Bernie Marcus the co-founder of Home Depot who became a billionaire philanthropist and GOP donor, has died at the age of 95. "The entire Home Depot family is deeply saddened by the death of our co-founder Bernie Marcus," the company said. "We owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude to Bernie, who co-founded Home Depot with Arthur Blank.
NCDOT Estimates Date for 2-Lane Traffic on I-40 in Gorge
One lane in each direction at 40 mph anticipated by New Year's Day
JONATHAN CREEK – Traffic may be flowing in both directions on Interstate 40 through the Pigeon River Gorge — albeit slower than normal — by New Year’s Day.
N.C. Department of Transportation officials anticipate a contractor completing a stabilization project securing the westbound lanes of I-40 in the gorge. The Pigeon River washed away the interstate’s eastbound lanes in four long swaths during the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
The completion of the stabilization project will provide enough space for vehicles to travel at 40 mph on one lane in each direction over a 9-mile stretch of the gorge in Tennessee and North Carolina. This configuration will also provide another contractor enough room to safely complete long-term repairs over the coming years.
“We are optimistic that our contract partners can complete the work, establish one narrow lane in each direction and create a safe work zone for the long-term restoration,” NCDOT’s Division 14 Engineer Wanda Payne said. “We are working to open I-40 when it is safe, and it will be tight conditions for everybody. But if everybody is patient, everybody can get through.”
NCDOT will award a quick-tow contract to support traditional Incident Management Assistance Patrol, or IMAP, to reduce travel delays associated with crashes. This towing contract will be modeled after a similar contract that proved to be successful during the I-26 widening projects in Buncombe and Henderson counties, where NCDOT’s towing contractors are able to take quick action to reduced crashes, delays and congestion.
“Opening one lane in both directions reestablishes critical connectivity for the transport of good and services to and through mountains,” Payne said. “Like many things in our area, it will not be like it was for a long time, but it will be better than we’ve had in recent weeks.”
The Temporary Patch
Contract crews are stabilizing several thousand feet of I-40 by installing soil-nail walls on swaths cut by the flooded Pigeon River. The operation includes inserting long rods into bedrock below the road, filling those with grout adhering the rods to the rock, and spraying concrete on the cut face to hold the rods in place and create a solid wall.
As that operation concludes, crews will install a concrete safety barrier on 5 miles of the remaining westbound lanes in North Carolina. The wall will separate eastbound and westbound traffic from the double-tunnel to the Tennessee state line. For 4 miles of I-40 in Tennessee, there is a two-lane pattern for local traffic only.
NCDOT awarded an $8.5 million contract to Wright Brothers Construction for the stabilization repairs and GeoStabilization International is the sub-contractor building the soil-nail wall.
In the Long Run
Long-term reconstruction plans are still in early development.
NCDOT has hired RK&K as a design firm, Ames Construction as the contractor and HNTB as the project manager. There is no timeframe for the selection of a design, a date for start of construction or a general estimate of the cost.
“Everybody has been coming up with ideas and all good solutions are still on the table,” Payne said. “We will collaboratively choose the best long-term solution.”
For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.
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Dear Friend,
Hurricane Helene has interrupted many things in our communities over the past few weeks: water service, internet access and the ability to work from home, and the school calendar, to name a few; but one thing that is continuing without delay is the 2024 general election.
Tomorrow is Election Day and voting is the fundamental basis that makes our country a democracy. Casting your vote gives you an opportunity to make sure your views and concerns are reflected in the representation that you elect. It is often referred to as your civic duty, but in the wake of Hurricane Helene, it is much more than that.
Your vote will directly impact the support our mountains receive in the coming months and years as we recover from Helene’s destruction. I encourage each and every one of you to make sure your voice is heard in this year’s election.
Due to hurricane damage, some voting sites have changed. If you’re unsure where your Election Day polling place is located, you can visit this link and input your address to find where to vote. Please note that voting on Election Day is not the same as early voting. You cannot go to any voting site in your county. You must go to your assigned polling place.
For the love of democracy, get out and vote.
This week’s update includes a new Disaster Recovery Center in Polk County, waived NC DMV fees and late fees, the new contract issued for permanent repairs to I-40, information related to the status of the Barnardsville Post Office, how to request proof of power outage for insurance companies, account credits for Spectrum customers, Frontier Communications restoration timelines for customers in Marshall and Micaville, and additional open dates for two temporary Buncombe County Disaster Recovery Centers.
Today is update number 30, with more information to follow in the coming weeks. As always, please make sure to read everything and share it with your friends and family.
Index
Click the title to be taken to the correlating information in the update.
FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Sites
Legislative Support
Housing/Individual Assistance Updates
Food and Water
Buncombe County
Haywood County
Henderson County
Jackson County
Madison County
McDowell County
Polk County
Rutherford County
Transylvania County
Yancey County
Trash Services and Debris Removal
Buncombe
Haywood
Henderson
Madison
McDowell
Polk
Rutherford
Transylvania
Yancey
Voter Information
United States Postal Service/Mail Services
Pharmacy Access
Open Urgent Cares/ Health Care Services
Dialysis Locations
Oxygen Locations
Resources for Veterans
Resources for Farmers
Power
Roads
Internet Access
Cell Service
North Carolina National Guard & Department of Defense
Asheville Regional Airport
Federal Nutrition Programs
For NC-11 Medical Providers
For Local Government Resource Requests
For Individual Assistance through FEMA
To Connect with a Loved One
Resources for Utility & Other Status Updates
Free Legal Assistance
IRS Guidance for Taxpayers Impacted by Hurricane Helene
Shelters
Buncombe County
Haywood County
Henderson County
Madison County
McDowell County
Rutherford County
Transylvania County
Yancey County
Carolina Cruiser Mobile Office Hours
FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Sites
The following FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers are open seven days a week to assist North Carolina survivors who have experienced losses from Hurricane Helene.
Buncombe County - TEMPORARY LOCATIONS
Swannanoa Fire Rescue - Bee Tree Fire Sub Station
510 Bee Tree Rd., Swannanoa, NC 28778
Open November 2-5 and 11-14, 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Buncombe County Sports Park (Parking Lot)
58 Apac Dr., Asheville, NC 28806
Open November 6-9 and 15-18, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Buncombe County - PERMANENT LOCATION
Cane Creek Pool
590 Lower Brush Creek Rd., Fairview, NC 28730
Daily hours: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Haywood County
Regional High Technical Center
112 Industrial Park Dr., Waynesville, NC 28786
Henderson County
2111 Asheville Hwy., Hendersonville, NC 28791
Daily hours: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Jackson County Annex Building
198 WBI Dr., Sylva, NC 28779
Daily hours: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Madison County
Madison County Public Library - Marshall Branch
1335 N. Main St., Marshall, NC 28753
Daily hours: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
McDowell County
A.C. “Bud” Hogan Community Center
909 E. Main St., Old Fort, NC 28762
Daily hours: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
County Senior Center
100 Spaulding Rd., Marion, NC 28752
Daily hours: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Polk County
Polk County Recreation Complex (Parking Lot)
235 Wolverine Trl., Mill Spring, NC 28756
Daily hours: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Rutherford County
Mountains Branch Library
150 Bills Creek Rd., Lake Lure, NC 28746
Daily hours: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Swain County
Swain County Technology & Training Center
45 East Ridge Dr., Bryson City, NC 28713
Daily hours: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Transylvania County: Community Services Building
106 E. Morgan St., Brevard, NC 28712
Daily hours: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Yancey County
County Annex Facility
677 W. U.S. Highway 19E Bypass, Burnsville, NC 28714
Daily hours: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
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 for disaster loans, etc.
Additional recovery centers will be opening soon, and I will keep you posted as I learn about them.
Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams are also stationed across NC-11 to help survivors apply for FEMA assistance and connect them with additional state, local, federal and voluntary agency resources.
Legislative Support
The U.S. House of Representatives is gearing up to pass a disaster relief package when we return to session in November.
