Town of Black Press Release: 10/03/2024
Black Mountain, NC – October 3, 2024.
Situation Report- Over the course of storm response, over 400 lives have been saved. Basic needs are now being met in the town, and aid continues to arrive daily. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is onsite in the Town and assisting the Fire Department with secondary searches. FEMA will be going to damaged homes in order to inventory damaged structures. Additionally, resources are available for citizens for FEMA disaster assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov. BEWARE OF SCAMMERS. We have had reports of scammers in the area. Ask all personnel to show identification badges. All FEMA support will be in identifiable uniforms or vests.
Road Access & Fuel- We are pleased to report that 90% of town roads are clear within the Town of Black Mountain as of 9:00 A.M. The remaining roads are closed because they are impassible or are not safe to travel on at this time. With the restoration of power to the downtown area, several local gas stations have reopened. If you come to an intersection with the stop lights out, please treat this as a four-way stop.
Electricity- Power has been restored to portions of downtown Black Mountain. The majority of Black Mountain, Montreat and Ridgecrest remain without power. Power restoration will occur as lines are cleared. We encourage you to visit https://outagemap.duke-energy.com/#/carolinas to check on power restoration status. The Black Mountain Fire Department pulled electrical meters from unoccupied damaged structures in order to mitigate any potential fire hazards as power begins to be restored. Residents should turn off the hot water heater breakers at their home if power is restored in order to keep it from burning up due to no water. Also, residents should turn off their ice makers.
Town Public Water System- Town water and sewer systems are still down. Restoration of running water is still unknown. The Town of Black Mountain Public Works Department is working today to repair road washouts today to the rest of wells in order for crews to restore power to these wells. Further, crews are fixing leaks that they can and awaiting materials for one of the main water distribution lines. We are continuing to work with the City of Asheville to get one of the distribution lines back online.
Public Services:
Food and Water Distribution- Supplies of food and drinking water are available daily for distribution from 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. at Ingles in Black Mountain, 550 NC-9. Food and water are continuously coming into our community. There are many community organizations also distributing hot meals including area churches, restaurants and non-profit organizations. Ice is also available while supplies last. Moving forward, we will be giving information trying to create one resource through the Buncombe County Distribution Center
Trash- The Town of Black Mountain Public Works Department has secured four (4) 15-yard dumpsters in two (2) sites in Town for Black Mountain residents. These locations are at Tractor Supply, 125 Old US 70 E., and at the Black Mountain Ingles, 550 NC-9, near the car wash area. Please note there will be a limit of four (4) bags per car at these dumpster sites. This must be household trash only. If these dumpsters are full please be patient and kind. No separate recycling is available at this time. Yard waste and debris collection is not available at this time.
Medical- A mobile urgent care clinic is available for residents in Ridgecrest, at the Excel College at 12 Florida Avenue in Black Mountain. There is a mental health and basic medical support center at the South entrance to the First Baptist Church on Montreat Road that is open daily from 9:00am to 6:00pm.
Charging & Connectivity- A mobile charging and internet connectivity stations is set up in the lower parking lot of the Frist Baptist Church in Black Mountain, located at 130 Montreat Rd. The Town is working to also get the Town of Montreat and Ridgecrest community a mobile charging and internet connectivity station.
Restrooms- Public restrooms (port-a-johns) and handwashing stations are available at the Black Mountain Ingles, 550 NC-9.
How to receive information
Town community meetings will be held daily at 3:00 p.m. at Town Square. Further, information will be posted on the Town’s Facebook page at www.fb.com/townofblackmountain. Daily press releases will continue to be sent out and provided to our media partners. Information can also be found at the information tent at the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center and at the Ingles food and water distribution site.
We also encourage you to utilize NC 211 who can provide assistance to those who may be looking for someone. Please dial 2-1-1 (or 1-888-892-1162) or by visiting www.nc211.org. You can also visit www.unitedwaync.org to fill out a request form and to add them to the search and rescue efforts.
