Important Travel Updates for Asheville, NC Visitors

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Asheville and the surrounding areas in Western North Carolina have been significantly impacted by floodwaters. The storm has caused widespread road closures, power, gas, and water outages, and disruptions to cell phone and internet service, leaving much of the region temporarily isolated.

Road Closures:

Over 400 roads in North Carolina remain closed, and some routes leading into Asheville are inaccessible due to flood damage. Currently, access is limited to local and hurricane response traffic. We strongly recommend checking the latest travel advisories and road conditions before planning your trip.

Power & Service Outages:

10/9/24: A majority of Black Mountain and Asheville's power has been restored, but there are still active outages, especially in more remote areas that were hit hard by the storm. Most residents are still without running water, and those with it are under an active boil advisory. Asheville is served by three water treatment plants — North Fork in Black Mountain, Mills River near the airport, and William DeBruhl (Bee Tree) in Swannanoa — which together operate thousands of miles of pipes. The City of Asheville has not provided an exact timeline for repair, only reiterating that full operation is likely weeks away. 

The Mills River plant, which primarily serves South Asheville, is now fully operational. The William DeBruhl plant had waterlines demolished in the storm and repair on roads that were previously inaccessible has started. North Fork, the principal water treatment plant for the area (responsible for 80% of our water) had a 36-in bypass waterline that experienced significant damage after the storm washed away almost 25 feet of ground. The bypass line was originally built to withstand a typical hurricane event, but Helene far exceeded the typical.

The rebuild, which will be installed deeper and will be armored, is expected to be reconnected later this week. However, for water to be restored, the line has to be rebuilt and connected, and we have to be able to put water into the system. Currently, the water in the North Fork Reservoir is still filled with sediment, and if pushed through, the filters would destroy them. EPA officials are on-site with local teams to provide resources and to help treat the water.

When the water is ready to leave North Fork, crews will still need to fill tanks, repair pipe leaks, and remove air locks from the distribution system. Restoration will occur slowly and incrementally, and a water boil will be in effect when it does. 

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10/2/24: A portion of Black Mountain and Asheville's power has been restored. There is also gas available, but long lines are likely. Thousands of power workers continue restoring power as quickly as possible.

Many parts of Asheville are without electricity, and cell phone service is very limited, making communication challenging. Many residents are also without running water and potable drinking water. Emergency responders are working to restore services as quickly as possible and set up distribution centers with key resources. Since many roads have been inaccessible, there has been a delay in getting these resources into the hands of our WNC residents. 

Rescue Efforts:

While incredible rescue teams have been deployed, it is important to note that many active rescues and efforts are ongoing throughout the Asheville region to assist those affected, including residents evacuated from flooded areas.  

Safety First:

Please do not travel to Western North Carolina at this time. We will have limited operations through 10/11/24 as we assess our community's needs and current renters' safety. Many of our staff are in the process of evacuating or are working remotely after evacuating the area. In the midst of this extremely difficult time for our community and local team, we are experiencing a very high call and email volume. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we respond as swiftly as possible. 

As the situation develops, we will continue updating you with the latest information. In the meantime, visit ReadyNC.gov's Emergency Information page for real-time updates on road conditions and power restoration efforts. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact us at info@greybeardrentals.com. 

Stay safe, and we look forward to welcoming you back to Asheville once conditions improve.

Housing for Emergency Workers

Greybeard Rentals is offering housing for emergency response teams and workers seeking housing. Please inquire with our Reservations team for details and availability.

Support Relief Efforts:

For those who want to support our beautiful mountain region and its residents through on-the-ground efforts and individuals taking care of their fellow neighbors, consider donating to the charities, non-profits, and relief organizations below: 

• BeLoved Asheville 
• Bounty & Soul
• Hearts With Hands (Swannanoa/Asheville)
• Foothills Food Hub (McDowell County)
• Swannanoa Community Council
• Black Mountain Community (Monte Vista Hotel)- The Monte Vista Hotel is currently providing shelter, donations, and food to the community (many of whom have lost homes, businesses, and loved ones in the area). The fund will support employees, provide food and relief for the community, and keep the hotel open during this time.
• United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
• Brother Wolf Animal Rescue
• Mutual Aid Disaster Relief
• Manna Food Bank in Asheville- This organization works to end food insecurity in the 16 counties of Western North Carolina, including the Qualla Boundary. They had to close operations due to flooding, and their building was majorly damaged. 
• WNC Rural Organizing and Resilience (ROAR)
  
• Day One Relief Collaboration
• Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry
• Black Mountain Presbyterian Church- They are feeding hundreds of people hot meals, listening to their stories, and sharing hugs. All funds donated will go directly into the communities of Black Mountain and Swannanoa Valley.
• World Central Kitchen