FEMA and Buncombe officials provide an update on Helene’s recovery

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — These are the Oct. 3 updates on recovery efforts in western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene, which devastated the region on Sept. 26 and 27.

10 a.m. – FEMA joins Buncombe County officials for morning update

Buncombe County officials were joined by a FEMA representative on Oct. 3 for a morning briefing on Hurricane Helene recovery efforts.

Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder said they had no current information on the death toll from the hurricane, but said Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller would provide an update at the news conference at 4 p.m. The latest death toll in the county was 61.

Pinder said as of the morning of Oct. 3, 85,000 people in the county were still without power, but progress was being made.

The Swannanoa couple who died in Helene were scheduled to celebrate their 44th wedding anniversary on October 23rd. 14

Maryann Tierney, FEMA’s regional administrator for Western North Carolina, attended the press conference and said she and other FEMA officials saw firsthand the devastation caused by the hurricane.

“Our thoughts are with the people of Western North Carolina. We recently had the opportunity to travel to the region and see the devastation first hand. The recovery will take a long time,” Tierney said. “Life safety is our top priority.”

She said those who are safe and able can sign up for FEMA assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA or going to disasterassistance.gov.

Tierney said FEMA has five teams in the WNC, and the teams typically consist of eight members.

One of the main topics of the press conference was water and how to get it to people in need. Many people wonder why some spots have to wait longer than others.

“It breaks my heart that we can’t do everything at once,” Pinder said. “First we grew big, now we are downsizing to other locations. Planning is important and takes time.”

Pinder said the county receives a steady supply of water from tankers from Spartanburg, South Carolina.

“We will continue to conserve and provide this water. We also have a supply of bottled water from the government,” she said.

Three victims of Helene identified in Asheville, including a 6-year-old boy, AP reports

9 a.m. – The City of Asheville provides an update on October 3rd

The City of Asheville is providing daily updates due to Hurricane Helene. This was the October 3rd update.

The curfew remains in effect: To ensure the safest environment possible, a curfew will be in effect from 7:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. until further notice.

CITY OFFICES, PARKS CLOSED: Asheville government offices and parks remain closed until further notice.

HEALTH RESOURCES: Information including pharmacies can be found on the Buncombe County website: buncombecounty.org

HOUSEHOLD WASTE COLLECTION: From Monday 7 October, kerbside collection of household waste (bag waste only) will resume in selected areas. Routes will be determined based on road accessibility and communicated when available. Download the AVL Collects app to receive notifications about trash and recycling pickups in your area. There will be no recycling pickup until the recycling facility is operational. Residents should use both recycling and garbage trucks for household waste. All waste will be collected as trash at this time by both City of Asheville and Curbie vehicles.

CELL SERVICE: Temporary Verizon cellular satellite trailers are located at the Family Justice Center at 35 Woodfin Street and Groce United Methodist Church at 954 Tunnel Road. These towers provide limited cell service within several blocks of the parking lot. In addition, T-Mobile has deployed satellite cellular service on light trucks in Asheville and provides cellular service as well as Wi-Fi and charging stations at Asheville Middle School and Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center at 285 Livingston Street.

WATER DISTRIBUTION: Asheville has received water shipments and is distributing them to the locations listed below. Resources remain limited and residents are advised to be frugal.

● Pack Square Park (70 Court Plaza): Bring your own water container, 2 gallons per person per day, within walking distance

● Asheville Middle School (211 S. French Broad Ave.): 1 case of bottled water per family/day, drive-thru

WATER SUPPLY SERVICE: Helene severely damaged the production and distribution system of the City of Asheville’s water system. Extensive repairs to sewage treatment plants, underground and above-ground water pipes and washed-out roads are required. This repair process has already begun and essential materials arrived in the North Fork and Mills River on Tuesday and are already being incorporated into the distribution system. Although it is impossible to provide an exact timeline, it is important to note that restoring service to the entire system could potentially take weeks. As repairs progress, water service will be restored in some areas before others, based solely on the extent of damage to the system.

FOOD AND WATER DISTRIBUTION: Food in the form of Meals Ready to Eat (MRE) and mineral water are available starting today at two distribution locations. Two MRE packages per adult and one per child are permitted per day. Cases of bottled water are available, one case per family per day. Distribution will last until 7 p.m. or until supplies run out.

● Asheville Middle School, 211 S. French Broad Avenue, Asheville

● Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Road, Asheville

● Bulk Water at Pack Square Park (70 Court Plaza) – Some containers are available, but bring your own if possible.

Shelters: These are the following emergency shelters in the city.

● WNC Agricultural Center General Public Shelter (Pets Allowed) – 1301 Fanning Bridge Road, Fletcher

● General Public Shelter at AB Tech (use Victoria Road entrance)

● Emergency Medical Shelter at AB Tech

● Old Gold’s Gym, 1815 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville, NC 28803

BUS SERVICE: Bus services remain suspended while buses are involved in relief efforts. While you are performing this service, the bus destination sign will say “Special Order.”

4 a.m. – US Marines are on their way to Asheville

The United States Marines posted on social media the night of October 2 that the US Marines Expeditionary would depart at 4 a.m. and head to Asheville to assist with Helene’s recovery efforts. The Marines were stationed at Camp Lejeune and Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Base.