Asheville Residents Struggle with Service Restorations Following Hurricane Helene

Asheville Residents Face Challenges as Services Slowly Restore Post-Hurricane Helene

As Asheville residents continue navigating the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, questions and frustrations have been bubbling up regarding the restoration of essential services in the area. From internet outages with Spectrum to the status of water services, the community is in a period of adjustment and recovery.

Spectrum’s Slow Return to Service

One of the most pressing concerns for locals has been the extended internet outages from Spectrum. As many know, nearly 1.2 million Spectrum customers were left without service due to the hurricane’s impact. One representative from Spectrum, Patti Michel, noted that while progress is being made, significant damage in harder-hit areas has complicated restoration efforts.

“Communities in North Carolina were struck particularly hard by the storm,” said Michel. “There are still areas that we can’t access or aren’t safe for us to enter.” After the storm, updates have been infrequent, leaving many anxious to get back online.

As of now, Spectrum has restored service to about 70 percent of Buncombe County, but around 28,000 customers still remain without service. The company aims to complete service restoration in the remaining counties by October 21.

Frustrations with Billing Policies

Another point of contention has been Spectrum’s billing practices during the outages. Many customers have expressed frustration over perceived inconsistencies in getting credits for the lack of service. It seems that if your power remains on but your internet is down, you might get a credit. However, if your power is out, Spectrum appears less willing to offer a resolution.

One customer observed that the situation feels like a corporate villain story, especially in light of the relief efforts happening through FEMA and local agencies. “It seems wrong for service victims to still be paying Spectrum even when they’re not receiving anything in return,” the customer pointed out.

City Schools and Water Wells

Residents are questioning why the City of Asheville is investing in drilling wells at schools, with costs purportedly around $100,000 per well. However, thanks to updated information from Asheville City Schools Superintendent Maggie Fehrman, it appears that drilling costs might actually range from $12,000 to $15,000 per well when including necessary filters and treatment systems.

“We did successfully drill a well at Hall Fletcher Elementary,” Fehrman shared. “We are looking at having backup water systems at our campuses to prepare for future outages.” While the current focus efforts are on securing drinkable water through donations, the city isn’t ruling out further well drilling, especially considering past situations where water outages have caused major disruptions.

Amazon’s Delivery Situation

With many locals asking when Amazon deliveries will resume, the company made it clear that while things may be slowed due to the storm, efforts are underway to keep fulfilling customers’ orders. The Mills River facility is operating normally, but with potential delivery delays as infrastructure is assessed and repaired.

“Customers will see updated delivery times for their specific orders,” an Amazon spokesperson said, emphasizing that customer service is available for those needing additional assistance. Patience is key as recovery efforts continue.

The State of City Hall

Finally, a notable mention is the status of City Hall, which has faced its own hurdles. It has been temporarily closed due to health and safety concerns stemming from prolonged outages of both power and water. The city’s response has been to focus on community recovery efforts while ensuring that employees are safe.

City spokesperson Kelley Klope remarked, “Many of our dedicated city employees have been actively engaged in the community, assisting with donations and distributions during this critical time.” The city understands the frustration surrounding the closures but prioritizes the health of both employees and the public.

Wrapping Up

The aftermath of Hurricane Helene is proving to be challenging for Asheville residents. As communities come together, patience and understanding will be vital in navigating the restoration of services. Whether dealing with internet outages, school water supplies, or delivery delays, everyone is hoping for a swift return to normalcy.