Ahh, the smell of fresh paint. We’re excited to share some updates to our newsletter design. We hope these changes will help us deliver an even better reader experience — but as with most remodels, we may experience a few hiccups along the way. If your email doesn’t look quite right or if you have feedback on ways we can continue to improve, please drop us a line. Bonus points for including the type of device and software/platform you’re reading our newsletter on.
Post-Helene help for Asheville artists
Local artists make this city beautiful — even when beauty is born from rubble. | Photo via ArtsAVL
Hurricane Helene made its mark on every industry and area in Asheville. The River Arts District and the creatives who call it home were particularly devastated, and even outside the destruction of this neighborhood, many Asheville artists have lost whole bodies of work and their income after the storm.
So we’ve gathered a few local resources dedicated to the creatives who bring beauty and vibrancy to our city.
Artists and art professionals of all disciplines in any WNC county impacted by the storm can apply for these $500 stipends. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. You can also fill out the WNC Creatives Needs Assessment Form, created jointly with WNC Arts, so that the organization can contact you as resources become available.
This fund, which offers $250 micro grants, is aimed at performing artists and theatre technicians who are recent alumni or current applicants of the Asheville Fringe Arts Festival.
The Center for Craft has reactivated its grant program for emergency relief. Awards of $500 are accepted on a rolling deadline between now and Sunday, Nov. 17; applications are reviewed weekly.
Different WRLD launched an Instagram initiative, asking WNC creatives impacted by the storm to share their Venmo and CashApp details in the comments. The post asks those wishing to help to send funds directly to the artists.
MACREN offers disaster assistance to cultural institutions in our area. For assistance and information, contact Jeff Futch via email or at 828-274-6789.
The North Carolina Arts Foundation is working to provide funding and assistance to artists and arts organizations. The grant application and disbursement process is still being designed, but you can fill out the information request form to stay up to date. And if you have the resources, you can donate to the fund.
Launched by Mountain BizWorks, the fund provides rapid relief loans to small businesses in WNC. Loans are offered up to $100,000.
For information about federal assistance and grants from national organizations, visit ArtsAVL’s page on emergency support resources.
Asked
Asked
How have you seen the community come together after Helene?
Whether a friend saved someone in danger, your neighbors rallied around those in need, or artists created something beautiful out of the chaos — we want to know the stories that have kept you going during this time of crisis.
Although the map looks full, it is not meant to denote that everyone in the highlighted areas has service; restoration is just substantial in these areas. | Map via City of Asheville
The following article is being updated on our website daily. Click the button at the bottom of this section to read the full story.
Wednesday, Oct. 16
Further progress made on water restoration On Tuesday, North and West Asheville began to receive some water. Apart from Bee Tree and the Eastmoor neighborhood, North and West Asheville were the last two areas without at least some degree of water service.
In what Communications Specialist Clay Chandler called the “most exciting update of the day,” large batches of aluminum sulfate and caustic soda arrived at the North Fork reservoir on Tuesday. These chemicals will be used for the in-reservoir treatment to aid coagulation and PH balance, respectively, clearing the water from the top down. Note: These materials are used by the Water Resources Department as part of their normal treatment process.
The applicator boat arrived at the site on Wednesday morning. Conditions, like the water temperature, have changed, but the team should have an idea of how long that treatment process will take by Friday, Oct. 18.
In all the excitement of water service returning to many, remember that the water is nonpotable. The City of Asheville shared a document with answers to frequently asked boil water notice questions — like how to safely wash your dishes. Read through, then catch up on water restoration progress.
Number
$29 million. That’s the size of the budget amendment approved by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, establishing an anticipated FEMA award. The amount is based on current spending and projections for response and recovery — future amendments will reconcile any differences.
Civic
At the Tuesday, Oct. 15 meeting, the Buncombe County Commission approved a resolution to delay the 2025 reappraisal until Jan. 1, 2026. The property assessment team is currently in the data collection and analysis phase of the process and will work to ensure that damaged properties are assessed accurately and equitably.
Community
The Helene Missing Persons Reporting form has officially been deactivated, and the Asheville Police Department and the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office have returned to normal procedures for missing persons reporting. To report, please contact the APD at 828-252-1110 or the BCSO at 828-250-6670; call 911 for emergencies.
Cause
MANNA FoodBank’s final day of distribution at the WNC Farmers Market will be Saturday, Oct. 19, after which regular distribution operations will resume. However, the nonprofit will host a special distribution of baby supplies, like diapers and formula, on Tuesday, Oct. 22-Thursday, Oct. 24.
Arts
Applications are now being accepted for “The Flood Collection,” a card deck and coffee table book that will feature 54 original artworks that were lost or damaged during Hurricane Helene. The project has raised more than $80,000 on its Kickstarter, and proceeds go to the participating artists. Apply by this Saturday, Oct. 19.
Cause
BeLoved Asheville is working to set up a free store, where anyone impacted by the storm can find clothing and essentials at no cost — but the team is searching for a location. The organization has requested leads on space to buy or rent in Asheville, Swannanoa, Black Mountain, Waynesville, or Barnardsville.
Outdoors
The Blue Ridge Parkway National Park Service is urging folks to be patient and respect the parkway’s closure. Currently, the entire NC section of the parkway remains closed as portions of the roadway have been compromised, and the NPS stressed that unsafe conditions are both visible and hidden.
Local businesses need a helping hand to weather the post-Helene storm. | Photo via Chai Pani
Alongside the individuals dealing with Hurricane Helene’s aftermath, countless local businesses and organizations felt the impact of the storm. Last week, we started a list of businesses that have shared post-Helene fundraisers — so that you (and your out-of-town friends and family) can help by clicking the links to donate and sharing these campaigns with your network.
And the list keeps growing. This article will continue to be updated, so please email us your fundraising campaigns.
Businesses that lost their buildings
So many businesses and organizations became inoperable after the storm, but some local spots lost even more than revenue. This section is dedicated to those organizations and businesses whose spaces sustained significant damage.
Fresh air and exercise can be a huge comfort as we all muddle through the storm’s aftermath — but as we’re still in the midst of downed trees, washed out roads, and trail closures, it can also be hard to know where to go. So Jus’ Running is sharing resources on safe running areas, post-hurricane. Psst... Don’t miss part two as well.