I have begun conversations with leadership about how to best meet Western North Carolina’s needs in any supplemental relief package passed by Congress in the coming months.
The North Carolina General Assembly unanimously passed a second round of disaster relief on October 24, known as the Disaster Recovery Act of 2024 Part II.
State legislators have stated that this package is still preliminary support, and more will be on the way in another session on November 19, 2024.
This bill adds another $604 million from the state’s Savings Reserve Fund to the Hurricane Helene Fund. Below lays out where the funds are going and shares a summary of what some of the funds will be used for.
$16.7 million for the North Carolina Community College System
$5 million for a grant program to cover tuition and fees for eligible students at impacted community colleges in WNC for the spring semester.
$10.5 million for an emergency grant program to support students who have suffered financial hardship due to damage and destruction by Helene.
Students will be eligible for up to $2,500 and schools must start taking applications by November 15.
The funds must be used on expenses that support a student’s continued enrollment.
$65 million for the Department of Public Instruction
$5 million to increase mental health services to students, families, and school personnel in WNC.
Expands school flexibility by excusing an additional 20 days of missed instruction time due to school closures from Hurricane Helene.
$20 million for the University of North Carolina
$5.5 million to establish a grant program to cover tuition for eligible in-state students at UNC Asheville in the spring semester.
$5 million for an emergency grant program to support students in the UNC system who have suffered financial hardship due to damage and destruction by Helene.
Students will be eligible for up to $2,500 and schools must start taking applications by November 15.
The funds must be used on expenses that support a student’s continued enrollment.
$1 million for the same emergency grant program for students at private universities in WNC who have suffered financial hardship due to damage and destruction by Helene.
Students will be eligible for up to $2,500 and the UNC system must start taking applications by November 15.
The funds must be used on expenses that support a student’s continued enrollment.
$71.4 million to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services
$1 million to local social services offices for rental assistance.
$56 million to the Department of Commerce
$50 million to Golden LEAF to administer a bridge loan program to qualifying businesses suffering economic distress due to Helene.
$139 million to the Department of Environmental Quality
$100 million to establish an emergency bridge loan program for water infrastructure.
$22 million to establish an emergency infrastructure bridge loan program for commercial underground storage tanks.
$130 million to the Department of Public Safety
$106 million to general government, including the Office of State Budget and Management and the Treasurer.
$100 million to the Local Government Commission to provide cash flow loans to local governments in affected areas.
The North Carolina General Assembly unanimously passed the Disaster Recovery Act of 2024 on Oct. 9, 2024.
This bill creates a new Hurricane Helene fund with $273 million from the state’s Savings Reserve Fund.
$250 million will go to the Department of Public Safety's Division of Emergency Management to provide the state’s match to federal disaster relief funds.
Another portion of the funds will be used to establish a revolving loan program to help local government and state agencies with cash flow while they are waiting for reimbursement from the federal government.
$16 million will go to the Department of Public Instruction for “lost compensation of school nutrition employees due to school closures resulting from Hurricane Helene”
$2 million to provide local governments technical assistance with local recovery funds.
$5 million to the State Board of Elections, alongside a variety of temporary election law changes such as changing polling sites that were rendered unusable by the storm and establishing a voter hotline, to make it easier for residents of Western North Carolina to vote.
The bill also:
Grants school calendar flexibility to public schools by allowing them to make up or mark as completed any number of the days or hours missed.
It also allows the schools to use up to 30 days of remote instruction toward required instructional days.
Waives DMV fees for things like obtaining a duplicate driver’s license, ID card, etc.
Waives certain environmental requirements for state highway repairs.
This provision will not reduce the safety of repairs conducted by NCDOT or negatively impact the environment.
Housing/Individual Assistance Updates
More than 243,000 Western North Carolinians have registered for Individual Assistance with FEMA.
The Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program through FEMA is currently providing temporary hotel stays to more than 8,931 individuals
FEMA has distributed more than $203 million in housing assistance to more than 122,000 Western North Carolina households.
FEMA is seeking residential properties to lease for Helene survivors.
Interested WNC property owner or management companies should reach out to FEMA on or before 5:00 p.m. EST, Nov. 6, 2024, via email to
The email subject line should read: RFI# 70FBR425-DL-DR4827NC
FEMA is also seeking multifamily properties to house disaster survivors
Interested property owner or management companies should reach out to FEMA no later than 5:00 p.m. EST, Nov. 6, 2024, via email to
The email subject line should read: RFI #70FBR425-MLR-DR4827NC Response: MLR-DR-4827-NC
How to avoid scams during the assistance application process:
Homeowners and renters who applied for FEMA disaster assistance in WNC should be aware that FEMA representatives may call from unfamiliar area codes and phone numbers that could show as SPAM or no caller ID.
It is important to answer the call, but always be alert to these illegitimate practices:
A FEMA inspector calls, and you did not submit a FEMA application.
A FEMA inspector asks for your banking information.
FEMA inspectors are NEVER authorized to collect your personal financial information.
A payment is requested from someone who says they are from FEMA.
FEMA will never request payment.
A FEMA inspector calls and asks for your personally identifiable information such as your social security number.
If any of these things happen to you, or you receive a call from someone saying they are a FEMA representative and you aren’t sure, call the FEMA Helpline to report the incident.
FEMA Helpline: (800) 621-3362
If you believe you are the victim of a scam related to the Helene response, you should file a complaint with the North Carolina Department of Justice by:
Visiting ncdoj.gov/complaint; or,
Calling toll-free at 877-566-7226.
Food and Water
Free drinking water testing is available by request through the Buncombe County Public Health Department.
Just contact the Buncombe County Public Health Department to request a test kit.
The department will provide you with an empty bottle along with instructions to collect a drinking water sample and where to drop it off for analysis.
If you have a private well that flooded, the well should be disinfected and tested to ensure the safety of yourself and your family.
The Division of Public Health is providing free, well-testing kits through local health departments.
Contact your local health department (find your local department via this link) to obtain a free well testing and disinfection kit.
NCDEQ has provided the following resources to help community members track progress on water supply restoration efforts:
Public Water Supply Situation Report Tracking - ArcGIS map with filters for system status, county, etc. linked here.
DEQ Dashboard - links to additional maps, including mobile view of water system status, and environmental guidance linked here.
Buncombe County
Buncombe County has water distribution at multiple sites. Each will be available daily from 12:00-4:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Please bring your own container.
Buncombe County Sports Park Complex
58 Apac Dr., Asheville, NC 28806
Black Mountain Ingles
550 NC-9, Black Mountain, NC 28711
Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center
121 Shiloh Rd., Asheville, NC 28803
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Pack Square Park
80 Court Plz., Asheville, NC 28801
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sky Lanes Bowling Alley
1477 Patton Ave., Asheville, NC 28806
Daily hours: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Swannanoa Ingles
2299 US-70, Swannanoa, NC 28778
Daily hours: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Fairview Ingles
225 Charlotte Hwy., Fairview, NC 28803
The following resources sites are available in Buncombe County, where citizens can access food, water and other basic necessities:
Biltmore Baptist Church
35 Clayton Rd., Arden, NC 28704
Distribution and bulk pickup for volunteers looking to take bulk loads of supplies to in-need community members
Saturday hours: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Community drive-thru for anyone in the community needing supplies
Saturday hours: 3:00-6:00 p.m.
First Baptist Church – Weaverville
63 N. Main St., Weaverville, NC 28787
Hot showers available from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Unlimited clean drinking water is available, bring your own container.
Supplies and bottled water.
Hot lunch served at 1:30 p.m.
Fellowship Asheville
756 Fairview Rd., Asheville, NC 28803
Daily hours: 1:00-4:00 p.m., Monday-Thursday
West Asheville Baptist Church
926 Haywood Rd., Asheville, NC 28806
Daily hours: 12:00-4:00 p.m., Monday-Saturday
Saint Mary Margaret Catholic Church
102 Andrews Pl., Swannanoa, NC 28778
Daily hours: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday
Saturday hours: 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Please note: This location is not open during mass.
