Post-Helene Halloween Preparations: Safety Tips, Service Restorations, and Community Support in Asheville

Post-Helene Halloween Safety and Recovery Updates in Asheville

Asheville residents, gather around! With Halloween just around the corner, there’s a lot to chat about following the impacts of Tropical Storm Helene. The latest briefings on Oct. 30 brought several important topics to light for our community, particularly focusing on safety during the festive season and ongoing recovery efforts.

Halloween Safety Tips from the Police Chief

As we prepare for Halloween, Asheville Police Chief Mike Lamb shared some friendly reminders to keep families safe during trick-or-treating. With the residual wind and damage from the storm, it’s vital to stay alert. Chief Lamb emphasized that community members should be especially cautious of downed trees and other hazards while walking through neighborhoods. If you’re out at dusk or after dark, wearing reflective clothing is a great idea to ensure visibility. It’s all about keeping our little ghouls and goblins safe while they hunt for candy!

Spectrum Services Almost Fully Restored

In good news for those craving a good binge-watch or trying to catch up on their favorite shows, Charter Communications revealed that Spectrum services in Buncombe are now 99% restored! However, about 1,600 customers are still offline. More than 550 technicians are busy working to restore the remaining services, especially in areas that faced significant damage, such as Biltmore Forest and Black Mountain. With crews still tackling tricky terrains and downed trees, residents can expect repairs to accessible homes within the next 48 hours. If you’re one of those waiting, feel free to reach out to Spectrum if you still can’t connect.

Trash and Recycling Updates

And if you’re wondering about trash collection, Waste Pro is trying to get back to normal. They’re actively resuming regular routes where it’s safe to do so. Remember, if your cans have the Waste Pro logo, you’ll want to sign up for the new service provider, FCC Environmental Services, by December 15 to keep your trash collection uninterrupted come the new year.

Helping Hands for Farmers

Now here’s a noteworthy mention for our farming community: Stay-Tuff is lending a hand to livestock producers affected by Helene with a fencing grant. If you know someone in need, applications are open until Nov. 15. What a great example of local businesses stepping in to help!

Daily Assistance and Community Care Centers

The facilitation of daily necessities continues with food and water distribution centers operating each day. Plus, there are community care centers available where you can take showers and do laundry. If you need those essentials, don’t forget that they’re open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. It’s as simple as finding your nearest location and making the trip.

Upcoming Elections

Another critical reminder for everyone: Election Day is fast approaching! Early voting is available until 3 p.m. on Nov. 2. When you head out to vote, keep an eye on wait times to ensure a smooth experience.

On the Road to Recovery

Debris cleanup is ongoing throughout Buncombe County, with trucks now working in areas like Fairview, Black Mountain, and Swannanoa. Residents are encouraged to place debris near the right-of-ways for pickup. This is just the start, so if you haven’t seen trucks in your area yet, no worries — they’ll be through.

Stay Connected!

For daily updates, tune into the Buncombe County Facebook page at 11 a.m. for community briefings. And if you’ve got questions related to recovery from the storm, the One Buncombe Call Center is available daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 828-250-6100.

Remember, folks, recovery takes time and community effort. Keep looking out for one another, stay informed, and let’s make this Halloween a safe one!