10/3 10am briefing

Here's the update from the press conference and internet scraping this morning:

*Radio Update*

- Biden deployed 1000 first responders, federal gov’t will cover cost of all debris removal for next 6 months.

- Small donation drop off is at Beloved Asheville, 32 Old Charlotte Highway (not Reynolds Middle School)

- Power is coming back online, 85K ppl without power

- Sheriff will provide updated death toll this afternoon

- Buncombe Co does not have an official number for unaccounted people.

- Report 10 am – 4pm to Register of Deeds office for volunteering; you can donate food and water and pet food here

- Cane Creek Middle school (Fletcher), Leicester Middle school open 12-4 pm will have water and food. Bring your own water containers.

- Estes and Sand Hill Elementary schools have water

- North Windy Ridge Elementary school has water

- Fairview Elementary school has water

- Black Mountain Ingles has water

- Public AT&T mobile connectivity has been set up at Sam’s club on Patton Avenue

- Big Ivy Community Center has received several trucks of emergency supplies (food, water, hay and feed) from Operation Air Drop, they will have hamburgers and hot dogs starting at noon

- Volunteers who can hike or have ATVs are helpful in Barnardsville 20 State Rd. Need bleach, mold cleaner, gas, propane, Coleman stoves, PPEs.

- Have contact with all 60 nursing homes, most facilities are without power. Biggest need is gas. Pharmacies have been delivering meds. Doing out reach to all seniors in the community. When donating goods please think about older people.

Marianne Tierney of FEMA

- Recovery will take a long time and FEMA will be here for the duration of the response

- #1 priority continues to be life and safety. Search and rescue continues.

- Call 1 800 621 FEMA to register for disaster assistance. Registering for assistance is the first step for the recovery process. Serious Needs Assistance is a program that provides life saving supplies. Displacement Assistance gives you money to stay in a hotel/stay with friends and family. Disaster Response Survivor Assistance program will be in FEMA attire registering you for assistance throughout your neighborhoods.

Media Questions

- How many FEMA assistance team members are in Buncombe County? Have 5 teams and they are focused on points of dispensing. As we receive more teams in the coming days they will fan out around the county. DSA crew typically has 8 people.

- What is FEMA doing to distribute supplies? FEMA provides commodities through staging areas—food ready to eat and water—with emergency partners.

- Are there other sources of non-potable water for those who need it? FEMA has been discussing with the county and discussing in Raleigh at the Emergency Operations Center. No timeline right now.

- Sewage plant has been operational the entire time, they have a few transmission lines that have leaks and breakages. People can flush using water from creeks.

- Delays in mobile water distribution? Next couple of days will be distributed.

- Public housing? Community paramedics are going door to door.

- The City has contracted water renewals, water is coming out of Spartanburg, SC. Water is coming from the state on a regular basis. Non-profits are bringing water.

- How long until running water is restored? City staff will be on call tomorrow at 4 pm and will answer this question.

- People are seeing border patrol officers to provide security. ICE and border patrols are providing security measures they are not doing raids.

- Biden approved active duty military to be deployed to the area

- Working to make sure early voting sites are ready and available

*Getting Updates*

- Firestorm has a huge paper list of resources available taped on their windows

*Medical*

- Mercy Urgent Care is open 8:30 – 6 pm (Patton Ave)

- Novant Go Health is open 9 am – 6 pm (New Leicester Highway)

*Bathrooms*

- Porta potties at Pack Square and Asheville Middle School

*Transportation*

- I 40 is open

*Water*

- Bulk water distribution @ 1 pm at Urban Dharma, bring your own containers if possible

- Asheville Middle School

- Pack Square

- Biltmore Church East Asheville location 3-6 pm 10/3/2024

- UNC Asheville behind UNC-A’s Kimmel arena 2-4 pm 10/3

- Wagbar 10/3 12- 4 pm

- Sam’s Club at Patton Avenue

- Beloved at 32 Old Charlotte Highway

- Walmart at Hendersonville Rd

- Walmart at Airport Rd in Arden

- Running water timeline is unavailable as damage is “catastrophic.” Buncombe Co’s treatment plants include Bee Tree (0% accessible), Mills River (production ramping up soon), North Fork (accessible but severely damaged)

- Archetype West 12-5 pm (power for charging and water)

*Power*

- Duke Energy says the majority of the region will have power by Friday

- 12 Baskets Café has charging stations open until 4 pm

*Food*

- City distribution sites (starting at 12 pm):

