Hurricane Helene Information | Black Mountain, NC (2025)

Table of Contents

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Updates: Town Press Release Issued 10-5-2024

PRESS RELEASE

Black Mountain, NC–October 5, 2024.

Situation Report

There are 157 personnel supporting the town in response to Hurricane Helene. Resources have arrived from all over the east coast, with teams coming in today from Minnesota and Maine to support local emergency responders.
For your safety, avoid getting into the rivers and streams due to bacteria levels that could be harmful.
Please do not burn brush within the Town limits. Warming and cooking fires are permitted but must be attended at all times. Fire danger is increasing.
A Town wide curfew remains in effect beginning at 7:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. until further notice.
Resources are available for citizens for FEMA disaster assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov. BEWARE OF SCAMMERS. We have had reports of scammers in the area. Ask all personnel to show identification badges. All FEMA support will be in identifiable uniforms or vests.

Road Access & Fuel

Fire and police are asking that citizens and visitors avoid any non-essential travel. Increased traffic is causing congestion, which is directly hindering necessary repairs. Damaged roadways may not be able to support heavy traffic.
Be mindful that there is a current shortage of barricades for safety purposes on damaged roads. Not all hazards are marked. Please use caution when driving.
Area gas stations are open and receiving fuel shipments.
90% of town roads are clear within the Town of Black Mountain. Highway 9 is now passable but is open to one narrow lane in some spots. The remaining roads are closed due to bridges out, landslides, or downed utility lines.
If you come to an intersection with the stop lights out, please treat this as a four-way stop.

Electricity

Power has been restored to portions of downtown Black Mountain. The majority of Black Mountain, Montreat and Ridgecrest remain without power. Power restoration will occur as lines are cleared. We encourage you to visit https://outagemap.duke-energy.com/#/carolinas.
The Black Mountain Fire Department pulled electrical meters from unoccupied damaged structures in order to mitigate any potential fire hazards as power begins to be restored.
Residents should turn off the hot water heater breakers at their home if power is restored in order to keep it from burning up due to no water. Also, residents should turn off their ice makers.
Treat all downed electrical lines as if they are energized and do not go near them.

Town Public Water System

Town water and sewer systems remain down. Black Mountain Public Works Department made substantial progress in repair of the water distribution lines. Public works crews have repaired the road down to the well which is allowing Duke Energy crews to restore power to these wells.
Crews are fixing leaks that they can and awaiting materials for one of the main water distribution lines. We are continuing to work with the City of Asheville to get one of the distribution lines back online.
When water begins flowing to households, it may be inconsistent while systems are being tested. Please limit water use until systems are fully operational.
A boil water advisory will be in place – boil all water vigorously for at least one (1) minute and let cool prior to using.

Public Services:

Food and Water Distribution

Supplies of food and drinking water are available daily for distribution from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Ingles in Black Mountain, 550 NC-9. Ice will be available. Food and water are continuously coming into our community.
Donations of food and water can be taken to the Ashley Kitchen and Bath building at 2950 US Hwy 70 in Black Mountain. The Black Mountain Presbyterian Church is distributing supplies daily on site at Ashley Kitchen and Bath from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
There are many community organizations also distributing hot meals including area churches, restaurants and non-profit organizations.

Trash and Sanitation

The Town of Black Mountain Public Works Department has secured four (4) 15-yard dumpsters in two (2) sites in Town for Black Mountain residents. These locations are at Tractor Supply, 125 Old US 70 E., and at the Black Mountain Ingles, 550 NC-9, near the car wash area. This must be household trash only.
If these dumpsters are full, please be patient and kind. No separate recycling is available at this time. Yard waste, bulk item and debris collection are not available at this time. These drop off sites are for Black Mountain residents, so be prepared to show identification.
Public restrooms (port-a-johns) and handwashing stations are available at the Black Mountain Ingles, 550 NC-9.

Medical

There are medical services available at the Ingles Black Mountain point of distribution.
There is a mental health and basic medical support center at the South entrance to the First Baptist Church at 130 Montreat Road that is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00am to 6:00pm, Sunday they will be open at noon.

Charging & Connectivity

A mobile charging and internet connectivity station is set up in the lower parking lot of the First Baptist Church in Black Mountain, located at 130 Montreat Rd.

