
28701
BARNARDSVILLE
28709
BAT CAVE
28710
CEDAR MOUNTAIN
28718
CHIMNEY ROCK
28720
CRESTON
28615
EDNEYVILLE
28727
FLEETWOOD
28626
GERTON
28735
GREEN MOUNTAIN
28740
HOT SPRINGS
28743
LANSING
28643
LINVILLE
28646
MARSHALL
28753
MICAVILLE
28755
MONTREAT
28757
NEWLAND
28657
PENLAND
28765
PLUMTREE
28664
ROSMAN
28772
SWANNANOA
28778

    Buncombe County announces early voting sites

    Posted October 8, 2024 at 7:11 PM EDT

    Buncombe County Board of Elections announced modifications to the early election sites because of Hurricane Helene.

    An emergency resolution of the State Board of Elections gave the local authorities some flexibility to adapt to the post-storm conditions.

    Early voting in Buncombe County will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., from Oct. 17 through Nov. 1 at the following locations:

    • Black Mountain Library, 105 N. Dougherty St., Black Mountain
    • East Asheville Library, 3 Avon Road, Asheville
    • Enka-Candler Library, 1404 Sand Hill Road, Candler
    • Fairview Library, 1 Taylor Road, Fairview
    • Leicester Community Center, 2979 New Leicester Hwy., Leicester
    • South Buncombe Library, 260 Overlook Road, Asheville
    • UNCA Health & Counseling Center, 118 W.T Weaver Blvd., Asheville (new location)
    • Weaverville Community Center, 60 Lakeshore Drive, Weaverville
    • Dr. Wesley Grant Southside Center, 285 Livingston St., Asheville (in lieu of Board of Elections location)
    • West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Road, Asheville

    120 deaths across North Carolina: How the state is counting fatalities

    Posted October 8, 2024 at 6:16 PM EDT

    Among the 120 people killed in North Carolina during Hurricane Helene, one more person has been confirmed dead in Avery County.

    State officials issued an additional update on fatalities to remove one death from the official count in Rowan County. Authorities clarified on Oct. 9 that they are continuing to investigate the cause of death regarding one of the two people initially reported as killed in Rowan County. Until the death investigation is complete, officials said, the decedent will not be included in state fatality statistics.

    The report from the NC Department of Health and Human Services brings the number of fatalities in Avery County up to four total including a 58-year-old man who may have been involved in a house collapse.

    Local emergency management, EMS, the NC Medical Examiner System, and Office of Chief Medical Examiner staff are working cooperatively with FEMA to respond to fatalities related to Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.

    The state count is delayed as some local sheriff’s offices are reporting search and rescue efforts before being additionally confirmed at the state level.

    For example, the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office has confirmed 72 fatalities in the county as of Oct. 3. In the official state numbers at 4 p.m., Oct. 8, there were 40 fatalities confirmed in the county.

    “We are aware there are additional reports of decedents, and our team is working to verify that these are storm related deaths. Life-saving activities will always take priority, and we will continue to work to update this information as appropriately as possible,” NC DHHS spokesperson said in an email.

    The names of victims of Hurricane Helene have not been publicly shared by state or local leaders.

    Anyone seeking assistance locating a loved one who is missing or unaccounted for can call 2-1-1.

    “Every death related to a hurricane is a tragedy. If a family or individual is seeking assistance with a loved one who has died, emergency responders are available in every impacted county to provide help and ensure their loved one is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve, and that information gets reported back through the appropriate channels as needed,” NCDHHS spokesperson said in an email.

    Deaths in  Western North Carolina

    In the mountains, the youngest victim confirmed killed in the storm was a 7-year-old boy who drowned.

    In Western North Carolina counties alone, 113 people have been found dead. Sparse details in the official reports on deaths provide some information about the last moments of the victims:

    • Three people, a 60-year-old female, a 50-year-old female and a 60-year-old male were killed in Henderson County on Sept. 29 after a home was overcome with flood waters. There are seven confirmed fatalities in the county. 
    • A 37-year-old female died in Madison County on Sept. 27. Officials say she was evacuating her home due to rising flood waters and her car was swept away by floodwaters a short distance from her home. There are four confirmed fatalities in the county. 

    To report on updates as accurately as possible, BPR News checks information on fatalities from across available counties and in twice-daily updates from state officials. With the exception of Buncombe County's report on deaths, the total number of 120 deaths reflects official data from the N.C. Medical Examiner's Office.

    Macon County damage assessment shows 55 houses need to be repaired following Helene, 2 are uninhabitable

    Posted October 8, 2024 at 11:22 AM EDT

    Macon County Emergency Management announced Tuesday that it has finished the damage assessment in the county following Helene.

    The county fared better than many further east in the region but some residents are now without homes.

    The reports says that two residential structures were damaged to the extent that they are uninhabitable. Twenty-four structures will require extensive repairs, 28 structures will require at least some repair, and three other structures experienced at least some issue that requires some minor attention.

    There may be more reports of damage as time allows residents and property owners to survey their remote or second home locations.

    A supply distribution center has been established at Holly Springs Plaza at the vacant Ingles location to collect donations and distribute items to people in need both inside and outside of Macon County.

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a representative on the ground in Macon County to make site visits and answer questions. They are in the process of setting up Disaster Recovery Center locations where the public can meet face-to-face to discuss and apply for recovery options. The locations and hours of those locations will be announced as soon as they are available and their support staff arrive. There is a link on our webpage at www.maconnc.org as well as a contact number where assistance can be requested as well.

    An email has been established for residents to submit unmet needs and other requests. Send information to Heleneneeds@maconnc.org.

    Great Smoky Mountains National Park Roads open overnight, Commercial traffic is illegal in the park

    Posted October 8, 2024 at 10:21 AM EDT

    US 441/Newfound Gap Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) is open 24 hours a day.

    The park was forced to close overnight due to illegal, large commercial vehicles attempting to travel the road. GSMNP officials said that the park has turned away 173 commercial vehicles over five days.

    Officials explained that the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Government and Sevier County including the Cities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville and the Sevier County Government are assisting with resources to turning around commercial vehicles at checkpoints on both sides of US 441/Newfound Gap Road overnight.

    "While the National Park Service recognizes that major routes outside the park are currently closed, Newfound Gap Road is not safe for large, commercial vehicles. Newfound Gap Road is a two-lane road with steep, continuous grades and tight curves. There are no truck lanes, runaway truck ramps or places for a large commercial vehicle to slow down and pull over," a press release said.

    Commercial vehicles are always prohibited on US 441/Newfound Gap Road and in all of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (with the exception of the Spur).

    Commercial vehicles will be stopped, turned around at checkpoints and may be subject to a federal misdemeanor violation notice and fine.

    Most of Great Smoky Mountains National Park is open. Visitors are always encouraged to check current conditions in the park before visiting.

    Mountain Bizworks launches small business emergency fund

    Posted October 8, 2024 at 10:10 AM EDT

    Mountain Bizworks, a regional nonprofit that provides loans and training to small businesses, is launching a rapid recovery loan program to assist Western North Carolina small businesses in recovering from the devastating impacts of Helene.

    On Monday, The WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund launched with an initial $7.5 million in support from the Golden LEAF Foundation.

    “Even in this darkest hour, we believe the path forward lies in unity and our common good. Together, we can rebuild our community. We're honored to contribute our resources to this initial wave of emergency funds, a crucial step towards a more resilient future for our region,” Mountain BizWorks Board Chair, Zane Adams said in a press release.

    Impacted small businesses will be able to apply for loans up to $100,000 to help meet immediate needs and bridge to longer term relief resources from SBA disaster loans, FEMA assistance, insurance, and other sources. The loans will have a one-percent (1%) interest rate and interest-only payments for twelve months. If not repaid in the first year, the loans will automatically convert to a term loan, according to Mountain Bizworks.

    “Small businesses in Western North Carolina are essential to their communities and this help from Golden LEAF can give them a start to building back,” Governor Roy Cooper said in a press release.

    Mountain BizWorks and program partners hope to secure additional funding capacity in the coming days and weeks.

    “The Golden LEAF Foundation’s $7.5 million in bridge loans through Mountain BizWorks will provide critical relief to small businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. Small businesses are the backbone of North Carolina's economy, and this funding ensures that entrepreneurs can continue their operations during this challenging time,” North Carolina Speaker of the House, Tim Moore said in a press release.

    The nonprofit’s website also has information about how to apply for state and federal support.

    "Recovering from Hurricane Helene will be a difficult journey, but if there's anyone that can come back stronger than before it's the people of Western North Carolina. The Golden LEAF Foundation's small business loans will be a good step in helping Hurricane victims get their shops up and running," North Carolina Senate Leader, Phil Berger said in a press release.

    Here are more details on the program, as well as FAQs in English and Spanish.

    DEQ: No injuries found amid reports of WNC chemical contamination in floodwaters, mud

    Posted October 7, 2024 at 6:55 PM EDT

    After multiple viral posts on social media concerning potential chemical exposure, volunteers and residents engaged in Helene cleanup have begun to worry that a PVC pipe manufacturer in Asheville may have spilled volatile compounds into the water.

    Though it was difficult to tell where the source of this information was, many residents of Marshall, Hot Springs, and other communities became concerned about the potential for chemical burns or damage to their clothing and boots.

    The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality received these concerning reports of potential contamination stemming from Silver Line Plastics. According to DEQ public information officer Katherine Lucas, inspectors visited the location. "No injuries were confirmed related to potential exposure in the area," she said.

    Silver Line is not listed as a hazardous waste generator with the DEQ, which means they have an air permit with the local air program in Buncombe County and did not have significant quantities of hazardous chemicals, so were operating within their regulatory limits.

    However, Lucas said, this does not rule out other hazards, as flood mud in general can be quite toxic.

    Both the DEQ and Buncombe County have advised taking care and wearing personal protective equipment when coming into contact with river mud, as the storm damaged multiple sewage plants. Water infiltrated gas stations, and may contain other chemicals that were spilled such as paint and pesticides.

    North Carolina-based organization MountainTrue and another, independent group are also testing soil around the French Broad for signs of industrial contamination.

    Grayson Jones cleans up on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Vilas, N.C. in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
    Chris Carlson/AP
    /
    AP
    Grayson Jones cleans up on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Vilas, N.C. in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

    Uncertain timeline for the remainder of Duke's power restorations

    Posted October 7, 2024 at 4:26 PM EDT

    Many Duke customers are still without power. As of midday Monday, 96% of customers in Madison County were still without electricity, along with

    • 65% in Mitchell
    • 45% in Buncombe
    • 39% in Avery
    • 26% in Yancey
    • 13% in McDowell

    Duke spokesman Bill Norton said a new substation is being brought into Madison County that will restore power to 1,000 customers.

    In Buncombe County, the majority of outages are in Black Mountain and Swannanoa, the latter of which has two new substations.

    "One has already been powered up, the other one should receive power very shortly. So you'll begin to see chunks of customers, not just, you know, tens and hundreds, but thousands at a time come back on as critical transmission infrastructure is restored," Norton said.

    Originally, Duke estimated 90% of reachable customers would be restored by last Friday, which Norton asserts is true.

    "After reassessing late last week, we told customers on Friday that we expected to have about 105,000 customers remaining as of Sunday night, and we hit that target," Norton said. "But for our last, you know, 100,000 or so, many will be restored within a week.

    Norton said that Duke would try to be flexible with customers are the power comes back on.

    "You know, there's not a formal policy in place in terms of a certain amount of time," Norton said. "This is an ongoing situation. It's still developing, and we will be flexible with our customers who have bill-paying needs."

    Norton said that power restoration is collaborative, relying on government agencies to rebuild infrastructure, which is part of why the pace from here on in is difficult to predict.

    "We cannot do it ourselves, so we're going to keep commuting with communicating with our customers by email, text, phone as soon as their individual details become available, there's really not one size fits all solutions for what's left."

    All election offices are open in North Carolina; bipartisan approval for voting accommodations

    Posted October 7, 2024 at 2:16 PM EDT

    The North Carolina Board of Elections Board approved additional support and solutions to ensure voting accessibility in 13 counties in Western North Carolina deeply impacted by Helene.

    The unanimous adoption of an elections board resolution allows for certain adaptions or changes, directed at the local level, only by bipartisan decision-making in the following counties: Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, and Yancey.

    Multipartisan Assistance Teams will be available to assist with absentee ballot requests and absentee voting at disaster shelters and other places such as assisted living facilities.

    Stacy “Four” Eggers IV, a Republican from Boone was appointed in 2023, spoke about the need for these changes.

    “I think ultimately is a necessary step and that this is an unprecedented amount of damage and destruction that's been caused by this storm. Not only has it resulted in loss of life and personal property but it has severely damaged the road systems water systems and communications systems up here in the High Country,” Eggers said.

    These counties will be able to change early voting locations by adding sites, or removing sites that are unusable as well as updating days and hours those locations are open. This could include moving sites to neighboring counties for those places that have been devastated by the storm.

    To read the full story from BPR News, go here.

    Photo by Gerard Albert III

    Congressman provides update on FEMA response and more

    Posted October 7, 2024 at 1:44 PM EDT

    On Monday, Republican U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards - whose congressional district encompasses most of Western North Carolina - provided an update on disaster response, resources for residents, and more.

    In the newsletter to constituents, Edwards wrote:

    "More than 4,000 first responders, national guardsmen, and active-duty military are in Western North Carolina looking for your friends, your family, or if you’re still stranded waiting for help - they’re looking for you. And they won’t stop until every missing person is accounted for."

    Many have criticized FEMA's response to the historic floods and widespread devastation that Hurricane Helene unleashed on the mountains. Across social media, that scrutiny has turned to conspiracy, with some sharing debunked or fake reports about government actions or presence.

    In his email newsletter, Edwards writes:

    "FEMA has shipped 13 million meals and 13 million liters of water utilizing the $20 billion in funds that I helped to draft and pass for disaster relief just two days before Hurricane Helene hit. Of the shipped food and water, more than 6 million liters of water and 4 million individual meals have already been delivered to Western NC communities."

    The congressman also pointed out the importance of coordinating disaster response, especially in air operations, saying:

    "The state of North Carolina is NOT turning away civil aviation support so long as it has been coordinated through the proper channels with NC Emergency Management. If you or someone you know is interested in providing civil aviation support and don’t know where to coordinate your efforts, please call my office and we will help you get in touch with the right folks."

    The entirety of the correspondence from Edwards - which includes a long list of resources for support and supplies - can be found here on the congressman's website.

    119 deaths across North Carolina. So far, 2 caused by 'lack of basic necessities,' officials report.

    Posted October 7, 2024 at 11:04 AM EDT

    Among the 119 people killed in North Carolina during Hurricane Helene are at least two people who were found dead after recovery from the floods commenced in Buncombe County. Officials attribute their deaths to a "lack of basic necessities."

    In an update from the N.C. Medical Examiner's Office, officials say two women - an 84-year-old and a 72-year-old - were found on Sept. 29. They died, officials wrote, "as a result of lack of basic necessities."

    The names of victims of Hurricane Helene have not been publicly shared by state or local leaders.

    In the mountains, the youngest victim confirmed to have been killed in the storm was a 7-year-old boy who drowned. Further east, in Catawba County, a 4-year-old girl died in a car accident on a flooded road, which first responders had closed due to safety concerns.

