Buncombe County, along with other areas in western North Carolina, is continuing with search, recovery and distribution efforts in areas devastated by flooding from Hurricane Helene. 

As of Thursday, 72 people have died in Buncombe County during the storms and recovery, according to Buncombe County leaders.

Power

Duke Energy is working to restore electricity to thousands, with 170,000 still without power in the North Carolina mountain area as of Friday, according to Duke Energy spokesperson Bill Norton. 

“This has been a storm like we’ve never experienced in our history," Norton said.

Norton said they are on track to restore power to 27,000 more customers by Friday night and 69,000 by Sunday night. Others could take longer.

There are 105,000 customers without power in areas where damage is considered catastrophic, Norton said, and Duke Energy is working with state leaders on addressing those places.

“There are places they haven’t even been able to put eyes on yet," Norton said. "Places where the home no longer exists, we’re not going to power that back on, obviously."

Fire officials urge anyone who does not have power to turn off their breaker.

Distributions

While the county is now able to provide water, food, restroom facilities, WiFi and other essentials, county leaders are still working on a plan to get essential items to those unable to travel to distribution sites.

There is also a plan to build community reception centers where people will have the ability to shower and potentially do laundry.

The water in rivers and streams should be treated as a hazmat site. “All of this water flowing through out community right now should be treated as if it is a hazardous material," officials said Friday. 

Those who sustained damage from the storm can call 828-250-6100 to receive help, Buncombe County leaders said. This is separate from FEMA.

During a press conference Thursday, Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder said the county's biggest needs as far as resources go is water and gas for generators. 

"Slowly but surely we are seeing signs of progress," Kit Cramer, president and CEO of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, said Thursday. "More people get power, a cell tower goes up that provides connection, federal relief is beginning to be felt, as is the work of a wide variety of philanthropies."

Cramer said residents continue to gather in the parking lot of the chamber's office to access WiFi and power. Portable restrooms will also be available for use soon.

Food and water distribution sites are open until 7 p.m. or until supplies run out. County staff asks residents to please bring containers to refill water:

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

Food in the form of Meals Ready to Eat (MRE) and bottled water are available at two distribution sites. Two MRE packages are available per adult, and one per child will be allowed per day. Cases of bottled water are also available, with one case per family per day, Buncombe County leaders said. Distribution will last until 7 p.m. or until supplies run out:

  • Asheville Middle School, 211 S. French Broad Avenue, Asheville
  • Lindwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Road, Asheville

Bulk water is available at Pack Square Park (70 Court Plaza). County leaders said some containers are available but please bring your own if possible.

"We are aware that many in our community cannot make it to the distribution sites, and we are working on developing a mobile distribution plan to reach those in need," county leaders posted online.

Water is also available at the City of Asheville at Pack Square Park. Drinking water will be distributed beginning at 1 p.m. until dark or when the supply runs out. Each person will be provided one gallon of water per person, with a maximum of five gallons per family. Residents must bring their own container, and the site is walk-up only. 

Schools

For schools in Asheville, district leaders say they're unable to resume classes until buildings have running water and bus routes are safe. Currently, about half of school facilities have power, according to school leaders. 

Burning guidance

Those hoping to burn wood and branches outdoors may do so but only in piles of 3 feet, Buncombe County leaders said. The materials being burned should only be natural. Nothing with chemicals in it, textiles or rubber should be burned.

FEMA

"Our thoughts are with the people of western North Carolina," Mary Ann Turney with FEMA said Thursday, adding that the recovery is going to take a long time. Turney surveyed damage from the storm.

“Our No. 1 priority continues to be life safety," Turney said.

She shared that those needing cash for life-sustaining supplies, and/or displacement assistance can register for FEMA assistance and see what options are available. Registering for FEMA assistance can be done by calling 1-800-621-FEMA, or going online to disasterassistance.gov.

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