How to receive information

Information will continue to be posted on the Town’s Facebook page at www.fb.com/townofblackmountain. Press releases will continue to be sent out and provided to our media partners. Information can also be found at the information tent at the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center and at the Ingles food and water distribution site.
Visit www.ncdps.gov/our-organization/emergency-management/hurricane-helene The purpose of this page is to provide information and resources to North Carolina residents and visitors who were impacted by Hurricane Helene.
If you need help cleaning up damage from the Hurricane Helene, call (844) 965-1386 to ask for help. We will connect you with volunteers from local relief organizations, community groups and faith communities who may be able to assist with muck out, trees, tarps and debris. All services are free, but service is not guaranteed due to the overwhelming need. This hotline will remain open through Friday, October 25, 2024.
We also encourage you to utilize NC 211 who can provide assistance to those who may be looking for someone. Please dial 2-1-1 (or 1-888-892-1162) or by visiting www.nc211.org. You can also visit www.unitedwaync.org to fill out a request form and to add them to the search and rescue efforts.

[End of Press Release]

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Disaster Unemployment Assistance Available in 25 Counties and 1 Indian Tribe Following Hurricane Helene

Following a federal disaster declaration resulting from the devasting impacts from Hurricane Helene, the Division of Employment Security (DES) has announced that 25 North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina have been approved for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

DUA benefits are available for residents of the following counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey Counties as well as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina. Additional counties may be added to the list of those eligible for DUA at a later date.

People in the above-listed counties who are unemployed as a direct result of Hurricane Helene may be eligible for unemployment benefits under the DUA program. Business owners and self-employed individuals affected by the storm may also qualify for benefits.

People in the 25 counties as well as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina have 60 days from Oct. 1, 2024 to file an application for DUA at https://www.des.nc.gov/dua. The deadline to apply is Dec. 2, 2024.

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Updates: Town Press Release Issued 10-4-2024

PRESSRELEASE – Friday 10/04/2024

Black Mountain, NC– October 4, 2024.

Situation Report-The food and water distribution center is serving over 2,000 residents daily. In addition to the official distribution point, over 40 organizations are supporting the community through hot meals, food and water distribution and other needed services. Over the course of storm response, over 400 lives have been saved. Basic needs are now being met in the town, and aid continues to arrive daily. Resources are available for citizens for FEMA disaster assistance atwww.disasterassistance.gov. BEWARE OF SCAMMERS. We have had reports of scammers in the area. Ask all personnel to show identification badges. All FEMA support will be in identifiable uniforms or vests.

Road Access & Fuel-We are pleased to report that 90% of town roads are clear within the Town of Black Mountain. The remaining roads are closed because they are impassible or are not safe to travel on at this time. With the restoration of power to the downtown area, several local gas stations have reopened. If you come to an intersection with the stop lights out, please treat this as a four-way stop. Be mindful that there is a current shortage of barricades for safety purposes on damaged roads, please use caution when driving. A Town wide curfew remains in effect beginning at 7:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. until further notice. Highway 9 is now passable but is open to one narrow lane in some spots. Spectator traffic is causing congestion, which is directly hindering utility services from conducting necessary repairs.

Electricity-Power has been restored to portions of downtown Black Mountain. The majority of Black Mountain, Montreat and Ridgecrest remain without power. Power restoration will occur as lines are cleared. We encourage you to visithttps://outagemap.duke-energy.com/#/carolinasto check on power restoration status. The Black Mountain Fire Department pulled electrical meters from unoccupied damaged structures in order to mitigate any potential fire hazards as power begins to be restored. Residents should turn off the hot water heater breakers at their home if power is restored in order to keep it from burning up due to no water. Also, residents should turn off their ice makers.

Town Public Water System-Town water and sewer systems are still down. The Town of Black Mountain Public Works Department made substantial progress in repair of the water distribution lines. Public works crews have repaired the road down to the well which is allowing Duke Energy crews to restore power to these wells. Further, crews are fixing leaks that they can and awaiting materials for one of the main water distribution lines. We are continuing to work with the City of Asheville to get one of the distribution lines back online. When water begins flowing to households, it may be inconsistent while systems are being test. Please limit water use until systems are fully operational. A boil water advisory will be in place – boil all water vigorously for at least one (1) minute and let cool prior to using.

