ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — It’s been 19 days since search, rescue and recovery efforts spurred by devastating flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Helene began.

Since then, one of the major projects has been getting the North Fork Reservoir, which supplies about 80 percent of the county’s water, operational.

Floodwaters washed out the main distribution lines and muddied the water in the reservoir. Crews worked night and day to reconnect a 36-inch bypass line and get water flowing again. That happened over the weekend.

By Monday, water service began to return to areas west of Swannanoa, including Haw Creek and parts of Fairview.

“Our Water Resources Department is currently able to flow about 12 million gallons per day into the distribution system, and we’re using that right now to support flushing of the water system as well as expansion of water into the distribution system,” Asheville Assistant City Manager Ben Woody said during a briefing Monday morning.

Preparations are in place to begin sending water to the Fairview area and the higher elevation areas of South Asheville as well as to downtown and north Asheville.

“A little bit of good news out in the watershed, as I’ve said before, we have a highly protective watershed that feeds the North Fork Reservoir. We have reports from our staff that the clear water has returned to the streams,” Woody said. “So our streams that are feeding that reservoir are now feeding it with clean clear water.”

The North Fork Water Treatment Plant in Black Mountain continues to feed highly chlorinated water into the city of Asheville’s water distribution system.

It is extremely important to note the water is NOT SAFE to drink straight out of the tap. If you get your water from Mills River, you are under a Boil Water Advisory. If you get your water from North Fork, you are under a Boil Water Notice. In each case, water intended for consumption (drinking, cooking and brushing teeth) should be boiled vigorously for at least 1 minute beforehand.

As water begins to return, Water Resources staff are turning on pump stations to begin to help move water into higher elevation areas. Service restoration will continue slowly and incrementally, moving in a generally westward direction.

As the system pressurizes, new water line breaks are likely to be found. Water Resources crews and their utility partners will be on standby to make repairs as these leaks are discovered. To report line breaks, call Water Resources Customer Service at 828-251-1122.

What to do before water service returns:

  • Flip off the breaker to your water heater.
  • Turn off water to your water heater.
  • Turn off hot water under your sinks.
  • Remove aerator (it typically unscrews) on faucets.
  • Turn off the ice maker.
  • Turn off water to your whole house filter, if you have one.

What to do when your water service returns:

  • Flush your home plumbing by running the bathtub’s cold water faucet.
  • Your water heater may be turned back on once your home’s plumbing has been flushed.
  • It’s safe to flush your toilet after completing steps 1 and 2.

“Every day, multiple times a day, we have our laboratory staff that will continue to focus on bacteriological testing to make sure that as we expand water into the distribution system from the reservoir. we were making that a safe as possible,” Woody said.

CLICK HERE to watch the Oct. 14 Water Resources Updates briefing presentation.

Utilities

As of 5 p.m., a little more than 5,000 Duke Energy customers were still without power.

Food and water distribution sites

To help get schools ready to reopen, there will be changes to the food and water distribution sites soon. The Lucy Herring Elementary distribution site will close at 7 p.m. on Monday and will be relocated to 980 Brevard Road (former K-Mart and current At Home Store) parking lot starting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14. Residents should double-check sites before heading out.

Schools

Buncombe County Schools will resume extracurricular high school activities Monday on a voluntary basis.

Community Care Stations

Community Care Stations are open at Swannanoa Ingles, A.C. Reynolds High School, and 594 Barnardsville Highway (Morgan Hill Baptist Church). Services include food, WiFi, showers, laundry and more. Residents should bring toiletries and detergent if they are able to. If not, the stations will supply them.

Solid waste and debris pickup

Trash and Recycling: WastePro is resuming normal operations for household trash and recycling.

Tuesday, Oct. 15: WastePro will run normal routes for accessible locations in Enka and Candler. WastePro will also have trucks located at ABTech Enka at 1459 Sand Hill Road in Candler from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday for residents they are not able to access.  Do not leave trash at this site if trucks are not there. Household bagged trash only.
The landfill at 85 Panther Branch Road in Alexander is open from Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Transfer station at Hominy Creek is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for household bagged trash.

Debris Removal: Residential debris pickup will begin this week. Residents should separate debris by type and ensure it is placed in the right-of-way.