Hot meals are available at the following locations:
World Central Kitchen at Ben's Tune Up
195 Hilliard Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Serves 25,000 hot meals a day.
Daily hours: 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Shiloh Community Center
121 Shiloh Rd., Asheville, NC 28803
Daily hours: 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Grovemont Park
251 Stonewall Ave., Swannanoa, NC 28778
Daily hours: 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Wesley Grant Community Center
285 Livingston St., Asheville, NC 28801
Daily hours: 12:00-2:00 p.m.
West Asheville Ingles
669 Haywood Rd., Asheville, NC 28806
Daily hours: 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Nesbitt Chapel
12 Nesbitt Chapel Rd., Fairview, NC 28730
Daily hours: 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Groce United Methodist Church – also distributing essential supplies
954 Tunnel Rd., Asheville, NC 28805
Daily hours M/W/F/Sat, Supplies 12:00-4:00 p.m., meals 12:00-2:00 p.m.
A Community Care Station is available at the following location:
2319 Hwy. 70, Swannanoa, NC 28778
Daily hours: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Hot meals served daily: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Community Care Stations offer showers, laundry, bathrooms, access to cell towers, wi-fi, potable and non-potable water, and counseling.
Haywood County
The following locations are providing community members with essential resources such as but not limited to, food, water, cleaning products, baby formula, and pet food, Monday through Fridays:
Fines Creek Community Center
190 Fines Creek Rd., Clyde, NC 28721
Open every day until 6:00 p.m.
Pigeon Community Center
450 Pigeon St., Waynesville, NC 28786
Also offering hot meals every day at 2:00 p.m.
Daily Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Cruso Community Center
13186 Cruso Rd., Canton, NC 28716
Daily Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
First United Methodist Church
566 S. Haywood St., Waynesville, NC 28786
Includes shower access.
Daily Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Maggie Valley Pavilion
3935 Soco Rd., Maggie Valley, NC 28751
Daily Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Monday-Saturday)
Woodland Baptist Church
545 Crabtree Rd., Waynesville, NC 28786
Daily Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
New Covenant Church
767 Lee Rd., Clyde, NC 28721
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
IP Sportsplex
305 Silkwood Dr., Canton, NC 28716
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Bethel Elementary School
4700 Old River Rd., Canton, NC 28716
Daily Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Jonathan Valley Elementary School
410 Hall Dr., Waynesville, NC 28786
Daily Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday
St. Barnabas Catholic Church
109 Crescent Hill Rd., Arden, NC 28704
Daily Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Reynolds Baptist Church - Family Life Center
520 Rose Hill Rd., Asheville, NC 28803
Daily Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
This location also has potable water available to residents who bring their own vessels to fill.
Mountain Projects
2177 Asheville Rd., Waynesville, NC 28786
The Community Kitchen
288 Crabtree Mountain Rd., Canton, NC 28806
Daily hours: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Haywood Christian Ministry
150 Branner St., Waynesville, NC 28786
Daily hours: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Monday-Friday)
The following location offers hot meals daily:
Maggie Valley Fire Department
2901 Soco Rd., Maggie Valley, NC 28751
Jukebox Junction
3606 Pigeon Rd., Canton, NC 28806
Daily hours: 12:00-2:00 p.m.
The following location offers showers daily from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.:
Calvary Baptist Church
2701 Soco Rd., Maggie Valley, NC 28751
The following location is offering supplies for horses and livestock:
WNC Regional Livestock Center
474 Stock Dr., Canton, NC 28716
Henderson County
Henderson County has stood up one Resource Hub location for water distribution and other supplies as they become available.
118 McAbee Ct., Flat Rock, NC 28731
Daily hours: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Each family unit will be provided supplies for one day’s meal and water as available.
Individuals are asked to enter the drive-through and remain in your car unless otherwise instructed by volunteers to ensure an efficient process.
Jackson County
In partnership with the Red Cross, the following is available for citizens of Jackson County:
The Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau are providing shelf-stable meals at the following location:
558 Frank Allen Rd., Cashiers, NC 28717
The Canada Fire Department is distributing emergency supplies at the following location:
149 Charleys Creek Rd., Tuckasegee, NC 28783
The following locations are providing resources to displaced families and individuals in need:
Mountain Projects
154-B Medical Park Loop, Sylva, NC 28779
United Christian Ministries
191 Skyland Dr., Sylva, NC 28779
St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church of Sylva
22 Bartlett St., Sylva, NC 28779
Daily hours: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Cornbread and Roses
1294 Savannah Dr., Sylva, NC 28779
Daily hours:
Wednesday, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Thursday, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Sunday, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Madison County
The following locations are offering food, water, and some supply distribution in Madison County:
Beech Glen Community Center
2936 Beech Glen Rd., Mars Hill, 28754
Daily hours: Unable to locate daily hours at this time.
Center Community Center
1300 Grapevine Rd., Marshall, NC 28753
Daily hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Ebbs Chapel Community Center
281 Laurel Valley Rd., Mars Hill, NC 28754
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Enon Baptist Church
174 Ammons Branch Rd., Marshall, NC 28753
Open Sunday 12:00-4:00 p.m.
Freedom Christian Church
7350 US 25/70 Bypass, Marshall, NC 28753
Daily hours: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
This location offers additional resources such as hygiene products, blankets, clothes, cleaning supplies, diapers, pet food, etc.
Laurel Community Center - also has supplies
4100 NC 212 Hwy., Marshall, NC 28753
Daily Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Revere-Rice Community Center
3980 Revere Rd., Marshall, NC 28753
Daily hours: 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (Mon-Sat)
Spring Creek Community Center
13075 NC 209 Hwy., Hot Springs, NC 28743
Daily hours: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
This location also has additional resources such as pet food, livestock feed and hay.
Walnut Community Center - also has supplies
46 School Rd., Marshall, NC 28753
Daily hours: Unable to locate daily hours at this time.
N.C. Cooperative Extension - Madison County Center
258 Carolina Ln., Marshall, NC 28753
Daily hours: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
This location is offering drive-thru food distribution only.
Little Ivy Baptist Church
1053 Crossroads Pkwy., Mars Hill, NC 28754
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
McDowell County
McDowell County has established multiple points of distribution that are open daily.
Distribution takes place daily at the following locations:
Tom Johnson’s Camping Center
348 Resistoflex Rd., Marion, NC 28752
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Weekend hours: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Cherry Springs
6 Bull Walker Rd., Old Fort, NC 28762
Daily hours: Wednesdays 4:00-7:00 p.m., Sundays 2:00-6:00 p.m.
Camp Grier
985 Camp Grier Rd., Old Fort, NC 28762
Daily hours: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 4:00-7:00 p.m.
Restoration Church
2344 Ashworth Rd., Marion, NC 28752
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Centro Unido Latino Americano
79 Academy St., Marion, NC 28752
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
First Baptist Church of Old Fort
203 E. Main St., Old Fort, NC 28762
Daily hours: 4:00-7:00 p.m., Monday-Friday
New Manna Baptist Church
225 E. Court St., Marion, NC 28752
Daily hours: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Hot meals are also being provided at the following location:
Grace Community Church
5182 US 70 W., Marion, NC 28752
Lunch is served every day from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Dinner is available from 4:00-5:30 p.m.
First Baptist Church of Marion is offering hot showers, air conditioning, and areas to charge devices.
Current hours: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 2:00-5:00 p.m., Monday-Saturday.