Public Services:

Food and Water Distribution-Supplies of food and drinking water are available daily for distribution from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Ingles in Black Mountain, 550 NC-9. Ice will be available. Food and water are continuously coming into our community. There are many community organizations also distributing hot meals including area churches, restaurants and non-profit organizations.

Trash-The Town of Black Mountain Public Works Department has secured four (4) 15-yard dumpsters in two (2) sites in Town for Black Mountain residents. These locations are at Tractor Supply, 125 Old US 70 E., and at the Black Mountain Ingles, 550 NC-9, near the car wash area. This must be household trash only.If these dumpsters are full, please be patient and kind. No separate recycling is available at this time. Yard waste, bulk item and debris collection are not available at this time. These drop off sites are for Black Mountain residents, so be prepared to show identification.

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Updates: Town Press Release Issued 10-3-2024

PRESS RELEASE – Thursday 10/03/2024

Black Mountain, NC– October 3, 2024.

Situation Report-Over the course of storm response, over 400 lives have been saved. Basic needs are now being met in the town, and aid continues to arrive daily. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is onsite in the Town and assisting the Fire Department with secondary searches. FEMA will be going to damaged homes in order to inventory damaged structures. Additionally, resources are available for citizens for FEMA disaster assistance atwww.disasterassistance.gov. BEWARE OF SCAMMERS. We have had reports of scammers in the area. Ask all personnel to show identification badges. All FEMA support will be in identifiable uniforms or vests.

Road Access & Fuel-We are pleased to report that 90% of town roads are clear within the Town of Black Mountain as of 9:00 A.M. The remaining roads are closed because they are impassible or are not safe to travel on at this time. With the restoration of power to the downtown area, several local gas stations have reopened. If you come to an intersection with the stop lights out, please treat this as a four-way stop.

Town Public Water System-Town water and sewer systems are still down. Restoration of running water is still unknown. The Town of Black Mountain Public Works Department is working today to repair road washouts today to the rest of wells in order for crews to restore power to these wells. Further, crews are fixing leaks that they can and awaiting materials for one of the main water distribution lines. We are continuing to work with the City of Asheville to get one of the distribution lines back online.

Public Services:

Food and Water Distribution-Supplies of food and drinking water are available daily for distribution from 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. at Ingles in Black Mountain, 550 NC-9. Food and water are continuously coming into our community. There are many community organizations also distributing hot meals including area churches, restaurants and non-profit organizations.Ice is also available while supplies last. Moving forward, we will be giving information trying to create one resource through the Buncombe County Distribution Center

Trash-The Town of Black Mountain Public Works Department has secured four (4) 15-yard dumpsters in two (2) sites in Town for Black Mountain residents. These locations are at Tractor Supply, 125 Old US 70 E., and at the Black Mountain Ingles, 550 NC-9, near the car wash area. Please note there will be a limit of four (4) bags per car at these dumpster sites. This must be household trash only.If these dumpsters are full please be patient and kind. No separate recycling is available at this time. Yard waste and debris collection is not available at this time.

Medical-A mobile urgent care clinic is available for residents in Ridgecrest, at the Excel College at 12 Florida Avenue in Black Mountain. There is a mental health and basic medical support center at the South entrance to the First Baptist Church on Montreat Road that is open daily from 9:00am to 6:00pm.

Charging & Connectivity-A mobile charging and internet connectivity stations is set up in the lower parking lot of the Frist Baptist Church in Black Mountain, located at 130 Montreat Rd. The Town is working to also get the Town of Montreat and Ridgecrest community a mobile charging and internet connectivity station.

Restrooms-Public restrooms (port-a-johns) and handwashing stations are available at the Black Mountain Ingles, 550 NC-9.

How to receive information-Town community meetings will be held daily at 3:00 p.m. at Town Square. Further, information will be posted on the Town’s Facebook page atwww.fb.com/townofblackmountain. Daily press releases will continue to be sent out and provided to our media partners. Information can also be found at the information tent at the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center and at the Ingles food and water distribution site.

[End of Press Release]

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Updates: Town Press Release Issued 10-2-2024

PRESS RELEASE - Wednesday 10/2/2024

Black Mountain, NC– October 2, 2024.

