Buncombe and other mountain counties declare states of emergency; towns prepare

Buncombe County:

ASHEVILLE, NC (WLOS) — The Buncombe County Board of County Commissioners declared a local emergency ahead of Hurricane Helene, the county said.

The local state of emergency is in effect within the municipal boundaries of the City of Asheville, the City of Weaverville, the City of Woodfin, the City of Black Mountain, the City of Montreat and the City of Biltmore Forest.

“With the declaration, Buncombe County emergency management personnel will implement plans to prevent, prepare for, respond to and manage any emergency situations that may arise from the effects of the storm,” the statement said.

Below is a list of emergency contact information for Buncombe County:

• For emergencies: Dial 911
• Buncombe County Emergency Services non-emergency number: 828-250-6650
• Report fallen trees (no immediate danger): 828-250-6670
• Report power outages: 1-800-419-6356

Due to weather, a Code Purple will go into effect at 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 26. Homeless shelters and other organizations in Asheville and Buncombe County will provide emergency housing for the homeless.

The full declaration of the local state of emergency can be found Here.

McDowell County:

A state of emergency will be in effect in McDowell County, the City of Marion and the Town of Old Fort effective Wednesday, September 25, at 5:00 p.m.

McDowell County will open an emergency shelter at 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, at Glenwood Baptist Church, located at 155 Glenwood Baptist Church Road in Marion. Residents needing transportation to the shelter can schedule a pickup through McDowell Transit by calling 828-652-3241.

“We urge citizens to take this storm seriously. If you live near a stream, river or in a flood-prone area, we urge you to move in with family or friends until this storm passes and conditions improve. We are taking these proactive measures now to protect lives and prevent dangerous water rescues,” said Emergency Services Director Will Kehler.

For updates and emergency alerts, text 28752 to 888777.

Asheville:

The city of Asheville will experience heavy rains and strong winds due to Tropical Storm Helene, the city said in a press release.

Staff across the city are currently preparing Asheville for the forecasted rain and wind. The Asheville Fire Department is preparing for severe weather by activating specialized teams, including boat crews, saw crews, team leaders, safety officers, and battalion and division chiefs.

Click Herefor the City of Asheville's full list of preparation tips.

Hendersonville:

The City of Hendersonville has issued a Level 2 Flood Warning in response to the weather forecast. City crews are setting up barricades in flood-prone areas and other preparations are underway to ensure public safety.

The City of Hendersonville urges residents to stay informed, plan ahead, prepare their homes and travel safely.

Residents can sign up for local weather alerts by texting “AlertHVL” to 226787.

For more information and resources about Hendersonville, click here: Here.

Haywood County

Haywood County is currently preparing for Hurricane Helene. County emergency personnel and resources are on site.

The district announces that the operations center will be fully staffed and operational from Thursday, September 26th.

The county advises residents to prepare for a possible evacuation by “assembling an emergency kit, securing your home and belongings, photographing important documents in advance, and making arrangements to stay with family or friends.”

To sign up for Haywood County alerts, click Here.

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