- William W. Estes Elementary

- Sand Hill Elementary

- North Winy Ridge

- Fairview Elementary

- 12 Baskets Café serving lunch today 11 am – 1 pm

- Biltmore Church in Arden 3-6 pm

- Strada 12-3 pm

- French Broad Food Coop

- Wagbar 10/3 12- 4 pm (hamburgers and hot dogs)

- Earth Fare giving out free food including TONS of frozen food (starting at 11 am on 10/3)

- Domino’s Pizza free pizza

- West Village Market (cash, got a big shipment Wednesday 10/2)

- Trader Joe’s and Harris Teeter open

- Double Crown (free food as of 10/2)

- Mellow Mushroom (free food as of 10/2)

- Manicomio pizza downtown (free pizza as of 10/2)

- Bear’s BBQ (ongoing free food)

- First Baptist Church, Weaverville (63 North Main St) starting at 1 pm free food

- All Souls (free pizza as of 10/2)

- Farmers Market (Manna foodbank distribution 1-4 10/2-10/5)

- RAD Brewery (free hot meals 10/3 at 1 pm)

*Gas*

Assume cash only, changing rapidly! Please add the date and time gas was available!

Consider the GasBuddy app, but don’t rely on it. Please check below for confirmed gasoline, and at what time. Filter by power and which locations have updated the price recently

Please include STATION NAME, address or landmarks, date and time of confirming availability, cash/credit and any limits, LINE LENGTH (or how long you waited), how much gas is assumed left (if known), how you know (source, such as self, socials, word-of-mouth, etc), types of gas, and any additional details that may be k

helpful.

CENTRAL/DOWNTOWN

• Shell 40 Merrimon Ave and Enmarket on Merrimon 203 Merrimon Ave, Enmarket now taking cards of 10.2

• City by McCormick Stadium is open intermittently with gas 45 McCormick Pl, Asheville, NC 28801

• The shell on Charlotte St is open with a very long line - Shell 45 Charlotte St, Asheville, NC 28801

• As of 10/2 11:30 am there was Gas on Charlotte St

• Sam’s 645 Patton Ave had gas as of 9AM Oct 1st. Must be a member to buy gas there; can purchase annual membership inside store ($50); accepting credit cards

WEST

• Ingles Market (151 Smokey Park Hwy, Asheville): Has gas as of 9/30 5pm. Cash only $40 limit. Long lines reported (half-hour+). (Source: Direct report from person on site).

• BP (589 Brevard Rd, Asheville): Confirmed as of 9/30 3:00pm. Gas available. Payment method unknown. Line length unknown. (Source: User report in AVL Helene Discord server). 10/2 - as of 11 am there were no lines, gas available, and taking cards - if pump doesn’t accept it, they will inside. If you don’t need as much as you tell them to set the pump for, it will revert back to your card. Inside ATM not working.

• Shell 1498 Smokey Park Hwy, Candler, NC 28715 taking card! Out as of 11am 9/30, but they will get more later today

• Sunoco down Patton before the DMV has gas and the line was super short! (10/1 @ 11:23a) sorry for the late update!

• The hot spot, Ingles, and exxon on Brevard Rd have been open for several days now. They may be out of gas. Ingles 863 Brevard Rd, Exxon 875 Brevard Rd, 28806

o More reports of Brevard Rd stations having gas

o 9/30 2pm Hot Spot Brevard Rd has gas CASH ONLY

• Ingles on Sand Hill in Candler is open 1572 Sand Hill Rd, Candler, NC 28715 - no gas as of 4:15pm 9/29

• Hot spot on New Leicester Hwy - cash/credit up to $40 - super well organized. (10/1 3pm)

• As of 3pm (9/29) there is no gas at any gas station in Waynesville

• Ingles and hotspot West Patton have power, will probably start pumping soon - 7:45am 9/30

• Reports of plenty in Belmont NC two hours west of Asheville

• Haywood Quick Stop 495 Haywood Rd has gas as of pm 9/30, taking cash and card

10/2 10am Briefing

Notes from the 10 AM briefing:

*WATER*

- Don't drink well water until it's tested. Boil all water before drinking. Abundance of caution

- Bring your own jugs to City Hall for distribution of water starting at 1 PM (max 5 gallons per family).

- Will provide as long as needed. Our supply is good.

- Buncombe County is beginning to distribute food at these four locations as it becomes available.