Road Access & Fuel-We are pleased to report that 71% of town roads are clear within the Town of Black Mountain as of 9:00 A.M. The remaining roads that are closed are being assessed by public works to determine if heavy equipment is needed in order to clear such as roads that have road failures, larges trees and debris blocking the roadways. With the restoration of power to the downtown area, several local gas stations have been able to reopen today. Shipments of fuel into the area are limited and inconsistent. We encourage you to conserve fuel as much as possible. Public Works Department is making repairs to get into the water treatment plant in order to assess the damage. Once the damage assessment is complete, they should be better able to provide a timeline for water restoration services.

Electricity-Power has been restored to portions of downtown Black Mountain. The majority of Black Mountain, Montreat and Ridgecrest remain without power. Power restoration will occur as lines are cleared. We encourage you to visithttps://outagemap.duke-energy.com/#/carolinasto check on power restoration status. The Black Mountain Fire Department is going around and pulling electrical meters from unoccupied damaged structures in order to mitigate any potential fire hazards as power begins to be restored.

Town Public Water System-Town water and sewer systems are still down. Restoration of running water is still unknown. The Town of Black Mountain Public Works Department is working today to access the water treatment plant to perform a damage assessment. Water restoration within the Town of Black Mountain will be dependent on the North Fork water line, which received significant damage.

Public Services:

Food and Water Distribution-Supplies of food and drinking water are available daily for distribution from 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. at Ingles in Black Mountain, 550 NC-9. Food and water are continuously coming into our community. Hot meals will be served and will be available for residents for lunch and dinner at the food and water distribution site. There are many community organizations also distributing hot meals including area churches, restaurants and non-profit organizations.Ice is also available while supplies last. Moving forward, we will be giving information trying to create one resource through the Buncombe County Distribution Center

Trash-The Town of Black Mountain Public Works Department has secured four (4) 15-yard dumpsters in two (2) sites in Town for Black Mountain residents. These locations are at Tractor Supply, 125 Old US 70 E., and at the Black Mountain Ingles, 550 NC-9, near the car wash area. Please note there will be a limit of four (4) bags per car at these dumpster sites. This must be household trash only. There will be a police officer staged at the dumpsters to help maintain safety and security.

Medical-A basic medical first aid center is set up at the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center at 201 East State Street. Advanced medical assistance is being mobilized and set up in out community as we will have more information within the next 24 hours.

Restrooms-Public restrooms (port-a-johns) and handwashing stations have been ordered and will arrive soon.

[End of Press Release]

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Updates: Town Press Release Issued 10-1-2024

Black Mountain, NC–October 1, 2024. Damage to Black Mountain and towns in Western NC has been catastrophic. Since Friday, September 27, the town government, police, and fire departments have been working around the clock to reach town residents and provide critical support. Due to the rapidly changing situation, daily updates will be provided through press releases and community meetings. Community meetings will be held daily at 3:00pm at Town Square Park.

Town water and sewer systems are still down. Restoration of running water is still unknown. The Town of Black Mountain Public Works Department is working today to access the water treatment plant to perform a damage assessment. Water restoration within the Town of Black Mountain will be dependent on the North Fork water line, which received significant damage.

Late yesterday evening, power was restored to portions of downtown Black Mountain. The majority of Black Mountain, Montreat and Ridgecrest remain without power. Power restoration will occur as lines are cleared. With the restoration of power to the downtown area, several local gas stations have been able to reopen today. Shipments of fuel into the area are limited and inconsistent. We encourage you to conserve fuel as much as possible.

The Black Mountain Fire Department has checked the majority of houses in Black Mountain, Montreat and Ridgecrest for stranded residents. Operations are now shifting to return to damaged residences to mitigate fire risks, as power begins to be restored.

This afternoon, east and westbound lanes of Interstate 40 opened between Ridgecrest and Old Fort. I-26 East remains open to South Carolina. The Black Mountain Police Department will have officers at exits off I-40 limiting access to residents and support services (including donations). Limiting access will ensure public safety for citizens due to the extensive hazards associated with storm damage.

Supplies of food and drinking water are available daily for distribution from 9:00 am-7:00pm at Ingles in Black Mountain, 550 NC-9. Food and water are continuously coming into our community, and each day we continue to receive more supplies. Hot meals will be served starting at lunchtime today and will be available for residents for lunch and dinner at the food and water distribution site. There are many community organizations also distributing hot meals including area churches, restaurants and non-profit organizations.

Public restrooms (port-a-johns) are available at the Visitor Center/Chamber of Commerce parking lot at 201 East State Street.