    Deaths in Asheville, Buncombe

    The latest report from Buncombe County Sheriff's Office indicates 72 deaths have been confirmed locally. In addition, state leaders report 47 other fatalities across 19 counties.

    In Western North Carolina counties alone, 111 people have been found dead. Sparse details in the official reports on deaths provide some information about the last moments of the victims:

    • One woman in Madison County was killed on Sept. 27 as she tried to evacuate her home during flooding. Her car was swept away in floodwaters a short distance from her house, officials say.
    • Two people killed in Rutherford County died due to a tree falling on them. Six other similar deaths were reported in other counties.
    • Days after widespread flooding and landslides, the body of a woman in McDowell County was recovered from a collapsed home. Officials note at least 11 deaths were caused by landslides.
    • At least 27 of those who lost their lives are believed to have drowned or have been found in waterways or along the side of rivers. More, however, died from causes that haven't been specified or concluded.

    How many people have died?

    While the grim statistic of the number of people killed has been rising, search and rescue and recovery efforts are ongoing across the region. In some cases, local emergency responder reports on fatalities are higher or different than the state's report.

    "We are aware there are additional reports of decedents, and our team is working to verify that these are storm-related deaths. Life-saving activities will always take priority, and we will continue to work to update this information as appropriately as possible," state officials have said.

    To report on updates as accurately as possible, BPR News has checked information on fatalities from across available counties and in twice-daily updates from state officials. With the exception of Buncombe County's report on deaths, the total number of 119 deaths reflects official data from the N.C. Medical Examiner's Office.

    Rescue teams continue to find survivors; bipartisan leaders detail on-the-ground response

    Posted October 7, 2024 at 8:10 AM EDT

    Highlighting the ongoing search and rescue effort in Helene's aftermath, Western North Carolina's Republican congressman shared an update Monday, saying:

    "Here’s to hope: 6,586 people have been rescued, evacuated or assisted by search and rescue teams since Hurricane Helene hit, including 39 survivors being rescued on Saturday, October 5, over eight full days into rescue efforts."

    U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards noted that FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) has been on the ground and has pledged to deliver 120 truckloads a day of food and water into WNC - with no current end-date in mind.

    "FEMA has shipped 13 million meals and 13 million liters of water utilizing the $20 billion in funds that I helped to draft and pass for disaster relief just two days before Hurricane Helene hit," Edwards wrote.

    "Of the shipped food and water, more than 6 million liters of water and 4 million individual meals have already been delivered to Western NC communities."

    Cleanup efforts in Marshall, NC.
    Photo by Gerard Albert III
    Cleanup efforts in Marshall, NC.

    Government response; search and rescue

    Air search and rescue teams continue to rescue people across Western North Carolina, Gov. Cooper said in a statement late Sunday.

    The crews flew 48 additional missions on Saturday, locating 39 survivors stranded by the catastrophic flooding from Hurricane Helene.

    “Continuing search and rescue missions in rough terrain, better communications and more resources on the ground are helping as we race to find missing people, reunite families and coordinate the delivery of supplies," Cooper said in a statement.

    About 1,700 North Carolina National Guard and 1,000 active-duty military personnel are assisting the 50 search and rescue teams in the region.

    Buncombe waste pick-up resumes

    Posted October 7, 2024 at 7:56 AM EDT

    Waste Pro collection service, the provider for Buncombe County, is resuming pick up for regular Monday route customers that are accessible.

    Residents can also drop off household bagged trash on Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Leicester Elementary at 31 Gilbert Road, Leicester.

    There is no recycling collection at this time. Residents may use their Waste Pro recycling cart for additional trash space if needed.

    Storm debris is not included in any collection at this time.

    Black Mountain authorities move from search and rescue to recovery

    Posted October 6, 2024 at 6:00 PM EDT

    Black Mountain authorities have moved their work from search and rescue to recovery.

    Some people in Black Mountain continue to shelter in place, with authorities providing supplies and resources as needed.

    About 90 percent of roads are open for accessibility for emergency vehicles, Black Mountain Fire Chief John Coffey said.

    In Swannanoa, the landscape has changed, Swannanoa Fire Department Chief Anthony Penland said.

    He said crews are actively searching for the missing in the Bee Tree area.

    "Our citizens are hurting," he said.

    He described the warning residents received to evacuate in advance of the storm, including campers at the KOA campground.

    Road closure in Biltmore Village

    Posted October 6, 2024 at 2:21 PM EDT

    The City of Asheville announced a road closure effect through October 13, 2024.

    Hendersonville Road/Biltmore Avenue will be closed from All Souls Crescent to Meadow Road between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.

    All lanes will be closed to all vehicular traffic except for emergency vehicles.

    Traffic will be rerouted to the McDowell Street bridge.

    According to the city, the detour is required to maintain safety while cleanup activities take place in the Biltmore Village area.

    Asheville now offering nonpotable water

    Posted October 6, 2024 at 2:11 PM EDT

    Asheville's food and water distribution locations now have nonpotable water, or grey water, which can be used for flushing toilets. 

    The water is in addition to drinking and cooking water. People should bring their own containers for grey water.

    The City of Asheville food and water distribution site locations are:

    • Pack Square Park, 70 Court Plaza 
    • Asheville Middle School, 211 S. French Broad Ave
    • Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd
    • Lucy Herring Elementary, 98 Sulphur Springs Rd
    • Oakley Elementary School, 753 Fairview Rd

    Resources are available until 7p.m. or until supplies run out.

    Buncombe County briefings move to 4 p.m. only; Sunday held in Black Mountain

    Posted October 6, 2024 at 1:37 PM EDT

    The Buncombe County briefings will no longer be twice a day.

    Since the storm, county officials provided information at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. every day.

    The government and community operations partners hold daily updates to let the community know about a range of topics from environmental health to water restoration to educational institutional updates.

    The Sunday afternoon briefing will be held at 4 p.m. in Black Mountain.

    Volunteers give out food in Burnsville and Spruce Pine

    Posted October 5, 2024 at 7:43 PM EDT

    Volunteers from near and far were all over the roads of Yancey and Mitchell Counties Saturday.

    In the town of Spruce Pine, the roads have become crowded with volunteers on all sorts of vehicles. On ATVs, motorcycles, and tactical trucks, people are lining up to drop off pallets of water and other goods, or loading them into trunks to speed off. They’re on the relatively clear roads downtown by the closed-off Blue Ridge Parkway, and they’re down by the still-muddy Ingles parking lot and the even more remote mountain roads, many of which have been cleared by ordinary people with chainsaws and hatchets.

    At the Skyline Village Inn, Lisette Buckner of Lizzy’s Glizzies, a Charlotte-based mobile hot dog operation, had 800 hot dogs to hand out before the end of the day. She described the harrowing journey taken by her little hot dog cart, which had never traveled more than forty-five minutes before.

    “There was, you know, poles down. There was roads gone. There was a lot of obstacles to get here, but we did it,” Buckner said, patting her hot dog cart. “It's the farthest that she has ever traveled, the craziest terrain, but she did it. She's a trooper.”

    In the Walmart parking lot, the Cajun Navy was also giving away food and water. The volunteer search-and-rescue group is named for volunteers who helped navigate relief and rescues in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. And there were supplies available by the Spruce Pine Taco Bell, and the Mitchell County Shepherd’s Staff.

    In Burnsville, behind the McDonald’s off Highway 19, farmer Henry Payne set up his produce as an impromptu farmer’s market. Payne runs a half-acre no-till farm called Five Pine Farm, which survived the flood, unlike many other farms in the area.

    “I've been donating to the neighbors around me up in Green Mountain,” Payne said. “And I have so much produce, thousands of pounds to harvest. So it's, I'm still trying to figure that out. It's a good problem to have.”

    Payne plans to set up in the same spot every day for as long as he can.

    “I didn't become a farmer to make money,” Payne said. “I became a farmer because it brought a sense of community.”

    Boil advisory

    Canton to remain under a boil water advisory

    Posted October 5, 2024 at 4:21 PM EDT

    On Saturday, the town of Canton announced they will remain on a boil water advisory until tomorrow morning due to a 6” inch water line break.

    This does not affect Clyde as they have switched water sources.

    Black Mountain

    Town of Black Mountain Resources

    Posted October 5, 2024 at 4:20 PM EDT

    The Town of Black Mountain is providing, food, water, and public restrooms. The locations are open daily and is as follows:

    Food and Water

    • Ingles 550 NC-9 Black Mountain, NC 9am - 7pm
    • Ashley’s Kitchen and Bath 2950 US-70 Black Mountain, NC 9am -6pm

    Health Services

    • Ingles 550 NC-9 Black Mountain, NC 9am -7pm (Basic medical care and ability to fill prescriptions at Ingles Pharmacy)
    • First Baptist Church 130 Montreat Rd Black Mountain, NC 9am - 6pm (Basic medical care and mental health support.)

    Court closures in Western North Carolina this week

    Posted October 5, 2024 at 4:14 PM EDT

    Several courts in the region are closed.

    In McDowell County, all Sessions of court this coming week are cancelled. The Courthouse and the Clerks office will open at 10:00 A.M. and close at 2:00 P.M.

    District court sessions in Madison County are cancelled for the week. Emergency hearings should contact Evan Redmond at 828-434-0721.

    In Madison County, there's a note on the courthouse door, according to the NC Courts website.

    All Superior Court sessions in Madison County are also cancelled this coming week.

    The Yancey County Courthouse will be closed until further notice including all court sessions.

    All Superior Court Sessions for Judicial District 35, which includes Madison county are canceled the week of October 7, 2024.

    All courts are closed this week in Avery county.

    NC Department of Transportation provides update on Bat Cave

    Posted October 5, 2024 at 3:13 PM EDT

    Rebuilding roadways remains a difficult challenge for local, state and federal officials throughout the region.

    Today, the NC Department of Transportation offered a glimpse of road repairs efforts in the community of Bat Cave near Chimney Rock.

    Road reconstruction is expected to take weeks to restore throughout the region.

    Harris Visits NC

    Harris is heading to North Carolina to survey Helene's aftermath

    Posted October 5, 2024 at 2:46 PM EDT
    Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris boards Air Force Two at LaGuardia Airport in East Elmhurst, N.Y., Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024
    Jacquelyn Martin
    /
    AP
    Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris boards Air Force Two at LaGuardia Airport in East Elmhurst, N.Y., Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024

    Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris is heading to North Carolina on Saturday as the state recovers from Hurricane Helene, arriving there one day after a visit by Republican Donald Trump, who is spreading false claims about the federal response to the disaster.

    Earlier in the week, Harris was in Georgia, where she helped distribute meals, toured the damage and consoled families hard-hit by the storm. President Joe Biden, too, visited the disaster zone. During stops over two days in the Carolinas, Florida and Georgia, Biden surveyed the damage and met with farmers whose crops have been destroyed.

    The two have been vocal and visible about the government's willingness to help, and the administration's efforts so far include covering costs for all of the rescue and recovery efforts across the Southeast for several months as states struggle under the weight of the mass damage.

    In a letter late Friday to congressional leaders, Biden wrote that while the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Disaster Relief Fund "has the resources it requires right now to meet immediate needs, the fund does face a shortfall at the end of the year." He also called on lawmakers to act quickly to restore funding to the Small Business Administration's disaster loan program.

    More than 200 people have died. It's the worst storm to hit the U.S. mainland since Katrina in 2005, and scientists have warned such storms will only worsen in the face of climate change.

    Rumors hurt recovery

    Misinformation and hoaxes about Helene cloud the recovery

    Posted October 5, 2024 at 2:43 PM EDT

    The facts emerging from Hurricane Helene's destruction are heartrending: Businesses and homes destroyed, whole communities nearly wiped out, hundreds of lives lost, hundreds of people missing.

    Yet this devastation and despair is not enough for the extremist groups, disinformation agents, hucksters and politicians who are exploiting the disaster to spread false claims and conspiracy theories about it and the government's response.

    According to former President Donald Trump, the federal government is intentionally withholding aid to Republican disaster victims. Far-right extremist groups warn on social media that officials plan to bulldoze affected communities and seize the land from residents. A tale straight from science fiction asserts that Washington used weather control technology to steer Helene toward Republican voters in order to tilt the presidential election toward Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.

    The claims, according to experts and local officials dealing with disaster response, say less about the reality of the widespread damage from Helene than they do about America's fractured politics and the fear and distrust shadowing an election year marked by assassination attempts and escalating global tension.

    Read the full story from the Associated Press here

    Buncombe County updates

    Oct. 5 morning updates: FEMA, burn, tracking damages

    Posted October 5, 2024 at 10:56 AM EDT

    Buncombe County officials provided updates on a few items on Saturday morning. They include:

    Burn notice

    Open burning of leaves, brush, and yard trimmings is permitted on burning days between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Check abairquality.org or call 828-250-6767 to find out if it is a burn day.

    Burning is not allowed in the City of Asheville, and the Towns of Biltmore Forest, Black Mountain, Montreat, Weaverville or Woodfin.

    Buncombe tracking damages

    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 services only.

    FEMA

    FEMA teams will be at WNC Ag Center, AB Tech , and Black Mountain at 310 East State St. to help survivors to register for disaster assistance. There are more than 3,000 federal responders in NC

    Law enforcement from across the state and nation provide support for Asheville operations

    Posted October 4, 2024 at 11:56 PM EDT

    Fleets of law enforcement officers from 45 state and federal agencies have descended on Asheville to help out with various safety and recovery efforts.

    "We asked them what they needed, and obviously they needed manpower," Kernersville Police Chief Jason Tilley told BPR.

    In addition to ongoing search and rescue efforts, officers also guard food and water distribution sites and critical infrastructure, according to a press release from the City of Asheville.

    Tilley said his officers have done a variety of tasks including providing roadblocks for washout roadways and keeping residents out of unsafe areas.

    According to the city, officers also work to protect medical facilities and pharmacies from theft.

    Officers are housed in a variety of locations including tents, hotels and recreational centers.

    "Each time that we see other cities or counties that need us, we try to help in any way we can," Tilley said.

    US 441/Newfound Gap Road closed throughout Friday night

    Posted October 4, 2024 at 11:45 PM EDT

    The National Park Service has temporarily closed US 441/Newfound Gap Road on from 10 p.m. Friday to 7:30 a.m. Saturday.

    The Park Service said the measure was in response to an influx of illegal, large commercial vehicles through the park.

    Great Smoky Mountains National Park signage
    Park Service Facebook
    Great Smoky Mountains National Park signage

    Officials said there were two significant accidents overnight—one involving a car hauler that crashed into a wall and down an embankment, and one in which a semi-truck’s brakes caught on fire.

    Commercial vehicles are always prohibited on Newfound Gap Road and in all of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (with the exception of the Spur), a post from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park said.

    Newfound Gap Road, a curvy two-lane road with steep continuous grades, is not safe for large commercial vehicles.

    A new site for water in Asheville: Lucy Herring Elementary

    Posted October 4, 2024 at 7:15 PM EDT

    The City of Asheville announced a new site for water distribution today.

    Bulk water is available at Lucy Herring Elementary (98 Sulphur Springs Rd).

    While some containers are available, local officials ask people to bring their own if they have them.

    Asheville water system update: Still no timeline for restoration

    Posted October 4, 2024 at 6:31 PM EDT

    Assistant City Manager Ben Woody gave a detailed breakdown of where the majority of the damage was sustained. While there is no timeline for when everything will be fixed, the 160 public works employees are all working 12-hour shifts to get the system up and running again.

