BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. (828newsNOW) — More than 150 people are in town working on Helene-related rescue and recovery efforts, Black Mountain officials said Tuesday. Resources have arrived from all over the East Coast, with a team coming in from Maine to support local emergency responders. State and federal crews are also in town.

Situation report

  • For your safety, avoid getting into the rivers and streams and avoid town park facilities until they are officially reopened.
  • All development fees have been suspended through June 30, 2025. You must still obtain a permit from the town before beginning any work.
  • Please do NOT burn brush within town limits. Fire danger is increasing and could present a serious danger.
  • A townwide curfew remains in effect from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m.
  • Resources are available for residents for FEMA disaster assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov.
  • BEWARE OF SCAMMERS. There have been reports of scammers in the area. Do not give your personal information to anyone without an identification badge. All FEMA support will be in identifiable uniforms or vests.

Road access

  • Fire and police are asking that residents and visitors avoid any non-essential travel. Increased traffic is causing congestion, which is hindering repairs. Damaged roadways may not be able to support heavy traffic.
  • Be mindful that there is a shortage of barricades for damaged roads. Not all hazards are marked. Please use extreme caution when driving.
  • A map of closed and hazardous roads will be posted on the town’s Facebook page and website.

Electricity

  • Residents should turn off water heater breakers at their homes when power is restored to keep water heaters from burning up because of no water. Also, residents should turn off their ice makers.
  • If your power is still out, please turn your front porch light on, this helps linemen tell if the power is restored quicker and streamlines electricity restoration operations.

Town Public Water System

The Black Mountain Public Works Department made substantial progress in repairing the water distribution lines and intends to restore water in the next few days, as the situation permits, city officials said in Tuesday’s update.

As distribution is restored and water begins to flow, ensure all faucets are turned off at your residence. If you notice a leak or dripping faucet, please shut off the water main from your meter box. You will not receive a penalty for this. If you notice a leak at your residence and are unable to shut your meter off, please contact the Town Water Department at 828-419-9300 and request someone shut it off for you. This helps maintain necessary water pressure in the system and will expedite full restoration.

Please limit water use until systems are fully operational, even if water resumes.

The townwide boil water advisory will remain in place once water begins to flow. Please boil all drinking water vigorously for at least 1 minute and let it cool before consuming.

Food and water distribution

  • Supplies of food and drinking water are available daily for distribution from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. at Ingles in Black Mountain, 550 N.C. 9. Ice will be available.
  • Residents can visit the Black Mountain Pool area at 401 Laurel Circle Drive from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. for potable water, supplies, a landline phone and solar showers.
  • Donations of food and water can be taken to the Ashley Kitchen and Bath building at 2950 U.S. 70 in Black Mountain.
  • The Black Mountain Presbyterian Church is distributing supplies at Ashley Kitchen and Bath from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.

Trash and sanitation

The Town of Black Mountain Public Works Department has secured four dumpsters in two sites for Black Mountain residents to deposit household trash only. These locations are at the Black Mountain Ingles, 550 N.C. 9, near the car wash area, and in the public parking lot on Terry Estate Drive.

The Tractor Supply location is no longer available.

If these dumpsters are full, do NOT overfill them and do not leave bags outside the dumpsters.

No separate recycling is available at this time.

Officials are working on a solution for yard waste, bulk item and debris collection.

Drop-off sites are for Black Mountain residents only, so be prepared to show identification.

Dumpster collection is not available on Sunday.

Law enforcement will be present to ensure appropriate conduct is upheld.

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

Call the Metropolitan Sewerage District at 828-768-0540 for any questions related to sewer backups.

Medical

Medical services are 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 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The center will open at noon Sunday.

Charging & connectivity

A mobile charging and internet connectivity station is available in the lower parking lot of the First Baptist Church in Black Mountain, 130 Montreat Road.

How to receive information

Official information will be posted on the town’s Facebook page and can be found at the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center and the Ingles food and water distribution site. To avoid any misinformation, please follow these official pages and press releases from the town on status updates and resources.

Click here to find other helpful resources.

If you need help cleaning up damage, call 844-965-1386. You will be connected with volunteers who may be able to assist. All services are free, but service is not guaranteed because of the overwhelming need. This hotline will remain open through Friday, Oct. 25, 2024.

Utilize NC 211 for missing persons. Please dial 2-1-1 (or 1-888-892-1162) or click here. You can also click here to fill out a request form and add people to the search and rescue efforts.

Information on Disaster Unemployment Assistance can be found here or by calling 919-629-3857.

Information on small business emergency loans can be found here.

Always call 911 to report suspicious activity.