    •    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

- Water restoration update this afternoon at 4 PM. No timeline framework available

*HEALTH CARE*

- Mercy urgent care centers open: West Asheville, Brevard, Weaverville, Waynesville

- Call 911 if you have a life threatening issues

- Nursing homes working with state partners to make sure they don't have to move

*VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES*

- Asheville Schools needs volunteer check their social media site

- Give to local organizations

*FEMA ASSISTANCE*

- Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA App or call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m EST

- Setting up a disaster recovery center to help people to fill out applications

- Teams working on donation and volunteer coordination. FEMA is leading this effort

*OTHER UPDATES*

- NC Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) you can apply for 60 days from now until Dec 2: https://www.des.nc.gov/dua

- Asheville Middle school (211 South French Broad Av) has cell service and power for charging

- Wifi is available outside library password is readmore

- Limited recycling pickup. No trash pickup. Landfill is open, but the transfer station is closed.

- Free clean-up help: (844) 965-1386 - Crisis Cleanup

- Fly over with President, Governor and mayor this afternoon

At home exercises for mental health hygiene

From Psychesiren on the AVL Helene Discord group: https://discord.com/channels/1289141014573092917/1290832907312562327

This is no substitute for actual therapy, but if it can help one person, that’s enough for me. These are quick summaries as well, so I highly recommend you look in to a skill further if it interests you.

Physical techniques:

1. Tapping: In this skill you tap at points around your face, points at your wrists, all while saying kind things to yourself. Such as “I am safe now.” Or, “I am doing my best.”

Here is a visual example: https://youtu.be/sEzYIbHQUb4?si=8Eki4Orvw4EeuyWh

1. Box Breathing: In this skill, you breathe in for four seconds, hold for four seconds, breathe out for four, and then hold for four. You can alter this to what you are comfortable with, perhaps holding for 2 instead of you have difficulty.

Here is a video you can follow: https://youtu.be/FJJazKtH_9I?si=Kyf4NWadaK6TDM6B

1. Physical soothing:

Some soothing techniques that you can utilize are: Wrap yourself in layers of blankets. Visualize a happy memory. Starting upwards, relax your body from head to toe. Give yourself a hand massage. Focus on just one thing; a noise, smell, or sensation around you. Doodle fluid, abstract shapes & patterns. Wrap your arms around your body and give yourself a twenty second-hug. Stand up and shake your body for a minute.

Mental exercises

1. Loving Kindness: When we are struggling with bitterness and anger, it can throw us out of our window of tolerance in to fight or flight mode. By practicing this meditation, we can combat the present bitterness and bring ourselves back in to that window. You can use the example provided, but if you wish to alter it that’s fine as well! There are many examples online too. This technique pulls heavily from Buddhism and may be familiar if you practice. In this we wish good things towards ourselves and then outward to others.

https://youtu.be/sz7cpV7ERsM?si=dYi2excsDqb0RvJr

1. Radical Acceptance: When a catastrophic event happens, it can be hard to come to terms with reality. This technique helps us come to terms with a reality we do not desire.

https://youtu.be/81sCMCC5SOI?si=Ii1CCHhMb2RsRmt-

1. Opposite Action:

This skill is exactly what it sounds like. When we desire something destructive towards ourselves or others, we do the opposite. For example, if we engage in a heated disagreement that evolves in to a fight, we disengage rather than escalate. We think to ourselves, what is the opposite of this desire? Say we want to self isolate and withdraw due to anxiety, at this point we find a way to interact with others whether in person or online. Opposite action is stopping ourselves at a destructive point, and considering the opposite path.

10/2/24 7am updates

*Health and Medical*
- Mercy Urgent Care opened at Asheville and Weaverville locations (didn’t get exact addresses)
- Database of open pharmacies: https://healthcareready.org/RXopen/
- CVS locations open nearby: Smokey Park HWY Asheville, NC 28806 / Asheville HWY Brevard, NC 28712 / Spartanburg HWY, Hendersonville, NC 28792 / Hendersonville Rd, Fletcher, NC 28732 / Russ Ave, Waynesville, NC 28786 / Long Shoals Rd Arden, NC 28704
- Other pharmacies open nearby: Pinnacle Apothecary in Candler at 1388 Sand Hill road open M-F 10-4 for now. Publix Pharmacy at 1830 Hendersonville Rd in Asheville. Publix Pharmacy at 165 Weaverville Blvd in Weaverville. Walgreens at 1835 Hendersonville Rd in Asheville (cash only). Walgreens at 2501 Hendersonville Rd in Arden (cash only). WalMart Supercenter Pharmacies at 60 Airport Rd, 25 Northridge Commons Pkwy, and 1636 Hendersonville Rd.
- Free Emergency Prescription refills through Pardee, Fleming St, Hendersonville, They can refill nearly everything including insulin. There will also be providers there who can see patients!

