Buncombe County Tropical Storm Helene updates, Friday, Oct. 4

Buncombe County has activated the One Buncombe Call Center for residents to report storm damage, access resources, and find storm-related information by calling 828-250-6100. The call center will operate seven days a week.

In Buncombe County, 72 lives have been lost due to Hurricane Helene.

Solid Waste Services
Waste Pro is resuming limited service in Weaverville on Friday where safe and accessible. Residents can drop off household trash (no storm debris) at North Buncombe Pool, 734 Clarks Chapel Road, Weaverville, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Buncombe County Landfill will be open Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Hazardous Materials
Residents are advised to avoid river areas due to debris. The County has requested testing for hazardous materials through the state emergency operations center.

Donation Center
We have set up a warehouse at 6 Commerce Way in Arden to receive hurricane relief supplies. We can receive donations from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. daily. Any size vehicle is welcome.

We have seven categories of things that we can accept, these include:

• Non-perishable, ready-to-eat food
• Bottled water
• Clean-up supplies
• Paper goods like toilet paper
• Baby supplies including formula
• Pet supplies
• Personal Care

We cannot accept baby food, glass items, furniture, clothing, perishable food, electronics, and flammable liquids.

We will not distribute from this location – these donations will go to community partners to distribute, so please do not come here to receive supplies.

Mountain Mobility
As long as patients are accessible, Mountain Mobility is resuming life-sustaining dialysis transport in coordination with dialysis centers. This will also help open hospital beds.

Community Support for Unhoused Individuals
Code Purple, a coordinated effort among Asheville and Buncombe County shelters and other organizations to provide emergency overflow shelter for unhoused individuals, was called prior to the storm with collaboration between City, County, and service providers to quickly outreach to folks on the street and attempt to get them to Code Purple locations before the storm hit. Many of them are still in those shelters for the time being, and County Community Paramedics along with City Community Responders have been making regular rounds to homeless service and permanent supportive housing provider locations to offer support and resources to residents and staff at those locations.

Permits
The Buncombe County Permits Office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Applications are accepted electronically at buncombecounty.org/permits. Special flood hazard area requirements may apply.

Town of Woodfin Updates

• Food and Water Distribution will take place at the New Bridge Baptist Church at 199 Elkwood Avenue from 2-4 p.m. Donations will be accepted from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• A portion of donations to the church is being shuttled to Victory Baptist Church at 80 Olivette Rd, Asheville from 3-5 p.m.
• Anyone with special needs or with a welfare check request should visit Woodfin Town Hall at 90 Elk Mountain Road or call 828-253-4887 when cellular service is restored to the line.
• Trash and recycling collection will start on Friday.
• There is not current definitive timeline for when water can be restored at Woodfin.
•  The town is hosting a briefing everyday at 1 p.m. at the Town Hall.

 

Town of Biltmore Forest Updates

• Hurricane Helene brought down a large number of trees at Biltmore Forest, which is a primary residential area. This was the main source of destruction for this community.
• All roads are currently accessible for emergency crews.

• The water system will require repairs once water systems are restored.

 

Wi-Fi Access
Free Wi-Fi is available at the North Asheville Library use the password “readmore” lowercase, no space. Other libraries include Pack Memorial, Enka-Candler and West Asheville.

Pet Care
MedVet Asheville, an emergency and specialty veterinary hospital, will be opening starting tomorrow Friday, Oct. 4 from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. and will be open those hours every day. They are located at 677 Brevard Road, Asheville, NC 28806.