We encourage you to utilize NC 211 who can provide assistance to those who may be looking for someone. Please dial

2-1-1 (or 1-888-892-1162) or by visiting www.nc211.org. You can also visit www.unitedwaync.org to fill out a request form and to add them to the search and rescue efforts. [End of Press Release]

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UPDATES: 9/30/24

-A Town public meeting will be held daily at 3:00 PM at Town Square (in front of the Fire Dept) to provide updates on storm status, recovery efforts, and more. If you cannot attend the meeting in person, we will record the meeting and post this on our social accounts, as well as provide the information in text form if you are unable to stream a video due to limited cellular service.

-Additionally, press releases will begin to be sent out via our social media and website channels as well as with the help of our media partners.

-The Black Mountain water system is still compromised with no ETA on restoration at this time.

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UPDATES: 9/29/24

From Buncombe County: If you have donations, equipment, or have questions about specific needs, please email: helenedonations@buncombecounty.org .

If you want to volunteer, please email: helenevolunteers@buncombecounty.org.

It is important that we coordinate donations to better meet the needs of our communities most affected by Helene.

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City of Asheville has partnered with Verizon to establish a temporary satellite cell tower in the parking lot of 35 Woodfin St. This tower will offer the opportunity for limited cellular reception within several blocks of the city where it is parked. Additional towers will be announced as they are available.

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A Public Meeting for Black Mountain will be held on Monday, September 30th at 3:00 PM at Town Square (in front of the Fire Department). Town officials and emergency personnel (Police and Fire) will be on hand to provide updates. These updates will also be posted on our social media and website.

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Buncombe County Register of Deeds has developed a Family Assistance Center, a web-based form to assist people in finding and connecting with residents of Buncombe County. You can call 828-820-2761. Please leave a voicemail and someone with the Register of Deeds will contact you as soon as they can.

-Access the Buncombe Search Form directly at this link, https://forms.gle/eP5n5zGbFauWZoy39. You can directly enter the information about the person you are looking for. If you are unable to access the form, please call the number above.

-All information submitted will be reviewed by the Buncombe Search Team. This team will create and maintain a list of people that are currently unreachable and work with the Buncombe County Emergency Operations Center to find information about their person.

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There are two shelters available at AB Tech:

General Population Shelter: AB Tech Conference Center, 16 Fernihurst Dr., Asheville, NC 28801 (Please use Victoria Road Entrance.)
Medical Emergency Shelter for individuals who are dependent on medical equipment requiring power is located at10 Genevieve Cir, Asheville, NC 28801.

The shelter at the Ag Center is full – please do not go there.

These shelters will provide a safe place to stay for individuals who have been displaced by Hurricane Helene. Everyone is welcome at the shelters, regardless of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or citizenship status.

If you come to a shelter, you are welcome to bring:

Special items for children, like food/formula, diapers, extra clothing, toys, etc.
Prescription medications and medical devices you may need.
Comfort items like pillows, blankets, towels, change of clothing or other items you may want to have with you at the shelter.

The emergency shelter is staffed by a mixture of Red Cross and Buncombe County employees. Public health regulations do not permit pets in these two shelters. As we work through this disaster, we anticipate adding additional resources to these sites such as transportation shelter operations.

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Public officials are holding news briefings each day at 10am and 4pm. The briefings are streamed live on the Buncombe County Facebook Page and have also been broadcast on Blue Ridge Public Radio 88.1 FM. You also listen to them on the iHeart radio stations including 99.9, 104.3, 105.1 and 570 AM.

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Welfare Checks NC 211 -- If you call NC211, 1-888-892-1162 to report a missing person or request a welfare check, press 1 once you are connected to reach an operator. Have all information available (name, location, health conditions, etc.) to complete request. Call volumes are high, but operators are processing requests as quickly as possible.

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Updates: 9/28/24- 4:00 PM

Interstate 26 is now open to/from South Carolina line.
An additional shelter has now been opened at AB Tech Conference Center for general population use. Please use the Victoria Rd. Access.
A medical special needs shelter is also open at AB Tech. The address is 10 Genevieve Circle.

