City of Asheville Tropical Storm Helene updates for Wednesday, Oct. 9

City Offices and Parks will be closed until further notice.

Local Updates
Public officials are holding news briefings each day at 11 a.m. The briefings are streamed live at facebook.com/buncombeGov and broadcasted on Blue Ridge Public Radio 88.1 FM. You can also listen on the iHeart radio stations including 99.9, 104.3, 105.1, 105.9, 96.5, 98.1, 105.5 and 97.3 (Spanish) and 570 AM.

TRASH COLLECTION

Trash pickup for Wednesday route customers, including the Central Business District, resumes today. Updates for remaining regular routes will be provided when available. Download the AVL Collects app (Apple Store or Google Play Store) to receive notifications about trash and recycling pickup in your area. This is only for City of Asheville customers. Residents should use both recycling and trash carts for household waste. Do not put limbs, yard debris, construction debris, carpet, concrete, or other bulky or hazardous items in your trash cart. These materials will be collected by a contractor at a later date.

FEMA DISASTER ASSISTANCE (DSA) TEAM LOCATIONS FOR WEDNESDAY 10/9 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

DSA teams will be able to register survivors for FEMA assistance. Alternatively, download the FEMA app or call toll free 800-621-3362. New locations listed in red. The below sites may change daily:

• ●  Black Mountain: 550 Hwy 9, Black Mountain, NC, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• ●  Biltmore Village: 800 Fairview Road, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• ●  Walmart: 60 Airport Road, Arden, NC, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• ●  Riceville Volunteer Fire Department: 2251 Riceville Road, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• ●  North Star Academy: 90 Montford Avenue, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• ●  AB TECH Shelter: (A-B Tech Conference Center, 16 Fernihurst Dr (between Conference Center &Parking Deck), 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• ●  Pack Square Park, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• ●  Community of Emma: Spanish Speaking 528 Emma Street, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• ●  New Bridge Baptist Church: 199 Elkwood Ave, Asheville, NC), 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• ●  LAUNDRY USE TRAILER: Basilica of St, Lawrence, 97 Haywood Street, Asheville, NC 28801BUS SERVICELimited ART bus service is now available. Due to the 7:30 p.m. curfew in place, the last outbound trips end at 5 p.m. Riders are able to board the bus from any point by flagging a bus down. For more information on the routes in operation, visit ashevillenc.gov/service/transit-service-alerts. ART Paratransit services are resuming where possible. Paratransit customers should call (828) 250-6750 to schedule transportation.

  FOOD & WATER DISTRIBUTION

  Food in the form of Meals Ready to Eat (MRE), drinking water and water for flushing toilets are available at the below listed distribution sites today. Distribution hours are 9 a.m – 7 p.m. or until supplies run out. The public will need to bring containers for flushing water. These sites also have printed and posted daily updates of important information and resources.

  * Pack Square Park, 70 Court Plaza * Asheville Middle School, 211 S. French Broad Ave
  * Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd * Lucy Herring Elementary, 98 Sulphur Springs Rd * Oakley Elementary School, 753 Fairview

  SMALL DONATIONS

  Three donation sites have been established for drop off of small donations from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. ✦Harrah’s Cherokee Center – 68 Haywood St ✦West Asheville – 1298 Patton Ave

The most impactful way to support the recovery effort at this time is monetary donations to recognized disaster relief organizations. Visit ncvoad.org/donate-2 for more information. Organizations on the ground know what items and quantities are needed, often buy in bulk with discounts, and if possible purchase with businesses local to the disaster which supports economic recovery.

TO VOLUNTEER: Visit HandsonAsheville.org for information.

CELLULAR SERVICE & WI-FI

A temporary Verizon cellular satellite trailer is located at the Groce United Methodist Church at 954 Tunnel Road, T-Mobile has set up satellite cellular on light trucks in Asheville at: Asheville Middle School at 211 S French Broad Ave, and Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center at 285 Livingston St. ITDRC, a private entity, is providing Wi-Fi hotspots and charging stations for public use at Sam’s Club at 645 Patton Ave and Haw Creek Commons at 315 Old Haw Creek Rd.

WATER UTILITY SERVICE

The beginning of water restoration is contingent on two important things happening: 1) completion of North Fork’s 36-inch bypass line rebuild, which we hope to accomplish later this week, and 2) the ability to put water into the system. Pushing the sediment-filled water through our filters would damage them beyond repair, and set back the process. Once water is able to leave the North Fork, city crews will have to fill tanks, repair pipe leaks, and remove air locks from the distribution system. Mills River treatment plant, which serves South Asheville, is operating at normal output. While most of the service area has been pressurized, there are still pockets that have not received water service. A boil water advisory remains in effect for those whose water has returned. We are also asking customers with water service to conserve it as much as possible. Water restoration will occur slowly and incrementally. As we have said from the beginning, full operation of the system could potentially be weeks away.

SHELTERS

• ●  General public shelter at WNC Agricultural Center (pets accepted) – 1301 Fanning Bridge Rd, Fletcher
• ●  General public shelter at AB Tech – 6 Fernihurst Dr, Asheville (use Victoria Road entrance)
• ●  Medical emergency shelter at AB Tech – 10 Genevieve Cir, Asheville
• ●  Old Gold’s Gym – 1815 Hendersonville Rd, AshevilleASHEVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENTAPD is at full patrol staffing with additional support from outside law enforcement agencies. Officers are providing security at critical infrastructure sites, medical facilities, and pharmacies. They continue to conduct searches and rescues, welfare checks, reunification with families, and secure areas with severe damage. APD is finalizing the Helene Missing Persons form and will be closing this specific reporting option. We are returning to our standard procedures. Members of the public can once again report missing persons and request welfare checks by calling our non-emergency line at 828-252-1110. For urgent situations, please call 911.

  ASHEVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT

  AFD continues efforts in heavily affected areas and canvassing neighborhoods for needs. For those needing medical assistance or for those who cannot call 911, each fire station will have a firefighter available 24/7. Burning yard waste and debris is not allowed within city limits due to many safety concerns. Debris collection is estimated to start mid-October—more details to come. Report any hazardous materials to ncdwmspills@deq.nc.gov.

  DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

  The Development Services Department is set up to receive and issue permits for structures and buildings that have received storm damage. Permit fees will be waived for removal and repair permits. Emergency permits will be fast tracked. Assessors and City staff will have identification and will identify which department they are working for.
  For questions about buildings affected by this storm: City of Asheville Building Safety Division at 828-259-5846 and email buildingsafety@ashevillenc.gov. Electronic applications can be submitted to: develop.ashevillenc.gov.

  ASSISTANCE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

  The United States Small Business Administration has opened an assistance center at the Chamber of Commerce. The center is focusing on providing disaster relief in the form of low interest loans for businesses, nonprofits, homeowners and renters impacted by the storm. Visit sba.gov for more information or visit SBA representatives in person at the Asheville Chamber of Commerce (36 Montford Ave). Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

  **Disclaimer:** The information provided in this sheet reflects the current services and resources available from the City of Asheville following the recent storm. Please note that these services are subject to change based on ongoing assessments and community needs. We encourage residents to stay informed through media outlets and official city channels for the most up-to-date information.