Polk County
The following locations are offering food and water distribution for residents in need from 1:00-5:00 p.m.:
Mill Spring/Green Creek Community
25 International Blvd., Mill Spring, NC 28756
Columbus Community
95 Walker St., Columbus, NC 28722
Saluda Community Bus Parking Lot
214 E. Main St., Saluda, NC 28773
Tryon Community
301 N. Trade St., Tryon, NC 28782
Sunny View
86 Sunny View School Rd., Mill Spring, NC 28756
The following locations are serving hot meals daily:
Tryon Equestrian Center
4066 Pea Ridge Rd., Mill Spring, NC 28756
Daily hours: 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Roseland Community Center
56 Peake St., Tryon, NC 28782
Daily hours: 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Rutherford County
The following two centralized distribution center locations are open from 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. for citizens to get food and emergency supplies:
The Green Space
658 Memorial Hwy., Lake Lure, NC 28746
Warehouse #7
214 Vance St., Warehouse 7, Forest City, NC 28043
Transylvania County
The following location is providing hot meals to county residents:
Balsam Grove Community Center - daily until power is fully restored
8732 Parkway Rd., Balsam Grove, NC 28708
Daily hours: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Bottled water is available daily at local fire departments and 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at Anchor Baptist Church located at:
3232 Hendersonville Hwy., Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
Water filling stations can be found at the following locations:
City Sports Complex
824 Ecusta Rd., Brevard, NC 28712
Daily hours: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Rocky’s Grill & Soda Shop
50 S. Broad St., Brevard, NC 28712
No posted daily hours
Cedar Mountain Outpost
8431 Greenville Hwy., Brevard, NC 28712
No posted daily hours.
DD Bullwinkles
60 E. Main St., Brevard, NC 28712
No posted daily hours.
First United Methodist Church
325 N. Broad St., Brevard, NC 28712
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Pisgah Forest Baptist Church
494 Hendersonville Hwy., Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
Daily hours: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Food, water, and other supplies such as hygiene products are being distributed at the following locations:
Anchor Baptist Church
3232 Hendersonville Hwy., Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Zion Baptist Church
423 Main St., Rosman, NC 28772
No daily hours posted
Grace Brevard
55 E. Jordan St., Brevard, NC 28712
Daily hours: 12:00-2;00 p.m.
Mary C. Jenkins Community Center
221 Mills Ave., Brevard, NC 28712
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday
Yancey County
Yancey County has one centralized distribution site for water, food and ice located at the following address:
Former Fred’s Store
677 W. U.S. Highway 19E, Burnsville, NC 28714
Mobile laundry facilities are available in the GO Grocery parking lot located at the following address:
631 W Hwy. 19E Bypass, Burnsville, NC 28714
Trash Services and Debris Removal
All counties are actively working with NCDEQ to determine where mud, silt and sediment can be safely dropped off without risk of contamination.
Recycling services are available through Curbside Management for the following counties:
Buncombe
Clay
Graham
Haywood
Henderson
Jackson
Macon
Madison
Polk
Rutherford
Yancey
Some communities have halted recycling services to prioritize trash collection.
If that is the case for your community, Curbside Management has a drop-off site available for residents who wish to bring their recycling to the following location:
116 N. Woodfin Ave., Asheville, NC 28804
If your home has damage and you need assistance with clean up, please call Crisis Cleanup for access to volunteer organizations that can assist you at 844-965-1386.
If Hurricane Helene caused damage to your home or belongings, make sure to document it.
This is critically important in getting reimbursed.
Take photos before you begin cleaning up.
Make a list of damaged or lost items and gather receipts.
Doing this helps speed up the process with insurance and other assistance programs, and ensures you get properly compensated.
Before you start the clean-up process, remember:
Wear PPE such as long pants, goggles, gloves and sturdy shoes.
Stay off damaged structures.
Be aware that snakes or other hazardous animals could be present.
Call your local fire department to inspect or removal chemicals, propane tanks, and other hazardous materials.
If you suspect debris contains toxic substances, seal them in plastic bags to prevent them from becoming airborne.
To reduce the risk of accidental fires, please DO NOT burn your storm debris.
Emergency personnel are continuing to work on other storm recovery and response efforts, limiting resources to respond to accidental fires.
Please discard storm debris at a local transfer site or via curbside debris pickup.
Debris should be placed curbside and not block the roadway or access to the property.
Please place debris away from trees, poles or other structures (e.g., fire hydrants, meters, etc.) to make removal work easier.
Contact your local municipality for curbside storm debris removal collection schedules or see below for additional information on debris waste removal by county.
Additionally, the following counties have resources for where to take household trash and debris waste.
Buncombe
Curbside collection will begin Monday for City of Asheville sanitation customers.
Storm debris collection has begun in Buncombe County.
Separate storm-related debris at the curb in the right of way according to material type:
Appliances, construction debris, household hazardous waste such as pesticides and automotive fluid, vegetative debris, and electronics.
Debris collection will require multiple passes and will be a long process.
Residents do not have to set out all debris at one time or worry if there is debris left; another pass can collect additional debris.
Trash pickup has resumed on the regular schedule for customers in Black Mountain.
Waste Pro collection service has resumed for regular Monday route customers.
Haywood
Household waste will be accepted at the Materials Recovery Facility at 247 Recycle Rd., Clyde and at Convenience Centers at Jonathan Creek, Beaverdam, Bethel, Hazelwood, Mauney Cove, Jones Cove and Highway 110.
White Oak Landfill has reopened.
Henderson
Henderson County Transfer Station is open and accepting storm debris with normal fees.
Henderson County has begun curbside storm debris removal to county residents as a free service.
The county will pick up storm debris for free if it is pushed to the right of way of a property.
Storm debris includes tree branches, leaves, logs, building materials, furniture, paint etc.
Please be patient.
The county will pick up storm debris for free as quickly as possible.
Madison
The Hot Springs collection center is operating on normal hours for household trash ONLY:
Monday: 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Hot Springs trash pickup is returning to Mondays like usual.
Please only use this pickup service if you cannot bring it to the collection center yourself.
The pickup service is being led by volunteers at this time.
McDowell
McDowell County has hired private contractors to facilitate storm debris pickup from public right of ways in the Town of Old Fort, City of Marion, and along state secondary roads in the county.
Residents are asked to separate debris into the following categories:
Large appliances
Construction debris
Vegetative debris
Hazardous waste
Electronics
Household waste
Polk
The Polk County landfill is open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
322 Landfill Rd., Mill Spring, NC 28756
Drop-off of residential trash is $10.
GFL trash services will continue the regular schedule.
The County has partnered with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to support residents with storm-related debris removal.
Cleanup crews are actively collecting debris across the county and transporting it to an approved temporary site on Wolverine Trial in Mill Spring, on Polk County-owned property.
To ensure smooth and efficient removal:
Debris should be placed within 10 feet of the road.
Vegetative debris must be in manageable piles.
Logs can have a maximum length of 15 feet.
Debris should be separated into five categories:
Vegetative - Tree branches, leaves, log, branches.
Construction - Building materials, drywall, lumber, carpet, furniture, plumbing.
Large Appliances - Refrigerators, washer/dryers, air conditioners, stoves, water heaters, and dishwashers.
Please DO NOT leave doors unsealed or unsecured.
Electronics - Television, computer, stereo, phones, DVD players, etc.
Hazardous Waste - Oil, batteries, pesticides, paint, cleaning supplies, compressed gas.
Document the clean-up process with photos before and after debris removal.
Rutherford
The county has begun storm debris removal along state-maintained and municipally-controlled roads.
Residents are asked to place storm-related vegetative debris, including trees and limbs, within the road’s right-of-way.
Cut large debris into four to six ft. sections.
The Rutherford County Landfill and all convenience centers have reopened with normal hours.
Transylvania
The City of Brevard has resumed regular trash pickup.
The county landfill accepts natural vegetative storm debris, including spoiled hay, trees, brush, etc. for free.
Yancey
The Riverside and East Yancey Recycling Centers have resumed operations.
Daily hours: 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday-Saturday
The Yancey-Mitchell Landfill is now open, following repairs from Hurricane Helene.
555 Landfill Rd., Burnsville, NC 28714
Daily hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Monday-Friday); 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Saturday)
Residents should sort storm debris from regular household waste.
Hazardous materials will not be accepted and construction debris should be separated from household waste.
Voter Information
The Justice Department has launched a website with information to help Western North Carolinians and other communities impacted by recent hurricanes to vote.
