Buncombe County’s Hurricane Helene briefings are held Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. You can livestream the updates on the Buncombe County Government Facebook page or tune into Blue Ridge Public Radio 88.1 FM or the iHeart radio stations, including 99.9, 104.3, and 105.1 FM and 570 AM.
Here’s what we know:
Friday, Nov. 8
Note: There won’t be a Buncombe County community briefing on Monday, Nov. 10 due to Veterans Day.
First FEMA manufactured home
On the evening of Thursday, Nov. 7, a local family received the keys for the county’s first manufactured home from FEMA. The home, similar to a mobile home, was placed on the family’s property. County Manager Avril Pinder shared that more homes are on the way, and that “this is just the start of more good news in our recovery.”
Homeowner Grant Program applications reopening
Buncombe County is reopening applications for the 2024 Homeowner Grant Program to give folks impacted by Helene more time to apply. The program, which offers qualified homeowners assistance for housing-related costs, will reopen from Monday, Nov. 11 through Friday, Nov. 15.
Note: If you look at the website before Monday, Nov. 11, it will say applications are closed — this will be updated before Monday’s reopening.
Legal Aid of NC offering help
Homeowners and renters impacted by Helene can access free disaster-related legal assistance for things like insurance policies, foreclosures, home repair contracts, and more. You can the toll free hotline at 866-219-5264 between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday-Friday. Find more information on the Legal Aid of NC website.
Holidays bring well testing changes
Buncombe County’s Environmental Health Department won’t be accepting water samples on Monday, Nov. 11 due to the holiday. During the week of Thanksgiving, they will only accept water samples on Monday, Nov. 25.
Distribution sites + Community Care Stations
Across the county, distribution sites and community care stations will remain open daily, even on Veterans Day.
Community Care Station locations:
- At Home Store parking lot
- Big Lots/Innsbruck mall
- Buncombe County Sports Park
- Bethel United Methodist
- Fairview Ingles
- Swannanoa Ingles
- Owen Pool
- Morgan Hill Baptist Church
Food (meals ready to eat) + water distribution sites:
- Sky Lanes Bowling Alley
- Black Mountain Ingles
- Swannanoa Ingles
- Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center
- Pack Square Park
- Buncombe County Sports Park
- Fairview Ingles
Free vaccine schedule
The Buncombe County Public Health Mobile Team will continue to provide free vaccines. Here’s where you can access them this coming week:
- Tuesday and Friday: 12-6 p.m. – Swannanoa Ingles Community Care Station and Tunnel Road Community Care Station
- Wednesday: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. – Big Ivy Community Center
- Thursday: 2-5 p.m. at the Bounty & Soul Market at the former BiLo in Black Mountain
FEMA Disaster Recovery Center moves to Asheville Mall
Starting Saturday, Nov. 9, the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at the Cane Creek Pool will be moved to the Asheville Mall at 3 S. Tunnel Rd., across from the Bath and Body Works. The center serves as a one-stop shop to get in-person assistance from FEMA and the Small Business Administration.
FCC Environmental hiring event
FCC Environmental, Buncombe County’s new solid waste collection service provider set to begin service next year, is hosting a hiring event. Stop by the Hilton Garden Inn Asheville Downtown on Tuesday, Nov. 19 or Wednesday, Nov. 20 — additional details will be shared soon.
Hazard Mitigation program
Steve McGugan, Assistant Director of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program from the NC Department of Public Safety gave a presentation on how the program’s funding can make communities and homes more resilient. The program is funded by FEMA, and the county and state work together to assist homeowners through three kinds of projects:
- Acquisitions: The purchase of a home and property. This project moves people out of the 100-year floodplain or floodway, demolishes the property, and leaves it natural into perpetuity, preventing future flood damage. It requires structures to be removed from acquired property and the property must be maintained in perpetuity as open space. This is the most permanent type of mitigation.
- Elevations: The act of raising a home in the 100-year floodplain to a minimum of 2 feet above Base Flood Elevation, avoiding potential future flood damage. This is one of the most common mitigation techniques used for retrofitting flood-prone properties.
- Mitigation Reconstruction: The act of raising a home in the 100-year floodplain to a minimum of 2 feet above Base Flood Elevation, avoiding potential future flood damage. This includes demolition, site grading and preparation, and new construction.
Applications for Hazard Mitigation Grants are now open. First, watch this informational video — then find the link to begin the application process on the same webpage. You can also apply in person at the Asheville Mall, Tuesday, Nov. 12-Friday, Nov. 15, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Water update
As of early morning on Friday, Nov. 8, turbidity in the North Fork reservoir was below 17 NTUs. The plan for treating the reservoir the week of Monday, Nov. 11 remains the same — a third round of aluminum sulfate and caustic soda is scheduled to begin Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning. Meanwhile, crews have been able to push 19 million gallons of treated water through the system — but that’s still mixed with untreated water and we are still on a boil water notice.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Interim Pre-Treatment System has been verbally awarded to a contractor, who will be on-site next week. This is a backup project that will occur simultaneously with the treatment in the reservoir.