    Once repairs at North Fork are made, the water system should be capable of providing water to the entire city. But the storm knocked away more than 25 feet of infrastructure at the plant, according to Woody.

    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 canceled, 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 VA is accepting donations, call: 828-299-2514. Currently not accepting volunteers.

    City of Asheville Updates

    A small business assistance center is being set up at the city’s Chamber of Commerce and will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

    Solid Waste: Trash pickup will resume in targeted areas on Monday. Routes are based on road accessibility.

    Download the AVL Collects app if you can to receive notifications about trash pickup. There will be no recycling pick-up, it will be collected as trash at this time. The city cannot collect mud or destruction debris.

    Transit: The City of Asheville’s transit will provide limited fare-free transit starting on Monday to accessible routes. More information to come.

    Mission Updates: Throughout the week nearly 200 patients have been treated at the decompression tent facility set up by federal disaster medical assistance teams.

    The facility has been able to alleviate the emergency room capacity – which at one point was at 200%, according to HCA officials who spoke at a press conference this afternoon.

    The medical professionals at the hospital have delivered more than 50 babies and have cared for more than 1,800 patients since the storm made landfall, CEO of Mission Health.

    “We've been able to bring water tankers to bypass the water system. The facility just behind you is fully operational for all trauma care, cardiac care, stroke care and routine care of our facility. That's our number one priority,” Michael Wargo, Enterprise Vice President for Preparedness & Emergency Operations said.

    MountainTrue contacts EPA, state environmental regulators over chemical-floodwater concerns

    Posted October 4, 2024 at 6:20 PM EDT

    MountainTrue says its French Broad Riverkeeper has reached out to environmental regulators amid concerns that possible runoff of harmful chemicals - like those typically used in the production of plastics - pose a threat to flood victims, first responders, and volunteers in some WNC communities.

    Some citizens have reported that lingering flood waters and sludge possess chemical smells or have had caustic reactions with clothes, shoes, or their skin.

    BPR has been unable to confirm any chemical testing or HAZMAT response but has reached out to MountainTrue. There's been no confirmation that dangerous runoff or chemical leaks occurred from specific plants or facilities in the area. Still, all local officials involved in flood response in WNC have urged residents and workers to use caution during cleanup.

    MountainTrue officials say they've tried to contact the EPA and state environmental regulators in North Carolina.

    On Friday afternoon, MountainTrue posted on Instagram:

    "We want to address the recent reports and rumors regarding river sediment and sludge toxicity ... Our French Broad Riverkeeper is actively investigating these concerns. He has reached out to the EPA and DEQ and we will let you know as soon as we hear back from them."

    MountainTrue is a non-profit organization based in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains, that focuses on environmental threats to land, air, and water resources.

    "Your health and the integrity of our river are our top priorities," the group wrote on Instagram on Friday.

    "In the meantime, we urge people to avoid contact with river sediment and sludge. If you need to clean your home or business, please use Personal Protective Equipment (N95 mask or better, gloves, safety glasses, and rubber boots) and make sure to wash thoroughly afterward."

    Federal response

    DHHS disaster medical assistance team is in Asheville

    Posted October 4, 2024 at 1:43 PM EDT

    Federal, state, and local agencies are working in western North Carolina to increase medical support for those impacted by Helene.

    A disaster medical assistance team is in Asheville and a second team is in Spruce Pine. During a press conference Friday, the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Dawn O’Connell, gave that update. She also said the department recently launched the emergency prescription access program for those that are uninsured.

    "They are entitled to receive free 30 day supply of the prescriptions that they need," she said.

    She says people who qualify can sign up online for the prescriptions on the U-S Health and Human Services website.

    Duke Energy to restore power to 27,000 households across WNC today

    Posted October 4, 2024 at 12:22 PM EDT

    At the morning Buncombe County briefing, Duke Energy spokesperson said about 27,000 households in Buncombe County should see their power restored today and another 69,000 households will get power by Sunday.

    About 100,000 households across the area will still be without power at the start of next week.

    Several substations were completely destroyed, Norton said, including the substation serving Biltmore Village. Duke Energy brought in a 200,000-pound mobile substation from Garner to help get power back up and running.

    Norton said he anticipates rebuilding substations in a way that would be more resistant to storm damage.

    Death toll rises to 72 in Buncombe County; more than 200 missing

    Posted October 3, 2024 at 5:45 PM EDT

    With a quavering voice, Sheriff Quentin Miller shared that another 11 people have perished in Buncombe County from Hurricane Helene.

    At the afternoon briefing, Sheriff Miller said that latest fatality count has risen to 72.

    There are also still 200 people unaccounted for in Buncombe County.

    Spokesperson Lillian Govus said there will be no "finite number" on those unaccounted for until search and rescue missions end. This is the 7th consecutive day of search and rescue missions.

    The search and rescue will continue until "all resources have been exhausted." Those resources include drones, canines, trucks and high water vehicles.

    Troopers are not blocking commercial truck drivers in WNC where roads are safe

    Posted October 3, 2024 at 5:24 PM EDT

    Tractor trailers and big rigs hauling essentials such as food, water, supplies, and fuel are able to resume deliveries in some parts of Western North Carolina, officials say. Some roads are not open due to lingering standing water or damage.

    NCDOT officials on Thursday told BPR — in response to some rumor as well as some confusion over an earlier emergency alert sent to phones — that authorities have opened access for lawful deliveries to grocery stores or other locations where resources are much needed.

    Part of what sparked concern was an emergency alert sent to phones in the area saying, "Tractor trailers must stay on the interstate, otherwise you will get stuck."

    A spokesperson interviewed on BPR News as well as a spokesperson from NCDOT connected to the state's joint information center based in Raleigh confirmed: Commercial truck drivers heading into the mountains to deliver food, supplies, and more, are cleared to travel off the interstate — provided the roads they plan to use are open and deemed safe by law enforcement.

    "The damage is so severe in the region, we are telling drivers access is limited to local and hurricane response traffic. Any other traffic is hindering emergency response," an NCDOT official told BPR via email.

    "We are getting several reports of trucks getting stuck on secondary roads. We are advising that trucks not critical to the emergency response effort stay on interstates."

    NCDOT officials reiterated the need for volunteers not to "self-deploy" as the roads that are open need to be clear for first responders and authorized workers. Plus, unnecessary travel can further burden already-strained resources across the region.

    Instead, the majority of local governments along with transportation officials have stressed the need to coordinate delivery of relief resources and deployment of volunteers. In a couple of small towns across the region, too, local leaders have said increased traffic and unsolicited volunteer groups have slowed local recovery efforts.

    Water safe to drink for some residents in Hendersonville

    Posted October 3, 2024 at 2:49 PM EDT

    Some Hendersonville residents received a welcomed robocall today, informing them that their water is safe to consume.

    Not all parts of the area have safe water. Residents must call (828) 697-3052 or check their address on the county safety water map.

    7-year-old boy who drowned is the youngest victim confirmed in WNC

    Posted October 3, 2024 at 12:03 PM EDT

    The latest reporting from official government data sources indicates 100 people in North Carolina died during Hurricane Helene - with 94 of those being residents of Western North Carolina specifically.

    In some areas, search and rescue and recovery efforts continue and an unknown number of people are unaccounted for or missing.

    BPR gathered information from the North Carolina Medical Examiner's Office on Thursday as well as Buncombe County leaders on Wednesday evening.

    According to state data, the youngest known victim to have died in WNC was a 7-year-old boy who drowned in Buncombe County. Further east, a 4-year-old girl died in a car crash on a flooded road in Catawba County.

    Totals reported by local officials have been higher than those provided by state leaders over the last week. Not all of the 61 fatalities confirmed by Buncombe officials have been verified by state representatives - which is part of why the numbers are different.

    Local leaders reported 61 people died from flooding, vehicle accidents, or landslides in Buncombe County.

    Additionally, the North Carolina Medical Examiner's Office reports 41 deaths across the region and in places outside the mountains, like Mecklenburg and Gaston counties.

    A total of 12 counties in Western North Carolina have confirmed Helene-related deaths, including: Buncombe (61); Ashe (1); Avery (3); Burke (1); Haywood (4); Henderson (6); Macon (1); Madison (3); Polk (1); Rutherford (2); Watauga (2); Yancey (9).

    One water treatment plant in Asheville up and running; boil water advisory in place

    Posted October 3, 2024 at 10:52 AM EDT

    The water system in Asheville is sprawling and most water lines need to be completely rebuilt after the damage from Hurricane Helene, according to city staff who spoke with BPR this morning.

    Large sections of the pipe washed down the river in some areas and debris from the floods has made water harder to treat.

    The road to the treatment plant at Bee Tree road is “totally gone” and is actively being rebuilt. The North Fork plant which serves 75% of city is also inaccessible.

    The Mills River plant is producing 3.5 million gallons currently – more than 1 million gallons than it usually does. City staff are cautiously optimistic they can increase that to 5 million by the end of the day. With that expansion, those in south Asheville should keep the running water they have. The city may also expand service in south Asheville but said it was “not a promise…but a wish and a hope.”

    The water is still not potable and needs to be boiled.

    As of Thursday morning, city leaders had not given a specific estimate of when running water will be widely available in Asheville, other than saying in recent days that municipal water service will take "weeks" to bring back.

    New Haywood County shower facility and food distribution center opens today

    Posted October 3, 2024 at 10:46 AM EDT

    Haywood County officials have opened a new supply center, which will offer both a shower facility and food for local residents.

    The new Canton supply distribution center, located at the IP Sports Complex at 305 Silkwood Drive, will be open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 6 pm.

    Please bring your own reusable bags or boxes to carry items.

    Volunteers will be directed here to bring supplies and hand out resources.

    For updates, go here.

    Macon County food distribution: MREs available today

    Posted October 3, 2024 at 10:42 AM EDT

    Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) will be available for pickup at Macon County Department of Social Services at 1832 Lakeside Drive in Franklin and Macon County Senior Services at 108 Wayah Street in Franklin.

    Pickup time is Thursday, October 3, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at either location.

    Hikers journey up the mountain to deliver supplies, find stuck neighbors

    Posted October 3, 2024 at 8:37 AM EDT
    A team of volunteers hikes to reach community members up impassable roads.
    Megan Thurman
    A team of volunteers hikes to reach community members up impassable roads.

    Across Western North Carolina, local communities are coming together to support those who are still unreachable after Helene.

    Sylva native Lance Buskey and friends have partnered with the French Broad River Academy to distribute supplies. The team is working with local volunteers to reach those in need or those who haven’t been able to communicate.

    Volunteers hiked supplies in to folks that can't be reached by road.
    Megan Thurman
    Volunteers hiked supplies in to folks that can't be reached by road.

    Megan Thurman, who lives in Sylva, is one of those volunteers.

    “We ended up checking on about five different residences that were so blocked in that they hadn’t even seen anybody. They didn’t know that the road was cleared that much. It was just so much relief speaking with someone in person,” Thurman said.

    Thurman went to Town Mountain Road with a team including her husband Bryan. She says during the storm the area was hit by a tornado - whose path was clearly visible through the forest.

    In the trees you can see in the path of the tornado.
    Megan Thurman
    In the trees you can see in the path of the tornado.

    While going up the road in their vehicle they met a crew that had been slowly clearing trees on the five-mile road. They ended up having to hike the last 1.5 miles with backpacks full of supplies.

    “They just couldn’t believe that someone made an effort to hike in and check on them in person and how crazy things were around them ... they still had no power and water and things like that,” Thurman said.

    “Just seeing the posts that they were making about needing help of any kind and just feeling so useless here in Sylva because we really got so lucky and didn’t get hit so hard.”

    The pair recently trained for a 362-mile bicycle race across the state of Georgia. Thurman said she had no idea that the training would come in handy for volunteer missions.

    They plan to continue for the rest of the week.

    BPR spoke to Megan Thurman at her store Snake Song in downtown Sylva.
    Lilly Knoepp
    BPR spoke to Megan Thurman at her store Snake Song in downtown Sylva.

    Donations are being sent through French Broad River Academy’s non-profit arm the Salamander Fund.

    For info and to give online, visit hurricanehelenewnc.com. Click on the “Donate” button and then “Salamander Fund.” Select the “dedicate this gift” checkbox and type in “Hurricane Helene WNC” as the description for your donation.

    Mission Health, hospital Update: 'We need water.'

    Posted October 3, 2024 at 8:29 AM EDT

    Mission Health hospitals have remained open with the help of hundreds of additional workers and supplies brought in from across the country.

    Mission spokesperson Nancy Lindell says Mission Hospital - like the rest of Asheville - still does not have pressurized water. The hospital has brought in bottle water and water tank trucks.

    “We're doing the best we can with all of those items but we need pressurized water. I can't speak to the timeline on that. That would be the city of Asheville,” Lindell said.

    HCA Healthcare, the for-profit health system that owns Mission Health, has also sent additional supplies for staff, Lindell said.

    Mission Health System has set up a website to share facility updates, community resources and the status of each hospital and office in the system. Here is the website.

    The emergency rooms at all six regional hospitals are open, according to the website.

    The Mission Hospital Cancer Center and Hope Women's Cancer Center are currently closed. If you have an upcoming appointment or need care at any Mission Health clinic, please call (855) 815-3783 to check clinic status.

    Law enforcement: Death toll rises to 61 in Buncombe, and a warning about scams

    Posted October 3, 2024 at 7:54 AM EDT

    The death toll in Buncombe County is now 61, Sheriff Quentin Miller announced late Wednesday afternoon.

    That number rose by four after the county’s 10 a.m. press conference.

    Asheville Police Chief Mike Lamb said that 45 additional local agencies from around the state are here to assist his department.

    He also cautioned drivers from going into restricted areas because it endangers the driver’s life and that of first responders who are busy at work with rescues.

    The police chief also warned of scams around the county in which people knock on doors and pretend to be accepting donations for charity.

    New sites for water in Asheville; Full repairs to city's water system weeks away

    Posted October 3, 2024 at 7:51 AM EDT

    Asheville city officials said in their daily 4 p.m. press briefing that they have been getting water from private vendors and estimated they only have enough to last until Friday.

    They also announced another distribution center at the Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center. The site is in addition to the other two centers at Asheville Middle School and Pack Square.

    The Jewish Community Center at 236 Charlotte St. will allow residents to fill containers with water from the center’s pool on Thursday and Friday starting at 10 a.m. This water can be used to flush toilets.

    The city’s water infrastructure has seen “measurable progress” toward rebuilding, according to city officials, but was "catastrophically damaged" and is still weeks away from being fully repaired.

    The William Debruhl water plant in Swannanoa is not accessible. North Carolina Department of Transportation crews are working on repairs to the road to the facility, commonly referred to as Bee Tree.

    Repairs to roads to the North Fork plant- the county's largest- are underway, though electrical transmission lines are severely damaged.

    The system's Mills River plant is the most operational as much-needed pumps have arrived.

    Henderson county food, water and healthcare

    Posted October 3, 2024 at 7:37 AM EDT

    Henderson County Resource Hub locations will be open today beginning at 9:00 a.m. for water distribution and other supplies as they become available.

