Press release from the City of Asheville:
The City of Asheville continues to provide Tropical Storm Helene recovery resource updates on a daily basis.
Water Service Update
The Water Resources Department continues to make progress in restoring water service to the city. Water Resources personnel and city contractors are working 24 hours a day to bring water service back to customers. Restoration of service is dependent on two specific factors:
The ability to remove sediment from the reservoir water is critical to making our filters effective in treating the water to drinking water quality.
The complex process that is necessary to pressurize the pipes in the water distribution system.Because the city is not yet able to fully utilize the North Fork Water Treatment Plan for treatment due to the high levels of sediment in the reservoir water, the decision has been made, in consultation with the EPA, to begin pressurizing the distribution system directly from the reservoir, temporarily bypassing the treatment plant. While the water may include sediment, it will be highly chlorinated to provide as much disinfection as possible under the circumstances.
Some customers who are very close to the North Fork Water Treatment facility may see water service beginning today. It is of utmost importance to note: This water IS NOT SAFE for drinking from the tap. Water must be vigorously boiled for at least one minute before consumption. The water is safe for laundry, showering (do not swallow water while showering), handwashing, washing dishes and flushing toilets.
A mandatory Boil Water Notice, which means we have confirmed contaminants in the water, is in effect for customers who receive water from North Fork.
A Boil Water Advisory, which means we have not confirmed the presence of contaminants in the water, but have reason to believe they may exist, is in effect for customers who receive water from Mills River.
Here is an approximate map of service areas from the City of Asheville water treatment plants.It’s also important to note that service boundaries among our three facilities are not precise. There will be bleed-over, especially in areas close to service boundaries.
In each case, please vigorously boil water for a minimum of one minute before consumption.
The Boil Water Advisory and Boil Water Notice will be lifted when testing indicates the water is safe to drink. Until that time it is recommended that bottled water is used for drinking, cooking and brushing teeth, or the water is boiled before using for these purposes.
As the water lines in the distribution system begin to pressurize, we will become aware of additional damage to those lines. If you see a leak in your area, please report it to customer service: 828-251-1122.
You can find the water service update from the Buncombe County Briefing on October 11 at this link – https://youtu.be/ERMsyoxBoEk
Preparing your home for return of water service
As water begins to restore, and if it looks dirty at your house, you can close the valve to your hot water heater or whole house filter to prevent sediment from accumulating. Remember to open the inlet valve once the water is clear. It is also best to turn the power off to the hot water heater to ensure no damage occurs if you don’t have water but have power.
Other household considerations: If visible sediment appears, turn off ice makers and toilets, flush discolored water through a bathtub faucet. Then return toilets and ice makers to service.Debris Collection Update
Debris collection in key areas of the city and county have begun. You can now place your debris at the curb.Please separate your debris into these categories:
Construction (building materials, dry wall, lumber, carpet, furniture plumbing)
Appliances (refrigerator, washer/dryer, air conditioner, stove, water heater, dishwasher,
Electronics (television, computer, stereo, phone, dvd player)
Vegetative (tree branches, logs, leaves and plants)
Hazardous (oil, battery, pesticide, paint, cleaning supplies, compressed gas)Important:
Household Trash should be bagged. Regular sanitation routes will begin on Monday, October 14. Beginning October 14, trash and recycling should be separated into their appropriate carts.
Storm Debris does not need to be bagged and can be placed in a pile.Transit Services
Beginning Monday, October 14, ART buses will roll out a second phase of modified transit service. This phase will bring the following additions:
Service hours will be expanded to 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. (previously it was 8 a.m. -5 p.m.)
The service will still include Flag Stops where passengers can board at their preferred location
The last outbound trips from the Transit Center will depart by 6:59 p.m.
Three additional routes will be brought back online
N1, 170 and S4 routesRoute modifications will be available on the ART website on Saturday, Oct. 13, through service alerts for those who are registered or by calling Transit customer service at 828-253-5691.
With the addition of these three routes, ART will have 14 of the 19 total routes operational, with some modifications made due to storm impacts. Staff will continue to assess options to reopen the remaining 5 routes that will not be operational on Monday.Transit Service remains free until further notice.
City Offices and Parks will be closed until further notice.
LOCAL UPDATES
Public officials are holding news briefings each day at 11 a.m . The briefings are streamed live at
facebook.com/buncombeGov and broadcasted on Blue Ridge Public Radio 88.1 FM. You can also listen on the iHeart radio stations including 99.9, 104.3, 105.1, 105.9, 96.5, 98.1, 105.5 and 97.3 (Spanish) and 570 AM.
ASHEVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
To lessen the economic impact on area businesses, curfew hours are now 11 p.m. – 6 a.m. We continue to encourage our community if you see something, say something & report illegal activity to 911.
APD is finalizing the Helene Missing Persons form and will be closing this specific reporting option. Members of the public
can once again report missing persons and request welfare checks by calling our non-emergency line at 828-252-1110.
TRASH COLLECTION
Sanitation staff will work Friday, 10/11/24, and attempt to collect on roads that were previously inaccessible. If your road
or trash was missed due to accessibility, please call 828-259-5857 to request pickup. While staff are working diligently to
reach everyone, they still may not be able to collect all missed trash from this week.
