Buncombe orders a mandatory evacuation for areas of Black Mountain

ASHEVILLE – Due to flooding of a lake with a dam at Camp Ridgecrest for Girls, Buncombe County officials ordered a mandatory evacuation of 105 Balsam Road from the camp south to U.S. 70 in Black Mountain.

The order was issued at 7:44 a.m. Sept. 27, about an hour after a similar evacuation order was announced for residents along the Swannanoa River immediately beginning at the North Fork Reservoir, where water overflowed the spillway.

Hurricane Helene was downgraded to a tropical storm at 5 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27, as it moved over Georgia toward western North Carolina.

In an 8:17 a.m. update, the county urged people to “seek higher ground and shelter in place.”

“Don’t travel,” it said. “Emergency rescue only. All roads closed.”

Evacuation shelters

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

As of 7:37 a.m., an emergency shelter was opened at Harrah’s Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood St., Asheville.

There are also Code Purple shelters available through ABCCM for unoccupied residents, and transportation via ART to Code Purple shelters is free.

Residents should bring essential items such as medications, important documents and personal necessities, the release said.

Transportation support

If you cannot safely evacuate, call 911 for assistance with transportation.

Evacuation arrangements

• During your evacuation, avoid flooded roads and landslide-prone areas.

• Immediately collect important documents and items that you and your family need to stay comfortable in a shelter or other safe place.

• Stay informed by using local news, radio stations and official social media channels for updates.

Important resources

For the latest information on evacuations, road closures and shelter availability, visit www.buncombeready.org.

Sarah Honosky is a city reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. News tips? Email [email protected] or message @slhonosky on Twitter. Please support local, daily journalism with a Citizen Times subscription.

This article originally appeared in the Asheville Citizen Times: Tropical Storm Helene: Mandatory evacuation for Black Mountain areas