AVLtoday is currently raising funds for BeLoved Asheville, with a goal to raise $20,000 by Oct. 18 — 100% of donations go toward supporting food and water distribution, clothing and supply deliveries, and debris cleanup across our region. Please consider contributing if you can.
We’ll continue to update this article to connect you with the resources you need.
Water + food
Buncombe County has set up food + water distribution sites. Folks are encouraged to bring their own containers to fill with water.
- William W. Estes Elementary School, 275 Overlook Rd., Asheville
- Sand Hill Elementary, 154 Sand Hill School Rd., Asheville (enter via Acton Circle)
- North Windy Ridge Intermediate School, 20 Doan Rd., Weaverville
- Fairview Elementary School, 1355 Charlotte Hwy., Fairview
- Black Mountain Ingles, 550 NC-9, Black Mountain
- Leicester Elementary, 31 Gilbert Rd., Leicester
As of Tuesday, Oct. 8, a road closure has forced the Cane Creek Middle distribution site to close — a new site will be shared as soon as the location is confirmed.
Buncombe County is working on creating a mobile distribution plan for people who can’t travel to the above sites. More information will be shared on the plan as it becomes available.
Food in the form of meals-ready-to-eat and bottled water are available at distribution sites from the City of Asheville.
- 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 Rd.
- Pack Square Park, 70 Court Plaza
Nonpotable water is now being distributed at all city and county sites to help with flushing toilets.
If you are unsure if drinking water and food are safe for consumption, please check these resources.
MANNA FoodBank is set up at the Farmers Market (570 Brevard Rd., Asheville — parking lot to the left) to distribute food + resources. Distribution hours are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 7-12 and Oct. 14-19. You can drop off donations at 99 Broadpointe Dr., Mills River from Oct. 7-12 and Oct. 14-18, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
World Central Kitchen is providing free meals daily at Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ (135 Coxe Ave.) beginning at 12 p.m.
The Downtown Asheville YMCA is offering food, including fresh produce, non-perishable foods, and water at 30 Woodfin St. Bonus: They also have charging stations. The Reuter Family YMCA at 3 Town Square Blvd. is also offering food and water distribution along with work stations and power for charging devices — they will host a Mobile Food Market on Thursday, Oct. 10 from 2 to 4 p.m. with additional dates next week.
To replace the food lost during power outages, 70% of September Food Assistance benefits were loaded onto EBT cards earlier this week. Hot food can be purchased with the funds.
Shelter
There are a few shelters in place:
- General shelter: A-B Tech Conference Center, 16 Fernihurst Dr. (use Victoria Road entrance)
- Medical emergency shelter: A-B Tech, 10 Genevieve Circle (For people dependent on medical equipment that requires power)
- Former Gold’s Gym, 1815 Hendersonville Rd. (This shelter has a playroom for children)
Currently, the shelter at the WNC Agricultural Center is full.
Connecting with loved ones
With many folks still without cell service, the Register of Deeds office is helping families locate loved ones they haven’t heard from. They’ve received 11,000+ requests so far. A wellness check initiative is being organized, with volunteers conducting door-to-door visits. If you haven’t heard from someone who may be affected by the storm, please complete this form to notify Buncombe County officials or call (828) 820-2761 to leave a voicemail.
Cell service
The community is experiencing limited power and cell service, and temporary solutions are in place to improve communication. Power restoration is ongoing.
Mobile substations are being set up to support this process. These stations provide cellular voice and data, as well as Wi-Fi + charging stations:
- Verizon cellular satellite trailer | Asheville YMCA, 30 Woodfin St.; Groce United Methodist Church, 954 Tunnel Rd.
- T-mobile cellular satellite trucks | Asheville Middle School, 211 S. French Broad Ave.; Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center; 285 Livingston St.
- T-Mobile Wi-Fi substation | Tractor Supply Co., 14 Monticello Rd, Weaverville, NC; Tractor Supply Co., 14 Old Brevard Rd., Asheville; Mission Hospital, 509 Biltmore Ave.
Wi-Fi is also accessible outside the West Asheville Public Library at 942 Haywood Rd., Pack Memorial Library at 67 Haywood St., and the Enka-Candler Library at 1404 Sand Hill Rd. The password is “readmore.”
Prescriptions
- Need a prescription filled but unsure where to go? The NC Board of Pharmacy has a confirmation of which pharmacies in Western NC are open and serving patients. Check their website for the latest updates on operating hours and locations.
Laundry services
Here are various locations with laundry services available:
- Basilica of Saint Lawrence, 97 Haywood St., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Trinity Baptist Church, 216 Shelburne Rd., 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Walmart, 60 Airport Rd., Arden
Showers
Several locations have showers available:
- Trinity Baptist Church, 216 Shelburne Rd., 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Reuter Family YMCA, 3 Town Square Blvd., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Corpening Memorial YMCA, 348 Grace Corpening Dr., Marion (45 minutes east of Asheville, check route availability)
Immediate ways to help
- If you have donations, please do not bring them to food or water distribution sites — instead, email helenedonations@buncombecounty.org
- For those looking to assist financially, donations can be sent to helenedonations@buncombecounty.org, to community nonprofit BeLoved Asheville, or to one of the 400+ verified GoFundMe pages relating to Hurricane Helene. You can also donate to a special fund created by GoFundMe.
- If you’re local and can volunteer, reach out to helenevolunteers@buncombecounty.org.
- Blue Ridge Public Radio provided a helpful list of ways to donate to help flood victims.
