News release from Buncombe County:
Following projections from the National Weather Service, catastrophic and historic flooding is anticipated in Buncombe County along the French Broad and Swannanoa Rivers. Residents, businesses, visitors, and employees in Fletcher and Biltmore Village near the rivers should self-evacuate before anticipated crests overnight Friday and into Saturday morning. Flooding is expected to rival and/or surpass flooding from the 1916 flood.“If you are in an impacted area, you should leave now,” said Emergency Services Director Taylor Jones. “It’s possible we may get to a point where our crews will not physically be able to perform rescues. We cannot emphasize how much you should take this seriously.”First Baptist Church Swannanoa has opened community sheltering, and Trinity Baptist Church will open a shelter at 3 p.m. Thursday.Buncombe County is working to develop GIS mapping of the projected impacts, but those in the Biltmore Village and Fletcher areas along the river should plan to evacuate now.Buncombe County Government administrative offices and buildings, including the landfill and transfer station, will be closed on Friday, Sept. 27. The Buncombe County Courthouse also will be closed.Buncombe County will hold a virtual media briefing at 4 p.m. Email prteam@buncombecounty.org for the Zoom link to participate. It will be streamed live on Facebook at www.facebook.com/buncombegov.
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