The site identifies and provides links to various state changes made to accommodate displaced voters and information for folks who have lost their ID cards, had polling sites moved or who are unsure where or how they can vote.
You can access the website via this link.
Tomorrow is Election Day.
You can use this link to find your polling place.
Please note: You must vote at your assigned polling place on Election Day.
United States Postal Service/Mail Services
My office has heard concerns related to the Barnardsville Post Office being closed.
The facility has been deemed unsafe for occupancy until all necessary repairs are completed and the facility has passed the required inspections.
USPS is dedicated to reopening the facility as soon as possible and I am working with them to make sure there are no unnecessary delays.
Retail services are still being provided via a Mobile Retail Unit that is located on-site.
Delivery operations remain temporarily transferred to the Weaverville Post Office and reliable mail delivery is continuing as it would if delivery were taking place through the Barnardsville location.
Social Security and FEMA checks are being routed to all units for delivery and/or are available for customer pick up.
For impacted residents who have relocated due to the storm, please be sure to complete a change of address request at moversguide.usps.com.
Most USPS offices have reopened under normal operations.
Sunday delivery is being made in some of the affected communities to ensure delayed mail is delivered as soon as possible.
Only 21 offices, or 10 percent of all USPS offices in Western NC remain closed.
Only one facility was fully destroyed, the Micaville PO box office in ZIP code 28755.
USPS is utilizing Mobile Operations Units where residents can send or receive mail and packages in many of the areas with closed offices.
The mobile units are located in the following communities:
Alexander - 28701
Barnardsville - 28709
Cedar Mountain - 28718
Edneyville - 28727
Hot Springs - 28743
Marshall - 28753
Micaville - 28755
Montreat - 28757
Rosman - 28772
Swannanoa - 28778
Pharmacy Access
Pharmacy Locator
Hundreds of pharmacies never closed or have reopened across Western North Carolina.
Use this link to locate pharmacy locations open to the public by county.
The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response under the Department of Health and Human Services has activated the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) for North Carolinians.
The EPAP program helps uninsured residents replace prescription medication or certain medical equipment lost or damaged during Hurricane Helene.
Through the program, uninsured residents can:
Request a free 30-day supply of certain prescription medications at any EPAP-participating pharmacy which can be renewed every 30 days while the EPAP is active.
Replace certain medical equipment and supplies such as canes, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, blood sugar meters and blood sugar test strips for diabetics.
Uninsured North Carolina residents affected by the recent hurricane can call the EPAP hotline, 855-793-7470, or visit the EPAP website to check their eligibility, determine if their medications or medical equipment are covered, or locate a participating pharmacy.
Prescription Pad is open from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and filling prescriptions for Yancey County residents at the following location:
730 E. Main St., Burnsville, NC 28714
Open Urgent Cares/ Health Care Services
There is a field hospital with physicians, nurses and paramedics who can treat patients at the Burnsville Fire Department. The address is as follows:
305 Pineola St., Burnsville, NC 28714
The following urgent cares are open and accessible for community members with non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries:
Locations open between 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.:
Mercy Urgent Care Weaverville
61 Weaver Blvd., Weaverville, NC 28787
Mercy Urgent Care West Asheville
1201 Patton Ave., Asheville, NC 28806
Mercy Urgent Care Waynesville
120 Frazier St., Ste. 6, Waynesville, NC 28786
Locations open between 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.:
Mercy Urgent Care Brevard
22 Trust Ln., Brevard, NC 28712
Locations open between 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.:
Mercy Urgent Care Columbus
140 West Mills St., Columbus, NC 28722
Locations open between 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.:
Mobile Urgent Care Clinic
12 Florida Ave., Black Mountain, NC 28711
Mental Health & Basic Medical Support Center
130 Montreat Rd., Black Mountain, NC 28711
Pardee Urgent Care
45 Hendersonville Hwy., Ste. A, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
Other locations available:
Heart to Heart International - in Haywood Department of Health Parking Lot
157 Paragon Pkwy., Ste. 800, Clyde, NC 28721
Daily hours: Not available at this time.
Free mental health services - All available for drop-in
If you have been impacted by the storm and need someone to talk to, call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1 (800) 985-5990.
Help is also available to anyone, anytime in English or Spanish through a call, text or chat to 988.
Learn more at 988Lifeline.org.
Care Collaborative for Western North Carolina Clinicians is a partnership among more than 200 mental health professionals volunteering to provide free mental health services for Hurricane Helene survivors.
Services are provided virtually, and you can follow this link to find a professional that fits your needs and their contact information to schedule a session.
Hot Springs Elementary School - Art Room
63 N. Serpentine Ave., Hot Springs, NC 28743
Daily hours: 12:00-5:00 p.m.
The Pearl Institute
55 Academy St., Waynesville, NC
Daily hours: 12:00-6:00 p.m. (Monday-Friday)
Free telehealth appointments are also available.
To book a telehealth appointment, you can email
Community Support Group
Regular group sessions will be occurring through the end of December at the following locations:
221 Mills Ave., Brevard, NC 28712
Mary C. Jenkins Community & Cultural Center
Hosted by the City of Brevard, AARP, and Blue Ridge Community College
9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on October 28
45 Oak Park Dr., Brevard, NC 28712
Blue Ridge Community College, Brevard Campus, Room 140
9:00-11:00 a.m. on November 4, 18, 25; December 2, 9 ,16
All University of North Carolina System students have access to free mental health through their university.
Please monitor your student email for more information on how to access these services.
The following orthopedic urgent care locations are open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily, physical therapy appointments are also available at each of these locations:
EmergeOrtho Hendersonville
800 Fleming St., Hendersonville, NC 28791
EmergeOrtho Arden (South Asheville)
2585 Hendersonville Rd., Arden, NC 28704
EmergeOrtho Waynesville
9 Haywood Office Park, Ste. 102 and 103, Waynesville, NC 28785
EmergeOrtho Brevard
89 Hospital Dr., Ste. A, Brevard, NC 28712
EmergeOrtho Weaverville
159 Weaver Blvd., Weaverville, NC 28787
Dialysis Locations
The following location is open and available for dialysis treatments in NC-11:
Pardee Hospital
800 N. Justice St., Hendersonville, NC 28791
This location can dialyze 30 patients a day.
DaVita Kidney Care nurses are reaching out to their patients to coordinate treatment, but the following DaVita locations are available:
DaVita Greer South Dialysis
3254 Brushy Greek Rd., Greer, SC 29650
Contact Number: (864) 801-2065
DaVita Saluda River Dialysis
8080 Augusta Rd., Piedmont, SC 29673
Contact Number: (833) 378-2702
DaVita Wofford at Home
8024 White Ave., Spartanburg, SC 29303
Contact Number: (864) 583-4788
DaVita Boiling Springs Dialysis
196 Sloane Garden Rd., Boiling Springs, SC 29316
Contact Number: (833) 458-4809
Oxygen Locations
Hendersonville High School
1 Bearcat Blvd., Hendersonville, NC 28791
Must be assessed through Pardee Hospital.
Lincare is only serving established patients.
Patients must bring in empty tanks to one of the following locations:
Asheville Lincare
103 Elk Park Dr., Asheville, NC 28804
Fax number: (866) 234-6698
Greenville Lincare
355 Woodruff Rd., Ste. 204 and 205, Greenville, SC 29607
Fax Number: (864) 288-0339
The following locations are available for oxygen refills, but patients must bring their own oxygen equipment - fire departments are available 24/7:
Boiling Springs Fire Department
186 Rainbow Lake Rd., Boiling Springs, SC 29316
Reidville Fire Department
7450 Reidville Rd., Woodruff, SC 29388
Inman City Fire Department
6 Humphrey St., Inman, SC 29349
First Presbyterian Church
393 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29302
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Greer Relief Indigo Hope Neighborhood Impact Center
113C Berry Ave., Greer, SC 29651
Daily hours: 2:00-5:00 p.m.
