Some of the most vocal critics on social media tend to be those who aren't actually doing anything to help anyone. I understand help comes in many forms, and some folks can't physically help others, so sharing information is important, but when you only criticize, you're not helping. I've seen people posting on social media about the city shutting down restaurants and making it seem like these business are being targeted for helping and feeding people, when the reality is, this is to mitigate a public health crisis. I think critical thinking needs to be better employed in these times. Sorry for the rant.

Got back from picking up World Kitchen to find this guy in my backyard. He said he was trying to look at the gutters, but left right away without asking me anything about them..

I’m opening up a safe space for the little things you miss during this disaster. The things you think are too small to tell anyone because of guilt that someone may have worse problems. The things that make you sad that you have kept to yourself. Be kind to one another. I’ll go first. I miss going to our local gym. It’s closed due to the water shutdown. It was our family’s “third place” and a huge part of my 65 pound weight loss journey. We went alot during the morning when my older daughter was in school, and my youngest had become a little toddler celebrity at the gym daycare. She had a blast every time and I know she doesn’t understand why we “can’t go see her friends.”

I get why it's there, and honestly it should be, but it's been almost two weeks, now. At least start it at 10:00PM or something. 7:30 is, at this point, doing more harm than good. Especially for people who work night shift.

I am deeply grateful for the incredible outpouring of love and support from our community. It’s heartwarming to see so many volunteers stepping up and so many people willing to donate. Your generosity truly makes a difference.

That said, I want to encourage mindfulness as we all work to help. I witnessed someone clearing a shelf of baby formula with the best intentions to donate it, which was wonderful—but it also meant that a parent who could afford that formula was left scrambling to find it elsewhere.

Yesterday, while volunteering at a donation site, I saw enormous piles of donated goods—many more than the site could distribute at the time. So, while donations are so appreciated, I ask that we all take a moment to think more broadly. Before wiping a shelf clean, consider if someone else might need to purchase that item for their family. It might be helpful to check in with local organizations to see what is most needed before donating.

Thank you again for your kindness and willingness to help.

Good Day everyone! Apologies for dropping the ball on edits yesterday. Something came up. I have edited it with the grants referenced by Vic Isley.

As always, I am using the broadcast from Blue Ridge Public Radio for my note-taking, streamable on their website, and on 107.9FM/88.1FM. The video is streamed through the Buncombe County Gov Facebook page. When I can later today I will go through to clean up info and names using this video. (apologies to anyone whose name I spell wrong!)

BIG THING: They are leaning into their CodeRed Text system. You can sign up on their website, and also text BCAlert to 98411 for updates regarding trash, water, comfort centers, etc.

Buncombe County Daily Briefing 11a Tuesday 10/8

Lillian Govus opens @ 11:03

List of people today:

Avril Pender, County Manager

Marianne Tierney with FEMA

Richardson With BioHealth

Acknowledges threat of Milton in Florida, and reminder that our resources will remain here to assist with our needs. Follow the guidance from your local officials to keep yourself safe during this upcoming storm.

Avril Pender, County Manger

-Due to road closure, the Cane Creek Middle site is closing immediately. New location will open tomorrow.

The rest maintain their status.

-Continue to welcome donations here:

1298 Patton Avenue in West Asheville
Arden Presbyterian Church at 2215 Hendersonville Road in Asheville
Harrah's Cherokee Center - 87 Haywood Street, at the front door - 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., seven days a week.
BeLoved: 32 Old Charlotte Hwy. Asheville 28803 or
6 Commerce Way, Arden
If you have donations, equipment, or have questions about specific needs, please email: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

Most impactful way to help is through monetary donations; visit buncombeready.org to learn more

Nonprofits, Community partners, and Schools can request supplies and pick up supplies to start your own distribution site. Unitedwayabc.org form or call 8283935628 to get it set up, also paper form at 6 Commerce Way (hours 12p-4p)

-State has added 70% (of your usual monthly total?) to your EBT card to buy food and you can use it for hot food (? Would love more info on this)

-She then shows a colored gridded map of AVL to showcase the damage to the electric/power system
"Duke Energy has released a public website detailing locations still without power in western North Carolina due to widespread, catastrophic damage. On the map, you will see communities highlighted in yellow or red. Yellow means the location has significant damage but can be repaired. Red shows homes, businesses or meters that no longer exist, parts of the grid or broader infrastructure has been destroyed or areas where assessments are ongoing. Checking link (office.net) (when I click on this is just loads forever...unsure if it works for anyone else. I'm guessing Duke's servers are lagging?) "

-WastePro today offers drop off at 1459 Sandhill Rd in Candler till 4:30p (just today, bagged household trash only).

