City of Asheville Helene update for Friday, Nov. 8

Press release from City of Asheville:

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

Veteran’s Day

In observance of Veterans Day on Monday, November 11, City of Asheville offices, including Parks and Recreation community centers and Harrah’s Cherokee Center, will be closed. Public safety services, including police, fire, water, storm debris collection, and emergency services, will operate as usual.

Water, Meal Distribution, and Community Care Stations will continue to serve the community but will close early at 6:30 p.m. November 11. In honor of Veterans Day, Buncombe County will host a special dinner for National Guard members. This event is an opportunity for National Guard personnel to enjoy a meal and be recognized for their service.

A Veterans Day Ceremony will take place at the Charles George VA Medical Center at 11:00 AM on Monday, November 11. The public is encouraged to attend and honor local veterans. A recorded video of the ceremony will also be available at 3:00 PM on the City’s YouTube channel.

Water Restoration Update

The City of Asheville is making significant progress in restoring potable water and addressing water turbidity issues in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene. As of early Friday morning, the turbidity level at the North Fork Reservoir had fallen below 17. The level remained around 17 or below for most of Thursday after peaking at 17.4 around noon.

The plan for next week remains on track, with the third round of in-reservoir treatment scheduled to begin either Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning. This treatment will continue throughout the week, depending on the turbidity levels. North Fork’s capacity to deliver treated water into the system has now increased to 18 million gallons per day (mgd). However, the success of the treatment process is still contingent upon continued reductions in turbidity.

In addition, the Army Corps of Engineers is continuing the procurement process for an interim pre-treatment system. While there is potential to announce a contract award by Friday, the timeline for full implementation remains late November/early December.

Water,  Meal Distribution, and Community Care Stations Continue

Water distribution sites and Community Care Stations on Veterans Day will continue providing bottled and potable water and will close early. The following locations are available from 7:00 AM to 6:30 PM:

  • Pack Square Park, 70 Court Plaza

  • Sky Lanes Bowling Alley, 1477 Patton Ave

  • Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd

Community Care Stations will also remain operational at locations including the At Home Store parking lot (980 Brevard Rd) and the Innsbruck Mall parking lot (85 Tunnel Rd), providing additional resources such as ADA-accessible showers and restrooms.

Resumed City Services and Programs

As recovery efforts continue, several City services and programs are resuming. Starting Tuesday, November 12, Asheville Parks and Recreation will bring back most programs, with a few exceptions. For example, cooking classes and some outdoor programs will remain suspended until potable water services are fully restored. Youth and adult basketball league registrations are open, and other program registrations will begin on November 12.

Helene Recovery Grant Funds

In response to the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Helene, the City of Asheville has launched the Helene Recovery Grant Fund to support businesses and residents in need. The following organizations will administer recovery grants in three key areas:

  • Mountain BizWorks will distribute $704,000 in Business Stabilization grants to local businesses.

  • Eblen Charities will distribute $500,000 in Rental Assistance funds.

  • The Asheville Regional Coalition for Home Repair (a partnership of Habitat for Humanity, Mountain Housing Opportunities, Poder Emma, and Community Action Opportunities) will manage $750,000 in Home Repair grants for low-income homeowners.

These grants are designed to assist businesses and homeowners impacted by the storm. More details, including how to apply, will be announced soon.

General Obligation Bonds for Community Investment

The City of Asheville is also pleased to announce the passage of the 2024 General Obligation Bond Referendums, totaling $80 million. These funds will be used to support key community infrastructure projects, including:

  • Affordable housing development

  • Transportation and road improvements

  • Public safety facilities, including fire stations and emergency response equipment

  • Parks and Recreation facility upgrades

The approval of these bonds is a major step forward in building a more resilient and equitable Asheville, and the City is committed to ensuring that these investments benefit all residents.

For more information on City services, water restoration efforts, available resources, or how to apply for recovery grants, visit www.ashevillenc.gov.

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