Help in a hurry: Quick guide to finding essentials in Asheville after flooding from Helene (2024)

(This article will be updated)

Here is essential information that may help Asheville-area residents in the aftermath of Helene and extensive flooding.

Where to find ice

As of Thursday, Oct. 3, free 7-pound bags of ice are available at Home Depot at 795 Fairview Road until supplies run out.

Where to drop off donations

Asheville has partnered with United Way and opened a donation drop-off site, police announced Thursday. Donations may be taken to Harrah's Cherokee Center, at 87 Haywood St., at the front door. Small donations are accepted 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Items accepted include:

• Water
• Nonperishable food
• Personal care items
• Infant care
• Pet food supplies
• Disposable plates and utensils
• Clothing
• Cleaning supplies (including buckets)

Items requiring refrigeration or flammable liquids are not accepted.

Where to find mental health resources

• RHA Health Services: 1-888-573-1006 (available 24/7/365)
• National Alliance on Mental Illness North Carolina: Call: (919) 788-0801 or800-451-9682, Text:919-999-6527,Email:helpline@naminc.org
• Suicide and Crisis lifeline: Call or text 988, 988lifeline.org
• Disaster Distress Helpline: Call or text 1-800-985-5990, (llama o envía un mensaje de texto, presiona “2.") For ASL assistance, call or text 1-800-985-5990
• Care Collaborative for Western North Carolina Clinicians: View a list of over 150 clinicians offering free services here.
• East Carolina University Center for Counseling and Student Development: (252) 328-6661 until Oct. 11 (for UNCA students)

Where to find water for flushing toilets

Water for flushing toilets will be available at Asheville JCC Pool, 40 Clyde St., on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon. Enter from Clyde Street and pull up to the pool gate on North Crescent Street.

Where to find hot meals this week in Western North Carolina

Several churches, businesses and organizations are providing hot meals to those impacted by Tropical Storm Helene:

Haywood County

Clyde Central United Methodist Church, 410 Charles St., is offering meals noon-6 p.m. daily, a Haywood County government spokesperson said in a Wednesday email.

Buncombe County

Tupelo Honey's South Asheville store, at 1829 Hendersonville Road, will serve free hot meals from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., or until supplies run out, each day for at least five days, possibly more, beginning Thursday, Amanda Stevens announced Wednesday. That offer was still open Sunday afternoon.

Tyson Foods will bring aMeals that Matter Disaster Reliefteam to Weaverville in northern Buncombe County to distribute hot meals, water and ice. Volunteers will be set up at the Walmart Supercenter, 25 Northridge Commons Parkway, from noon-5 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily beginning Saturday.

Transylvania County

Daily, 9-11 a.m., noon-2 p.m., 4-6 p.m.

• Cedar Mountain Community Center, 10635 Greenville Highway, daily until power is restored, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Balsam Grove Community Center, 8732 Parkway Road. Daily, noon-2 p.m.
• Bread of Life, 238 S. Caldwell St. through Friday, Oct. 4, 1-4 p.m.
• Smoke On at Champion Park parking lot, 38 Main St., Rosman, through Saturday, Oct. 5, noon-4 p.m.
• Destiny Church, 48 Tiptop Road through Friday, Oct. 4, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• The Hunger Coalition at The Family Place, 970 Old Hendersonville Highway, Friday, Oct. 4, 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 5, 8 a.m. and noon.
• Meals and supplies at Rosman High School old gym, 749 Pickens Highway, Saturday, Oct. 5, noon-5 p.m.
• Bethel A Church, 290 Oakdale St.

Urgent care locations

Mercy Urgent Care locations are open 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.:

• West Asheville: 1201 Patton Ave.
• Weaverville: 61 Weaver Blvd.
• Brevard: 22 Trust Lane
• Waynesville: 120 Frazier St.
• Mercy Urgent Care Foothills: 140 W Mills St.

Novant Go-Health is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at 349 New Leicester Highway.

Hendersonville's AdventHealth open, accepting patients post-Helene

AdventHealth Hendersonville, at 100 Hospital Drive, is open and accepting patients, officials announced.

The hospital in northern Henderson has enacted contingency plans to safely care for patients and has received supplies including food, medicine, fuel and oxygen while working to confirm water safety, according to a news release. The facility has power and phones are working.

"Words cannot begin to express how grateful we are to our extraordinary team members for their efforts through the storm and as we work with our community to recover. Our team members, many dealing with their own loss of property, worked diligently to maintain our exceptional level of patient care, regardless of the weather and other challenges," the hospital said in a statement, released Sunday.

"We are devastated over the losses we have sustained and are praying for our community as we all work care for one another and recover from this storm."

Mission Health open, along with facilities, ER and walk-in care availability

All emergency rooms are open

All Mission Health emergency rooms are open and caring for patients. Find your nearest Mission Health ER.