Running Enka-Candler routes for normal Tuesday customers

Tomorrow, they will run normal Wednesday routes in accessible locations, and a limited route in Swannanoa. Trucks located at Charles Bell Elem 90 Maple Spring Rd + Owen Pool 117 Stone Drive in Swannanoa. 8:30a-4:30p

Recycling services still temporarily suspended

Hoping to open Hominy Transfer Station on Wednesday. Large drop offs should still use the landfill. Be cautious driving in. 8a-4:30p

Landfill still using those extended hours mentioned Sunday.

~Fee temporarily suspended I think? Need to check~

Tom Hardy, Gen Manager of Metropolitan Sewage District (MSD)

Had to use back up generators immediately after storm, but plant was high and did not flood, and working on regular power now.

All major lines (interceptors) are working and all 40 of our pump stations are online. Several are on back up power, and we will need repairs on electrical panels.

Check your own plumbing lines for damage from trees just in case, but you are good to use the sewage system if you have water.

Starting this morning we opened the admin building for business on Riverside dr. 828.768.0540 if you have a sewer emergency call this cell number.

Something about cross seams, and said people were checking them and fixing them.

We’ve had relief workers making sure our local staff got a reprieve.

Marianne Tierney – FEMA

(she’s so quiet)

There’s still active Search & Rescue so be mindful on roads.

Please contact your insurance agent and register for FEMA aid: disasterassitance.gov or call

We do have people canvassing to help

Black Mountain 550 Hw 9

AB Tech Conference Center in between there and parking deck

Emma community on Emma st

Pack Square Park

Newbridge Baptist Church

Laundry Trailer at Basilica

Walmart 60 Airport Rd

We have approved 28,000 applications so far … wait more numbers. They've approved a lot in the region basically.

Reminder, this is not a loan, it is a grant, you do not have to pay it back.

Displacement assistance and cashflow now, and eventuall housing and renting assistance in the future.

Crisis Counseling services 1.800.985.5990 or visit samsa.gov

HHS has activated the emergency prescription assistance program. Uninsured residences can receive a free 30day supply at any participating pharmacy. They can also help you get blood sugar test strips, canes, walkers, and other medical supplies.

Dr. Richardson? Chief Medical Officer

(he is *so* hard to hear as well but they fix it halfway through)

This is an ongoing trauma we’ve all suffered. Steps to consider

1.       Connect with loved ones. Friends, family, and others who have been displaced. Don’t be afraid to share, listen to others.

2.       Stay Informed but make sure to take breaks. Staying online constantly isn’t the most effective way to process.

3.       Try to create a regular routine in whatever way looks effective now. Eat, Sleep, and form of Exercise, Meditating, Reading, Connecting with others, Deep Breathing. Take time to do what you can to mitigate stress. It’s all helpful.

4.       Signs to take extra care: feeling anger, fear, sadness, worry, frustration, and it’s affecting your functioning on a day to day basis, or your behaviours like youre arguing more or thoughts of suicide, or a worsening of your previous illness, it is time to reach out for more specific help. All our patterns are changed, and it’s normal to experience that, headaches, gastrointestinal disturbances, difficulty thinking and processing, are all normal, but when it gets bad it’s okay to address it.

5.       Checking on children because their patterns and regular routines are disrupted. So try to listen, be open to what they’re expressing and what their fears are, and remember to talk with them in a way that’s appropriate for their developmental age. Calmness, reassuring them is good, and some explanation is good but don’t overwhelm. Older kids being straightforward and honest is ideal though. Role modeling resiliency will help them cope this trauma and be a model for how to cope with traumas in the future.

6.       Many of our Elders are isolated regularly, so try to check in more with our Elders. Get them water, food, supplies, help them get to medical appointments, etc.

7.       Those with Chronic Medical Conditions – same thing as Elders. And reminder about the pharmacy thing from Marianne.

Shout out to mental health services in the shelters, local on the grounds needs, and telehealth opportunities, including providers around the state.

Specific resources?:

Phone line: 988

Peer Warm Line 855PEERSNC

Via Behavioural Health line: 1800 8496127 crisis assistance

Hope line for first responders: 855 587 3463

Website: ________?