    The Resource Hub locations are:

    • Etowah Elementary, 320 Etowah School Road Etowah, NC 28729
    • Rugby Middle, 3345 Haywood Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28791
    • East Henderson High, 150 Eagle Pride Dr, East Flat Rock, NC 28726
    • North Henderson High, 35 Fruitland Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792
    • Mills River Town Hall, 124 Town Center Drive. Mills River, NC 28759
    • Fletcher Town Hall, 300 Old Cane Creek Rd Fletcher, NC 28732

    Free hot meals to go are served twice daily around noon and 5 p.m. at four of the resource hubs:

    • Etowah Elementary, 320 Etowah School Road Etowah, NC 28729
    • East Henderson High, 150 Eagle Pride Dr, East Flat Rock, NC 28726
    • North Henderson High, 35 Fruitland Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792
    • Mills River Town Hall, 124 Town Center Drive. Mills River, NC 28759

    Advent Health to see patients in Hendersonville

    Posted October 3, 2024 at 7:33 AM EDT

    Today, more than 50 AdventHealth physicians will be seeing patients at the Medical Office Building at 50 Hospital Drive in Hendersonville.

    This location will also have a Walk-In Clinic for Primary Care open from 9 am to 4 pm. This clinic is available for people who are already patients of AdventHealth as well as people who are not current patients but need to see a primary care provider, according to the hospital.

    AdventHealth Medical Group Family Medicine at Biltmore Park will also be open today.

    Transylvania County resources for food and water

    Posted October 3, 2024 at 7:29 AM EDT

    Water and food was delivered to Transylvania County Tuesday by helicopter. Meal distributions in the community are listed below:

    • Daily, 9am-11am, 12pm-2pm, 4pm-6pm – hot meals at Cedar Mountain Community Center (10635 Greenville Hwy)
    • Daily until power is restored, 11am-4pm – Balsam Grove Community Center (8732 Parkway Rd)
    • Daily, 12pm-2pm – meals at Bread of Life (238 S Caldwell St)
    • Monday, Sept. 30 – Friday, Oct. 4, 1pm-4pm – hot meal from Smoke On at Champion Park parking lot (38 Main St Rosman)
    • Monday, Sept. 30 – Saturday, Oct. 5, 12pm-4pm – hot food, water, and supplies at Destiny Church (48 Tiptop Rd)
    • Friday, Oct. 4, 5:30pm and Saturday, Oct. 5, 8am and 12pm – meal and supplies at Rosman High School Old Gym (749 Pickens Hwy)
    • Saturday, Oct. 5, 12pm-5pm – hot food at Bethel A Church (290 Oakdale St)

    Water Filling Stations: Residents are asked to bring their own containers.

    • 10am-2pm - City Sports Complex off Ecusta Road
    • Cedar Mountain Canteen (10771 Greenville Hwy)
    • Territory Brevard (43 S Broad St)
    • DD Bullwinkles (60 E Main St)
    • First Baptist Church Brevard Open 9-4

    Mountain Bizworks offers helps to small businesses hurt by Hurricane Helene

    Posted October 2, 2024 at 8:14 PM EDT

    Mountain Bizworks, a regional nonprofit that provides loans and training to small businesses, is working to help local businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene.

    Executive Director Matt Raker, based in Asheville, points folks to the nonprofit’s website for information about how to apply for state and federal support.

    “Firstly we want to make sure that their people, their friends and family are accounted for," Raker said. "We know that is everyone’s priority," he added, along with getting essential services back.

    “Once they are able to do that, (then) really take stock of what was impacted at their business, get a sense of what that is," he said.

    The nonprofit serves North Carolina's 26 westernmost counties. Raker says the businesses they work with were hit hard and are still trying to understand the impact. He recommends they start with organizing the documents they will need to apply for relief.

    The federal Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved a disaster declaration which opens up SBA disaster loans, Raker says.

    Homeowners, renters, nonprofits, and businesses of all sizes impacted by Hurricane Helene can apply for assistance.

    Here are more details on the program, as well as FAQs in English and Spanish.

    Mountain Bizworks ofrece servicios especializados en Español.

    Employees and self-employed individuals who are unable to work due to the disaster may be eligible for disaster unemployment assistance even if they are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance. Apply here. 

    Mountain Bizworks is also working on setting up a local emergency fund. Raker says the fund should be available early next week.

    Marshall mutual aid hub offers medical supplies, food

    Posted October 2, 2024 at 6:10 PM EDT

    North Carolina community group Rural Organizing and Resilience has begun aid distributions at 1685 Hwy. 213 in Marshall. ROAR is open from 2 to 6 p.m. every day.

    ROAR typically organizes against racism in Madison County through education and outreach. Since Hurricane Helene swept through the region, it’s responded to need for emergency supplies in the community.

    Matt Wallace, the organization’s co-founder, said despite state and federal efforts, many people haven’t been able to access aid.

    Wallace was headed out Wednesday to deliver supplies to an isolated nursing home in Burnsville. He recounted the previous day.

    “Yesterday, I hiked through the woods to a spot on the Ivy River that was cut off. They have no way to drive out to check on some people, so that's definitely still happening right now,” Wallace said.

    Authorities have asked residents who want to help to stay off the roads as much as possible, so they don’t hamper search and rescue efforts. But Wallace said that because of poor cell service, many needs — including needs like medical supplies and water — are only being communicated via word of mouth.

    ROAR’s mutual aid hub in Marshall also offers clean needles, NARCAN and other harm-reduction supplies. The group is soliciting donations for basic items like gasoline, baby supplies and medical supplies. ROAR is also coordinating volunteers to sort supplies and drive them to people in need.

    What to know about renters’ rights after Helene’s impacts

    Posted October 2, 2024 at 5:00 PM EDT

    There was already a housing crisis in western North Carolina. After Tropical Storm Helene, it’s likely that huge numbers of tenants will experience difficulty paying their rent and fixing their homes.

    David Bartholomew, an attorney with Pisgah Legal Services, says special rules apply right after a storm like this, particularly as lack of electricity has interrupted residents’ access to their bank accounts.

    “Tenants are going to have the option of canceling their lease if they need to, but they also have a right to stay there in the property and require the landlord to fix it,” Bartholomew said.

    In North Carolina, evictions can only happen through the court system. And if your county court is closed, you can’t get evicted.

    Until Oct. 14, Bartholomew said, “Legally, you can't be kicked out. You can't be locked out. And if landlords are trying to tell tenants that they have to leave, tenants should respond that they have to go through the court system.”

    The best thing to do is get requests for repairs in writing, whether via text, email or letter. From that point, it becomes the landlord’s responsibility to take care of the issue, even if current circumstances may make the process longer.

    FEMA also helps tenants, not just homeowners. Tenants can apply for individual assistance on disasterassistance.gov. Individual assistance doesn’t just cover housing repairs, but also gas, food, utility bills, hotel stays and other disaster-associated costs.

    If tenants are confused about their rights or suspect that a landlord may be taking illegal actions against them, Pisgah Legal Services can be contacted online@pisgahlegal.org or 828-253-0406.

    TWASA in Jackson County rescinds boil advisory

    Posted October 2, 2024 at 4:00 PM EDT

    Tuckaseigee Water & Sewer Authority in Jackson County has rescinded it's boil advisory. Based on the laboratory analysis of water samples collected from Sept. 29 and 30, 2024. It is no longer necessary to boil water used for human consumption.

    Basado en el los análisis de laboratorio de las muestras de agua recolectadas de la Autoridad de Agua y Alcantarillado de Tuckaseigee los días 29 y 30 de septiembre de 2024, se notifica a los usuarios del agua que ya no es necesario hervir el agua utilizada para el consumo humano.

    Duke Energy provides update on power restoration, utility bill payments

    Posted October 2, 2024 at 3:03 PM EDT

    On Wednesday, Duke Energy installed a new mobile substation to replace the New Salem substation lost in Swannanoa. Much of the local electricity transmission infrastructure washed away or was underwater. The new substation will function for three to four months, allowing the utility to reconnect 4,900 customers in the area.

    About 570,000 customers are still without power in the Carolinas, with 247,000 in North Carolina. Bill Norton, Duke’s principal communications manager, said they’re still on track to connect about 90% of reachable customers by Friday, but that number excludes those whose homes are too damaged or inaccessible.

    Norton said that customers struggling to pay their utility bills should call Duke’s customer service line at 800-777-9898 for residential service, and 800-653-5307 for businesses, or go to duke-energy.com/assistance. He said the utility will not disconnect customers during storm restoration. Norton said a date had not yet been given on when utility bill payments would return to normal.

    Eastern Band of Cherokee waives rent after Hurricane Helene, annual fair kicks off

    Posted October 2, 2024 at 1:47 PM EDT

    Chief Michell Hicks announced on Facebook that due to the current state of emergency, the Eastern Band of Cherokee (EBCI) Tribal Government is waiving all late fees on payments such as water and sewer, levy, housing and rent through Oct. 31. Additionally, no water shutoffs will take place during this time.

    The EBCI is still under a state of emergency, but Hicks announced on Monday, Sept. 30, that the 112th Cherokee Indian Fair would move forward this weekend as planned despite the storm.

    The fair kicked off on Tuesday with the annual parade.

    “The energy and enthusiasm from everyone was undeniable. In the wake of Hurricane Helene, with so many still recovering, this year’s fair feels even more meaningful,” Hicks wrote on Facebook. “It’s about family, neighbors, and friends coming together, sharing our traditions, and lifting one another up. As we continue the fair, let’s carry this spirit forward—celebrating our resilience and supporting those still in need.”

    There is a bin for donations at the fair entrance.

    Cherokee Central Schools will be closed on Thursday and Friday.

    “We appreciate your understanding and continued support as we navigate these difficulties together,” Superintendent Consie Girty said on Facebook.

    Hwy 441 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near the Qualla Boundary has reopened to regular traffic. However, it remains closed to all commercial traffic.

    Like much of western North Carolina, resources like power, cell service, Wi-Fi and fuel remain spotty but available in some locations.

    For residents without power or water on the Qualla Boundary, the Painttown, Big Y, Birdtown, Big Cove and Rough Branch gyms will be open for showers from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2 through Friday, Oct. 4.

    Death toll in Buncombe County remains at 57

    Posted October 2, 2024 at 1:22 PM EDT

    No new deaths were reported in Buncombe County overnight.

    County Manager Avril Pinder said 57 people have died in the county from Hurricane Helene.

    Notification of next-of-kin continues to be a challenge because of lack of communications in the region, Pinder said.

    She said she anticipates having more updates from Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller at the 4pm briefing.

    Buncombe briefing offers insight on education system

    Posted October 2, 2024 at 12:59 PM EDT

    At the Wednesday morning briefing by Buncombe County officials, local education leaders said the area's schools suffered "minimal damage" from Hurricane Helene.

    Maggie Fehrman, superintendent of Asheville City Schools, and Rob Jackson, superintendent of the Buncombe County Schools, said their facilities sustained minimal damages.

    The functional school buildings are being used to house emergency personnel and first responders.

    There is no estimated date for schools to resume.

    AB Tech President John Gossett also spoke at the briefing, noting that reopening would not happen for several weeks.

    "The Executive Committee of the A-B Tech Board of Trustees have agreed that classes will be suspended until at least October 14," Gossett said.

    The community college opened three buildings for disaster relief, he said.

    Postal Service delays

    Posted October 2, 2024 at 12:04 PM EDT

    The U.S. Postal Service issued a statement in response to Hurricane Helene:

    "The safety of our customers and employees is the Postal Service’s top priority in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. At this time, we are still assessing damage and impacts. We are dispatching recovery teams to affected areas. The status of operations is being continually evaluated and adjustments made to ensure safe and swift restoration of delivery and retail services in locations as soon as possible. Efforts will continue as long as needed until full services are restored."

    Brevard gets some cell service

    Posted October 2, 2024 at 10:45 AM EDT

    Cell service has been restored to most areas in Brevard, according to a post from the city’s Instagram page.

    To request a welfare check from within the state of North Carolina, call 211. Callers from out of state can make those requests by calling (888) 892-1162.

    Information about applying for Helene disaster assistance is on the FEMA homepage.

    Wi-Fi signal is available from outside county buildings on the TCpublic network.

    To dispose of spoiled food, residents can visit one of the dumpsters set out by the County. The closest location for most city residents is between the library and the county tax office.

    Residents can take other household refuse to the county facility in Pisgah Forest. The landfill is also open as of October 1.

    The National Forest Service issued a statement on social media asking the public to stay away from both the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests until assessments can be made and recreation sites can be reopened safely.

    “Regardless of whether you're an experienced hiker, camper or off-roader, conditions on both forests remain hazardous, and if something were to happen, forest rangers and emergency services won't be able to reach you,” the statement read.

    New Hendersonville Rd Shelter Open in Asheville

    Posted October 2, 2024 at 7:51 AM EDT

    A new shelter is open in Buncombe County located at 1815 Hendersonville Road in Asheville. The shelter will provide power, water, food, and a place to sleep.

    The shelter is being operated by Novant Health and the local Red Cross.

    “The impact here is unimaginable, and our hope is that this building can offer vital resources to the people of this region,” said Dr. C.J. Atkinson, system physician executive, Novant Health.

    For shelter details, visit RedCross.org/Shelters.

    Black Mountain: Food, water distribution, public restrooms

    Posted October 2, 2024 at 7:00 AM EDT

    The town of Black Mountain was one of the hardest hit by flooding from Helene.

    The Twn of Black Mountain provided the following information:

    A distribution site for food, water, and public restrooms will open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Ingles in Black Mountain at 550 NC-9.

    Hot meals will be served for lunch and dinner at the food and water distribution site.

    There are many community organizations also distributing hot meals including area churches, restaurants and non-profit organizations.

    Public restrooms are also available at the Visitor Center/Chamber of Commerce parking lot at 201 East State Street.

    Transylvania reports no deaths, 150 rescues

    Posted October 1, 2024 at 10:48 PM EDT

    On Tuesday evening, Transylvania County reported no storm related deaths and no missing persons reports pending.

    “There were over 150 specialty rescues including structural failures and swift water. Communications staff fielded 3 times the volume at the height of the storm and are seeing a sharp increase in calls as phone service is being restored,” a press release stated.

    Shelters remain open at the Transylvania County Parks and Recreation Center and the Ag Center at the Asheville Airport. Shelters do not have supplies and do not have food, fuel, medical supplies or water to distribute.

    Gordon’s pharmacy is willing to fill prescriptions, according to the press release. Residents are asked to bring prescriptions or labeled bottles to the pharmacy and cash or check.

    Smoke On will be providing free meals from 1-4 p.m. at Rosman Town Hall on Tuesday.

    The Hunger Coalition is doing a food distribution at the Family Place on Tuesday until 2 p.m. These distributions will continue at Family Place all week from 1-2 p.m.

    There is not a general shortage of fuel or food. Citizens are encouraged not to hoard fuel or food to prevent localized shortages from occurring.

    Hot Springs and Marshall start to clean up

    Posted October 1, 2024 at 10:46 PM EDT

    Some towns in western North Carolina, like Hot Springs and Marshall, shifted Tuesday from rescue mode to recovery mode.

    Community members came together to shovel mud and haul chunks of soaked drywall out of businesses in the hardest hit parts of town.

    Volunteers move donations into the Hot Springs Elementary School gym on Tuesday, Oct. 1.
    Gerard Albert III
    /
    BPR News
    Volunteers move donations into the Hot Springs Elementary School gym on Tuesday, Oct. 1.

