Asheville Reels from Hurricane Helene’s Devastation as Recovery Efforts Begin

Asheville Faces the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene

Asheville is picking up the pieces after being rattled by Hurricane Helene, which brought unprecedented challenges to our community. With power lines down and roads damaged, many residents are still navigating issues with basic necessities. As of October 11, more than 236,000 customers lost service during the storm, with Buncombe County feeling the brunt of the impact. Around 60% of customers in the county—46,662 households—are still without service, while Henderson County is facing staggering numbers, with 87% of its 2,959 customers affected.

Telecom Recovery Efforts

Despite the widespread outages, there is some good news on the horizon for those awaiting their internet and phone service. A representative from Spectrum informed us that 900 technicians are currently collaborating with construction teams to repair the underlying infrastructure. While their primary hubs are operational, work continues on smaller nodes that require attention before full service restoration can be initiated. Unlike our neighbors in South Carolina, where a total of 395,000 customers faced service disruptions, Asheville appears to be making strides.

Transportation Challenges

On the transportation front, the North Carolina Department of Transportation reported around 5,400 roads had been damaged, including 450 bridges. Fortunately, over 460 roads have already reopened. Drones are now being utilized for engineering analysis, providing valuable data to the DOT. However, stretches of I-40 and I-26 at the Tennessee border remain closed, causing further delays for travelers.

Air Travel Updates

The Asheville Regional Airport has reopened, but travelers should be prepared for potential flight cancellations and changes. Lew Bleiweis, the airport’s president, advises that passengers check with their respective airlines for the latest updates. Ground transportation is available, but riders may encounter limitations with Uber due to driver shortages. For more detailed information, passengers without internet access can call 828-684-2226.

Water Quality Concerns

Murky water has set off a boil-water alert across the city, as Asheville’s water supply has been affected by broken pipelines. The city’s water department is currently researching new technology to treat the water efficiently. To ensure safety, it’s important to keep tap water at a rolling boil for at least one minute. While the North Fork Reservoir typically meets cleanliness standards, it may take weeks or even months to restore its quality without intervention.

Emergency Preparedness

Among those feeling the crunch are backup power generator users. A repairman mentioned he’s been busier than ever because many generators have failed during the outages. Residents relying on these power sources are reminded to perform regular maintenance and ensure they have enough fuel and oil on hand. “Keep a close eye on your generators, folks,” he suggested. “They need some downtime too!”

Buncombe County Housing Relief Efforts

Buncombe County’s Safety Communications is currently seeking local Airbnb owners willing to shelter emergency telecommunicators visiting to assist in recovery efforts. Interested hosts can reach out to Christi.Castelin@buncombecounty.org. This initiative is part of a broader discussion on how local governments might regulate Airbnbs connected to the crisis.

School Water Needs

As the city grapples with water troubles, schools are taking action. Asheville City Schools Superintendent Maggie Fehrman announced plans to drill wells for water to support HVAC systems, as city water is currently untrustworthy. Their first well at Hall Fletcher hit water, but it’ll take a couple of weeks for schools to access it. They plan to drill 8 to 10 wells, with costs reaching up to $100,000 per well. Notably, Buncombe County Schools remain closed indefinitely.

The Silver Lining

As Western North Carolina gradually returns to normalcy, local radio stations have emerged as beacons of hope. WWNC personnel worked tirelessly to keep the community informed and uplifted during these challenges. As we navigate through this recovery journey, one thing is clear: Asheville will continue to come together to support one another in these trying times.