COA Storm Recovery Updates & Resources

Updates from the City of Asheville

For detailed information, please go to www.ashevillenc.gov/news/tropical-storm-helene-recovery-resources. Go to www.buncombeready.org for a list of emergency contact numbers and information.

WATER

Tropical Storm Helene severely damaged the production and distribution system of the City of Asheville’s water system. Extensive repairs are required to treatment facilities, underground and above ground water pipes, and to roads that have washed away which are preventing water personnel from accessing parts of the system. Although providing a precise timeline is impossible, it is important to note that restoring service to the full system could potentially take weeks.

As repairs progress, water service will return to some areas before others, based solely on the level of damage to the system.

What to do if you have running water

Customers who currently have water should fill bathtubs and other available containers in preparation for loss of service. Please remember, a boil water advisory also remains in effect for customers who have water.

What to do if you have conserved drinking water or bottled drinking water

Potable water is limited, please only use potable water for drinking, not for flushing.

SHELTERS

General public shelter at WNC Agricultural Center – 1301 Fanning Bridge Road, Fletcher, NC at capacity as of the time of this writing.

General public shelter at A-B Tech – 6 Fernihurst Drive, Asheville, NC 28801 (use Victoria Road entrance)

Medical emergency shelter at A-B Tech – 10 Genevieve Circle, Asheville, NC 28801

SUPPLIES

Food and water supplies have been ordered to assist our community in need. We hope to receive these supplies in the next day or two. Until then, please be conservative and help your neighbors if possible.

Distribution sites have been identified and will be advertised once the supplies are in hand.

Without power many gas stations are not open and fuel is not currently available. We ask everyone to conserve fuel and not drive unless it is an emergency.

Sunday, September 29, 2024 at 11:15 a.m.

Please conserve fuel and stay off roads. This will allow emergency response vehicles the quickest access to do their jobs.

Water and food have been ordered and will be coming into the area. Distribution sites will be identified when supplies are on site.

Tropical Storm Helene severely damaged the production and distribution system of the City of Asheville’s water system. Extensive repairs are required to treatment facilities, underground and above ground water pipes, and to roads that have washed away which are preventing water personnel from accessing parts of the system. Although providing a precise timeline is impossible, it is important to note that restoring service to the full system could potentially take weeks.

A curfew is still in effect from 7:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. within the Asheville City Limits.

The Buncombe County Register of Deeds has a web-based form to help people find and connect with Buncombe County residents. Visit www.buncombeready.org to find that information or call 828-820-2761.

Saturday, September 28 at 9:14 a.m.

Water Service update, Transit Service suspended

The water consumers of City of Asheville Water Resources Department, in Buncombe County are experiencing periods of low pressure and outages in the distribution system due to weather conditions generated by Tropical Storm Helene. Periods of low or no pressure in the distribution system increases the potential for back siphonage and introduction of bacteria into the water system. There is the potential for temporary loss of water service.

Therefore, when water service is restored consumers who have electric power are advised to boil all water used for human consumption (including drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation). Those without power are advised to use bottled water for the purposes mentioned above.

Vigorous boiling for one (1) minute should kill any disease-causing organisms that may be present in the water.  This advisory remains in effect until further written notification is issued.

Water customers who currently have water are encouraged to fill bathtubs in preparedness for loss of water.

ART System Alert Update: 9/28/24

UPDATE:  In order to best support the current state of emergency ART services are suspended until further notice. The service continues to face local power outages, road conditions, and staffing shortages.

Instead of regular route services, ART buses have been redirected to support relief efforts. ART was able to successfully transport over 578 individuals in need to shelters.

ART will communicate a roll-out plan to resume service when more information is available. We appreciate your patience and understanding and apologize for any inconvenience.

Stay up to date on any service changes that may affect your travel plans by checking the Service Alerts page. To get notices via text or email about changes, sign up for iRide email alerts, or text “NextART” to 41411.