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Town of Black Mtn Update: 9/28/24- 3:15 PM

*Duplicate message sent via Town Code Red Alert System & Posted on Social Media/Website*

The following updates from Town of Black Mountain officials: The Town’s water system remains non-operational at this time. Updates will be provided on the water system as we learn more. FEMA assistance is in route to our area. Also, potable water supplies are in route to our area. Communication systems including cellular service and internet service remain sparse at this time. Please be advised that power may be out for multiple days as crews begin to assess and repair damages. The interstates remain closed at this time which includes Interstate 40 and Interstate 26. Additional updates will be provided as they are received. If you are able to access internet, please follow the Town and Buncombe County’s Facebook pages for updates. Thank you.

Update: 9/27/24, 9:30PM

Good evening. This is an update on various items and what we are able to relay at this time and in response to inquiries. We appreciate your continued patience during this unprecedented event that is still very active. Please see the update items below.

1. Town communications in the operational center are still down. This includes internet access and phone access, including cell service. This also includes a majority of the Town with numerous power outages. For the reminder of tonight through early morning, Saturday 9/28, you are advised to call 828-250-6670 which is the Buncombe County non-emergency line. They are aware of the outages the Town currently has and are dispatching calls to Town police/fire/public safety departments.

***For now, Please Call this number, 828-250-6670, to inquire about welfare checks, downed trees in roadways, closures, and other non-emergency concerns. If you are experiencing an emergency, still call 911, or text 9-1-1. Do not call 911 for non-emergency items.***

2. The town water system is still non-operational. This means you may be experiencing low water pressure or no water at all. Expect an update tomorrow morning, 9/28, on this status as state and town officials will be on site to assist getting the system back operational.

3. At this time we do not have a full report on all road statues in Town. It is to be assumed that all roads are still blocked and impassable in many areas or portions. Please stay home. If you encounter water in the roadway, turn around, don’t drown! Emergency crews are working as hard as they can to assess and clear roadways and responding to calls. Road closures on I-40 and I-26 are making it difficult for extra crews to get on site tonight, but every effort is being made in Black Mountain & throughout the County. We appreciate your patience. We understand this is a frustrating event when communication methods are down.

Thankfully, the Town has been able to communicate with our citizens via social media and our website alerts from an off-site source with internet connectivity, so please stay tuned. Right now, we don’t have all the answers for everyone, but we will keep you informed as best we can and provide resources for you.

Continue to follow Town of Black Mountain Facebook at www.fb.com/townofblackmountain and www.townofblackmountain.org for updates.

Please also follow Buncombe County Government for updates. The next media press conference is scheduled for tomorrow morning, 9/28, at 10:00 am and will be streamed on their Facebook Live.

Also, if you haven’t, sign up for the Town’s NotifyMe alerts via our website. Click the “NotifyMe” icon on the homepage and sign up. It is free and only requires a valid email address. We are pushing alerts out via this resource as well. Thank you. Stay safe.

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UPDATE 9/27/2024 as of 4:00 PM

The Water System serving the Town of Black Mountain is currently not operational. Crews are working to assess and troubleshoot issues. Please be patient. Internet and phone /cell service is very limited at the moment due to power outages and trees down. If you do have water, you are advised to boil the water for at least one to two (1-2) minutes as a precautionary measure before consuming. More information as it becomes available. Thank you.

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UPDATE 9/27/24 as of 11:30 AM

All lanes of I-40 are CLOSED east of the Ridgecrest Exit at Old Fort Mtn. due to a landslide.

All lanes of I-26 are closed at MM51 in Henderson Co.

source: Buncombe Co. Govt.

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UPDATE 9/27/24 10:00 AM

FROM NWS: A FLASH FLOOD WARNING/EMERGENCY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE AREA UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. REMAIN AWARE AND SEEK HIGHER GROUND! County officials have stated rivers have not yet crested, and this will get worse before it begins to improve.

Multiple Roads Deemed Impassible due to Flooding/Debris, Downed Trees, Downed Power lines in the Black Mountain area and County-wide. Officials urge you to STAY HOME, DO NOT DRIVE ACROSS FLOODED ROADWAYS.

COUNTY & TOWN OFFICIALS URGE YOU TO REMAIN IN PLACE AND DO NOT TRAVEL.

Evacuation Shelters:

For those unable to evacuate to a safe location, an emergency shelter has been established at the WNC Agriculture Center located at WNC Agricultural Center: 1301 Fanning Bridge Road, Fletcher NC.

As of 7:37 a.m., an emergency shelter has been opened at the Harrah's Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood St., Asheville.

