All information current as possible as of Tuesday, October 1st 2024.
As our area continues with the hard work of recovering from Hurricane Helene, we wanted to post the most up-to-date information that we could find in one location for our communities.
Important Resources
High Country Radio is broadcasting on 96.5 (WATA), 95.3 (The Pulse), and 94.3 (The Highway) while other transmitters are offline. Tune in for important emergency and community operations information and updates.
Non-Emergency inquiries and reports related to the hurricane, including information regarding your families and homes in the area, should be directed to the Appalachian Medical Reserve Corps call center at (828) 263-4178.
Samaritan’s Purse has volunteers available to offer free help for personal property/furniture removal, flood cleanup, sanitizing/shockwave treatment, temporary roof tarping, and chainsaw work. Call 833-747-1234.
Apply for federal disaster aid at www.disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), including grants for temporary housing, essential repairs, and other personal needs.
Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans are available for businesses, nonprofits, and homeowners. Visit www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance/hurricane-helene or call 1-800-659-2955.
North Carolina Emergency Management resources can be accessed at www.ncdps.gov or by calling 919-825-2500
Contact & Locate Loved Ones: If you need help locating loved ones or are looking for immediate shelter, visit www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/contact-and-locate-loved-ones
Mental Health Support: In this high stress, uncertain time, if you need emotional support, contact Disaster Distress Hotline at 1-800-985-5990 or visit www.ncdhhs.gov
Volunteer:
• Samaritan’s Purse is coordinating day and night volunteer opportunities for tree work, debris cleanup, roof tarping, and mud outs. Sign up at www.spvolunteer.org
• Appalachian Medical Reserve Corps is coordinating volunteers with state and national emergency response teams. Sign up by filling out this interest form.
• Those with chainsaws and other equipment can go to the Perkinsville Baptist Church
• Holmes Convocation Center Red Cross Emergency Shelter
• Hunger & Health Coalition
Social Media Pages Providing Updates
Ashe County Emergency Management
Avery County Chamber Facebook Page
Avery County Government Facebook Page
Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce
Boone Area Chamber of Commerce
Brad Panovich Meteorologist
North Carolina’s Weather Authority
Watauga County
Watauga County is under a curfew from 11pm till 7am daily until further notice. Please stay off of roadways as crews work to clear impacted areas.
Watauga County has lifted the boil water advisory, it is safe to use water for human consumption directly from the county system, though some areas remain partially or fully without water and/or sanitary sewer services.
Shelter/Power/Internet/Showers:
Holmes Convocation Center is functioning as an emergency shelter for students and community members, providing food, water, and dry beds.
Appalachian State University has opened the central dining hall on campus to provide power, internet, and prepared food for those in need – you do not have to be a student.
Valle Crucis Conference Center has been set up to provide food and showers.
Pick Up Locations:
Watauga High School – 8am-6pm – Water, food, cleaning supplies, toiletries, paper goods, other household items.
Wine to Water – 689 George Wilson Road, Boone, NC – pickup for supplies
Cornerstone Church – 1100 E King Street, Boone, NC – pickup for supplies
Fire Departments: Deep Gap VFD, Stewart Simmons VFD, Zionville VFD, Beaver Dam VFD, Shawneehaw VFD, Foscoe VFD
Drop Off Locations:
Watauga High School – 8am-6pm – Water only
The Summit Pickleball – 278 Industrial Park Drive, Boone, NC
Wine to Water – 689 George Wilson Road – drop-off for supplies
Emergency child care is available and free at Boone United Methodist Church this week from 8:30am-4pm Tuesday through Friday for anyone in need. Infants thru age 5 will be in the preschool hall, and ages 6-10 will be located in the education hall upstairs. Hot lunch, snacks, and bottled water provided. Email preschool@booneumc.org for more details or inquiries.
Watauga landfill and convenience center will be open every day, Monday thru Friday, from 7am to 7pm.
Deep Gap: Monday, Wednesday, Friday – 7am-7pm
421 W Zionville: Monday, Wednesday, Friday – 7am-7pm
Aho: Monday, Wednesday, Friday – 7am-7pm
Green Valley: Monday, Wednesday, Friday – 7am-7pm
*At this time, residents should place segregated storm debris on an accessible NCDOT right-of-way. The county’s contractor will pick up the waste from the right-of-way. Please be advised, household trash needs to be taken to one of the above convenience centers.
Click Here for List of Emergency Service Providers
Click Here for List of Current Road Closures as of 9/30.
Avery County
Avery County is under a curfew from 8pm till 5am daily until further notice. Please stay off of roadways as crews work to clear impacted areas.
Many roads are now one-lane and facing further degradation, all traffic is impeding progress, please limit travel. Visitors to the area are asked to delay their plans until power, water, communication services, and roads are restored.
There is no current timeline for restoring cell phone communication.
There is no current timeline for when power can be rebuilt to Banner Elk, but know that they are working hard and there are MANY power lines down.
Local food & supplies assistance: Rock Gym in Newland, Frank Volunteer Fire Department in Minneapolis, Temple Baptist Church in Ingalls, Best Western in Banner Elk, Town Hall in Banner Elk, Old Beech Mountain School in Beech Mountain.
Official drop-off location for Avery County is Newland First Baptist Church.
Ashe County
Volunteer sign up or inquiries: 336-877-7764
Emergency Shelter: Ashe County High School
Supply Hubs: Westwood Elementary School, Mountain View Elementary School, Ashe Really Cares, Family Central, Fleetwood Fire Department, Lansing Fire Department, Warrensville Fire Department, Midway Baptist Church, Shelter Baptist Church, West Jefferson United Methodist Church, Ashe County High School, Salvation Army (clothing), Just Wing It (canned food), Ashe Baptist Association, Appalachian Church, Blue Ridge Elementary School, Todd Fire Department
Food/Water Distribution Centers: Ashe Food Pantry
Wi-fi/Charging Stations/Internet access: Ashe Food Pantry (FEMA internet access), Ashe Chamber, Old Store at Grassy Creek, West Jefferson United Methodist Church, Ashe Baptist Association, Jefferson United Methodist Church, Ashe County Arts Council, The Gathering Church, Oldhouse Goods, Ashe County Public Library, Museum of Ashe County History, Mt Jefferson Presbyterian Church, Generations Ashe, Todd Fire Department
Daily Meals: West Jefferson United Methodist Church (Daily 9am-6pm), Jefferson United Methodist Church (Daily at 12pm), The Gathering Church (Daily 5-7pm)
Medical Assistance: Ashe Memorial Hospital, Ashe County High School has oxygen concentrators.
Showers/Water refill/Ice: Ashe County High School, Jefferson United Methodist Church (showers, non-potable water), Fleetwood Fire Department (potable water, bring containers), Lansing Fire Department (potable water, bring containers), Cattle Market on Hwy 16 (potable water), Ashe County Arts Council (outside spigots), Upper Mountain Research Station (hot water trailer).