Important Debris Reminders:

  • Debris removal is not a one-pass operation. There will be multiple trucks and passes, so residents do not have to place all debris out at one time or worry if they have debris left.
  • Do not place debris near or on trees, poles, or other structures. This includes fire hydrants, meters, and curbside trash carts.
  • Do not block the roadway for large trucks/emergency vehicles.
  • Contractors cannot pick up debris on private property.
  • Do not attempt the cleanup process without proper PPE: masks, long pants, safety glasses, gloves and sturdy shoes are recommended.
  • Residents should not attempt to bring debris to the landfill. Mud/soil will not be accepted at any Buncombe County disposal facility.

FEMA assistance

This week FEMA will be at fixed locations in the community.

Monday through Wednesday FEMA sites include:

  • From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Black Mountain Ingles and Swannanoa Community Care Center Ingles Parking Lot.
  • From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: 572 Fletcher Martin Road in Asheville, Swannanoa Library, Food Lion in Fairview, EMMA Community Center, 1675 Barnardsville Highway, New Bridge Baptist Church, Nesbitt Chapel Church and 44 Broad River Road in Black Mountain.
  • From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Pack Square Park and AC Reynolds High School
  • From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Montford North Star Academy.

The Disaster Recovery Center at AC Reynolds High School is open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Donations

The donation center at 6 Commerce Way in Arden is currently full. Donations can be directed to ABCCM, Bounty & Soul, or Beloved. Clothing donations can be made at Goodwill locations which are providing vouchers for those in need. Financial donations can be made to the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County here.

Asheville updates

  • City Offices and Parks will be closed until further notice. Curfew hours are 11 p.m. – 6 a.m. We continue to encourage our community – if you see something, say something & report illegal activity to 911.

Black Mountain updates

The town has launched a website for Helene recovery and resources. The website is updated daily and is a great resource for residents, businesses and the community.

Situation report

  • Please do NOT burn brush within the town limits. Fire danger is increasing and could present a serious danger.
  • Be advised that windy conditions Monday may cause trees damaged from the storm to drop limbs.
  • Buncombe County Schools has not yet announced a reopening date but will provide parents with at least 72 hours’ notice before reopening.
  • Buncombe County Health and Human Services reminds food establishments that operation during a water outage or sewage back-up in the kitchen area is prohibited. Violations can cause imminent health hazards and may lead to suspension or revocation of a permit. Please contact Environmental Health t 828-250-5016 for any related needs.
  • More than 150 personnel are supporting the town in response to Hurricane Helene. Resources have arrived from all over the East Coast. We are continuing to work closely with our state, Federal, and volunteer partners.
  • The town has suspended all development fees through June 30, 2025. You must still obtain a permit before beginning development work.
  • A townwide curfew remains in effect from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. until further notice.
  • Resources are available for citizens for FEMA disaster assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov. Do not give your personal information to any personnel without an identification badge. All FEMA support will be in identifiable uniforms or vests.
  • NC building inspectors and members of the Red Cross will be assessing structures in the Black Mountain area over the next week. They will have proper identification cards.
  • Avoid getting into the rivers and streams and avoid town park facilities until they are officially reopened.
  • A mobile charging and internet connectivity station is available in the lower parking lot of First Baptist Church at 130 Montreat Road.
  • Cold weather safety: Never run generators indoors. Never use a gas oven to heat your home. Make sure you have a functioning carbon monoxide detector. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using a portable heater. If your heat goes out, keep warm indoors by closing off rooms, dressing in layers and wearing a cap.
  • Clothing is available at Phil’s BBQ Pit at 701 NC 9 Hwy and the Ingles Distribution Site at 550 NC 9 Hwy.
  • Food and drinking water are available daily for distribution from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Ingles in Black Mountain, 550 N.C. 9. Ice is available.
  • Supplies are available at the Black Mountain Presbyterian Church, 117 Montreat Road, from 10a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday.
  • Supplies and meals are available at The Railyard, 141 S. Richardson Blvd., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.
  • Residents can visit the Black Mountain Pool area at 401 Laurel Circle Drive from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday for potable water, supplies, a landline phone and solar showers.
  • The Public Works Department has secured dumpsters in Town for Black Mountain residents for household trash only. They are located at the Black Mountain Ingles, 550 N.C. 9, near the car wash area, and in the public parking lot on Terry Estate Drive.
  • Public restrooms and handwashing stations are available at the Black Mountain Ingles, 550 N.C. 9.
  • Medical services are available at the Ingles Black Mountain point of distribution.
  • A mental health and basic medical support center is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the South entrance to the First Baptist Church at 130 Montreat Road. The center opens at noon on Sunday.