Please bring essential items such as medications, important documents, and personal necessities.

Transportation Assistance:

If you are unable to evacuate safely, please call 911 for assistance with transportation.

Evacuation Precautions:

Avoid flooded roads and areas prone to landslides during your evacuation.
Immediately gather important documents and items needed to make yourself and your family comfortable at a shelter or other safe space.
Stay informed by tuning into local news, radio stations, and official social media channels for updates.

WWW.BUNCOMBEREADY.ORG FOR UPDATES.

Www.fb.com/townofblackmountain for updates from Town Public Services

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UPDATE 9/27/24 12:00 AM

Current Local Road Closures/Alerts

-Charlotte Street is closed from State Street to Louisa Street due to flooding. Do not go around barricades!

-East Street Bridge at Flat Creek is closed due to flooding.

-Portmanvilla Rd. Area has standing water and has moved into high-risk territory for flooding. Please highly consider evacuating and utilizing shelter at Swannanoa First Baptist Church. \

According to the National Weather Service- Greenville-Spartanburg, the anticipated timing of the heaviest rainfall from Helene will arrive between 5am-11am on Fri., Sept. 27th, however the flash food threat is extreme. Be ready and have multiple ways available of receiving a warning!

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Update

Emergency Announcement from Buncombe County Alerts “BC Alert”

Text “BCAlert” to 99411 to sign up for Buncombe County’s severe weather alerts & emergency notifications.

If you live in the higher elevations of Black Mountain, you are prone to landslides. As Hurricane Helene approaches throughout the night (Thur., 9/27/24) heavy rain & winds will move into our area. As you know, the ground is extremely saturated from the rainfall we have already received. Landslides are not out of the question. The Weather service is predicting heavy rain to continued for the next 24 hours. We encourage you to make evacuation plans now. Be proactive and don’t wait until it’s too late Do not put your life at risk. Evacuation sites are set up a First Baptist Church in Swannanoa and Meadowbrook Free Will Baptist Church in Black Mountain. Please take all alerts seriously. This is an extremely dangerous storm system that can be a life or death situation. Please be safe.

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Update

Helene Briefing 9/26/24 6pm

Key Messages from National Weather Service- Click link above to read more.

● Widespread considerable flash flooding is expected, with areas of catastrophic, life-threatening flash flooding near the Blue Ridge escarpment. Flooding of mainstem rivers is expected, with major to possibly historic flooding likely.

● Confidence is high in landslides and debris flows occurring during the heaviest rainfall now through at least 12 pm Friday.

● Wind speeds have increased to near Hurricane strength, especially in the western portion of the area. Gusts of 60 to 70 mph after midnight through at least 9 am Friday, with brief gusts of 80 mph possible. Widespread downed trees and numerous power outages are likely.

● Isolated tornadoes are possible.

If you live along Flat Creek, the Swannanoa River, or any other area likely to flood, it is highly recommended you relocate to higher ground or go to a shelter for the night. High winds and up to 8 more inches of rain are expected tonight, Thur 9/26. This is of serious concern and an unprecedented flooding risk. Please stay weather aware!

Town personnel has an incident command center open at the Fire Department and will be operational around the clock until the event has passed. Town staff is ready to respond as needed during the storm.

Black Mountain Town Offices are CLOSED tomorrow, Fri., 9/27/24 to non-essential personnel.

We will continue to provide updates as they come in. Also, please follow our Town social pages for the latest updates. Thank you.

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Update 9/26/24 - 12:00 PM

Local Emergency Shelter Information

1. First Baptist Church of Swannanoa - 503 Park St., Swannanoa- No Pets.

2. Temporary Emergency Shelter- Meadowbrook Freewill Baptist Church- 204 Blue Ridge Rd., Black Mountain.

Black Mountain Street / Road Closures

1. Honeycutt Street at Town Square is CLOSED for emergency personnel.

2. Blue Ridge Road Bridge at US 70 near Veterans Park is CLOSED. Blue Ridge Rd is accessible via Highway 9.

Other Closures/Updates

1.All Town Parks are CLOSED.

2. Bulk White Goods, and Brush Pick-up Cancelled for September 27, 2024.

Flash Flooding potential is very high in our area. Prepare now and stay alert! Turn around if you see water in or flowing across the road. Never assume it is safe to pass through.