    Other volunteers organized food and drinks in downtown and at Hot Springs elementary.

    Community organizers handed out hundreds of packs of bottled water, hygiene supplies and a warm meal to residents who stopped by the elementary school’s gym.

    Town leaders in Hot Springs are holding daily in-person meetings to inform residents at 11 a.m. downtown because cell network coverage has been so unreliable.

    In the nearby town of Marshall, firefighters and other volunteers handed out supplies to residents at AB Tech's Madison location. The effort will continue on a daily basis until the area is re-established.

    Donations at the AB Tech Madison location, being handed out by Marshall Fire Department.
    Gerard Albert III
    /
    BPR News
    Donations at the AB Tech Madison location, being handed out by Marshall Fire Department.

    Marshall also hosts a daily in-person meeting in front of the courthouse in downtown at 5 p.m.

    Crews of volunteers are working daily to remove massive amounts of mud from businesses and homes in downtown.

    Power restored in downtown Highlands, Macon County taking stock

    Posted October 1, 2024 at 7:16 PM EDT

    Highlands Mayor Pat Taylor says that power has been restored in the downtown business district and some neighborhoods. The Macon County town sits on a plateau with an elevation of 4,000 feet and was hit hard by strong winds and heavy rains. Crews are continuing to work to restore power to other areas in the region.

    “Highlands is bringing in additional electric crews to erect destroyed utility poles, which is a timely and detailed process,” Taylor said in his newsletter update.

    Highlands Resources

    • Supplies available: First Baptist Church at 220 Main Street in Highlands is operating an emergency aid station with essential supplies and support services. It is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Crews will restore power to other areas throughout the day and week. Highlands is bringing in additional electric crews to erect destroyed utility poles, which is a timely and detailed process. 
    • Welfare Checks: Highlands Police continue to do welfare and damage checks throughout the town. 
    • Welcome Center: Town Hall is open and staff continue to answer phones, questions and record outages. 
    • Wi-Fi Access: Hotwire has some spot outages but most of their network is operational. Other communication providers are working to restore their networks. 
    • Water Access: Sewer and water departments in the town of Highlands have operated throughout the emergency and continue to do so. 
    • Garbage Access: The garbage service will run regular route schedules. 
    • Road access: WNC state road closures are posted on the NC DOT website

    Macon County Emergency Management Director Warren Cabe shared in a press release that damage assessments are continuing today in the county.

    A few minor slope movements and one small dam failure have been confirmed.

    “More damages may become apparent throughout the week as isolated areas especially in the Highlands areas become more accessible,” Cabe said in a press release.

    The roads in and out of both Highlands and Franklin are now open but residents are encouraged to avoid Highlands unless absolutely necessary to allow utility crews to work in the roadways. Highway 106 between Scaly Mountain and Franklin is limited in one lane of travel in one section, Cabe explained.

    HCA donates funds to support storm victims

    Posted October 1, 2024 at 7:10 PM EDT

    HCA Healthcare, which owns Mission Hospital System, announced Tuesday afternoon that it will contribute $250,000 to the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County to support people affected by Hurricane Helene. HCA will also give $250,000 to the American Red Cross of North Carolina to support its shelter locations. An additional $500,000 will be donated to other community partners that provide direct support for hurricane-related issues.

    “Caring for those in their time of need is our greatest calling at HCA Healthcare, and I am deeply moved by the resilience and compassion of our colleagues,” CEO of HCA Healthcare Sam Hazen said. “It is our honor to support organizations like United Way and the American Red Cross to help our western North Carolina communities through Hurricane Helene and its aftermath.”

    HCA Healthcare says that before the storm it activated its Nashville-based Enterprise Emergency Operations Center (EEOC), which includes nearly 200 leaders, including community liaisons, clinical experts and specialists in supply chain, patient logistics, and air and ground transport. The EEOC is working alongside hospital leadership to distribute key resources to care teams in the Southeastern U.S.. HCA Healthcare colleagues from across the country, including more than 100 nurses, as well as physicians and HCA Healthcare’s incident support team, are continuing to arrive to provide support to local caregivers.

    “Though the level of destruction is immense, I am proud of the dedication of our colleagues, who have continued to support our patients, our community and one another,” President and CEO of Mission Health Greg Lowe said. “We remain dedicated to helping our colleagues through this time, just as they have selflessly served their community and supported patients without hesitation.”

    Haywood County Schools closed for the rest of the week, employees will probably be paid

    Posted October 1, 2024 at 7:07 PM EDT

    Haywood County Schools said that employees will likely be paid during the state of emergency.

    Earlier this week, the county said staff had the option to work during the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene “so that staff can manage their own leave and earn pay, if it is safe to do so.”

    Today the school system posted on Facebook that the state superintendent today told them that “it seems probable that employees will be able to be paid during this state of emergency.”

    Haywood County Schools will be closed for both staff and students for the remainder of the week. A 48-hour notice will be given prior to reopening of school for students and staff.

    Haywood County Resources 

    • Community resource centers: Centers will be open at both Jonathan Valley Elementary at 410 Hall Dr. in Waynesville and Bethel Elementary at 4700 Old River Road in Canton beginning Wednesday, Oct. 2 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.. These centers will have nonperishable food and water. Hot meals will be available at no cost through curbside pickup for children 18 and under from 9-6 at these two locations (weekdays only). Supplies can also be picked up at Woodland Baptist Church at 545 Crabtree Road. 
    • Donations: Woodland Baptist Church is accepting donations at 545 Crabtree Road, Waynesville, including nonperishable food items, bottled water and other essential supplies. For a complete list of needed items and information on individual and organization volunteer opportunities, visit theorchardnc.com/relief.  
    • Water is available: Water tankers are available at Jukebox Junction, 6306 Pigeon Road in Canton and Crabtree Ironduff VFD, 99 Susie Noland Roadin Clyde from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Each person is limited to 1 gallon per day, and you must bring your own containers. 
    • Medical Care: The First Aid Bus, located at Jukebox Junction, 6306 Pigeon Road, Canton, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering services such as first aid for cuts, scrapes and burns, as well as blood pressure checks, blood sugar monitoring and basic medical assistance. 
    • Landfill access: The White Oak Landfill is open, along with the Materials Recovery Facility. Convenience centers will be open at Jonathan Creek, Beaverdam, Bethel, Hazelwood, Mauney Cove, Jones Cove, and Highway 110. 
    • Emergency Shelter: An emergency shelter is available at 235 Armory Drive, Clyde. 
    • Welcome Center Open: The Pigeon Community Center, located at 450 Pigeon St. in Waynesville, is now open as a welcome center. The center is open every day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Food will be served daily at 2 p.m. The center has water, power, charging stations, shovels, trash bags and pet food available.  
    • Welcome Center Open: First United Methodist Church in Waynesville, at 566 S. Haywood St., has opened a welcome center to assist community members in need. The center is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and offers food, clothing and shower access. 
    • Welcome Center Open: Fines Creek Community Center, located at 190 Fines Creek Road, Clyde, is available to assist community members in need as a welcome center as well.   
    • Meals available in Canton: Springdale Golf and Country Club, 190 Golfwatch Road, Canton, is offering free lunch from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.  

    Haywood County Curfew: A curfew is in effect from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.. Please stay off the roads unless necessary.

    Medical clinic, pharmacies available in Buncombe

    Posted October 1, 2024 at 6:50 PM EDT

    ABCCM Medical Clinic at 155 Livingston St.in Asheville is offering medical care to anyone in need.

    The facility is also accepting donations of medicine from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Thursday. For pharmacy information, emergency refill rules and general health recommendations in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, click here.

    The drugs must be sealed manufacturer bottles that are unexpired and do not require refrigeration. No controlled substances or cancer medications will be accepted.

    The North Carolina Board of Pharmacy is maintaining a list of pharmacies in western NC that are open. The list is being updated by the Board of Pharmacy every 30 minutes.

    In a disaster scenario, there are different laws around prescriptions. Someone other than a patient may pick up medications. Insurance companies are required to pay for prescriptions that are filled early because of the disaster.

    Fatalities rise to 57 in Buncombe

    Posted October 1, 2024 at 6:49 PM EDT

    The death toll has risen to 57 people in Buncombe County, according to Sheriff Quentin Miller.

    Fatalities are expected to increase as search and rescue teams continue to search for people who are trapped throughout the county.

    The terrain has been difficult to traverse, involving “miles and miles of devastation,” said Scott Dean, of the National Urban Search and Rescue organization.

    “We have gone to as many places as possible,” he said. But fallen trees, power lines, washed out roads and bridges, and “complete infrastructural failure” have made that work “extremely difficult.”

    Dean urged residents to check on their neighbors whenever possible. “Do not rely just on first responders,” he said. “We all need to work together.”

    Search and rescue missions have occurred on foot, in trucks, through air operations and boats, Dean said.

    There are 600 people currently unaccounted for in the county.

    Those interested in knocking on doors and assisting with wellness checks can visit the Register of Deeds at 205 College St. in downtown Asheville.

    Resources available in Jackson County 

    Posted October 1, 2024 at 5:49 PM EDT

    Sylva's Economic Development Director Bernadette Peters checked in on businesses downtown to find resources for the community. Peters shared this list with the Main Street Association. There is SkyFi available downtown and Wi-Fi at a number of local businesses including White Moon Cafe and City Lights Books Store.

    Here are more resources and donation drop-off locations:

    • Jackson County Emergency Management was working on a warehouse location on Tuesday morning for volunteers and supplies.. 
    • Jackson County Shelter: The emergency shelter is now closed. 
    • Volunteer Sign-up: Jackson County is asking for volunteers. You can sign up here. 
    • Jackson County Emergency Line: You can still call 828-631-HELP.  
    • Jackson County Schools: School is cancelled Wednesday, Thursday or Friday of this week. Each of these days will be an optional teacher workday. The JCPS scheduled workdays on Thursday and Friday, October 17th and 18th will now be student days.
    • Meals available: Jackson County Public Schools served more than 1100 meals to the community today. Meals will continue to be served daily through Friday, Oct. 4 from 11:30-12:30 at Blue Ridge School, Smokey Mountain Elementary, and Smoky Mountain High School.
    • Code Red Sign-up: Register for future Code Red emergency notifications here. These include evacuation notices.
    • Birthstone Breastfeeding & Wellness Center is serving as a donation site for infant feeding supplies as well as other baby supplies, food, water, Clorox, propane and other resources. They have some people who can make deliveries locally. They can also store breast milk for anyone at risk of losing it and if anyone needs breast milk, they can contact her. They are located at 494 W. Main Street in Sylva. 
    • The Community Table is accepting shelf-stable foods and water. They are located at 23 Central Street next to the Sylva Community  Pool for folks in need of resources. The organization says that it has limited outgoing calls, and internet, but is receiving incoming calls.
    • Pray with Your Community: St. John’s Episcopal Church in downtown Sylva at 18 Jackson Street is holding a daily prayer at 5 p.m. through Oct. 4.
    • Boil-Water Advisory: Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority customers are still under a boil-water advisory. 
      Community Table is at 23 Central Street in Sylva, NC 28779.
      Community Table is at 23 Central Street in Sylva, NC 28779.
    Community Table is at 23 Central Street in Sylva, NC 28779.
    Community Table is at 23 Central Street in Sylva, NC 28779.

    NC Board of Elections says that WNC will be ready for Election Day

    Posted October 1, 2024 at 4:34 PM EDT

    The head of North Carolina’s Board of Elections said it is working with all 25 western counties in the FEMA-designated disaster area to ensure the state is ready to vote in the November election.

    Elections Director Karen Brinson Bell said Tuesday that the state is confident it will be able to move forward with the election.

    “This storm is like nothing we've seen in our lifetime in Western North Carolina. The destruction is unprecedented and this level of uncertainty this close to Election Day is daunting,” Brinson Bell said.

    The state BOE has set up a website for voters who are impacted by Tropical Storm Helene.. The site contains information about U.S. Postal Service disruptions, resources and more.

    As of Oct. 1, there are 12 election offices closed across the region; the elections office in Jackson County is open but has no internet service.

    “This will be an ongoing process now until Election Day and even after Election Day. We do not have all the answers right now, but we are diligently working to figure them out,” Brinson Bell said.

    Find out more about how to request a new absentee ballot or check your voter registration here.

    Volunteers requested in Buncombe Co. to go door-to-door for welfare checks

    Posted October 1, 2024 at 4:27 PM EDT

    With an unspecified number of people either unaccounted for or for whom loved ones have requested welfare checks, the county has asked volunteers to step forward.

    Buncombe County activated a public welfare check request option over the weekend. Friends and family members sent in names and addresses of people in the area who they had not heard from.

    Those interested in knocking on doors and assisting with welfare checks can visit the Register of Deeds in downtown Asheville (205 College St.)

    Volunteers should be familiar with the area and have a vehicle with plenty of gas and a cell phone. Interested volunteers should come to the Register of Deeds between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

    Debris is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in Asheville, N.C.
    Mike Stewart
    /
    AP
    Debris is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in Asheville, N.C.

    Mountain terrain poses major challenge for WNC search and rescue, feds acknowledge

    Posted October 1, 2024 at 4:08 PM EDT

    FEMA Urban Search and Rescue teams are currently bringing law enforcement and military partners together to comb the terrain of Western North Carolina for people who may be trapped.

    During a briefing Tuesday, agencies acknowledged they're having difficulty with search and rescue operations. They said the mountainous terrain - and the wide geographic spread and scale of destruction (an estimated 500 miles) is unprecedented.

    "It has really slowed our pace to be able to get in there and get our assigned job done," said Captain Brian Beguet of the United States Coast Guard.

    Across the region, there are more than 3500 federal responders on the ground, over 1,000 of these from FEMA.

    Search and rescue missions are still underway, with 588 additional responders anticipated to arrive in the coming days. Agencies have shipped over:

    • 1.9 million instant meals
    • More than 1 million liters of water
    • 30 generators

    "In addition to that support, we registered over 150,000 households for assistance and already provided over $2 million directly to disaster survivors. We expect these numbers to rapidly increase over the coming days," FEMA Director Frank Matranga said Tuesday during a briefing with reporters.

    Matranga urged everyone impacted by the storm to apply for assistance via disasterassistance.gov.

    Since Hurricane Helene made landfall last Friday, President Biden has initiated major disaster declarations for 17 counties in Florida, 25 counties in North Carolina, including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, 13 counties in South Carolina, and last night, 11 counties in Georgia. An additional major disaster declaration is in the works for east Tennessee.

    The American Red Cross has also touched down in Helene-affected areas.

    Denise Everheart, the organization's division disaster executive, reported more than 2,400 disaster survivors in 75 shelters from Florida to North Carolina. Populations are still increasing in North Carolina, with over 3,000 new requests in the past 24 hours.

    Anyone with cell service who needs emergency supplies from the Red Cross can call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

    Counties may continue to be added to the federal disaster declaration over the coming weeks, and will become for individual assistance, especially as counties report their damages to the states. Officials said it's crucial for counties to hear from survivors about what they're going through so that assistance is made available to every impacted area.

    Destruction from flooding and Hurricane Helene in Hot Springs, N.C., on Oct. 1, 2024.
    Gerard Albert III/BPR News
    Destruction from flooding and Hurricane Helene in Hot Springs, N.C., on Oct. 1, 2024.