Water Resources Department spokesperson Clay Chandler also provided an update on the William DeBruhl plant (usually referred to as Bee Tree). Crews are coordinating with FEMA, USGS, and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to restore and rebuild. A huge landslide dropped boulders and an extensive amount of debris into the Bee Tree reservoir (whose turbidity is now sitting at ~200 NTUs), so all the debris will have to be removed before any treatment can progress.
Helene Recovery Grant Funds
In late October, Asheville City Council authorized the reallocation of existing city resources to fund Helene Recovery Grants through nonprofit partners. Those nonprofit partners have now been identified.
- Mountain BizWorks will distribute Business Stabilization funds, currently totaling $704,000
- Eblen Charities will distribute Rental Assistance funds, currently totaling $500,000
- Asheville Regional Coalition for Home Repair (consisting of Habitat for Humanity, Mountain Housing Opportunities, Poder Emma, and Community Action Opportunities) will distribute Home Repair funds, currently totaling $750,000
Information on where to apply for grants through the nonprofit partners is coming soon.
Thursday, Nov. 7
A new assistance program is in the works
Buncombe County is launching a Private Property Debris Removal and Demolition Program. This program, which was designed in collaboration with FEMA, aims to assist property owners who are unable to clear hazardous debris on their own or who are unable to engage professional help. Further details and the application process will be announced soon.
An update on local shelters
On Sunday, Nov. 10, the American Red Cross will transfer disaster shelter operations to Western Carolina Rescue Ministries to ensure continued support for those impacted. At that time, the disaster shelter at the WNC Ag Center will close, and residents with continued needs can transition to the Gold’s Gym location. This location will continue operating until Tuesday, Dec. 31. There are currently 164 people still in disaster shelters in Buncombe County, and the American Red Cross and other support organizations are working with these individuals to identify next steps.
Leave the leaves
Buncombe County reminded residents that leaves should not be placed with storm debris. Leaf collection happens separately from storm debris collection.
Habitat for Humanity responds to the crisis
Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity expanded its repair services and added a Disaster Repair program. This new Disaster Repairs program supplements the nonprofit’s traditional repair program and is a partnership with other agencies through the Asheville Regional Coalition for Home Repair. Low-income homeowners in Buncombe and Madison counties, who have storm-related damage and who are otherwise unable to afford repairs, can apply. In particular, the aims to help low-income homeowners who are uninsured and under-insured. Find details online or by calling 828-251-5702.
Working Wheels offers vehicle support
Local nonprofit Working Wheels is providing free vehicle repairs for relief + recovery organizations and securing affordable, reliable vehicles for families impacted by the storm. The organization lost most of its vehicle inventory in the storm, so it is seeking donations to purchase additional vehicles. Find more details on these programs or make a donation.
Wednesday, Nov. 6
New numbers from North Fork reservoir
As of Wednesday morning, the turbidity in the North Fork reservoir had dropped below 18. A third round of aluminum sulfate and caustic soda treatment will be deposited beginning Monday, Nov. 11 and will take four days in total. With this new round of treatment, the Water Resources Department is hoping that “the rate of turbidity fall should pick up.”
In the meantime, crews have been able to push 17 million gallons of filtered, treated water through the system, a process that is contingent on turbidity continuing to fall. PIO Clay Chandler clarified that crews have been testing with the on-site pilot plant to see how the filters would handle the turbid water and what maintenance would look like, and they concluded that this would be possible for now. However, the department is still aiming for 1.5-2.0 Nephelometric Turbidity units (NTUs) before running the necessary 25-27 million gallons through the system.
As treatment has continued, T&K Utilities finished installing the 24-inch and 34-inch primary transmission lines — and all lines, including the 36-inch bypass, are now in service.
The US Army Corps of Engineers’ mobile treatment unit project is in the procurement stage. The project is right on schedule, and the early December completion timeline is still in place.
Need to catch up on some context? Check out this article.
Recycle your political signs
Political signs can be brought to Curbie (116 N. Woodfin Ave.) for proper disposal and recycling. To make the process as easy as possible, there will be two separate carts available. Simply drop off the signs and stakes in their designated carts.
An update on storm debris + private road pickup
In Buncombe County, 61,000+ cubic yards of debris have been collected. There are 38 trucks running in the county, with seven more on the way. Right now, these trucks are focused on collection in Swannanoa, Black Mountain, Barnardsville, Lower Brush Creek, and Julian Shoals.
Storm debris will be picked up on private roads. Because they are private, though, they require additional legal authority — so while the county works that out, pickup is focused on public roads and rights of way.
Next steps in the election process
According to Election Services, Buncombe County operations during the General Election went smoothly. The county’s turnout was nearly 74%, surpassing the state average by a percentage point. All 80 precincts opened on time, and the county had results posted before 9:30 p.m.
