City of Asheville Helene Recovery Update October 11, 2024

Asheville -- October 11, 2024: Press Release City of Asheville Government: 

Local Updates

Public officials are holding news briefings each day at 11 a.m. The briefings are streamed live atfacebook.com/buncombeGov and broadcast on Blue Ridge Public Radio 88.1 FM. You can also listen on the iHeartradio stations including 99.9, 104.3, 105.1, 105.9, 96.5, 98.1, 105.5 and 97.3 (Spanish) and 570 AM.

Asheville Police Department 

To lessen the economic impact on area businesses, curfew hours are now 11 p.m.- 6 a.m. We continue to
encourage our community if you see something, say something & report illegal activity to 911.
APD is finalizing the Helene Missing Persons form and will be closing this specific reporting option. Members of the public
can once again report missing persons and request welfare checks by calling our non-emergency line at 828-252-1110.

Trash Collection

Sanitation staff will work Friday, 10/11/24, and attempt to collect on roads that were previously inaccessible. If your road
or trash was missed due to accessibility, please call 828-259-5857 to request pickup. While staff are working diligently to
reach everyone, they still may not be able to collect all missed trash from this week.
Regular schedules will resume Monday, October 14 and residents should separate trash and recycling into their
appropriate carts. Do not put limbs, yard debris, construction debris, carpet, concrete, or other bulky or
hazardous items in your trash cart. These materials will be collected at a later date.
Download the AVL Collects app (Apple Store or Google Play Store) to receive notifications about trash and recycling
pickup in your area. This is only for City of Asheville customers.

Water Utility Service

T&K Utilities connected North Fork’s 36-inch bypass line to the water distribution system at 1 a.m. Thursday. While that is
a major milestone, it is important to note that it does not mean customers will start receiving water. Full system
restoration is still potentially weeks away. Contractors continue to make progress on large-scale repairs to primary
transmission mains in the water distribution system. This work is sequencing from the source of water, North Fork, out into
the system. Areas closest to North Fork, which is in Black Mountain, will receive service first. Restoration will then move in
a generally westward direction, slowly and incrementally, toward the city limits of Asheville.

The City of Asheville is not assessing late fees for water bills, sending delinquent notices, creating new bills, or doing any
cuts-offs for non-payment at this time. We are still accepting payments online, IVR, and by mail for anyone that is trying to
pay an existing bill. Please contact customer service at 828-251-1122 if you have billing concerns.

Fema Disaster Recovery Center

While FEMA will continue to have Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams canvassing communities and neighborhoods
in Buncombe Co and throughout Western NC (all in coordination with county emergency management), residents are
encouraged to visit the Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC). A Disaster Recovery Center is a one-stop shop where
survivors can meet face-to-face with FEMA representatives, apply for FEMA assistance, receive referrals to local
assistance in their area, apply with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for low-interest disaster loans and much
more. FEMA financial assistance may include money for basic home repairs, personal property losses or other uninsured,
disaster-related needs, such as childcare, transportation, medical needs, funeral or dental expenses. The Buncombe

County center is located at:
A.C. Reynolds High School, 1 Rocket Dr.
Open: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Monday through Sunday

Asheville Fire Department

AFD continues efforts in heavily affected areas and canvassing neighborhoods for needs. Burning yard waste and
debris is not allowed within city limits due to many safety concerns. Report any hazardous materials to
ncdwmspills@deq.nc.gov.
BUS SERVICE
● ART will continue to operate a modified schedule on select routes where road conditions have improved. These
routes will run on a modified Sunday schedule, with all outbound trips ending by 5 p.m. ART services will be free of
charge until further notice.
● The modified routes will have flag stop service, allowing passengers to signal the driver and board at their preferred
location along the route (same side of road the bus is traveling) instead of at designated stops.
● Service will be expanded beginning on Monday, October 14. Operating hours will be 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
● Beginning October 14, Three additional routes will be brought back online: N1, 170 and S4.
● ART Paratransit services are resuming where possible. Paratransit customers should call (828) 250-6750 to
schedule transportation.

Food & Water Distribution

Food in the form of Meals Ready to Eat (MRE), drinking water and water for flushing toilets are available at the below
listed distribution sites today. Distribution hours are 9 a.m - 7 p.m. or until supplies run out. The public will need to bring
containers for flushing water. These sites also have printed and posted daily updates of important information and
resources
● Pack Square Park, 70 Court Plaza
● Asheville Middle School, 211 S. French Broad Ave
● Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd (no bulk water distribution at Shiloh)
● Lucy Herring Elementary, 98 Sulphur Springs Rd
● Oakley Elementary School, 753 Fairview
SMALL DONATIONS
Three donation sites have been established for drop off of small donations from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. Clothes are not
accepted.
✦Harrah’s Cherokee Center - 68 Haywood St.
✦West Asheville - 1298 Patton Ave.
✦Arden Presbyterian Church - 2215 Hendersonville Rd.
Suggested donation items: non-perishable food, cleaning supplies, pet supplies, child/baby supplies, paper towels, paper
plates, garbage bags, new blankets, sports drinks.
The most impactful way to support the recovery effort at this time is monetary donations to recognized disaster
relief organizations. Visit ncvoad.org/donate-2 for more information. Organizations on the ground know what items and
quantities are needed, often buy in bulk with discounts, and if possible purchase with businesses local to the disaster
which supports economic recovery.
TO VOLUNTEER: Visit HandsonAsheville.org for information.

Shelters

● General public shelter at WNC Agricultural Center (pets accepted) - 1301 Fanning Bridge Rd, Fletcher
● General public shelter at AB Tech - 6 Fernihurst Dr, Asheville (use Victoria Road entrance)
● Medical emergency shelter at AB Tech - 10 Genevieve Cir, Asheville
● Old Gold’s Gym - 1815 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville

Assistance for  Small Businesses

The United States Small Business Administration has opened an assistance center at the Chamber of Commerce. The
center is focusing on providing disaster relief in the form of low interest loans for businesses, nonprofits, homeowners and
renters impacted by the storm. Visit sba.gov for more information or visit SBA representatives in person at the Asheville
Chamber of Commerce (36 Montford Ave). Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and
Saturday 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

**Disclaimer:** The information provided in this sheet reflects the current services and resources available from the City of Asheville following the recent
storm. Please note that these services are subject to change based on ongoing assessments and community needs. We encourage residents to stay

informed through media outlets and official city channels for the most up-to-date information.