    Montreat has no water nor a timeline for repairs 

    Posted October 1, 2024 at 3:08 PM EDT

    Montreat has no water, Town Manager Savannah Parrish shared at a press conference this morning.

    Montreat – much like Asheville, Woodfin and Black Mountain – does not have a clear timeline for when water will return.

    Three bridges were damaged during the storm, including Shenandoah Bridge and Lookout Road Bridge.

    Montreat College has been evacuated and Parrish recommended that folks with gas who are able to leave should also evacuate.

    Parrish also took a moment to dispel a rumor that the Lake Susan Dam breached.

    “There is no water coming over the spillway,” she said. “It remains structurally sound.”

    Bottled water is being distributed daily at the Montreat Gate from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

    Black Mountain, a town that closely neighbors Montreat, has seen some power restored.

    Duke Energy hopes to restore most power by Friday

    Posted October 1, 2024 at 3:00 PM EDT

    There are currently 640,000 customers without electricity in the Carolinas, with the most outages in parts of upstate South Carolina and the mountains of North Carolina.

    This includes 55,000 in Henderson County, 79,000 in Buncombe County, and all 8,600 customers in Polk County, among others, said Duke Energy communications manager Bill Norton.

    Customers no longer need to report outages, as Duke is aware of them.

    Norton said Duke is working rapidly to fix the problem but is currently focused on critical service hubs like the Asheville Airport and area hospitals. Norton was emphatic that almost all power that could be restored to homes would be restored by this coming Friday.

    However, some customers, he said, particularly in remote areas, may be impossible to restore for now. Not everyone is in a position to receive power.

    "I mean, we know that houses are gone, obviously that power is not coming back," Norton said.

    "Roads are gone. And you think about the energy infrastructure that you always see, our right of ways are right along roads. If the road is gone, good bet that our poles are gone with it too. So that's going to be an extensive rebuild, but we are working on it right now."

    Substations, which are essential for electric transmission - sort of like an interstate off-ramp for electricity - are also out.

    Duke is bringing in portable substations as a temporary fix, but ultimately, many of these will need to be replaced.

    360 substations in North Carolina were knocked out by Hurricane Helene in total.

    As the climate has warmed, Duke has upgraded substations in floodplain areas, building flood walls in response to previous incidents. However, Norton said, this flood was unprecedented, with usual pathways to power restoration obstructed.

    "Really our biggest challenge right now is twofold. It's communications and roads," Norton said.

    You can track outages on Duke's customer outage map.

    Those 36+ weeks pregnant, families with newborns urged to evacuate WNC

    Posted October 1, 2024 at 2:52 PM EDT

    Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) on Tuesday urged those who are pregnant (36+ weeks) and families with newborns to evacuate Western North Carolina. The region is distressed post-flood by a myriad of major infrastructure issues, water outages or shortages, a lack of power in some areas, and extreme strains on local resources, including first responders.

    Officials said MAHEC remains temporarily closed at all locations until further notice, due to lack of power and water.

    The center recommends that pregnant patients at 36+ weeks now should evacuate away from WNC and parts of Tennessee so that they can safely deliver their babies outside the disaster zone.

    The MAHEC Maternal-Fetal Medicine team said it is contacting patients with scheduled ultrasounds or known high-risk conditions to arrange urgent ultrasounds at Mission Hospital or to coordinate transfers to neighboring regions for further care.

    Families with newborns are also strongly urged to evacuate due to the unsafe water situation, according to a press release Tuesday.

    MAHEC pharmacists also recommend Healthcare Ready’s RxOpen to find locations where medications are available. The mapping tool highlights open pharmacies in areas impacted by natural disasters and public health emergencies like Tropical Storm Helene. It is recommended to bring your medication bottle for an emergency supply if the medication is in stock.

    MAHEC will continue to provide updates.

    Yancey County and Burnsville Update: Specialized rescue teams arriving

    Posted October 1, 2024 at 2:47 PM EDT

    Officials gave an update on conditions across Yancey County, saying extensive road and infrastructure damage is challenging first responders. Citizens with loved ones in the Burnsville area, in particular, have reported fearing loved ones are trapped and have not been reached.

    In Tuesday's announcement, officials said: The Yancey County Sheriff’s Office is operating at full capacity, having implemented a statewide mutual aid plan to bolster local resources. Assistance has already been received from neighboring counties, including Stanly, Catawba, Chatham, Alamance, Wayne, and the Stanfield Police Department.

    Burnsville Police and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol are fully staffed working tirelessly to ensure public safety and support recovery efforts.

    Fire stations across the county are operating as points of distribution to provide residents food, water, and tarps as supplies last. Resupply efforts take place daily. Additionally, a shelter has been set up at Blue Ridge Elementary School, staffed by the Red Cross to provide support for those in need.

    The Yancey County EMS Director has ordered an ambulance strike team, successfully securing five additional Advanced Life Support (ALS) units.

    "We are currently facing extensive roadway and infrastructure damage, which is creating significant challenges for both responders and citizens. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is conducting assessments of bridges and roadways to evaluate the extent of the damage and plan for repairs. NCDOT and your Emergency Managers urge you to stay off the roadways except for emergency traffic," officials wrote.

    Public Works staff have developed a restoration plan for a heavily damaged water system and are actively pushing forward with immediate repairs to ensure residents have access to clean water.

    Specialized resources on the way include:

    • Type 2 Swiftwater Rescue Team from New York (16 persons)
    • Type 3 Swiftwater Rescue Team from Charlotte Fire Department (9 persons)
    • All Hazards Incident Management Team – NC based (4 persons)
    • Urban Search & Rescue Team from Charlotte Fire Department (17 persons)
    • Communications Unit Leader/Technicians – NC based (2 persons)
    • FEMA – Type 1 USAR Team from Texas (78 persons with 6 K9’s)
    • All Hazards Incident Management Team from Southeast Florida (4 persons)
    • NC Sheriff’s Association Mutual Aid Partners
    • Ambulance Strike Team/Task Force (5 ALS units)

    Utility companies are on the ground working. Due to extensive damage in certain areas, the full restoration of the power grid may take time, officials said.

    The Yancey County 911 Center remains operational, though with limited capacity. Currently, 911 calls are being routed to surrounding counties and relayed back to the county's dispatch center through radio communication.

    Agencies are diligently working to restore reliable phone and cell service throughout the area, leaders wrote Tuesday.

    For updates and information, please visit Yancey County Emergency Management on Facebook.

    UNCA closing immediately. Students will be relocated.

    Posted October 1, 2024 at 2:39 PM EDT

    On Tuesday, UNC Asheville Chancellor Kimberly van Noort announced UNCA is closed effectively immediately and students will be relocated away from campus within 72 hours.

    “Since Friday morning, UNC Asheville has been without electricity, running water, or internet,” said van Noort. “We do have minimal structural damage to the campus, many trees down and many access points blocked but that infrastructure is improving daily.”

    Prior to the storm, UNCA had over 1,600 residential students on campus and there were around 1,300 residential students on campus at the time Tropical Storm Helene hit.

    UNCA officials were providing the remaining students on campus with water, three meals, and support services daily.

    Due to the conditions on the UNCA campus, students will be relocated within 72 hours, explained van Noort.

    “These efforts included helping students to identify safe routes, creating and connecting carpools, providing students with gasoline for their cars and relocating a very small number of students to another UNC system institution.”

    UNCA will remain closed for the immediate future.

    Biltmore Forest Update: Welfare checks, roads, water distribution

    Posted October 1, 2024 at 1:10 PM EDT

    Town officials say crews are working this morning to open the roads still closed in Biltmore Forest.

    Residents can pick up two bottles of water per person at Town Hall.

    If you need to make a welfare check request for someone living in Biltmore Forest, go here.

    Trash pickup in Biltmore Forest is canceled for the week.

    "The transfer station is destroyed and no longer there," officials said Tuesday. "The landfill is open but access is currently difficult. We know it is difficult to hold trash, particularly in the forested area with bears. Please try to contain your trash inside right now if possible. We will have a substantial update this week on further plans. The recycling center in Woodfin was also destroyed so there is no need to worry about separating recyclables."

    Town workers with drones are partnered with Duke Energy to conduct damage assessments. A timeframe for electrical service restoration was not available.

    McDowell County: Food distribution, meals available

    Posted October 1, 2024 at 12:32 PM EDT

    McDowell County 911 / Emergency Management has provided the following information about points of distribution for food and meals.

    Locations will open daily from 10 a.m. to noon and then 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., as long as supplies last. The locations are as follows:

    • Woodlawn: Hicks Chapel Church, 6008 US 221 N, Marion, NC
    • Former TJ’s Discount, 8153 US 221 N, Marion, NC 28752
    • Old Fort: Old Fort Town Hall, 38 Catawba Avenue, Old Fort, NC 28762
    • Marion: New Manna Baptist Church, 225 East Court St., Marion, NC 28752
    • Dysartsville: Solid Rock Free Will Baptist Church, 7860 NC 226 S, Nebo, NC 28761

    Hot meals will also be provided by Grace Community Church at 5182 US 70 West, Marion, NC 28752. The meal times are as follows:

    • Lunch: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
    • Dinner: 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

    New charging stations, Wi-Fi support locations: Fletcher and Asheville

    Posted October 1, 2024 at 12:30 PM EDT

    T-Mobile teams will be in North Carolina and South Carolina offering charging and Wi-Fi connectivity at the following locations, during their open hours. Please check back for updates as additional locations may be added or changes made based on evolving needs. Here’s the information:

    • Western North Carolina (WNC) Agricultural Center at 1301 Fanning Bridge Road, Fletcher, NC 28732
    • Asheville Middle School at 211 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville, NC 28801
    • Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center at 285 Livingston St. Asheville, NC 28801
    • A-B Tech Community College at 340 Victoria Rd., Asheville, NC 28801

    City of Asheville: Water distribution at Pack Square Park continues today

    Posted October 1, 2024 at 8:56 AM EDT

    Drinking water will be distributed today (Tuesday) at Pack Square Park (70 Court Plaza) beginning at 9 a.m. Water will be available until 7 p.m. or when the supply runs out.

    Each person will be provided 2 gallons of water per person, with a maximum of 5 gallons per family.

    You must bring your own containers for water.

    Parking is available in nearby lots and parking decks.

    400 incarcerated people evacuated

    Posted October 1, 2024 at 7:13 AM EDT

    Approximately 400 incarcerated people were evacuated from Western Correctional Center for Women in Swannanoa and the Black Mountain Substance Abuse Treatment Center for Women in Black Mountain, the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction announced.

    The evacuation decision was based on "the expected long timeframe for water and power restoration to these locations," the Department said in a statement.

    The incarcerated women were transported by bus to other correctional facilities, including Anson Correctional Institution in Polkton, and others moved to North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women in Raleigh, on Monday.

    "Relocated offenders will be able to make phone calls after they arrive at their destinations," the statement said.

    The Department said an online service, Offender Locator, will be updated show where people are temporarily rehoused.

    The 45 residents of the Black Mountain treatment center were moved to the North Piedmont Confinement in Response to Violation facility in Lexington.

    Interstate 40-East reopens

    Posted October 1, 2024 at 6:42 AM EDT

    One of the major arteries out of Asheville is now open, clearing a route for people leaving storm damage to head east.

    Interstate 40-East reopened late Monday night after being closed for days due to damage from Tropical Storm Helene, a Buncombe County official confirmed.

    The roadway is the primary thoroughfare for people traveling to Hickory, Charlotte or Raleigh.

    Towns and communities to the east of Asheville, including Swannanoa and Black Mountain, suffered extensive damage from the storm. Access to the area has been limited, compounding search and rescue efforts.

    Interstate 40-West remains closed.

    Haywood County announces 4 deaths, says fuel and food on its way for those without power

    Posted September 30, 2024 at 7:01 PM EDT
    Haywood County officials held an update on Facebook live at 1:15pm on Monday Sept. 30.
    Courtesy of Haywood County Facebook
    Haywood County officials held an update on Facebook live at 1:15pm on Monday Sept. 30.

    The Haywood County Sheriff’s Office confirmed four deaths on Monday afternoon, and said fuel is on its way to residents.

    Sheriff Bill Wilke said families of those who’ve died have been notified, but no more information was shared about their identities. His office has completed several hundred additional welfare checks, and he said the county is recovering quickly thanks to the community.

    “Neighbors are helping neighbors. People are there in this county for one another sharing provisions and sharing the resources that they have to get through this terrible tragedy,” Wilke said.

    Despite the destruction, Emergency Management Director Travis Donaldson said this is the most prepared Haywood County has been for a storm in recent memory, with 300 outside personnel jumping in to help.

    Kevin Easley, chairman of the Haywood County Board of Commissioners, said food and fuel are estimated to arrive within three to four days for the roughly 13,000 residents who are still without power.

    Easley urged residents to conserve fuel in the meantime and not to drive around looking for gas.

    “Every county in Western North Carolina is experiencing what we are so you can't go county to county looking for something that they don't have because we only have what the other counties have. So please stay in your county,” Easley said.

    Easley said that I-26 has opened and trucks from Greenville, SC are headed to gas stations.

    There is currently a 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. curfew in Haywood County.

    Haywood County Resources 

    • Those still looking for people in Haywood County can call 1-888-921-1162 to get in touch with the Sheriff’s office.
    •   There are currently two potable water drop points where you can go gather one gallon per day of water. Those addresses are 127 Plaza Loop in Canton and 2901 Soco Road, Maggie Valley.
    •  The FEMA phone number for resources is 1-800-621-3362.
    •   Haywood County's emergency shelter is open at 235 Armory Drive in Clyde at Haywood Community College. If you bring pets to the shelter, please ensure that they are crated with a collar,  a lease and up-to-date tags including rabies vaccinations required by North Carolina law. You also need to try to bring food water bowls and cleaning supplies litter bags, etc. for your pets.
    • ·        The United Way of Haywood County is managing all donations for recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Helene. The website is UWHaywood.org. Or by mail P.O. Box 1139 Waynesville, North Carolina 28786.
    • ·        Stay tuned for updates on where to drop off non-perishable food and water in Haywood County. 

    Woodfin has no water, power or trash services

    Posted September 30, 2024 at 6:47 PM EDT
    An aerial shot of Silverline Plastics.
    Fletching Drone Photography
    An aerial shot of Silverline Plastics.

    Monday night, Woodfin Mayor Jim McAllister shared an update on how the small town north of Asheville faired.

    This is the first formal update BPR has received from the town that runs along the French Broad River since Tropical Storm Helene moved through the region.

    The lower-lying sections of the town, especially on Riverside Drive, saw significant flooding. Fallen trees and power lines have made the streets impassable for days. Traffic signals continue to be out of operation, making driving in the area dangerous.

    McAllister confirmed that water is also out in Woodfin, though for how long has yet to be determined. There is a major break in a key pipe that runs through a heavily wooded area, making it difficult for engineers to pinpoint exactly where the break exists.

    The NC Department of Transportation has cleared debris out of the way and now the search for the break has begun. That part of the water system has not been dug up in a long time, making the repair work going forward both tricky and time-consuming.

    Another challenge is that the township is unable to get the 25% of its total water supply that they usually source from Asheville to help maintain their flow.