*Road Openings and Closures*
- I-40 East out of Buncombe County now OPEN
- I-40 West into Buncombe County remains CLOSED to the public
- NCDOT has listed 1-40 East and I-26 East as evacuation routes for people to get out of the area. People should be cautious if they attempt to leave the area.
- U.S. 64 to U.S. 74 ALT just north of Hendersonville is impassable at this time due to landslides. The road is impassable between U.S. 74 ALT and Slick Rock Road according to NCDOT.

*Gas Reports (not all confirmed)*
- Gas station by the Whale in West Asheville (not confirmed)
- Ingles on Long Shoals Road in Arden (cash only)
- BP on Long Shoals Road Arden (cash only)
- QT and Ingles in Flat Rock as of yesterday evening (9/29)
- ⁠ ⁠Shell on Charlotte Street
- ⁠Shell in Weaverville
- ⁠Marathon Gas @ 1210 Asheville Hwy, Brevard, NC 28712 is open and accepting cards, only premium, $20 limit

*Food and Water Distributions*
- Water was available earlier today (10/1) at the following locations: Mule at Devil’s Foot Beverage, Dssolvr, Terra Nova, White Labs, Archetype Brewing.
- Not sure if evening distributions are happening, seem to be daytime so can check back tomorrow if in urgent need of water.
- Free meals at RAD Brewing (started at 1 pm, likely already out for today but they seem to be doing this regularly)

*Grocery Stores*
- Publix on Hendersonville Road is open and reportedly has water
- Black Mountain Ingles is open - cash only
- Sam's Club on Patton is open
- Whole Foods on Tunnel and Merrimon is open
- Ingles on Charlotte Highway is open

*Businesses Serving Meals*
- New from last update: Dominos Pizza on Patton and Hendersonville Road giving out free fresh pizza (date/time not listed — from Tuesday Helene megathread)

*WIFI Locations*
- Citizen Vinyl
- Moxy Hotel
- The Plug Shop
- Center for Craft
- Patton Ave Pet Co
- Mosaic Cafe in Biltmore Park
- Waynesville Lowe's
- North Asheville Library

*Volunteer Opportunities*
- HeleneVolunteers@buncombecounty.org - send an email and you will be prompted to fill out a form. I tried this today and it didn’t give me anything useful, but I assume they are adding names and contacts to a database for later opportunities.
- All four distribution sites requested volunteers. Just show up and they’ll put you to work.
- ^Distribution site locations:
- North Windy Ridge Intermediate School: 20 Doan Rd, Weaverville (URGENT need for volunteers)
- Estes Elementary: 275 Overlook Drive (URGENT need for volunteers)
- Fairview Elementary: 1355 Charlotte Hwy (less urgent)
- Sand Hill Elementary: 154 Sand Hill School Rd (less urgent)
- Welfare check volunteering: Dan and Lane Torrington starting orientation today, contributing tomorrow. He has offered to have people reach out to him if interested. (But my personal commentary is he has a little baby so don’t overwhelm him too much. :)

*Safety and Crime*
- No new updates to report since last update. Generally a good idea to use a buddy system especially after dark.
- Reports of looting have come in from multiple locations

*Other Updates*
- Rumors that it will take 10 weeks now to restore water services. This is not confirmed.

10/1/24: 2pm Updates

Tuesday Helene Megathread

From: https://www.reddit.com/r/asheville/comments/1ftm3p6/tuesday_helene_megathread/

We are going to try something different today and have a few specific threads all linked here in the megathread.

The main r/asheville feed will be reserved for announcements and resources that impact folks in the region. Anything that is not an immediate resource and information that is needing immediately will be rerouted to another thread.

In the megathread, please post any general questions about conditions, power, gas, etc...

For those who *need* assistance for themselves or loved ones, please use the map thread.

For those who are looking for ways to help, please use this thread

For pictures and videos, please use this thread

Give me a minute and I'll update this thread with all of the resources and links from yesterday.

