Town of Black Press Release: 10/05/2024
Black Mountain, NC – October 5, 2024.
Situation Report- There are 157 personnel supporting the town in response to Hurricane Helene. Resources have arrived from all over the east coast, with teams coming in today from Minnesota and Maine to support local emergency responders.
For your safety, avoid getting into the rivers and streams due to bacteria levels that could be harmful.
Please do not burn brush within the Town limits. Warming and cooking fires are permitted but must be attended at all times. Fire danger is increasing.
A Town wide curfew remains in effect beginning at 7:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. until further notice.
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- Fire and police are asking that citizens and visitors avoid any non-essential travel. Increased traffic is causing congestion, which is directly hindering necessary repairs. Damaged roadways may not be able to support heavy traffic.
Be mindful that there is a current shortage of barricades for safety purposes on damaged roads. Not all hazards are marked. Please use caution when driving.
Area gas stations are open and receiving fuel shipments.
90% of town roads are clear within the Town of Black Mountain. Highway 9 is now passable but is open to one narrow lane in some spots. The remaining roads are closed due to bridges out, landslides, or downed utility lines.
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.
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.
Treat all downed electrical lines as if they are energized and do not go near them.
Town Public Water System- Town water and sewer systems remain down. Black Mountain Public Works Department made substantial progress in repair of the water distribution lines. Public works crews have repaired the road down to the well which is allowing Duke Energy crews to restore power to these wells.
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.
When water begins flowing to households, it may be inconsistent while systems are being tested. Please limit water use until systems are fully operational.
A boil water advisory will be in place – boil all water vigorously for at least one (1) minute and let cool prior to using.
Public Services:
Food and Water Distribution- Supplies of food and drinking water are available daily for distribution from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Ingles in Black Mountain, 550 NC-9. Ice will be available. Food and water are continuously coming into our community.
Donations of food and water can be taken to the Ashley Kitchen and Bath building at 2950 US Hwy 70 in Black Mountain. The Black Mountain Presbyterian Church is distributing supplies daily on site at Ashley Kitchen and Bath from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
There are many community organizations also distributing hot meals including area churches, restaurants and non-profit organizations.
Trash and Sanitation- 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. 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, bulk item and debris collection are not available at this time. These drop off sites are for Black Mountain residents, so be prepared to show identification.
Public restrooms (port-a-johns) and handwashing stations are available at the Black Mountain Ingles, 550 NC-9.
Medical- There are medical services available at the Ingles Black Mountain point of distribution.
There is a mental health and basic medical support center at the South entrance to the First Baptist Church at 130 Montreat Road that is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00am to 6:00pm, Sunday they will be open at noon.
Charging & Connectivity- A mobile charging and internet connectivity station is set up in the lower parking lot of the First Baptist Church in Black Mountain, located at 130 Montreat Rd.
How to receive information
Information will continue to be posted on the Town’s Facebook page at www.fb.com/townofblackmountain. 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.
Visit www.ncdps.gov/our-organization/emergency-management/hurricane-helene The purpose of this page is to provide information and resources to North Carolina residents and visitors who were impacted by Hurricane Helene.
If you need help cleaning up damage from the Hurricane Helene, call (844) 965-1386 to ask for help. We will connect you with volunteers from local relief organizations, community groups and faith communities who may be able to assist with muck out, trees, tarps and debris. All services are free, but service is not guaranteed due to the overwhelming need. This hotline will remain open through Friday, October 25, 2024.
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.