    There are also power outages in Woodfin. Trash and recycling services are paused indefinitely.

    Silver Line Plastics, one of the town’s largest employers, saw great flooding damage. The Woodfin Wave, an ambitious project that aimed to create a man-made natural wave for kayakers in the French Broad River, was also wiped out.

    One bright spot McAllister mentioned is that now every resident in Woodfin has street access.

    In Buncombe, fatalities increase to 40, no update on 600 missing people

    Posted September 30, 2024 at 6:23 PM EDT

    There have been 40 stormwater-related deaths in Buncombe County, officials shared at a Monday evening press briefing.

    One woman, a resident of Woodfin, died when a tree fell on her, Woodfin Mayor Jim McAllister said. Her name was not made public.

    There was no update shared on the number of people missing at the briefing. The number was previously at 1,000. As of yesterday afternoon, that number went down to 600, county officials said.

    Officials urge hikers to stay away from Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests

    Posted September 30, 2024 at 6:09 PM EDT
    Destruction from Helene in Boone, N.C., on Sept. 30, 2024. Photo by Water Mission non-profit.
    Destruction from Helene in Boone, N.C., on Sept. 30, 2024. Photo by Water Mission non-profit.

    As of this week, all recreational areas administered by the Forest Service are closed. The Forest Service would ordinarily conduct assessments to determine the extent of the damage in the area, but it’s impossible right now. Conditions are too hazardous to allow crews in. If it’s not safe for crews, it’s not safe for hikers.

    “The public can help us in our efforts to reopen both the Pisgah and Nantahala by staying off both forests until our work is complete,” Forest Service public information officer Adam Rondeau said in a statement.

    Rondeau added that emergency services have no access to the National Forest land at the moment, and any stranded hiker, camper, or off-roader would be totally on their own.

    Asheville Regional Airport update

    Posted September 30, 2024 at 4:43 PM EDT
    Army National Guard units from Greenville, SC; Greensboro, NC; and Maryland.
    Courtesy of Asheville Regional Airport Facebook.
    Army National Guard units from Greenville, SC; Greensboro, NC; and Maryland.

    Asheville Regional Airport officials say residents should not go to the airport to collect relief supplies. They say the airport must remain clear in order for new supplies to arrive and be offloaded. All supplies will be deployed by FEMA and others at distribution points set up throughout the region, according to the airport’s Facebook page.

    Commercial flights have resumed, but some airlines are not yet back to their full schedules. Passengers are advised to contact their airline for the most up-to-date flight information.

    Passengers can check the Asheville Regional Airport’s Facebook page for regular updates on general airport operations and the arrival of resources, aid and government officials. Airport officials caution that flight information on its web site is inaccurate, as the site is not being updated due to internet issues in western North Carolina.

    Ground transportation to and from the airport is difficult to find, as fuel shortages affect the region.

    Airport officials say cars parked at the airport during the storm are safe, as the parking lot was not flooded. They say they will waive parking fees for the days during the storm and this week of recovery.

    FEMA search and rescue, plus federal disaster teams arrive in Asheville

    Posted September 30, 2024 at 3:22 PM EDT

    FEMA officials are on the ground today in Asheville, said FEMA external affairs officer John Mills. According to the agency, 10 search and rescue crews are on the ground with 10 more arriving today.

    FEMA recommends keeping roadways as clear as possible to allow them to work.

    Disaster Medical Assistance Teams are in Asheville providing emergency room medical support at hospitals, and 200 have been provided to the state.

    FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams are going to the field, focusing on shelters, where they will assist survivors in applying for assistance. There are no details yet as to where exactly these field operations will be based, though they will be focusing on the 29 open shelters.

    FEMA ground operations in Asheville will be operational by the end of the day, but this will happen more slowly in more rural counties. An exact timeline for the latter has not been given, nor has there been a timeline given for the opening of disaster recovery centers.

    FEMA officials say 25 trailer-loads of meals and 60 trailers-loads of water have been delivered to the state, and a plane full of food and water has arrived at an operating base in Asheville. They are also working to resolve connectivity issues, with Starlink satellite systems to be deployed in each county to support communication between local officials and emergency services.

    CORRECTION: This story originally stated that FEMA opened a disaster recovery center in Asheville yesterday. FEMA is working to provide assistance in local shelters but a timeline for disaster recovery centers opening has not been given.

    A medical helicopter takes off near downtown in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in Asheville, (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
    Mike Stewart/AP
    /
    AP
    A medical helicopter takes off near downtown in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in Asheville, (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

    Optimum Internet says restoration is dependent on power, Wi-Fi station in Hendersonville

    Posted September 30, 2024 at 12:07 PM EDT

    Optimum Internet provides internet to much of the Western North Carolina Region. On Monday morning, the company said that restoring internet will depend on when power is restored across the region.

    “In many areas, power outages, flooding and identified fiber cuts from the storm debris all have impacted Optimum services. We are actively communicating with impacted customers through emails, texts and providing updates on our social media channels," Elton Hart, vice president and regional general manager for Optimum said in a statement.

    The company said that it is working with the local power companies DOT and emergency response organizations. A spokesperson told BPR that Optimum is on the ground now at Advent Health Hendersonville Hospital "and throughout the community."

    The spokesperson said there will be a Wi-Fi truck onsite, where the public can charge their devices and access Wi-Fi later this afternoon.

    BPR will update this post with that time and location as it is available.

    Death toll reaches 30 in Buncombe County; 600 people missing

    Posted September 29, 2024 at 7:39 PM EDT

    The death toll from Tropical Storm Helene has reached 30, according to Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller.

    Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder also shared an update on the 1,000 missing people in the county. As of lunchtime today, that number has gone down to 600, Pinder said.

    People can report missing loved ones here.

    Danger for landslides also continues, she said.

    “Go to a designated public shelter if you have been told to evacuate,” she said.

    AB-Tech has two shelters available – one at 16 Fernihurst Drive and a medical emergency shelter at 10 Genevieve Circle.

    Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools closed Monday

    Posted September 29, 2024 at 7:32 PM EDT

    Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools announced Sunday that all schools will be closed for students on Monday, Sept. 30.

    Monday will be an optional teacher workday.

    This decision does not impact the remainder of the 2024-25 district calendar.

    Duke Energy restores power to 723,000 Carolinas customers

    Duke Energy restores power to 723,000 Carolinas customers

    Posted September 29, 2024 at 11:58 AM EDT

    Duke Energy announced that it has restored power to 723,000 customers in the Carolinas over the past 24 hours.

    The company said nearly all customers outside of the western parts of the Carolinas should have power restored by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, though many will be restored before then.

    Workers continue to encounter major challenges accessing areas across the North Carolina mountains and Upstate of South Carolina, limiting the company’s ability to assess damage and provide customers with estimates for when power is likely to be restored.

    Duke Energy is working with local and state officials to gain access to the hardest-hit areas where roads are obstructed. The company is also supplementing its damage assessment efforts with helicopters and drones and will publish estimated power restoration times as soon as possible.

    “Historic flooding, debris and road closures remain an incredible challenge to assessing the severe damage to our system and restoring power in the North Carolina mountains and South Carolina Upstate,” said Jason Hollifield, Duke Energy storm director for the Carolinas. “Our crews appreciate our customers’ patience and support as they continue working around the clock to safely and quickly restore power.”

    Biden approves FEMA relief for NC

    Biden approves FEMA relief for NC

    Posted September 29, 2024 at 11:33 AM EDT

    Federal disaster assistance is available to North Carolina to supplement recovery efforts in the areas, FEMA announced Sunday.

    President Biden's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

    State, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations can also receive funds on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

    NCDOT urges drivers to stay off WNC roads

    Posted September 29, 2024 at 10:49 AM EDT

    The North Carolina Department of Transportation urges drivers to stay off the roads and highways in western North Carolina.

    All roads in western North Carolina should be considered closed and non-emergency travel is prohibited, the agency says.

    Information about road conditions can be found at https://drivenc.gov/.

    Need help? Here's who to contact

    Need help? Here's who to contact

    Posted September 29, 2024 at 10:21 AM EDT

    Regional Assistance: Only call 911 in case of emergencies.

    Duke Energy: 1-800-419-6356 (to report outages call 1-800-543-5599 or text "OUT" to 57801)

    NC Highway Patrol: 828-298-4252

    Emergency Call Center: 828-356-2020


    Buncombe County

    Non-Emergency line:
    828-250-6650

    Missing Persons:

    To report your friend, family member, or loved one as missing or unaccounted for, you can click this link to provide information directly to emergency crews. The form and more information is available here, provided by Buncombe County government.

    If you make contact with your loved one, you should notify the Family Assistance Center by email: buncombesearch@gmail.com.

    The phone number for information on Family Assistance Center services is 828-820-2761. Please listen and leave a voicemail.


    Haywood County

    Canton Police: 828-648-2376

    Waynesville Police: 828-456-5363

    Maggie Valley Police: 828-926-0867

    HEMC: 828-452-2281

    Animal Control: 828-456-5338

    Department of Social Services: 828-452-6620

    Canton Water: 828-648-2376

    Waynesville Water: 828-456-3706

    Missing Persons: 828-452-6666

    Road Conditions: DriveNC.gov

    North Carolina receives Federal Major Disaster Declaration for North Carolina

    Posted September 29, 2024 at 8:46 AM EDT

    RALEIGH: President Biden has granted Gov. Roy Cooper’s request for a Federal Major Disaster Declaration for Tropical Storm Helene providing immediate federal help for 25 North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

    The declaration means that the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be able to speed additional help to the state, and provide assistance to people living in those counties, as well as public assistance to reimburse local governments, state agencies, and non-profits or other eligible organizations for funds spent repairing facilities and infrastructure.

    The counties in the declaration are Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey Counties as well as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

    This declaration is in addition to the federal emergency declaration already in place prior to the impacts of Tropical Storm Helene.

    Read the declaration summary here.

    Water distribution begins in WNC

    Posted September 29, 2024 at 8:24 AM EDT

    With boil water advisories in Asheville, Waynesville, Canton and other Western North Carolina communities, government agencies and private businesses are making plans for water distribution.

    Asheville City Council Member Kim Roney said there will be nine distribution centers in Asheville. More information about the locations will be available later today.

    Pisgah Brewing Company (2948 US-70, Black Mountain, NC 28711) will be filling up water containers today (Sunday) from 2-5 pm.

    Additional A-B Tech shelters open in Asheville, including medical needs shelter

    Posted September 28, 2024 at 7:43 PM EDT

    Additional disaster relief shelters are open in Asheville, officials said Saturday.

    A general shelter is now open in the A-B Tech/Mission Health Conference Center at 16 Fernihurst Drive (turn off of Victoria Road at the light by the Smith McDowell House). Officials said you must bring any bedding and comfort items required. No supplies are provided.

    A shelter for people with medical needs is located in A-B Tech's Ferguson Center for Allied Health & Workforce Development at 10 Genevieve Circle and Victoria Road (across from the entrance to the Mission Health Emergency Department).

    At the medical needs shelter:

    • Bring any required medical devices or supplies with you.
    • This location supplies power for medical devices.

    People who need to shelter with their pets should go to the emergency shelter located at the WNC Agriculture Center. Pets are not allowed at the A-B Tech shelters.

    Also Saturday, campus leaders announced that A-B Tech will be closed until further notice.

    UNC Asheville will not hold class through Oct. 9; campus open for stranded students

    Posted September 28, 2024 at 7:42 PM EDT

    The University of North Carolina Asheville is suspending classes through Wednesday, Oct. 9, but services on campus are available to students.

    “Conditions at UNC Asheville are difficult. Significant tree damage has occurred and parts of campus are inaccessible. Everyone is safe. Cell and internet coverage is nonexistent at this point,” officials said in a news release Saturday,

    Campus leaders say they are providing security, food, and water to remaining students on campus.

    Water for public distribution on its way to Asheville; city system wiped out in storm

    Posted September 28, 2024 at 3:59 PM EDT

    Potable water is on its way to Asheville, according to a city spokesperson. But regular city water service restoration will be "an extended effort."

    Woodfin and many Asheville residents have been without drinking water since yesterday.

    In a video posted on the Facebook group Asheville Politics, city council member Maggie Ullman said that the city is "working heavily" on a water distribution plan. "I don't know the details of that plan, but details should be coming shortly," she said at 11 a.m.

    Ullman also said, "Verizon is working on getting cellular access repaired."

    In a news release Saturday afternoon, city leaders said extensive repairs are required to bring Asheville's water system back online.

    "A preliminary assessment on Saturday morning revealed that Tropical Storm Helene severely damaged the City of Asheville’s water system. Extensive repairs are required. Water Resources has already engaged government and private sector partners to begin the procurement process for additional materials, equipment and personnel," the release stated.

    "Helene was a generational weather event. Although providing an accurate timeline is impossible, service restoration will be an extended effort. We are grateful for your patience while we dedicate every possible resource to reconstructing the damaged portions of our water system."

    Additional updates on city of Asheville water services and other public information is available here.

    WCU suspends classes 1 week. Campus open for essential services to students

    Posted September 28, 2024 at 3:57 PM EDT

    Western Carolina University is suspending classes through Friday, Oct. 4, but services on campus are available to students.

    "...We advise students not to leave the area due to major interstate closures in multiple areas. For similar reasons, we advise concerned parents and loved ones not to attempt to travel to campus," officials said in a news release Saturday.

    Campus leaders say emergency services and essential student services will remain operational. Food services are limited but available.

    "Students may make landline calls from the University Center from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. We are working to distribute this information to off-campus housing and in the community," the release stated.

    The campus is experiencing - like most all of the region - widespread internet and cellular outages.

    Search and rescue underway across WNC; supplies will be flown in

    Posted September 28, 2024 at 2:04 PM EDT

    First responders are conducting search and rescue operations across the region, the governor's office said Saturday. Supplies are being delivered by air as the vast majority of roads are either impassable, unsafe or closed.

    As the region entered Day Two of devastation from flooding and tropical storm winds, Western North Carolina largely is without power, internet, cell phone service, and in some cases, water. Many communities are effectively isolated and stranded.

    Utility crews are responding from across the country for restoration and repair efforts, according to a news release Saturday from North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper. Sixteen shelters housed approximately 1,100 residents last night.

    Cell phone service in flooded NC mountains

    State officials say service is out but telecommunication tower owners have enacted "disaster roaming" so that when one company has restored service, residents in the area will have connections - regardless of their cellular carrier.

    Search and rescue after floods

    So far, the governor's office estimates, more than 200 people have been rescued from flood waters in North Carolina following Helene’s torrential rains. Teams from 19 states and three federal teams have joined North Carolina first responders in the effort.

    “This is a historic and catastrophic storm for Western North Carolina and I’m grateful to first responders working right now to save lives and evacuate residents,” Cooper said. “Efforts are also underway to get power and communications restored, and we’re bringing in needed supplies by air.”

    “The State Emergency Response Team is working around the clock responding to severe impacts from Helene’s devastation. We are grateful for our local, state and federal partners and their teamwork to help North Carolinians hit hard by this storm,” said NC Emergency Management Director Will Ray. “Please remain aware of hazards and follow directions from local officials to protect life and safety.”

    Roads inaccessible

    "As of Saturday morning, about 418 state-maintained roads remained closed, mostly due to flooding," the governor said. In WNC, 11 landslides have been confirmed.