Yesterday's megathread

User Created Discord Server

Request a wellness check

Helpful links and resources

Relief Sources

• Map of useful information

• Misc Resource Map

• Helicopter Relief Operations: Supplies and Flight Assistance solutions@totalflight.com 919-497-5511 Ext 1

• Carolina Emergency Response Team Operation Rotor Blade has 12 helicopters

• CAJUN NAVY 833.225.8616

• JAARS (Helicopters)

• Official resources and FAQ

• NC Relief GoFundMe

• BPR How To Help WNC Victims

WIFI Locations

• Citizen Vinyl

• Moxy Hotel

• The Plug Shop

• Center for Craft

• Patton Ave Pet Co

• Mosaic Cafe in Biltmore Park

• Waynesville Lowe's

• North Asheville Library

Supplies

• Database of open pharmacies

Alerts and signups

AVL Alert signup for SMS updates

Buncombe County Code Red alert signup

Duke Energy power outage alerts

Weather alerts and advisories

Buncombe Ready

Driving conditions

• DriveNC - Road closures

• Road cameras 1, 2

• Blue Ridge Parkway road closures

Airport

• AVL airport departures, arrivals

Utilities

• Duke Energy power outage map

• Water Boil Advisories

Other

• Rainfall map

• Business and school closures

• Landslide map

• For non-emergency situations such as downed trees, debris, powerline concerns, call City of Asheville at: 828-250-6650

• DIY guides for post-flood cleanup

Shelters

• WNC Agricultural Center (Davis Building, Gate 5)

• Hotels accepting locals

• Code Purple shelter for single men: Veteran’s Restoration Quarters, 1329 Tunnel Road, Asheville 28805 - 828-259-5333

• Code Purple shelter for single women and women with children: Transformation Village, 30 Olin Haven Way, Asheville 28806 - 828-259-5365

Tuesday Updates:

• Supplies available in Burnsville at Pensacola Fire Station

• South Asheville USPS and UPS are running

• Publix on Hendersonville Road is open and reportedly has water

• Fairview: Charlotte Highway has power. As of 10:15am, there were three gas stations on Charlotte Highway—from the Bat Cave 40 exit to Emmas Grove Road—that had gas and power. Lines were about 10-15 cars long for each.

• Pets:

  • Today October 1 Animal Hospital North Asheville is open starting at 9am (no end time posted) for “urgent med pickup, urgent Rx food pickup, animal first aid, and euthanasia services should they be needed” They say to stay in your car and a staff member will come to you. Urgent requests only

  • Bright vet will also be open 10-2 through at least Friday, Airport Rd, Arden. All appointments will be walk-in only as we currently have no way to schedule. We are not providing preventive care services such as routine vaccines, boosters, etc at this time. We are prioritizing urgent care cases and can refill some prescriptions.

9/30/24: 6am Updates, Current Reddit Megathread

Current Reddit Megathread: https://www.reddit.com/r/asheville/comments/1fs63yr/asheville_megathread_post_helene/

*Last updated 9/29/24

Buncombe County has a 19:00 (7pm) Curfew

Previous Megathread

User Created Discord Server

Request a wellness check

Helpful links and resources

Relief Sources

• Map of useful information

• Misc Resource Map

• Helicopter Relief Operations: Supplies and Flight Assistance solutions@totalflight.com 919-497-5511 Ext 1

• Carolina Emergency Response Team Operation Rotor Blade has 12 helicopters

• CAJUN NAVY 833.225.8616

• JAARS (Helicopters)

• Official resources and FAQ

• NC Relief GoFundMe

• BPR How To Help WNC Victims

• Lowe's on Smokey Park has water, 1 case and 1 gallon per person. No propane.

WIFI Locations

• Citizen Vinyl

• Moxy Hotel

• The Plug Shop

• Center for Craft

• Patton Ave Pet Co

• Mosaic Cafe in Biltmore Park

• Waynesville Lowe's

• North Asheville Library

Cashback

• Waynesville Lowe's

• Hendersonville Rd Publix

• ATMs are coming back online in downtown AVL, specifically around Patton and Haywood.