Regular schedules will resume Monday, October 14 and residents should separate trash and recycling into their appropriate carts. Do not put limbs, yard debris, construction debris, carpet, concrete, or other bulky or hazardous items in your trash cart. These materials will be collected at a later date.Download the AVL Collects app (Apple Store or Google Play Store) to receive notifications about trash and recycling pickup in your area. This is only for City of Asheville customers.
WATER UTILITY SERVICE
T&K Utilities connected North Fork’s 36-inch bypass line to the water distribution system at 1 a.m. Thursday. While that is
a major milestone, it is important to note that it does not mean customers will start receiving water. Full system restoration is still potentially weeks away. Contractors continue to make progress on large-scale repairs to primary transmission mains in the water distribution system. This work is sequencing from the source of water, North Fork, out into the system. Areas closest to North Fork, which is in Black Mountain, will receive service first. Restoration will then move in a generally westward direction, slowly and incrementally, toward the city limits of Asheville.The City of Asheville is not assessing late fees for water bills, sending delinquent notices, creating new bills, or doing any
cuts-offs for non-payment at this time. We are still accepting payments online, IVR, and by mail for anyone that is trying to
pay an existing bill. Please contact customer service at 828-251-1122 if you have billing concerns.
FEMA DISASTER DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER
While FEMA will continue to have Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams canvassing communities and neighborhoods
in Buncombe Co and throughout Western NC (all in coordination with county emergency management), residents are encouraged to visit the Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC). A Disaster Recovery Center is a one-stop shop where survivors can meet face-to-face with FEMA representatives, apply for FEMA assistance, receive referrals to localassistance in their area, apply with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for low-interest disaster loans and much more. 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.The Buncombe County center is located at: A.C. Reynolds High School, 1 Rocket Dr.
Open: 8 a.m. 7 p.m., Monday through Sunday
ASHEVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT
AFD continues efforts in heavily affected areas and canvassing neighborhoods for needs. Burning yard waste and
debris is not allowed within city limits due to many safety concerns . Report any hazardous materials to ncdwmspills@deq.nc.gov.
BUS SERVICE
ART will continue to operate a modified schedule on select routes where road conditions have improved. These routes will run on a modified Sunday schedule, with all outbound trips ending by 5 p.m. ART services will be free of charge until further notice.The modified routes will have flag stop service, allowing passengers to signal the driver and board at their preferred location along the route (same side of road the bus is traveling) instead of at designated stops.
Service will be expanded beginning on Monday, October 14. Operating hours will be 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Beginning October 14, Three additional routes will be brought back online: N1, 170 and S4.
ART Paratransit services are resuming where possible. Paratransit customers should call (828) 250-6750 to schedule transportation.
FOOD & WATER DISTRIBUTION
Food in the form of Meals Ready to Eat (MRE), drinking water and water for flushing toilets are available at the below listed distribution sites today. Distribution hours are 9 a.m – 7 p.m. or until supplies run out. The public will need to bring containers for flushing water. These sites also have printed and posted daily updates of important information and resources
Pack Square Park, 70 Court Plaza
Asheville Middle School, 211 S. French Broad Ave
Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd (no bulk water distribution at Shiloh) Lucy Herring Elementary, 98 Sulphur Springs Rd
Oakley Elementary School, 753 Fairview
SMALL DONATIONS
Three donation sites have been established for drop off of small donations from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. Clothes are not
accepted.Harrah’s Cherokee Center
68 Haywood St.West Asheville
1298 Patton Ave.Arden Presbyterian Church
2215 Hendersonville Rd.Suggested donation items: non-perishable food, cleaning supplies, pet supplies, child/baby supplies, paper towels, paper
plates, garbage bags, new blankets, sports drinks.The most impactful way to support the recovery effort at this time is monetary donations to recognized disaster relief organizations. Visit ncvoad.org/donate-2 for more information. Organizations on the ground know what items and quantities are needed, often buy in bulk with discounts, and if possible purchase with businesses local to the disaster which supports economic recovery.
TO VOLUNTEER: Visit HandsonAsheville.org for information.
SHELTERS
General public shelter at WNC Agricultural Center (pets accepted)
1301 Fanning Bridge Rd, Fletcher
General public shelter at AB Tech
6 Fernihurst Dr, Asheville (use Victoria Road entrance)
Medical emergency shelter at AB Tech
10 Genevieve Cir, Asheville
Old Gold’s Gym
1815 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville ASSISTANCE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
The United States Small Business Administration has opened an assistance center at the Chamber of Commerce. The
center is focusing on providing disaster relief in the form of low interest loans for businesses, nonprofits, homeowners and
renters impacted by the storm. Visit sba.gov for more information or visit SBA representatives in person at the Asheville
Chamber of Commerce (36 Montford Ave). Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and
Saturday 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
**Disclaimer:**
The information provided in this sheet reflects the current services and resources available from the City of Asheville following the recent storm. Please note that these services are subject to change based on ongoing assessments and community needs.We encourage residents to stay informed through media outlets and official city channels for the most up-to-date information.
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