Conditions in WNC: 10-01-2024

Blue Ridge Public Radio is providing updates on conditions in WNC via their blog at www.bpr.org/live-updates/live-blog-hurricane-helene-wnc.

The FEMA phone number for resources is 1-800-621-3362.

T-Mobile is offering charging and Wi-Fi connectivity at the following locations, during their open hours:

– WNC Agricultural Center, 1301 Fanning Bridge Road, Fletcher, NC 28732
– Asheville Middle School, 211 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville, NC 28801
– Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St. Asheville, NC 28801
– A-B Tech Community College, 340 Victoria Rd., Asheville, NC 28801.

iHeart Media Asheville radio stations have been on the air ever since the storm began. If you have access to a radio, tune in to live reports at:
– 99.9 Kiss Country
– Star 104.3
– The Brew 97.7
– Rock 105.1
– Throwbacks 101.1
– 570 WWNC-AM
– 92.9 & 880AM ESPN

All Forest Service recreational areas are closed. Conditions are too hazardous to allow crews in. Conditions are hazardous and are not safe for hikers.

There have been 40 stormwater-related deaths in Buncombe County. About 600 people have been reported as missing according to county officials.

Biltmore Forest

Residents can pick up two bottles of water per person at Town Hall.

If you need to make a welfare check request for someone living in Biltmore Forest, go to www.biltmoreforest.org/alerts/welfare-check-request-hurricane-helene.

Trash pickup in Biltmore Forest is canceled for the week. The transfer station was destroyed. The landfill is open but access is difficult. Please hold all of your trash if possible. The recycling center in Woodfin was also destroyed.

Haywood County

An emergency shelter is open at 235 Armory Drive in Clyde at Haywood Community College. If you bring pets to the shelter, please ensure that they are crated with a collar, a leash, and up-to-date tags including rabies vaccinations required by North Carolina law. You also need to try to bring food water bowls, cleaning supplies, litter bags, etc. for your pets.

The United Way of Haywood County is managing all donations for recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Helene. The website is UWHaywood.org. Or by mail to PO Box 1139 Waynesville, NC 28786.

Woodfin

The lower-lying sections of the town, especially on Riverside Drive, saw significant flooding. Fallen trees and power lines have made the streets impassable. There are also power outages in Woodfin. Trash and recycling services are paused indefinitely.

McDowell County

Emergency food distribution locations are open daily from 10 a.m. to noon, and then 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., as long as supplies last.

The locations are as follows:
– Woodlawn: Hicks Chapel Church, 6008 US 221 N, Marion, NC
– Former TJ’s Discount, 8153 US 221 N, Marion, NC 28752
– Old Fort Town Hall, 38 Catawba Avenue, Old Fort, NC 28762
– New Manna Baptist Church, 225 East Court St., Marion, NC 28752
– Solid Rock Free Will Baptist Church, 7860 NC 226 S, Nebo, NC 28761

Hot meals are being provided by Grace Community Church at 5182 US 70 West, Marion, NC 28752. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dinner is served from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.