Croft Fire Department
370 Cedar Springs Rd., Spartanburg, SC 29302
Arkwright Fire Department
1070 Southport Rd., Spartanburg, SC 29306
Roebuck Fire Department
2639 Stone Station Rd., Roebuck, SC 29376\
North Spartanburg Fire Department
8767 Asheville Hwy., Spartanburg, SC 29316
Resources for Veterans
Outpatient clinics have rescheduled 66 percent of the appointments that were cancelled due to Hurricane Helene, with more being rescheduled every day.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs launched a new web page with disaster relief resources, providing a single place for veterans and their caregivers to access VA resources on health care, housing, benefits payments, insurance, and more.
You can access the web site via this link.
The VA has established a Veterans Disaster Response Hotline, which is available 24/7 at 1(800) 507-4571.
If you or a veteran you know needs immediate housing assistance after Hurricane Helene, please call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 424-3838.
The call center is open 24/7.
If you have a VA-backed home loan and are unable to make your mortgage payments, please contact your mortgage servicer.
You can also call the VA at (877) 827-3702, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Home loan servicers are allowed to put a 90-day pause on foreclosures and encouraged to waive late charges for VA-guaranteed home loans after a disaster.
Legionnaires, Sons of the American Legion members and Legion Posts that have been displaced from their primary residence due to damage sustained during Hurricane Helene may be eligible for financial assistance through the American Legion.
Legionnaires and Sons of the American Legion members may be eligible for up to $3,000.
Legion Posts may be eligible for up to $10,000.
To learn more or to request assistance, please use this link.
Applications must be submitted within 90 days of the disaster: Dec. 26, 2024.
The Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville and Master Sergeant Jerry K. Crump VA Clinic in Forest City are open for essential and emergency services.
Veterans can:
Visit the Asheville VA Hospital pharmacy for medication refills or:
Call the Regional Clinical Contact Center at (855) 679-0074 and press 1 for pharmacy representatives.
Local pharmacies in the VA’s community care network will also fill written prescriptions, or prescriptions as they appear on an active VA prescription bottle that is not older than six months and has available refills, to provide a 30-day supply.
Hickory, Forest City and Franklin outpatient VA clinics are now operating regularly.
Due to the damage and personal losses caused by Hurricane Helene to the staff of the VA, it will take some time to bring staffing to full capacity.
Please be patient as the VA works to rebuild their workforce.
Resources for Farmers
The United States Department of Agriculture has put together a list of resources for farmers and other agricultural industry members.
If your agricultural operation has been impacted by Hurricane Helene, you can review this link, farmers.gov, for emergency and disaster assistance programs.
Ag supplies can be picked up by farmers in need from any of the following distribution centers (including non-NC-11 locations for farmers who may be closer to an out-of-district distribution center):
Avery County
Mitchell-Avery County Center
6880 Linville Falls Hwy., Newland, NC 28657
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Monday-Friday); 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Saturday)
Buncombe County
Mills River Station
74 Research Dr., Mills River, NC 28759
Daily hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Monday-Friday)
Caldwell County
Caldwell County Fairgrounds
2461 Fairground Rd., Lenoir, NC 28645
Daily hours: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Wednesday and Saturday only), or by appointment
McDowell County
Marion - McDowell County
188 Ag Services Dr., Marion, NC 28752
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Monday-Saturday)
Haywood County
Smokey Mountain Event Center
758 Crabtree Dr., Waynesville, NC 28785
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Monday-Friday)
Watauga County
Watauga County Extension
5715 U.S. Highway 421 N., Vilas, NC 28692
Daily hours: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) - NO HAY
1:00-6:00 p.m. (Tuesday and Thursday) - HAY ONLY
Power
Almost 100 percent of all power outages have been restored in impacted areas.
Less than 1,500 customers remain without power across Western NC.
200 Duke Energy customers.
Just over 1,200 electric cooperative customers.
French Broad EMC has teams throughout Yancey and Rutherford counties to restore remaining customers.
Crews are working down the Cane River in Rutherford County to get the three-phase line re-routed so French Broad can energize homes down to Elk Shoals Road.
Yancey County crews have completed the three-phase build in Pensacola and energized most of the homes in that area.
A portion of NC197S and Ewart Wilson Road is back on as well.
French Broad EMC is still trying to find a route into little creek and rebuild their circuits in Huntdale.
The greatest difficulty is finding space to place energy poles.
Collapsing of roadways has eliminated the area where poles were placed before the storm.
If your insurance provider is requesting “proof of outage,” you can contact Duke Energy’s Contact Center to request the letter.
(800) 777-9898
My office has heard multiple complaints of Duke Energy customers being charged for power on days where there was an outage. Duke Energy provided the following information for how billing was calculated, and what will take place to provide a credit if you were over billed due to being a non-AMI account:
AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure)
Bills for customers with an AMI/Smart Meter will reflect actual usage for the billing cycle if the meter is communicating. (For awareness: Duke is monitoring usage daily)
Non-AMI
Customers without an AMI/Smart Meter may see estimated usage if Duke was unable to obtain a reading prior to invoicing.
Once Duke Energy can obtain a reading from the meter, your next bill will be adjusted to reflect actual usage and a credit will be applied for anyone who’s usage was overestimated.
Duke Energy also provided the following information for auto-pay and budget billing customers:
Auto-Pay
Payments will automatically draft on the due date for customers signed up for auto-pay.
Customers have the option to temporarily pause their automatic payment by contacting Duke at 800-777-9898 (DEC) | 800-452-2777 (DEP) or by logging into their account to unenroll from Auto Pay.
If a customer chooses to unenroll via logging into their online account, they are encouraged to re-enroll when their situation allows to avoid any future missed payments.
Budget Billing
Customers enrolled in Budget Billing will still be invoiced their set monthly amount.
For more information on Duke Energy’s power restoration efforts, you can review the following links:
Complex Repair & Disaster Rebuild Zones Map: duke-energy.com/info/carolinas-restoration
Outage Map: duke-energy.com/outages
Outage Alerts: duke-energy.com/outages/alerts
Generator safety: duke-energy.com/outages/generators
Power restoration process: duke-energy.com/outages/restoring-your-power
Roads
Western North Carolina is FULLY OPEN to visitors!
Please come visit!
NCDOT has now reopened 1,010 roads that were previously closed due to Hurricane Helene.
Only 298 roads remain fully closed.
102 other roads are open with partial access.
26 roads are open to all traffic except truck traffic.
Ames Construction has been awarded a contract for the permanent repair of I-40 in the Pigeon River Gorge.
The Federal Highway Administration and NCDOT are working on a two-lane-traffic temporary repairs timeline and reopening date for I-40.
I will share the information as I receive it.
New sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway have officially reopened:
Milepost 411.8 to 421, from US 276 to Black Balsam
Milepost 423.2 to 469, from NC 215 to US 441 in Cherokee, N.C.
Milepost 405.5 to 411.8, near NC 151 to NC 276
Emergency roadway repair work continues with the installation of temporary bridges, numerous slide repairs, roadway reconstruction work, and repair of dangerous shoulder washouts.
The focus continues to be on major corridors and communities with limited access.
Nine communities throughout Western NC continue to have limited access.
NCDOT crews are working to restore access in these locations by rebuilding roadways and constructing bridges.
In light of interruptions in service caused by NC DMV closures due to Hurricane Helene, the following DMV fees have been waived from Sept. 26 through Dec. 31, 2024:
Duplicate or corrected vehicle titles.
Duplicate registration cards.
Salvage certificate of title.
Replacement license plates and/or stickers.
Duplicate driver licenses (including CDLs).
Duplicate state ID cards (note: state ID cards are already free for anyone age 17 and up)
The following late fees have also been waived from Sept. 26 through Dec. 31, 2024:
Late vehicle registration fees for vehicles that expired on or after Aug. 31, 2024.
Late interest payments on vehicle registrations and property taxes that expired on or after Aug. 31, 2024.
Title fees on or after Aug. 31, 2024.
Late fees and interest on limited registration plates and vehicle registration renewals for limited registrations that expired on or after Sept. 30, 2024.
