Buncombe County Tropical Storm Helene updates for Saturday, Oct. 5

Buncombe County Launches Geotagged Photo Tool to Accelerate Relief Efforts
Buncombe County launched a new online tool that allows residents to upload geotagged photos of storm-related emergency issues as blocked roads, landslides, and urgent needs for evacuation, supplies, or medicine. This information will allow emergency crews to respond faster and with more accuracy. Access the tool and submit photos at report.buncombecounty.org. Do not use the ‘Take Photo or Video’ option as it will not transmit location info.

Guidance for Open Burning
Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency encourages residents to wait at least three days to let materials dry out before burning as that will help reduce emissions. Be sure to be at least 15 feet away from structures and in three-foot piles.

• Open burning of leaves, brush, and yard trimmings is permitted on burning days between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. To find out if it is a burn day, check abairquality.org or call 828-250-6767.
• You are allowed to burn anywhere that does not receive public yard waste pick-up.
• The burning of household trash, building materials, asphaltic materials, cardboard, processed wood, and papers is always PROHIBITED.
• Burning is not allowed in the City of Asheville, and the Towns of Biltmore Forest, Black Mountain, Montreat, Weaverville or Woodfin.

Food and Water Distribution Sites
Food and water distribution sites are open until 7 p.m. or supplies run out. 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

The City of Asheville also has sites:

• Asheville Middle School: 211 S. French Broad Avenue, Asheville – Until 7 p.m.
• Lindwood Crump Shiloh Community Center: 121 Shiloh Road, Asheville – Until 7 p.m.
• Pack Square Park: 70 Court Plaza beginning at 1 p.m. until dark.
• Lucy Herring Elementary School, 98 Sulphur Springs Road. Open 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Well Water Safety
Environmental Health is working to ensure flooded wells or wells that were damaged during the storm provide safe water for use at home. A flooded well is a well where water was over the top of the well at any point during the storm. Wells may also receive structural damage. If a well was either flooded or damaged during the storm, it must be disinfected. Instructions can be found on buncombeready.org.

Once the well is disinfected, call  828-250-5016. The number will be active starting Monday. Someone will come out to collect a water sample.

Water preservation: put a filled 2-liter bottle in the back of your toiler, reuse water by using dishwashing water in the back of the toilet for flushing. At this time, we ask that you do not use water from rivers, streams, or creeks due to contamination from the storm.

Restaurants
Environmental Health staff is visiting food service establishments and providing information to operators on how they can reopen for business as safely and as quickly as possible. Establishments can call or text 828-772-2820 to request an assessment. They can also email ehrequest@buncombecounty.org and include “restaurant” in subject line.

Childcare Centers
Operators of childcare centers should reach out to their licensed childcare consultant for guidance on safely reopening.