Updates from Hurricane Helene: more resources available for locating loved ones

News release from Buncombe County:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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