    Roads are broadly considered unsafe or off limits. "This includes major closures on Interstates 26 and 40 around Asheville, plus dozens of locations along several U.S. and N.C. highway routes," the governor's office shared.

    Evacuation order remains for some areas around Mountain Island Lake

    Posted September 28, 2024 at 12:40 PM EDT

    A mandatory evacuation order remains in place for Riverside Drive, Lake Drive, Riverhaven Drive and parts of Beagle Club Road, Harwood Lane, Foggy Bank Lane and Hart Road near Mountain Island Lake.

    There is a voluntary evacuation order for areas near Allison Ferry Road near Mountain Island Lake, Arthur Auten Drive, Drake Cove Road, Neck Rd, Ballypat Lane, Johnson David Road, and Latta Springs.

    City of Charlotte

    A shelter is open at the Tuckaseegee Recreation Center.

    Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management urges those living near the Catawba River and the county's lakes to remain alert for flooding.

    Flood waters can continue to rise without rainfall. Large amounts of rainwater will continue to move through the Catawba River system today.

    NCDOT: Western North Carolina closed

    Posted September 28, 2024 at 10:37 AM EDT

    The North Carolina Department of Transportation said Saturday morning that more than 400 roads in North Carolina are closed and all roads in the western part of the state should be considered closed. Interstates 26 and 40 are impassible in multiple locations. Motorists are asked not to drive in this area.

    The agency posted some photos of flooded roads on its X account.

    Visit DriveNC.gov for current road conditions.

    Lack of cell service hinders post-storm recovery; 'Disaster roaming' enabled

    Posted September 28, 2024 at 10:12 AM EDT

    Thousands of Western North Carolinians remain isolated after the storm with cell phone networks down across the region.

    A spokesperson from the NC Emergency Management office told BPR that the network providers have enabled "disaster roaming." Regardless of what service a person has, if they are in an area with any functional network, they will be able to make calls or send text messages.

    Representatives from Verizon and AT&T said their teams are working as quickly as possible to restore service.

    In a Facebook post on Friday, Buncombe County officials said they have requested wifi units to give people access at the shelters, and they hope the units will arrive today.

    Lake Lure dam no longer in imminent danger of failing

    Posted September 27, 2024 at 8:52 PM EDT

    By Friday night, officials in Rutherford County said one of the most dramatic outcomes of the historic flooding in western North Carolina was no longer on the table, as it appeared the dam at Lake Lure would hold.

    Officials said earlier Friday that the dam was in "imminent danger" of failing and unleashing a massive torrent of water. Residents and emergency workers evacuated downstream communities.

    At 8 pm, Rutherford emergency officials said the immediate crisis had passed. Though the dam was damaged, and water spilled over its top and around it, it would not collapse.

    "Engineers have evaluated the Lake Lure Dam and determined it is no longer at imminent risk of failure. The flow rate has been controlled, and there is no immediate danger," officials posted.

    Still, the dam's structural supports were damaged, and it remains to be seen how extensive that damage is.

    Hundreds of trees down, roads blocked in Charlotte

    Posted September 27, 2024 at 8:38 PM EDT

    The city of Charlotte said that as of 6:30 pm Friday, it had received requests to clear 346 downed trees. Across Charlotte, 121 roads were completely blocked by fallen trees, including busy thoroughfares like Monroe Road and neighborhood streets.

    By Friday evening, 73% of those roads had been cleared and reopened, and crews were working on the rest, Charlotte officials said. Workers planned to resume clearing trees and reopening roads at 6:30 am Saturday.

    Power restoration begins in North Carolina and South Carolina

    Posted September 27, 2024 at 8:34 PM EDT

    Power crews began restoring electricity in North Carolina and South Carolina on Friday, as Helene — now a tropical depression — quickly moved out of the region.

    Duke Energy reported that 1.3 million customers were without power in both states as of Friday night, split roughly evenly.

    In Mecklenburg County, 76,460 customers were without power as of 8:30 pm, down from more than 100,000 in the afternoon.

    In Gaston County, 34,000 customers — more than half of those the utility serves — were in the dark Friday night.

    In Buncombe County, home to Asheville, more than 211,000 customers were without power — basically everyone.

    Blue Ridge Energy, which serves many mountain communities, reported lower total outage numbers but high shares of their customers without power: 72% of Watauga, 86% of Wilkes and 96% of Caldwell County customers were in the dark Friday.

    Floodgates opened at Cowans Ford Dam; water levels to rise

    Posted September 27, 2024 at 8:27 PM EDT

    Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management officials said Friday night that Duke Energy has opened floodgates on Cowans Ford Dam and that water levels downstream, especially on Mountain Island Lake, will continue to rise overnight.

    Even as the storm's remnants dribble into the Midwest, rain from the historic flooding in western North Carolina is moving down through the Charlotte region's rivers.

    "Flood waters will rise, even without rain. Actively monitor lake levels," officials posted. Mountain Island Lake was expected to reach levels 10 feet above previous records. Voluntary and mandatory evacuations were in place in some neighborhoods along the rivers in Mecklenburg and Gaston counties.

    Asheville enforcing curfew in the wake of devastating floods

    Posted September 27, 2024 at 8:21 PM EDT

    There will be a curfew for the next two nights in Asheville starting Friday (Sept. 27) evening, at 7:30 p.m., according to Asheville Police Chief Mike Lamb. The curfew runs through dawn Saturday and Sunday.

    During a joint news conference with Buncombe County leaders on Friday afternoon, Lamb said the curfew requires people to stay sheltered and off the roads.

    “It's very dangerous out there,” Lamb said. “There are no traffic signals. Intersections are dangerous, roadways are dangerous and power lines are down.”

    Stephanie Rogers/BPR Downtown Asheville
    Emergency Services Director Taylor Jones called the impact of Hurricane Helene "unequivocally the most significant natural disaster of our lifetime in Buncombe County."

    This morning, the city opened an emergency shelter at Harrah’s Cherokee Center. That has almost reached its capacity of 400, according to officials. The county has a shelter at the WNC Ag Center with a capacity of 500. So far, around 150 people are there, according to county manager Avril Pinder.

    The city and county plan to open a third shelter at AB-Tech soon, despite no power being available there. It will have a 500 capacity.

    City and county officials could not confirm whether there have been fatalities due to the devastating flooding, landslides and treacherous conditions.

    They said they have fielded more than 5,000 emergency calls and have been handling 9 to 10 calls per minute. Emergency officials have also conducted more than 130 swiftwater rescue operations.

    Large swaths of I-40 and I-26 are damaged by flooding and landslides and will remain closed. Most of the region has lost cell service or electricity - or both.

    Flash Flood Warning for communities near Mountain Island Lake to Lake Wylie

    Posted September 27, 2024 at 3:55 PM EDT

    A flash flood warning is in effect for many communities bordering the Catawba River from Mountain Island Lake to Lake Wylie. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management says residents should prepare to evacuate as Duke Energy moves large amounts of rainwater through the Catawba River System from Lake Norman through Mountain Island Lake to Lake Wylie. For those looking for a shelter, one is in place at the Tuckaseegee Recreation Center.

    Gaston County officials say Mountain Island Lake levels are expected to rise 10 feet above maximum levels. There’s now a voluntary evacuation order for the Nivens Cove neighborhood. Officers are going door to door to notify residents about the rising water. Gaston County will move its emergency shelter from the Citizens Resource Center in Dallas to Belmont Middle School in Belmont.

    NCDOT officials said I-26 and I-40 closed due to flooding

    Posted September 27, 2024 at 12:43 PM EDT

    The North Carolina Department of Transportation said Interstate 26 and 40 are closed due to flooding in both directions. NCDOT officials are warning commuters not to drive unless it is an emergency to seek higher ground. For the latest roadway conditions you can check DriveNC.gov.

    Officials warn Lake Lure Dam could fail

    Posted September 27, 2024 at 12:35 PM EDT

    In the Piedmont region,the National Weather Service has issued a flash flood emergency in Rutherford County.

    Officials warn that the Lake Lure Dam in Rutherford could soon fail. Officials are urging residents that live below the dam to evacuate and move to higher grounds.

    Governor Roy Cooper and officials give updates on Tropical Storm Helene impact

    Posted September 27, 2024 at 12:05 PM EDT

    North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and emergency management officials gave an update on the impact of Tropical Storm Helene has had on the state. Cooper said that two people have died during the storm: One person in Catawba County in a car accident and one who was killed in Charlotte after a tree fell on a home.

    During the press conference Friday morning, Cooper also noted that as the rain moves out, it doesn’t mean the impacts of the storm are done. “This fierce storm will move out of our state in the next 24 hours,” Cooper said. “The danger will not be over. Tropical storm-force winds that border on hurricane strength are happening right now across western North Carolina, trees are falling, causing widespread power outages.”

    According to Duke Energy’s outage map there are over 670,000 people without power in North Carolina and 620,000 in South Carolina

    “We're also currently aware of 290 closed roads for the people in western North Carolina who do not travel unless there is an emergency,” Cooper also said.

    Flash Flood Warnings continue across the Piedmont until Sunday

    Posted September 27, 2024 at 11:02 AM EDT

    Tropical Storm Helene has brought historic rainfall to some parts of the Carolinas and has caused major flooding. The National Weather Service has several cities under Flash Flood Emergencies including, Asheville, Hendersonville and Spartanburg. NWS said the rainfall will cause creeks, streams, and roads to be flooded. Much of the Piedmont will remain in a Flash Flood Warning until Sunday morning at 2:30 AM.

    Charlotte Douglas Airport delays rise due to Tropical Storm Helene

    Posted September 27, 2024 at 11:01 AM EDT

    Tropical Storm Helene is moving through the Carolinas and is causing problems for travelers in the air and on the ground. Airports across the East Coast are being delayed due to the heavy rainfall and wind.

    According to the flight tracking website FlightAware, at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, 473 flights have been delayed and 340 have been canceled. If you’re traveling today, you can track your flights status at cltairport.com

    President Biden declares state of emergency for North Carolina and South Carolina

    Posted September 27, 2024 at 10:19 AM EDT

    President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency for both North Carolina and South Carolina in anticipation of high winds and heavy rain from Tropical Storm Helene.

    The emergency declarations, announced on Thursday, unlock federal funding to help state, tribal and local response efforts due to emergency conditions that result from the storm.

    The declarations also allow the federal Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate disaster relief efforts.

    In addition, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster have also declared states of emergency in both states, activating the National Guard and deploying swift-water teams ahead of the storm.

    "Helene threatens heavy rain, flash flooding, landslides, and damaging winds to the mountains and Piedmont areas of our state," Cooper said in a statement. "Now is the time for North Carolinians to prepare, make sure emergency kits are up-to-date and pay attention to the weather alerts in your area."

    In a statement, McMaster similarly warned South Carolina residents to stay safe during the storm.

    "Although South Carolina will likely avoid the brunt of Hurricane Helene's impacts, the storm is still expected to bring dangerous flooding, high winds, and isolated tornadoes to many parts of the state," McMaster said. "South Carolinians in potentially affected areas should start to take precautions now and monitor local weather forecasts over the next several days."

    Cleveland County Fair delays opening as Helene brings high winds, rain

    Posted September 27, 2024 at 9:37 AM EDT

    The Cleveland County Fair will open to the public on Friday, one day after it's planned opening was canceled due to Tropical Storm Helene.

    "We appreciate everyone's patience and understanding as we navigate this 'fair weather,'" the fair said in a message shared on social media.

    "If you've been to the fair before, you know it's part of the tradition, and this year, Hurricane Helene is taking to the next level for our 100th anniversary!"

    The fair added that all fair activities, including barn and grandstand events would not take place as scheduled on Thursday.

    The fair will run through Oct. 6 in Shelby, N.C.

    Union County 'inundated' with 911 calls, officials say

    Posted September 27, 2024 at 9:29 AM EDT

    Union County emergency management officials said they are "inundated" with 911 calls Friday morning, mostly about downed trees. They're activating the county's emergency management center to coordinate the response.

    "We are working to keep our residents safe and informed as Tropical Storm Helene impact Union County," Emergency Management Director Andrew Ansley said. "We are experiencing heavy rain and strong winds, which are causing debris in roads and flash flooding. We urge everyone to use precaution and avoid driving if possible."

    Emergency officials ask people to stay off the roads

    Posted September 27, 2024 at 8:59 AM EDT

    Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Services officials asked people to stay off the roads on Friday unless travel is essential.

    Hazards on the roads include downed trees, power lines and flooded areas.

    North Tryon Street at 16th Street, a frequently flood-prone area, is shut down, police said, as are Mount Holly-Huntersville Road, Queens Road and a lane on I-77 south of uptown.

    Flood warning issued for Charlotte region; roads closed

    Posted September 27, 2024 at 8:34 AM EDT

    The National Weather Service has issued Flash Flood Warnings for Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Union, Gaston, Lincoln, Cleveland, Catawba and York counties. Officials said the heavy rain may cause some rivers and creeks to overflow across the area. Damien Gonzales, Deputy Director of Operations for MEDIC, said agencies are staffed up for the storm.

    "We have the infrastructure secured to withstand the challenges ahead of us including maintaining our 911 call center and we have increased our fuel surplus for our fleet. Our staffing levels have been supplemented with overtime and we are prepared to rise and meet any demand which occurs in the next couple of days," he said.

    Several more inches of rain are expected across much of North and South Carolina, with historic totals predicted in the mountains. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police say more than 40 secondary roads are currently blocked due to high water or downed trees with at least 10 traffic signal malfunctions across the city.

    In Gaston County, Highway 321 is closed due to flooding north of I-85 and officials there have opened an emergency shelter at the Citizens Resource Center on Dallas Cherryville Highway in Dallas in response to voluntary evacuations underway in neighborhoods in Lowell and Mount Holly. Nearly 20,000 customers are without power in Gaston County and 13,000 more are out in Concord and Kannapolis.

    Almost 900,000 Duke Energy customers without power in the Carolinas

    Posted September 27, 2024 at 8:28 AM EDT

    As of 8 am, about 880,000 customers were without power in North Carolina and South Carolina, Duke Energy reported.

    About 78,000 of those were in Mecklenburg County, along with more than 21,000 in Gaston County, almost 13,000 in Cabarrus County and 11,000 in Union County.

    Across the southeast US, an estimated 3.2 million customers were without power, concentrated in Florida and Georgia.

    Mandatory evacuations underway near Mountain Island Lake

    Posted September 27, 2024 at 8:23 AM EDT

    Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management said mandatory evacuations are underway around Riverside Drive, Lake Drive, Riverhaven Drive, Beagle Club Road and Hart Road near Mountain Island Lake as floodwaters begin to rise.

    Officials have been warning of possibly historic levels of flooding caused by the storm as it rolls through western North Carolina, with floodwaters moving down from the mountains to the Catawba River and local lakes.

    The Tuckaseegee Recreation Center has been opened as a shelter for evacuees.

    One person killed in Charlotte by falling tree

    Posted September 27, 2024 at 8:20 AM EDT

    Charlotte Fire Department officials said one person was killed early Friday when a tree fell on their house in west Charlotte as Helene, now a tropical storm, passed through the area.

    The house is in the 5400 block of Brookway Drive, near Rozelles Ferry Road. The tree fell shortly after 5 a.m.

    One other person was also trapped in the house but survived. Minor children in the house were not injured, firefighters said.