City of Asheville Helene recovery update for Oct. 25

The City of Asheville continues to provide Tropical Storm Helene recovery resource updates on a daily basis.

Water Distribution Sites & Community Care Stations

Food, bottled drinking water, and bulk water for flushing (please bring your own containers such as ½ gallon buckets and water totes) are being distributed throughout the area. Community Care Stations are also set up to offer hot showers, laundry, wi-fi, bathrooms, charging stations, water, and meals. All amenities are free to the public.

Visit ashevillenc.gov/helene/relief-assistance for more information and current locations/times.

Water Service Restoration
Water service has been restored to 99 percent of customers, although a systemwide Boil Water Notice remains in effect. Details and answers to frequently asked questions can be found on the Water Services Recovery page on the City’s website.

See updates from the City of Asheville on water service and the latest on the dams and spillways at North Fork Water Treatment Plant and William DeBruhl Water Treatment Plant at the October 25 press briefing using this Google folder.

Storm Debris Collection

Storm debris information and answers to frequently asked questions can be found on the Storm Debris Management web page on the City’s website.

The City of Asheville has secured a contractor with experience in natural disaster debris removal and work has begun to remove debris out of our neighborhoods and business districts.

Temporary storm debris sites are necessary to process and ultimately remove debris from our community. The City continues to pursue temporary debris sites in all geographic areas of the City. The Enka Commerce Park site remains the only site that is currently receiving debris. Both the Enka Commerce Park site and 65 Ford Street site have 24-hour security monitoring, 7 days a week. Although the 65 Ford Street site is no longer operational, some debris was placed at this site and until it is removed by the contractor the City will continue to monitor for security purposes conditions at the site.

Before placing storm debris near the curb, we are asking residents to sort those materials into the following categories per the graphic on the City’s debris website:

Construction, demolition & bulky items
Appliances
Electronics
Vegetative Debris
Household Hazardous Waste

Please do not block the roadway with debris or place debris on utilities or meters. We need to keep our roadways clear for emergency access.You do not have to place all of your storm debris out at once. Contractors will be making routine collections.

Leaf Collection

City of Asheville sanitation crews will begin seasonal leaf collection this Monday, October 28. The City encourages the community to consider waiting as long as possible to set out leaves for collection, or alternatively to backyard compost. This will help make the storm debris removal process more efficient. Leaves will be collected on a bi-weekly schedule. When it is time to place leaves out for collection, remember to use either paper bags (no plastic) or containers marked as ‘yard waste’. Please do not place storm debris in yard waste containers. Storm debris will be collected by a contractor and does not have to be cut to any specific size.  City crews are not collecting any limbs or yard waste piles at this time. For more information on how to prepare leaves for collection, visit ashevillenc.gov/service/dispose-of-leaves-brush-or-christmas-trees

ART Bus Service

Starting this Sunday, October 27, ART bus services will resume regular scheduled hours for most bus routes. The N2, 170 and WE1 Eastbound routes will resume with modifications. Buses are no longer offering flag stop service. Transit riders need to wait at a designated bus stop to board their bus. ART bus service will continue to be free of charge to all community members until further notice. Visit ashevillenc.gov/transit for more information.