Buncombe County Gov Update: New General Shelter, Water & More

Buncombe County -- October 3, 2024: Buncombe County Government Press Release: A new general shelter has opened

at the former Gold's Gym at 1815 Hendersonville Road in Asheville. This location has a playroom for children, making it ideal for families. No pets are allowed.   

- A general shelter is also available at AB Tech Conference Center (16 Fernihurst Drive, Asheville, use Victoria Road entrance).   
- A Medical Emergency Shelter (10 Genevieve Circle, Asheville) available for those dependent on medical equipment. 
- The shelter at the WNC Agricultural Center is full.   

Power Outages 

91,000 customers remain without power. Duke Energy expects the majority of what can be restored to be back online Friday. Two submerged substations in Swannanoa will take months to repair, Due to this, mobile substations will be arriving soon. Wi-Fi is now available at Enka Candler Public Library. Use the password “readmore.” 
BeLoved Asheville Donations 
BeLoved Asheville is no longer accepting donations at its site.  

Weaverville Update   

  A boil advisory is in effect, please conserve water. If you cannot boil water, add 8 drops of bleach to a gallon of water. Water is being distributed at North Windy Ridge Intermediate School (20 Doan Road in Weaverville). Bring your own water containers. 
- Pantry items and water available at Weaverville Community Center (60 Lakeshore Drive, Weaverville) on Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Donations will be accepted from 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.  
- Garbage collection will resume Oct. 7. A Mobile PNC Bank ATM is on Weaver Boulevard. T-Mobile is establishing an area for Wi-Fi and phone charging behind Tractor Supply at 14 Monticello Road in Weaverville. 

City of Asheville 

Ready-to-eat meals and bottled water are available at two distribution sites beginning Wednesday, October 2. Two MRE packages per adult and one per child will be allowed per day. Cases of bottled water are available, one case per family per day. Distribution will last until 7 p.m. or until supplies run out. 
Asheville Middle School, 211 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville 
Lindwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Road, Asheville 
Bulk water is available at Pack Square Park (70 Court Plaza). Some containers are available but please bring your own if possible. 
Water for flushing toilets will be available at Asheville JCC Pool at 40 Clyde Street on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon. Enter from Clyde Street and pull up to the pool gate on North Crescent Street. 
Water System  
Work continues to restore water, with many roads not accessible for crews to make repairs. 
Water Treatment Plants:  

William DeBruhl Water Treatment Plant is not accessible. North Carolina Department of Transportation staff are on the ground rebuilding the road to that plant. Once road repairs are done, people and equipment can be delivered to the site to begin repairs to the plant. 

Mills River Treatment Plant is functioning and providing water to some residents. The plant is being repaired and crews are working to get the pant to full capacity as soon as possible. 
North Fork Water Treatment Plant is operational but not delivering water due to no water available for it to treat from the reservoir. Reservoir water has high turbidity levels and cannot be used. The plant is currently accessible, and people are working on adequate repairs. 

Distribution Systems: 

The damage to water distribution systems is extensive, even if plants are operational, water can't be delivered to the community if distribution systems are not available. Crews are making repairs to inaccessible areas as soon as possible. 

Law Enforcement Update 

The Asheville Police Department (APD) is under full patrol staffing. Many officers are working overtime to ensure safety. APD is also getting support from other police departments outside of the city. Work includes guarding food and distribution sites, critical infrastructure, medical facilities, as well as drone and search operations, recovery of the bodies of our neighbors who have lost their lives, welfare checks, and reunification with families. A reminder that when intersection traffic lights are not working, it becomes a four-way stop. The curfew is still in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. 
Officials confirmed 61 individuals have lost their lives in Buncombe County from the storm.