Late fees for dealer plates that expired on or after Aug. 31, 2024.
If you paid any of the above listed fees or late fees prior to notice of the fee waivers, you will be automatically refunded.
Citizens do not have to take any action to receive refunds.
Please allow four to six weeks (until Dec. 6, 2024) for refunds to be processed.
Refunds will NOT be given in-person at NC DMV offices.
NCDOT has established a Road Reopening Dashboard for folks to keep track of progress made by the department.
You can use this link to access the dashboard.
The dashboard is also linked on DriveNC.gov.
To monitor road conditions in and around NC-11, use drivenc.gov.
The website tracks NCDOT-managed road conditions in real time.
NC DMV has reopened 14 of the 16 driver license offices that were closed due to Hurricane Helene.
The following DMV offices are open for walk-in services in or near NC-11, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed between 11:30 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. for a lunch break:
Buncombe County
1624 Patton Ave., Asheville, NC 28806
Cherokee County
1440 Main St., Andrews, NC 28901
Haywood County
290 Lee Rd., Clyde, NC 28721
Henderson County
125 Baystone Dr., Hendersonville, NC 28791
Jackson County
876 Skyland Dr., Ste. 2, Sylva, NC 28779
Macon County
16 Patton Ave., Franklin, NC 28734
Madison County
1685 NC Highway 213, Marshall, NC 28753
McDowell County
3975 NC 226 S., Marion, NC 28752
Rutherford County
596 Withrow Rd., Forest City, NC 28043
Swain County
2650 Governors Island Rd., Bryson City, NC 28713
Transylvania County
50 Commerce St., Ste. 4, Brevard, NC 28712
All but five license plate agencies have reopened.
Air traffic has sustained at 300 percent above pre-hurricane levels in Western NC.
NCDOT’s aviation division continue to work to make sure flight operations are safe coming into and out of airports, including by:
Scheduling landing/unloading times and aircraft parking so aircraft are spaced out and to reduce the risk of incidents.
Establishing a first of its kind “corridors in the sky” to separate civilian and military aircraft in the air.
Having search and rescue partners use short, time and location specific restrictions on air operations to enhance safety when multiple helicopters are engaged in search and rescue efforts.
The state of North Carolina is NOT turning away civil aviation support so long as it has been coordinated through the proper channels with NC Emergency Management.
If you or someone you know is interested in providing civil aviation support and don’t know where to coordinate your efforts, please call my office and we will help you get in touch with the right folks.
NCDOT has launched a detour map to show motorists how to get around closures on I-26 and I-40 at the Tennessee border.
You can access the map here.
Internet Access
Frontier Communications has been diligently working to restore service to customers in Western NC.
Service is expected to be restored by November 11 for customers in Marshall.
Reconstruction and restoration work begins TODAY, November 4, for customers in the Micaville area.
My office has also heard from numerous customers frustrated that they were billed for a full mont
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Seasons Change
Dr. Glenn Mollette
We are entering into a different season in America. It’s not a season everyone likes or voted for but the season is changing. For some it’s better, for some it’s worse. For some it’s good news, for some it’s bad news.
Your perspective colors your season. For example, if you love Autumn then you have enjoyed the current season in much of America. You haven’t enjoyed it if you’ve been in the path of a hurricane but you’ve enjoyed it if you live in most any other place in America, We’ve had a dry Fall season but it has been beautiful. Many dread the winter months, while some welcome cool weather over the long months of dry hot weather. If you live in Southern Arizona, you are ready for some cooler weather.
Political seasons are hard on our nation. We’ve been immersed in political advertisements for months. The Presidential campaign has gone on forever. We are so ready to move forward. For many in America this doesn’t feel good while others think it’s great.
Seasons come and seasons go. No season lasts forever. There is always a new season around the corner. It’s best for all of us if we can make the best of whatever the season of life is at the time. Winter or Summer, make the most of the season. Youth or old age, they pass by so enjoy your season. Small children or adult children, love them and roll with the seasons. Young parents or old parents, roll with the seasons. Making great money or making less money, roll with the seasons.
Try to make the best of your current season in life. It’s not always easy. We don’t like the seasons of life when we are sick or even dying. Some seasons are difficult and even harsh and cruel but they come to us all if we live long enough. So, enjoy the good seasons, tread water or make the best of what seems to be a bad season because in time in some way the season will change.
Dr. Glenn Mollette is read in all 50 states. Find out more at GlennMollette.com
email.
The N.C. Department of Transportation debunks reports of West Virginia Coal Miners building an access road between Bat Cave into Chimney Rock, saying it's unsafe for vehicular traffic.
Videos posted of a connector road reportedly created between Bat Cave and Chimney Rock by West Virginia Coal miners have gone viral.
News 13 sent a crew to Bat Cave on US 64 on the morning of Nov. 1, to see the dirt road, but a barricade at the intersection of Brandon Forest Road and US 64 states US 64 into Bat Cave remains closed.
Despite the barricade, numerous drivers are passing and going straight into Bat Cave.
A spokesman for the DOT said the miners did not build an access road further down near Bat Cave that's safe.
"We appreciate the intentions of a mining crew from West Virginia," said David Uchiyama, an NCDOT spokesman. "They're the creation of a path — not enough to support vehicular traffic — south from Bat Cave occurred on private land and beyond the purview of transportation officials."
Uchiyama went on to state the following in an email detailing road work around Chimney Rock and Bat Cave:
Crews from Divisions 13 and 14 created some of the first connections — ATV paths — to reach stranded residents off U.S. Highway 64/74A, said Uchiyama. They are working north from Lake Lure through Chimney Rock to restore the highway to the location of the washed-out road and restore damage to private property.
Uchiyama did not respond to specific questions about the road but said he would provide further details later today after speaking with DOT officials.
A video posted on Instagram shows a sped-up point-of-view shot of a dirt road between Bat Cave and Chimney Rock reportedly built by West Virginia coal miners.
Reports went viral this week on the internet that coal miners from Alpha Metallurgical Resources (AMR) based in West Virginia had miners come and worked to create the access road for locals. The company responding from a corporate email Monday said it was declining comment when asked if their coal miners came to Bat Cave.
NCDOT's spokesman emailed details of work underway in the area:
- NCDOT and contract crews have been moving the Broad River to the west to reestablish a temporary two-lane gravel road where it should be located.
- They are working north from Lake Lure through Chimney Rock to restore the highway to the location of the washed-out road and restore damage to private property.
- NCDOT and contract crews have been moving the Broad River to the west in order to reestablish a temporary two-lane gravel road where it should be located.
- Construction of the machined road and temporary river relocation should be completed in 4-6 weeks.
- For the foreseeable future, the two-lane gravel road will remain for local, construction, and emergency local traffic only.
- NCDOT officials are drafting a contract to construct a new road in the approximate location of the old road. The permanent restoration will be a Progressive Design Build project that advertises this week with an award expected in late November.
- The contract will include both design and construction.
- The exact construction dates will be determined in the contract.
- An approximate estimate for construction — including river relocation — of U.S. 64/74A is 2-3 years.
STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOShttps://wlos.com/news/local/gallery/ncdot-clears-up-confusion-over-road-between-bat-cave-and-chimney-rock?photo=1
The City of Hendersonville’s Affordable Housing Listening Sessions, postponed due to Hurricane Helene response efforts, have been rescheduled. As the community recovers, addressing the housing crisis remains a top priority. These sessions will gather valuable input from residents to shape the City’s Strategic Housing Plan.
“The impact of Hurricane Helene has only deepened the challenges our residents face in finding secure and affordable housing," said Mayor Barbara Volk. "As we work to rebuild, it is more important than ever to hear from our community members. Their insights will shape a Strategic Housing Plan that reflects our shared needs and values, ensuring that we create pathways to stability and opportunity for everyone in Hendersonville.”
All community members are invited to attend a listening session, though facilitation will be tailored to the topics relevant to the intended audience groups.
