Authorities in Buncombe County, North Carolina, one of the hardest hit areas by Helene, gave an update Sunday night. Here is the full update: As of October 6, 2024, there are 14 Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams operating in Buncombe County. Eight of these teams are federal resources, six are from North Carolina and three are local. Local Fire Departments and Emergency Operations assets are working side by side to conduct thorough searches. More teams are en route to assist in these efforts. WATCH: Sky 4 flies over Biltmore Village damage in AshevilleIn the western areas of Buncombe County near Leicester, Candler, and Beaverdam, local authorities and emergency responders have deemed the damage from the storm to be more limited. As a result, USAR teams are focusing their efforts on central Buncombe County and moving eastward. Currently, 90% of primary searches have been completed. These searches typically involve a 360-degree exterior survey of structures that appear undamaged. These teams expect to complete all primary searches within the next day or two. Targeted searches, which involve areas with more severe damage or debris piles, will take longer to complete. These searches require specialized resources like heavy equipment and trained canine units to systematically search through difficult terrain. As of this morning, there are no accurate statistics available on the progress of these targeted searches. SheltersBuncombe County shelters are still available for the general population at: AB Tech Conference Center, 16 Fernihurst Dr., Asheville, NC 28801 (Please use Victoria Road Entrance.) The former's Gold's Gym, 1815 Hendersonville Road in Asheville. This location has a playroom for children, so it may be more suitable for families. Please note that no pets are allowed at this location. Medical Emergency Shelter for individuals who are dependent on medical equipment requiring power is located at 10 Genevieve Cir, Asheville. The shelter at the Ag Center is full - please do not go there. Please note that the shelters do not have resources for the general community and are not donation locations. Visit Buncombeready.org for donation locations. For questions about storm-related issues, please call our call center at 828-250-6100. FEMA AssistanceHelping in recovery efforts is FEMA, whose representatives are out in our community helping get community members impacted by Helene connected to assistance. These locations are: Black Mountain Ingles Pack Square Park Emma Street, where Spanish language teams are also available New Bridge Baptist Basilica of St. Lawrence Walmart in Arden We'll continue to share out their locations as they are updated. PowerAs of Sunday afternoon, 73,000 customers remain without power in Buncombe County. Both Duke Energy and our emergency services personnel ask that unless you live in one of our small communities that has been so badly damaged by the storm like Swannanoa and Garren Creek, please stay out. The traffic volume is severely impacting crews' abilities to respond. Solid WasteOn Monday, Oct. 7, Waste Pro collection service will resume for regular Monday route customers. Waste Pro will collect household garbage where collection vehicles can safely access customers. Waste Pro will also operate a household bagged trash drop-off location Monday from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at Leicester Elementary, 31 Gilbert Road, Leicester.Recycling collection is temporarily suspended while repair work is underway at the recycling process facility. If needed, subscribers may use their Waste Pro recycling cart for additional bagged trash space need. Please do not place storm-generated debris at the collection points for Waste Pro service.
Authorities in Buncombe County, North Carolina, one of the hardest hit areas by Helene, gave an update Sunday night.
Here is the full update:
As of October 6, 2024, there are 14 Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams operating in Buncombe County. Eight of these teams are federal resources, six are from North Carolina and three are local. Local Fire Departments and Emergency Operations assets are working side by side to conduct thorough searches. More teams are en route to assist in these efforts.
WATCH: Sky 4 flies over Biltmore Village damage in Asheville
In the western areas of Buncombe County near Leicester, Candler, and Beaverdam, local authorities and emergency responders have deemed the damage from the storm to be more limited. As a result, USAR teams are focusing their efforts on central Buncombe County and moving eastward.
Currently, 90% of primary searches have been completed. These searches typically involve a 360-degree exterior survey of structures that appear undamaged. These teams expect to complete all primary searches within the next day or two.
Targeted searches, which involve areas with more severe damage or debris piles, will take longer to complete. These searches require specialized resources like heavy equipment and trained canine units to systematically search through difficult terrain. As of this morning, there are no accurate statistics available on the progress of these targeted searches.
Shelters
Buncombe County shelters are still available for the general population at:
Please note that the shelters do not have resources for the general community and are not donation locations. Visit Buncombeready.org for donation locations.
For questions about storm-related issues, please call our call center at 828-250-6100.
FEMA Assistance
Helping in recovery efforts is FEMA, whose representatives are out in our community helping get community members impacted by Helene connected to assistance.
We'll continue to share out their locations as they are updated.
Power
As of Sunday afternoon, 73,000 customers remain without power in Buncombe County. Both Duke Energy and our emergency services personnel ask that unless you live in one of our small communities that has been so badly damaged by the storm like Swannanoa and Garren Creek, please stay out. The traffic volume is severely impacting crews' abilities to respond.
Solid Waste
On Monday, Oct. 7, Waste Pro collection service will resume for regular Monday route customers. Waste Pro will collect household garbage where collection vehicles can safely access customers. Waste Pro will also operate a household bagged trash drop-off location Monday from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at Leicester Elementary, 31 Gilbert Road, Leicester.
Recycling collection is temporarily suspended while repair work is underway at the recycling process facility. If needed, subscribers may use their Waste Pro recycling cart for additional bagged trash space need. Please do not place storm-generated debris at the collection points for Waste Pro service.