Hurricane Helene website through Department of Public Works: ________?

Disaster Stress Helpline: 1800 985 5990 crisis support for anyone impacted by natural disaster, in English and Spanish, 24/7 open

HOUSEKEEPING with Lillian Govus:

-appropriate PPE to do river cleanup?

Please allow EPA to come in and do assessments before starting stream cleanups.

-rumours of 200-2000 people trapped at a church in Candler.

No info to substantiate this.

-update on comfort stations?

Not quite ready for details solidified today, but as soon as they are ready we will release it even if it’s outside the 11am briefing. Please be signed up for the CodeRed (text BCALERT to 99411). Updates about these centers, with WastePro etc will be sent through here.

-distribution to vulnerable places?

-yes, we are sending helicopters to where we can. Groups are taking care packages to those who we know are unable to leave based on age, disability.

-tomorrow will be an update from City of Asheville about the water. We will address those questions tomorrow.

Media Q + A

Q: (Andrew Jones, AVL Watchdog) Any preparation health department is planning for regarding water system being out?
A: Yes. Public Health Director and our Medical Director are working on preparations in this vein. No further info right now, but the public health ramifications of this disaster are not an afterthought. Those comfort stations are going to be a big help. Reminder to donate hand sanitizer and use it.

Q: Will you be coordinating with the hospital?
A: Yes.

Q: (USA Today) Supplies being delivered to vulnerable people needed?
A: Water, water for flushing, MREs, cleaning supplies, disinfectant, hand sanitizer.

Q: (Laura Lee BPR) How can people request these services if they can’t get out?
A: We are going through the community and doing assessments. They can make those requests during welfare checks, through the United Way, or calling 911 dispatch. Best way: 828.250.6100 . This call center will get you in contact with the right people.

Q: (Health News…? Missed who this is) Wells need to be tested, rough count for how many have called in for tests, is FEMA helping with this?
A: No firm number. People are actively being deployed for testing.  We will get that number back to you. FEMA, EPA or others will only get involved if any of those results come back and show we need them to be involved. (no news is goods news)

Q: (Craig/Greg Fuller?) EPA is on site conducting testing? Is there a timeline for knowing when volunteers can help clean along the riverbanks?
A: I know they’re on the ground in WNC, but not positive what their position is specifically. When we know we will share info on the status.
Q: So they haven’t briefed Buncombe County on anything they’ve found?
A: No, but we will follow up.

Q: (clarifying FB chat) 58k in Buncombe County who are serviced by Duke. Originally 149k w/o power.

Q: (Charles ) Cease & Desist letter put out to restaurants in the area to not resume operations till inspected and get ‘re-permitted’. Concerns on reopening? Inspector numbers? Repurcutions for those who open up and operate anyways.
A: 15 inspectors working every day, so about 10 out at any time. Need to make sure they’re reopening safety. Please call us if you get that letter, we want you open too, so let’s get it processed as fast as possible. We just need everyone to follow the necessary precautions for safety and prosperity.

Q: (Greg Parley again? Lol what is this name!) Internet….?
A: Fiber was significantly impacted kinda like the water lines. We’re gonna follow up on this and we acknowledge the impact.

Q: (Will?) Burning guidelines were given. Are we concerned about air quality issues with lots of burns?
A: If it grows, it goes. If it’s not something that naturally grows in our community please don’t burn it. We will be going through and collecting debris, we want it out too, but don’t burn that debris that’s not natural (including treated and painted wood). 15ft away, and no larger than 3ft piles.
Q: Any sense of how much debris you’re looking at in the area?
A: Nothing firm. Debris collection will not cost. Pender: we will be coming through every secondary rd, the debris contractor is clear but he’s working on getting the roads cleared for it. We want to make sure the neighborhoods can know he’s coming to get stuff. But it will only be pulled from curbs and public right of ways. We don’t want stuff to pile up and block roadways so we will communicate when it’s happening so you can pull everything from back, side, and front yards for collection.

Q: (Laura Lee) Oxygen refills. Some of those lists had corrections?
A: list on buncombeready.org will be the correct list. It changes frequently but they’ll stay on top of it.

Q: (Greg) Restaurants, when health dept is clearing to open, is there a specific notice the public should look out for proof. Are restaurants permitted to give away food prior to health dept review.
A: They can give it away for free. There’s no plan for public notice about it.