Grocery/Food

Asheville

• Harris Teeter - Giving away water

• Pisgah Brewing Company - Giving away water between 2pm-5pm

Supplies

• Database of open pharmacies

Gas

Boone

• Speedway

• Circle K

• Circle K

Communication

Swannanoa

• Coffee Shop

• Church

Pisgah Forest

• Walmart

Asheville

• Publix

Alerts and signups

• AVL Alert signup for SMS updates

• Buncombe County Code Red alert signup

• Duke Energy power outage alerts

• Weather alerts and advisories

Updates

• City of Asheville Hurricane Helene information and updates

• Hendersonville flooding alerts

• WLOS live updates (Buncombe, Henderson, Transylvania, McDowell, Mitchell, Yancey)

• Asheville Fire dept. Twitter, Facebook

• City of Asheville Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

Driving conditions

• DriveNC - Road closures

• Road cameras 1, 2

• Blue Ridge Parkway road closures

River levels

• French Broad River levels - Asheville

• FBR levels - Fletcher

• FBR levels - Rosman

• FBR levels - Marshall

• Swannanoa River

• FBR cameras 1, 2

• Flood Zone map

Airport

• AVL airport departures, arrivals

Utilities

• Duke Energy power outage map

• Water Boil Advisories

Other

• Rainfall map

• Business and school closures

• Landslide map

• For non-emergency situations such as downed trees, debris, powerline concerns, call City of Asheville at: 828-250-6650

• DIY guides for post-flood cleanup

Shelters

• First Baptist Church Swannanoa - 503 Park St. Swannanoa NC 28778 CLOSED

• Trinity Baptist Church - 216 Shelburn Rd. Asheville NC 28806 CLOSED

• WNC Agricultural Center (Davis Building, Gate 5)

• Hotels accepting locals

• Harrah’s Cherokee Center (The City of Asheville just posted a correction that this is NOT a shelter.)

• Code Purple shelter for single men: Veteran’s Restoration Quarters, 1329 Tunnel Road, Asheville 28805 - 828-259-5333

• Code Purple shelter for single women and women with children: Transformation Village, 30 Olin Haven Way, Asheville 28806 - 828-259-5365

• Code Purple shelters are available from 10 AM on 26 and 27 September, and ART is providing free transportation to these shelters

UPDATES

• !!! BUNCOMBE COUNTY IS CURRENTLY UNDER A BOIL ADVISORY !!!

• Listen to 99.9 Kiss Country in the radio, they're doing 24/7 updates.

• Parts of WNC are now getting cell signal thanks to service providers doing what is called Disaster Roaming. Go into your settings, cellular, and turn on data roaming.

• WCU students are safe. Campus has wifi, food, and the school is letting students use the campus phones to make phone calls to their family and loved ones.

• At this time it is unconfirmed and cannot be confirmed for a few more days but there is a possibility of another tropical storm coming our way. If so, it will not be nearly as bad as Helene.

• Apparently I-40W towards Waynesville is clear and from there the main highway from Sylva to Franklin is clear. Attempt this at your own risk.

• I-26E towards Charolette is apparently clear. Attempt this at your own risk.

• Sam's Club is giving out free water.

• There were people on Chunns Cove Rd past the Meadowview Apartments giving out free well water. Feel free to go by later to see if they're still out there to get some water, just bring your own container.

• There are reports of mutual aid organizers on the outside who are looking for info on gathering spots or small airfields to drop supplies.

• Black Mountain now has cell signal. Still no power or water.

• Swain County is still without cell signal.

• Candler area is still without cell signal.

• No internet, water, or power: Asheville’s water line is punctured, so there’s no running water, and it’s cash-only everywhere because of the power outage. Gas stations are completely out of gas, so it’s important to plan accordingly.

• Waynesville for gas & cash: Waynesville was running out of gas when we stopped by on Saturday afternoon, and it’s cash-only. However, they still have running water and electricity. I was able to get cash back at Walmart in Waynesville, which was super helpful since most ATMs are down.

• WiFi spot: The Best Buy in Waynesville has internet access, and we found WiFi by the library in Asheville. Make sure to download maps if you can find service or WiFi—it really helped us navigate out of there.

• Escape route: Despite warnings to stay put, we found it was a straight, easy drive to Atlanta. Once you’re about an hour and a half south, it’s like nothing ever happened. Power, water, internet, and gas are all available, and everything’s open. No flooding or debris along the route—it’s smooth sailing.

• Asheville Airport down, but Atlanta flights are fine: The Asheville airport is down, so we had to get our flights switched to Atlanta. Since Atlanta is fully functioning, we had no problem getting our flights rebooked, and we’re flying home today (Sunday the 29th) to Seattle without any issues.

