ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — When the remnants of Hurricane Helene moved out of Western North Carolina, the devastation the storm left behind was unimaginable.

The recovery process will be long, and Asheville police are reminding residents and visitors many areas are still dangerous.

“The catastrophic damage suffered in areas along the Swannanoa and French Broad rivers is well known, and it will take some time to be remediated and made safe for public access,” officials said in a news release.

Areas along South Tunnel Road, Swannanoa River Road, Thompson Street, Biltmore Village, Lyman Street and Riverside Drive were especially hard hit. Because of the amount of damage, Buncombe County issued an emergency declaration for the entirety of the county, including the city of Asheville, and it remains in effect.

These areas have many hazards — seen and unseen — and are only open to authorized persons. Hazards include, but are not limited to, roadway and sidewalk undermining and destruction, destruction of power, gas and water lines, and hidden hazards that remain concealed by debris and sediment from flooding.

Recovery operations, which often include the use of heavy equipment, are ongoing in these areas.

Crews have installed barricades in many of these areas, and signage warns drivers and pedestrians of closures. APD officers and other law enforcement agencies are actively patrolling these areas to restrict access, officials said.

Business owners, authorized workers and residents in these areas will be allowed access, barring any immediate safety concerns.

“Please be mindful of the fact that these restrictions exist for the safety of the public and for the workers within these zones,” the news release said. “Please make every effort to pay attention to road closures, signage and the instructions of law enforcement. We stand with our neighbors as we work to recover from this tragic experience, with the safety of our community being our top priority.”

ART bus service

ART bus services resumed regular scheduled hours for most bus routes. The N2, 170 and WE1 Eastbound routes have resumed with modifications. Buses are no longer offering flag stop service. ART bus service will continue to be free of charge to all community members until further notice.

Parks & Recreation community centers reopening 

Asheville Park and Recreation Community Centers will open Wednesday, Nov. 6. This means buildings and the outdoor spaces surrounding them, including playgrounds, picnic areas, sports fields and plazas, will also be open. While the facilities are reopening, most regularly scheduled programs and events at community centers are on hold. Please check with each individual center for more information on organized activities.

Free parking in city garages and metered spaces

Parking is free in all city garages and on-street parking spaces until further notice. If you require long-term parking, please use one of the city garages to help keep on-street parking available for short-term visitors, and only park in designated accessible parking spaces if you have a placard.

Food & water distribution

Food, bottled drinking water and bulk water for flushing (please bring your own containers, like ½ gallon buckets and water totes) are being distributed throughout the area.

Locations and times:

  • Sky Lanes Bowling Alley, 1477 Patton Ave., Asheville, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Black Mountain Ingles, 550 N.C. 9, Black Mountain, noon-4 p.m.
  • Fairview Ingles, 225 Charlotte Highway, noon-4 p.m.
  • Swannanoa Ingles, 2299 U.S. 70, Swannanoa, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Road, Asheville, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. (no bulk water for flushing)
  • Pack Square Park, 70 Court Plaza, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Buncombe County Sports Park, 58 Apac Drive, Candler, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • 980 Brevard Road in the At Home store parking lot, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • 85 Tunnel Road in the Innsbruck shopping center parking lot, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Community Care Stations

Community Care Stations are set up across Buncombe County, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily, offering hot showers, laundry, wi-fi, bathrooms, charging stations, water, and meals. All amenities are free to the public. Please bring your own towels and toiletries for showering. All locations have an ADA accessible shower and restroom.

Locations:

  • Owen Pool, 117 Stone Drive
  • Fairview Ingles, 225 Charlotte Highway
  • At Home Store (Parking Lot), 980 Brevard Road
  • Big Lots/Innsbruck Mall, 85 Tunnel Road
  • Buncombe County Sports Park, 58 Apac Drive
  • Bethel United Methodist, 1050 Riceville Road
  • Swannanoa Ingles, 2319 U.S. 70
  • Morgan Hill Baptist Church, 594 Barnardsville Highway

Storm debris management sites

Storm debris removal is critical for community safety and there continues to be a sense of urgency about debris removal, city officials said in a news release. The debris creates fire and safety hazards and removing it improves safety and is also critical to economic recovery.

Temporary debris collection sites have been set up and will be monitored for safety and compliance with environmental regulations, city officials said.

Activities at temporary sites include debris staging, grinding, compacting and preparation for hauling to a permanent site outside the city. No toxic hazardous materials will be taken to temporary sites. Temporary sites will receive construction and demolition materials, appliances, electronics and vegetative materials. Some designated areas will also serve as temporary sites for vehicles and household hazardous waste, which includes normal household items like household cleaning chemicals, paint and small propane tanks. HHW will be contained to prevent leaching into the soil.

Locations:

  • Hardesty Lane: This site started receiving all types of debris on Nov. 2
  • Enka Commerce Park: Main site, currently receiving storm debris.
  • 65 Ford Street: Will only be used if needed. With the exception of vegetative debris, storm debris currently on this site will be processed and removed.
  • Front 9 of the Municipal Golf Course: This site will only be used if needed.

More information on storm debris processing sites can be found here.

Storm debris collection

City staff and contractors are removing storm debris. Because of the volume of debris, officials cannot provide exact times and locations for collection. Collections will be ongoing. Additional information can be found here.

The community can place storm debris at the curb in the right of way. Debris should be separated at the curb by category: construction, appliances, electronics, vegetative and household hazardous materials. There will be multiple passes at collection – you do not have to have it all out at once.

The contractor cannot collect directly from private property. However, if your pile starts at the curb in the right-of-way and stretches into your yard in a continuous manner, their equipment can reach about 18 feet as long as there are no overhead lines or obstructions.

Do not place or lean debris near or on trees, poles or other structures, including fire hydrants, meters and curbside trash carts. Do not block the roadway. Ensure access for large trucks and emergency vehicles.

Do not attempt the cleanup process without proper protective equipment: long pants, safety glasses, gloves and sturdy shoes are recommended.

Water utility service

Water service (non-potable) has been restored to 99 percent of city of Asheville customers. All city of Asheville water customers are under a Boil Water Notice. This water is NOT SAFE for drinking from the tap. Any water intended for consumption (drinking, cooking, brushing teeth) should be boiled for at least 1 minute beforehand. Bottled water or water from an alternate source, if available, is recommended for consumption. The water is safe for laundry, showering (do not swallow water while showering), handwashing (unless immediately prepping food after), washing dishes at a minimum 170 degrees, and flushing toilets.

To minimize the chance of infections, people with open wounds, cuts, blisters or recent surgical wounds and people who are immunocompromised or suffer from chronic illness should use boiled water (then cooled) or water from an alternate source.

The city is not assessing late fees for water bills, sending delinquent notices, creating new bills or doing any cuts-offs for non-payment at this time. Payments may be made online, in person at City Hall, over the phone and by mail for anyone who is trying to pay an existing bill. Please contact customer service at 828-251-1122 with billing concerns.

Shelters

  • General public shelter at WNC Agricultural Center (pets accepted) – 1301 Fanning Bridge Road, Fletcher
  • General public shelter at the Old Gold’s Gym – 1815 Hendersonville Road, Asheville