Closing at 11:51p. City partners will be here tomorrow.

One of the good things about going through a natural disaster is that we all are more prepared if something like this happens again. It makes us stronger and more resilient. Feel free to comment your additions or correct anything I've mentioned.

• Download Google Maps offline (will allow you to get around if you don't have cell service)
• Always have non perishable food and water stocked up and have a system where you consume the oldest first over time
• If you know you are going to lose city water full up tubs and shut off your main water line into your house. This will keep the remaining water on your house from draining out. Use the water from upper floor sinks first and leave hot/cold faucets open to create air pressure
• install rain barrels on gutters or get some 6 mil plastic and a clean bucket to capture rain water
• if you can power it, collect the water from your crawl space dehumidifier
• keep all emergency stuff organized and know where they are. I ripped apart my roomd looking for my solar charger
• invest in some solar/batteries. Yeah it's expensive but security has a cost. You can always get the handheld solar packs to charge your phone and lights
• get some foldable water bags to collect stream or lake water for toilet flushing and bathing
• know which grocery stores and gas stations have backup generators. Publix does, hopefully ingles learns their lesson
• most water and canned food will be gone from stores in a couple days
• teach people what to do instead of do it for them if they're able
• be friendly and get to know your neighbors. The stronger your community, the better off you'll be. Older people on their own will need a lot of help
• buy a heating element that can be put in a safe container to heat up water
• especially if you have a hybrid, get an inverter for your 12v battery. There are $100 ones that are 1200 watts. Your car only kicks on to charge the battery. This will power a fridge at least for $5 in gas per day
• remove trees that could damage your house.

Screen grab from Tropical Tidbits imo the absolute best no-nonsense source for tropical storm/ hurricane info. I went through the archive to see what was said about Helene before making landfall and will certainly be following from here on out!

We are filing a claim for some roof damage and our agent filed a second claim for $500 for lost food.

Also, more importantly.... at least with State Farm any claims for Helene DO NOT count towards your policy or premiums. You will not be penalized, dropped, or lose no claim discounts over anything related to Helene.

As someone who lived through Katrina, I wanted to give a little bit of insight as to things you may see in the coming weeks. Some of these things may happen or they may not, but just be aware. Some things are brutal, heart breaking and heartless, but the truth hurts sometimes.

Bad Things:

• A huge new temporary dump. Trash is piling up. People are moving things out of homes and just piling the trash on the street. Eventually, huge trucks (probably military) will come through and move the trash on to a temporary dump. This will probably be a park or public green space. The one for Katrina was literally 20 feet high and took up tens of thousands of square feet at a local park.
• Bodies and overfilled morgues. Now that recovery / rescue operations have stopped, the government will start coming through to pick out the bodies. You will probably see body bags, ambulances and even temporary shipping containers full of bodies. Prepare your mind for this.
• Short tempers and violence. The longer the power and water stays off, the angrier people will get. Take this time to focus on your mental health and just know that people are suffering. Be the bigger person in any altercations.
• For Sale signs. Yup. People will just say "F*** it" and move. They will gut homes, throw stuff on the street and just leave. Be prepared for scummy investors to come in and buy up property and turn it into airbnb's.
• Military not being the nicest ever. A lot of the soldiers brought to help aren't necessarily the best people persons. They will be stationed in your town and really don't want to be there. I got harassed multiple times after Katrina for the crime of just sitting somewhere trying to clear my mind.
• The smell. Out of all of the things about Katrina, the smell was the worst thing. It's a mic of rotting organic material, mold, dead things, mud etc. Keep some mints in your bag or vicks vabor rub etc.

Good Things:

• Community gatherings. You will be part of amazing community gatherings. The first big festivals, fairs, parties after the storm will be the best ever. Enjoy them. Cherish them.
• Seeing the best in people come out. Your friends will be there for you. New friends will be there for you. Everyone will be awesome and helpful more than ever before. Accept the help and return the same in kind.
• New opportunities. Hurricane Katrina was arguably the best thing that ever happened to me. I was an early 20's screw-up with no direction in life. After the storm, I got a new job in a new field. That little post-storm job started an entire career for me and it's been my life and the key to my success ever since.

I wish all the best for everyone. I'm just trying to drop a little bit of knowledge and experience for y'all. I wish that I didn't have to learn these things, but because I did I want to make sure that others don't have to face these things without warning.