• Important tips: Bring cash—most places are cash-only, and ATMs are down. You can possibly get cash back at the Walmart in Waynesville. Download maps if possible for navigation, and make sure to detour through Waynesville if you need water, or cash.

• Sam's Club is no longer operational and is shutting down.

• Weaverville now has cell signal in some areas.

• ATMs are coming back online in downtown AVL, specifically around Patton and Haywood.

• Power is back on in the Jupiter area of Weaverville as well as cell signal.

• Mars Hill has power and cell signal.

• The Asheville Outlet Mall is setting up a food tent. I will be heading there shortly to offer assistance.

• I am heading up to the outlet mall now, I will update you all once I get there.

From the press conference:

• 20 trucks of water enroute

• 1 million MREs enroute

• Distribution sites to be announced once trucks arrive, not before. There is lots of transportation issues with roads, and at least 1 site in asheville that had supples was unavailable, which is causing challenges.

• Multiple boil water orders. If you have water service in or around buncombe county, boil your water.

• AB tech conference center shelter is opening- victoria rd

• (another shelter open for medical only, I missed addr will hunt it)

• Ag center shelter is full

• Dumps are open except for Harmony St transfer station.

• 10 deaths so far confirmed in buncombe county.

• I 26 is fully open (except TN line). I240 is fully open. I40 East of asheville (@ black mtn) is CLOSED. I 40 West of asheville is open to TN line.

• Welfare checks have officially stopped until further notice in buncome cty, still in search/rescue mode. All resources are in some places going door to door to search damages. They didnt say or not to continue submitting requests, but at this time they are NOT being actioned on.

Weaverville:

• roads are mostly open for evacuation.

• Prescription pad pharmacy in weaverville is open for medicine until 5pm sunday

Swannanoa:

• heavy damage throughout town, old 70 is washed out. harleys dealer & fire station has food/water drops occurring

9/29/24: 4pm Press Conference

Gov Cooper’s updates:
* Cooper confirms 10 deaths in NC (Buncombe Co update later confirmed 30 in Buncombe)
* 7 water plants across state closed
* Has deployed 400+ nat guard troops
* Waters receding and should be back to near normal by Monday
* But flooding will continue thru weekend in some areas
* Poweroutage.us for info

Buncombe Co Updates:
* Potable water available at Black Mountain Ingles. Bring own containers
* 12 families trapped off of Broad River Fire Dept
* Some limited cell service downtown
* Starlink units (Wi-Fi?) in downtown AVL
* Police, fire, emergency services planning meeting happening now. Still requesting supplies and food to be brought in. Working on collection and distribution points. “A couple locations in mind.” Maybe church locations.
* Potable water distro at Ingles parking lot (which?)
* Verizon partnership bringing in emergency cell tower (?) available at 35 Woodfin Place
* “Never seen anything like it.”
* A distro at First Presbyterian Church (unclear what kind of distro)
* No reports of looting in Black Mountain (not officially, unclear if it’s rumored to happen)
* Duke energy still working to resort power, hope to majority of customers by no later than Friday evening. (Still 5 days from now.) Except for inaccessible areas.
* AVL Fresh Market on Merrimon distributing free water from 6 pm. Also the Hendersonville Rd location. Prob need to bring container.
* Asheville mall has free water. (Or did earlier, not clear if they still do.)
* Oxygen: 1) call emergency management of your county, 2) in dire need call 911.
* Buncombe Co schools out until Oct 4th
* Critical supplies starting to reach WNC communities
* National Guard is getting their trucks in - relief coming soon

Official press conference
* Close to announcement of food and water distro sites
* To donate email: Helenedonations@buncombecounty.org
* To volunteer email: Helenevolunteers@buncombecounty.org
* Black Mountain - water trucks got in as of today. Ingles distributions. Still waiting on other resources and staff relief.
* Duke energy: rebuild infrastructure, limited currently by inaccessibility of NC mountain area. Will have some substations that were completely underwater and need to be rebuilt. Restoring power in order of priority (eg hospital first). Workers from 19 states plus Canada here working to restore power. Don’t stop to ask crews for info - they don’t have it, let them work. Give trucks wide berth when you see them. They do not have water/supplies available to public.
* Sheriffs update: 30 confirmed deaths. Families have been notified. Still conducting search ops. May include body recovery. Another update 10 am tomorrow.
* Buncombe Co state of emergency extended until further notice. See Buncombe ready.org for more info
* Water service updates not here yet