ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The devastation left by Helene-related flooding is taking a toll, officials said Tuesday. Remember to take care of yourself.

“As the community begins recovery from Hurricane Helene, we recognize the importance of mental health in these highly stressful times,” Vaya Health’s Dr. Richard Zenn said.

People should monitor themselves and at-risk individuals such as kids and the elderly for signs of stress and remember to reach out if they need help, Zenn said.

Important local mental health resources include:

  • Call or text 988 for mental health support from a trained mental health professional.
  • Disaster Distress Helpline is available in English and Spanish 24/7 for anyone impacted by a natural disaster. Call or text 1-800-985-5990.
  • Call NC’s Peer Warmline (1-855-PEERS NC) to speak to a peer living in recovery from mental health or substance use issues.
  • Hope4NC (1-855-587-3463) is available for first responders and volunteers.
  • Call VAYA Behavioral health Crisis Line 1-800-849-6127 for crisis assistance.

Vaya’s crisis line is staffed by trained professionals to get people the help they need .

Medical

Oxygen may be refilled at the following locations:

  • Palmetto Oxygen LLC 828-285-0239
  • Blue Ridge 828-232-1110 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m. only; no deliveries, bring your old tank to 101 Caribou Road in Asheville.)
  • Rotech 828-456-8782
  • Lincare 828-255-4545
  • Bradshaw Oxygen LLC 828-380-6287 (Can drop off, provides portables, and make repairs)

Call before heading out to these locations as this information continues to change.

Water distribution

Because of a road closure, the Cane Creek water distribution site was closed Tuesday. A new site will be announced.

Water distribution sites are available at William W. Estes Elementary, Sand Hill Elementary (enter via Acton Circle), North Windy Ridge Intermediate, Fairview Elementary, Black Mountain Ingles, Leicester Elementary, Pack Square Park, Asheville Middle, Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, Lucy Herring Elementary and Oakley Elementary.

Donations

Donations are still needed, especially blankets and jackets as cold weather is expected.

Deliver donations to:

  • 1298 Patton Ave., West Asheville
  • Arden Presbyterian Church, 2215 Hendersonville Road, Asheville
  • Harrah’s Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood St. (9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily)
  • BeLoved, 32 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville
  • 6 Commerce Way, Arden

For donation inquiries, specific needs or equipment, please email: helenedonations@buncombecounty.org. Please also give money to recognized disaster relief organizations accessed here.

Nonprofit and community outreach support

Nonprofits, community partners and schools can now request supplies for emergency outreach work. If you would like to pick up supplies from the distribution center at 6 Commerce Way in Asheville to stock your site, please use this link and fill out the form online. If you cannot fill out this form online, call the volunteer team at 828-393-5628 to fill it out by phone. If you cannot call in advance, you can go to 6 Commerce Way in Arden from noon to 4 p.m. and fill out a paper version of the form.

SNAP/EBT update

As of Oct. 6, 70 percent of September Food Assistance benefits have been loaded onto EBT cards to help replace food lost because of power outages. These funds can also be used for hot food purchases.

Power outages

Duke Energy has released a public map showing the severity of damage in areas in western North Carolina still without power due to catastrophic damage. Yellow indicates repairable damage, while red highlights areas where significant infrastructure has been destroyed. As of 9 a.m. Tuesday, 58,000 customers were still without power, showing great improvement from the more than 100,000 customers who were without power last week.

Trash services

Trash pickup services continue to operate on a day-to-day basis.

Wednesday, Oct. 9: Waste Pro will run routes in accessible areas of Swannanoa. Drop-off locations will be available at Charles C. Bell Elementary (90 Maple Springs Road, Asheville) and Owen Pool (117 Stone Drive, Swannanoa) from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Recycling services are temporarily suspended for all Waste Pro customers.

The Hominy Creek Transfer Station will open Wednesday, Oct. 9 for residential bagged trash only. There will be no charge for Buncombe County residents during this time. Please note, the transfer station will not accept commercial vehicles, and access roads may be impacted by dirt and silt.

The Buncombe County landfill (85 Panther Branch Road, Alexander) is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Metropolitan Sewerage District

Buncombe County’s sewer system remains operational but check the lines on your property for any damage before using. The Metropolitan Sewerage District administration building iat 2028 Riverside Drive in Asheville is open. You can visit in person, but if you have a sewer emergency you can also call 828-768-0540. Crews worked around the clock for eight days to secure the system, but the treatment plant was unaffected except for a temporary loss of power. All 40 pump stations are back online with some running on generator power. Main “interceptor” lines are working. Crews are assessing the other 1,100 miles of smaller lines.

FEMA

FEMA has approved $15.9 million in assistance in Buncombe County. FEMA grants are not loans that have to be paid back. Crisis Counseling is available 1-800-985-5990. FEMA disaster assistance specialists are canvassing Western North Carolina communities in coordination with local government to help survivors apply for assistance and report any emerging needs.