Community Listening Sessions
Tuesday, Nov. 19 | 2:00 - 3:30 PM
Mountain View Baptist Church Fellowship Building | 650 Duncan Hill Road
Hosted by Mayor Pro Tem Lyndsey Simpson
Intended audience: Non-profits, Service Providers, Health Care
Tuesday, Nov. 19 | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Union Grove Baptist Church | 901 Robinson Terrace
Hosted by Council Member Melinda Lowrance
Intended audience: Black Community, Faith Community
Tuesday, Dec. 3 | 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church St. Francis Hall | 208 7th Ave. W.
Hosted by Mayor Barbara Volk
Intended audience: Latino Community, Faith Community
Spanish interpretation services provided by True Ridge at the Dec. 3 session
Raffle opportunity: Attendees will have the chance to win $50 Ingles gift cards to help offset travel costs and encourage participation from all segments of the community.
*These listening sessions are not equipped to address immediate housing needs. Please visit https://www.hendersoncountync.gov/helene for information on the Henderson County Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) and applying for disaster assistance with FEMA.
Online Survey Available: An online survey is available at www.hvlnc.gov/housingplan to gather input from those unable to attend a listening session.
Council Conversations and the Strategic Housing Plan:
These sessions are part of the Hendersonville City Council’s annual Council Conversation series, where elected officials engage directly with residents to better understand their concerns and help inform governing and policy decisions.
Prior to Hurricane Helene, Council Member Jennifer Hensley and Council Member Jeff Miller hosted listening sessions for the business community, aging population and veterans, respectively. The remaining three sessions have been rescheduled to gather input in the wake of Helene’s devastation.
The City’s Strategic Housing Plan, led by City staff and a volunteer steering committee, will offer strategies to increase housing availability, stabilize rental and home ownership options, and develop policies aimed at preventing homelessness. In partnership with the UNC School of Government’s Development Finance Initiative (DFI), the City is conducting a needs assessment and identifying potential affordable housing sites. This strategic housing plan project, funded by Dogwood Health Trust, began with a steering committee launch in March and an Affordable Housing Summit in May with housing policy expert Shane Phillips.
Learn more at www.hvlnc.gov/housingplan
Once again this year Hendersonville and Mills River Family Dental Care will be offering free dental care for all veterans.
This will be held on Monday November 11th on a first come first serve basis, beginning at 7am at both offices.
Veterans should bring a proof of service.
Hendersonville Family Dental is on the Greenville Highway, Mills River Family Dental is in the Ingles Shopping Center in Mills River.
You are welcome to call either office for more information.
Good morning, here is today’s update.
HENDERSON COUNTY UPDATE, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30
The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is open daily at 2111 Asheville Highway, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The DRC will provide federal, state and local resources for county residents as they apply for FEMA assistance from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
The DRC is a one stop shop for residents to meet with the following organizations for help and assistance, FEMA, SBA, NC Emergency Management, NC Works, NC Employment Security Commission (disaster unemployment applications), Blue Ridge Community College, Pisgah Legal Services, United Way, Council on Aging, Hope Coalition, Smart Start, Safelight, True Ridge, El Centro, and more.
The Resource Hub at 118 McAbee Court, Flat Rock, NC 28731, is open today 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Here is the schedule for this week:
Thursday, October 31
Saturday, November 2
We need volunteers at the Resource Hub. The United Way of Henderson County is managing volunteer sign-ups for those interested in helping with local recovery efforts. You can sign up at www.liveunitedhc.org/volunteer.
NOTICE TO INTERESTED ENTITIES TO SUBCONTRACT FOR DEBRIS REMOVAL SERVICES
On October 1, 2024, Henderson County, hereafter County, activated a state-bid contract, under which Southern Disaster Recovery, hereafter SDR, will provide debris management services related to Hurricane Helene.
SDR seeks interested entities to apply for prequalification and upon approval perform as a subcontractor to assist in debris removal services within the borders of Henderson County. To apply for prequalification please visit SDR’s website at www.gosdr.com/contact/subcontractors and follow the prompts. Any questions or issues in completing the application should contact SDR at 864-469-9776.
Please note, the contractual relationship as it relates to the County exists solely between the County and SDR. The contractual relationship between interested entities will be as subcontractors of Southern Disaster Recovery
Henderson County continues to look for potential storm debris sites as our curbside debris pickup continues. If interested, please review this RFP for Lease of Real Property for Debris Sites. https://www.hendersoncountync.gov/county/page/rfp-lease-real-property-debris-management-sites
For more information, visit www.hendersoncountync.gov/helene
Mike Morgan
Chief Communications Officer
Henderson County
1 Historic Courthouse Square
Hendersonville NC 28792
828-707-0571
Rep. Mark Pless (R-District 118) confirms to News 13 that after Henderson County’s Board of Elections refused to open additional polling sites beyond the one for early voting, legislators, including himself, voted to pass legislation Thursday that requires WNC counties to have polling sites for every 30,000 people.
The legislation has prompted Henderson County to open three additional sites, effective today.
Twelve other counties were also mentioned in the new law, and those were Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Haywood, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania and Watauga. While the new site requirements are in effect for all WNC counties, Pless said Henderson County, the second most populated county in the region, was the one lawmakers were most concerned about.
“The people weren’t being served in Henderson County,” said Pless. “And the Board of Elections wouldn’t do anything about it. We keep talking all the time about people accessing voting and being able to get to the polls and this was definitely hindering their ability.”
Pless said he and other legislators were hearing complaints.
“People couldn’t go on their lunch hour. They were counting on early voting.” Pless said.
State Representatives Jennifer Balcomb and Jake Johnson, who represent Henderson County, even spoke with Election board members.
“The Representatives for Henderson County had conversations and they refused to open any of the sites. They said they were going to stick with one and it was working perfectly. If they had done it all along to begin with that would fine. A few weeks ago, when we did the first (Helene) aid package, we gave them (Board of Elections offices) $5 million for just such an event, and they chose not to use it, dig their heels in.”
Pless said McDowell County was the second county lawmakers were concerned about, because it also only had one polling site. The legislation Pless said has forced McDowell County’s election board to add a second early voting site in Old Fort in addition to the current site in Marion.
Pless said McDowell County has a population of just over 31,000 and the second site was for distance reasons so voters can have an early polling site closer to their home or business in the rural county.
Henderson County has now opened four polling sites at Etowah Library, Henderson County’s Justice Academy, at Fletcher Town Hall and at the Board of Elections. Pless told News 13 he wasn’t clear on why Henderson County’s Elections Board refused to originally open multiple early voting sites. But the Director of Elections told News 13 by email the office was following the new law.
“We had an emergency board meeting on Friday, Oct. 25, because of this legislation,” said Heather Summerly, Henderson County’s elections director. “The Board voted to open up Etowah, but we were forced to do others, and since it was the law, we will follow it.”
News 13 was at the Henderson County Board of Elections office Friday, which at that time was the lone polling site. The place was extremely crowded. Site workers were using golf carts to shuttle voters to the site, and directing traffic in the parking lot where voters were parking and going to vote.
Deputies were also stationed with a marked car and barricades helping to merge traffic safely into the site’s parking lot.
STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSLegislators pass new law, requiring Henderson and others to add more polling sites
Merchants and residents in Chimney Rock report progress in the clean-up of mud that swept through the town and into store buildings, destroying businesses a month ago during Helene.
Main Street’s double yellow lines are now visible after crews from volunteers to the U.S. Army to the National Guard helped clear the road and shovel out mud from stores.
Only contractors and volunteers with Chimney Rock’s clean-up efforts are allowed in downtown corridor.
A few weeks ago, you couldn’t get near these stores,” said Barbara Meliski. “They were filled with mud.
Meliski once served as Chimney Rock’s mayor. She sees resolve in those who had stores here, but without a massive crew to come in daily and continue concentrated work, the town is quiet and empty.
Crews with the Department of Transportation are working in the riverbank of the Broad. The goal is to return the river to its original flow path and then build a gravel road where the road into Chimney Rock once was before it was washed away.
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