Over the next 10 days, an audit will be conducted. Results will be certified during a public meeting on Friday, Nov. 15.
Director of Election Services Corrine Duncan thanked election staff and partners for their work throughout the process and in the face of disaster, “The river rose but so did they.”
Public safety in impacted areas
The Asheville Police Department reminded residents that there are many areas of the city that still have hazards, like roadway and sidewalk damage; power, gas, and water line destruction; and debris, as well as hidden hazards.
These areas — including areas along Swannanoa and French Broad Rivers, South Tunnel Road, Swannanoa River Road, Thompson Street, Biltmore Village, Lyman Street, and Riverside Drive — are accessible only to authorized people. Residents and visitors should heed any barricades and signage.
This week’s bagged trash dropoff
From 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., you can bring your household bagged trash to these locations:
- Thursday, Nov. 7: Ingles Fairview, 225 Charlotte Hwy., Asheville
- Friday, Nov 8: North Buncombe Pool, 734 Clarks Chapel Rd., Weaverville
Monday, Nov. 4
Note: There will be no briefing on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
A tentative timeline for water restoration
Water Resources Department PIO Clay Chandler shared details about the mobile treatment unit project headed by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), a secondary treatment option that will be pursued simultaneously with the current in-reservoir treatment. According to the USACE, that project could possibly be operational by very late November or very early December — then the system-flushing process can begin. Learn more about what that entails.
Election Day results
On election night, preliminary results will be released to the Buncombe County Election Services website beginning at 7:30pm. Results from absentee by mail,, early voting, , and ballots from each election day voting location (in that order) will appear in batches as they come in from the precincts. Election Services estimates that all three of these categories, which represent the vast majority of votes, will be in by 10 or 11 p.m.
Check out our guide to Election Day in Buncombe County.
More openings on the Blue Ridge Parkway
In addition to the sections that have already opened, the National Park Service (NPS) hopes to open a section of the Asheville corridor of the Blue Ridge Parkway later this week. The section in question runsfrom the US Route 70/Tunnel Road intersection (milepost 382.5) to State Route 191/Brevard Road (milepost 393.6) near the French Broad River and the North Carolina Arboretum.
This section will allow access onto and off of the Parkway from these roads:
- US Route 70/Tunnel Road
- US Route 74
- US Route 25/Hendersonville Road
- State Route 191/Brevard Road
Although there are no projected opening dates for the rest of the Parkway, the NPS has been able to reopen 311 of the Parkway’s 469 miles to date.
Remember: Don’t park on the roadside — only in official parking lots. There may be hidden hazards, and parked cars are a hindrance to work crews.
Asheville community centers are reopening
All City of Asheville Parks and Recreation Community Centers will reopen on Wednesday, Nov. 6. This means buildings and the outdoor spaces surrounding them, including playgrounds, picnic areas, sports fields, and plazas, will also be open. However, most programming is still on hold.
Bent Creek River Park is also now open, but the city is asking residents to avoid using the river.
Community care station moves to a new location
The community care station at AC Reynolds High School closes at 7 p.m.,Nov. 5 and will move to the Fairview Ingles (225 Charlotte Hwy.) There won’t be an interruption in service, though — you’ll be able to wash clothes, shower, find potable water, and receive other services at thenew location starting at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6.
Some stats about storm debris
In Asheville, 19 storm debris collection trucks are running. In Buncombe County, 34 grapple trucks are running withSwannanoa, Julian Shoals, Lower Brush Creek, Black Mountain, and Barnardsville taking priority.
So far, debris haulers have collected:
- 42,107 cubic yards in Buncombe overall
- 4,586 cubic yards in the City of Asheville
Psst... each cubic yard is about the size of a full-sized mattress.
Buncombe County is also seeing a 300% increase in use of the landfill. “We can’t stress enough how important it is to use our debris contractors,” said County Manager Avril Pinder. “They will help process this debris and take it to the appropriate locations so that it does not end up in our landfill, which has limited capacity.”
A new source of financial assistance
The Tzu Chi Foundation, a partner of the American Red Cross, is providing emergency financial assistance to households in Buncombe County that were destroyed or severely damaged by Hurricane Helene. Residents whose primary homes were impacted by the storm can apply by Friday, Nov. 8.
Trash and recycling routes
WastePro will operate normal routes for household trash and recycling this week. Residents should use the transfer station at 190 Hominy Creek Rd. in Asheville or the landfill at 85 Panther Branch Rd. in Alexander for household bagged trash if WastePro still can’t get to them.
On Wednesday, Nov. 6, Waste Pro will operate normal routes for household trash and recycling in accessible locations in Swannanoa. From 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. that same day, Waste Pro will also be at Hearts with Hands at 850 Warren Wilson Rd. in Asheville for household bagged trash drop-off only.