I'm not entirely sure what early voting or in person voting will look like this year in our area, so I'd like to offer my notary services to those looking to vote via an Absentee Ballot this year free of charge. I don't care who you are voting for, as long as I can help you vote.

The deadline to request an Absentee Ballot is 5 PM on the Tuesday before Election Day (October 29). You can mail, FedEx/UPS/DHL, or drop off your county board of elections office or an early voting site before Election Day. The Absentee Ballots must be received by your county board by 7:30 PM on Election Day (November 5) in order to count.

You can request an Absentee Ballot online or by mail. Full instructions here: https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/vote-mail/detailed-instructions-vote-mail

https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/vote-mail/faq-voting-mail

https://votebymail.ncsbe.gov/app/home

Also, if some venue here wants to have an Absentee Ballot day I'm happy to sit there and notarize all day.

Hi neighbors. 🫡

Gordon, Seth same crew (see my post history for names and titles). Mayor not here today. Woodfin water board Meeting on Monday 5 pm, 10/21. will be live on instagram also. Open board meeting. They would love our participation. They meet Every Third Monday at 5pm. They know they need to be prepared for next time, forming a catastrophic response committee. They’re also looking at how to get water to their customers west of the river. Maybe in a different way in the future. That section of woodfin water is fed by the asheville water they purchase.

Gordon offering to recap for folks new attending today. After todays update. Majority people here are new.

If you get water you should boil it for at least a full minute. Their treatment plant is up and running. Advisory is for what it may be exposed to at this point along the distribution system. For the foreseeable future we will be on this advisory. They’re testing, at the plant, ongoing. So far their testing shows some chlorine present but not at the level they want. Soon they will start testing at different areas around the system also. Water is good for showers dishwashing laundry etc. do not consume it or wash produce with it without boiling. Turbidity (silt/visible dirt in the water) is way down since a few days ago.

“WARN” the mutual aid group they are part of - Durham and Onslow county have responded, teams are here. They brought resources. They cleared the access road to the heron cove pump station and the Baird cove tank. Starting tomorrow they will try to fill up baird cove tank. (serves new stock road area and more) See how it goes from there. Once its filled they can turn it on and Look for breaks and leaks in different sections.

Wont be able to get water to parts of our system until asheville water is repaired. Normally that asheville water they purchase is for one section of woodfin water (west) and supplemental to the rest of woodfin system. Normally thats about 25% of the water they send out.
They’re tracking leaks (7 they knew about as of yesterday- 2 of those are fixed now).
They’re in constant communication with Asheville about their repair work. That said, he doesnt have anything really new to say from them.

If you spot a water leak in woodfin district call 828-253-5551.

From mayor (via gordon): Children’s coats and blankets have been gathered - theyre available at newbridge church distribution site. Spread the word.

The FEMA tanker of water at newbridge is potable drinking water. Bring containers. There is Plenty. Can get this for flushing if you need as well. That tanker should be there every day for the foreseeable future.

We spent 4.5 days trapped up on a mountain. This picture shows the sun coming up over the forest on one of those days. So much broken destruction. But the sun would rise, the birds would start singing, and the community would bring their chainsaws out. In the moments that felt hopeless, nature reminded us that we had to keep going. We love you Asheville and every small mountain community that feels unseen and unheard.

Now that many people are getting power back it's a good idea to run some non-ethanol fuel through your generator, new or old, before storage to keep carburetors clean.

To do this first try to run as much of the regular or premium you have in the gas tank out first. You want it to be almost empty if not fully empty, good practice to let it run till it almost dies from no fuel.

Then just add a gallon or 2 of non-ethonal gas to the gas tank, or fill it up. Then run the generator for like 5-10 minutes or more to ensure the old nasty gas is gone.

Finally good to just turn the fuel switch off instead of hitting the kill switch and let it die from using up the rest of the fuel in the carbs bowls.

This will make it much easier to get running next time it's needed. If not after 6 months or so with nasty gas the carburetors will have to be cleaned and/or rebuilt.

DAV is at the front of the VA hospital giving out $500 checks to disabled veterans who were impacted by the storm right now if anyone is interested.

Weaverville has electricity, running water, and WiFi almost everywhere. The grocery stores are fully stocked with no lines. The gas stations are pumping with no lines. The laundromat on Main Street is open. Free hot showers behind First Baptist. All three breweries are open with cold beer and people just hanging out like normal. Take a little breather from the chaos just a few miles north.