Walk-in care is available at these Mission Health locations:

Mission My Care Now – Biltmore Park– walk-in services available from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Mission My Care Now – Haywood– walk-in services available with normal hours

Mission My Care Now – McDowell– open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Mission My Care Now – Franklin– normal hours

facilities included, along with our ER and walk-in care availability

Visit Missionhealth.org/Helene for additional information.

As the city of Asheville and surrounding areas continue to work through challenges caused by Hurricane Helene, Mission Health hospitals have remained open and caring for patients since the storm. This is due to the tremendous efforts of colleagues and physicians, as well as the support received from HCA Healthcare. Mission's colleagues have done an exceptional job in the midst of the challenging personal situations they are facing following the storm. Their dedication to patient care has been inspiring. HCA Healthcare colleagues from around the country, including more than 400 nurses, physicians, and other helping hands have been brought in to provide support and relief for Mission Hospital caregivers and assure that Mission has the staff and resources needed to care for everyone with emergency needs.

Mission has cared for more than 1,800 patients and delivered more than 50 babies since the start of the storm.

In an effort to preserve as much potable water as possible for general hospital use, Mission is exploring alternative ways, including the drilling of additional wells, to provide water to cool HVAC units so we can continue to maintain proper temperatures in the hospital.

HCA Healthcare is providing a constant flow of water with over 30 water trucks arriving per day, hundreds of thousands of bottles of water, mobile units including kitchens, bathrooms, showers, laundry and handwashing stations. Additionally, Mini Marts have been set up inside the hospitals that provide colleagues with free groceries including food, water and toiletries.

HCA Healthcare is contributing $1 million toward disaster relief efforts, including $250,000 to the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, $250,000 to the American Red Cross of North Carolina and an additional $500,000 to other community partners that provide direct support for hurricane related issues.

How to receive housing aid

Anyone whose home has been destroyed or severely damaged is eligible to apply for mortgage insurance from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. HUD is also enabling homeowners to finance rehabilitation and repairs for damaged homes, read a statement from the White House.

HUD will provide housing counseling assistance and offer waivers and additional flexibilities to public housing agencies, tribes and recipients of designated federal funding to allow for further aid.

Shelter updates

• A new general shelter has opened at the former Gold's Gym, 1815 Hendersonville Road in Asheville. It has a playroom for children, making it ideal for families. No pets are allowed.
• A general shelter is available at AB Tech Conference Center, 16 Fernihurst Drive in Asheville. Use Victoria Road entrance.
• A medical emergency shelter, 10 Genevieve Circle in Asheville, remains available for those dependent on medical equipment.
• The shelter at the WNC Agricultural Center is full.

Food and water distribution

The city's water system was heavily damaged in the storm, and a boil advisory is in place for Western North Carolina. In a news release, city officials said "restoring service to the full system could potentially take weeks." Meanwhile, food and water distributions are taking place at the following locations from noon to 4 p.m.

The Asheville Police Department is advising people to bring their own containers for water, as supplies are limited. Donations will not be accepted at these sites, however, if you would like to donate, email helenedonations@buncombecounty.org.

"Stay safe and support each other during this recovery process," said police on social media.

• William W. Estes Elementary School - 275 Overlook Road, Asheville
• Sand Hill Elementary - 154 Sand Hill School Road, Asheville (enter via Acton Circle)
• North Windy Ridge Intermediate School - 20 Doan Road, Weaverville
• Fairview Elementary School - 1355 Charlotte Highway, Fairview
• MANNA FoodBank - 570 Brevard Road. Food and water distribution at the farmers market.
• BeLoved Asheville - 32 Old Charlotte Highway. Providing water, food, diapers and baby formula. Spanish-speaking volunteers are available.
• Carolina Day School - 1345 Hendersonville Road. Water distribution from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Each person can receive six bottles or one gallon of water. Distribution will continue until supplies run out, said police.
• First Baptist Church in Weaverville - 63 North Main St. Free meal opportunities start at 1 p.m. and will continue while supplies last. Police plan to continue this daily as possible, and a volunteer team will provide updates if there are any changes or added resources.
• The McDonalds at 950 Patten Ave. will hand out hot meals 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

The Asheville Dream Center is providing rolling updates on aid distribution sites onsocial media.

Communications: Wi-Fi locations

Duke Energy is working to restore power across Buncombe County. Cell service is also down throughout much of the county, with no known restoration timeline. Active Wi-Fi locations include:

• Buncombe County Health Department, 40 Cox Ave., Weaverville.
• Citizen Vinyl, 14 O’Henry Ave., Asheville.
• DoubleTree Hilton Downtown, 199 Haywood St., Asheville.
• Asheville Shelter, Ferguson Building, 340 Victoria Road, Asheville.

Operating pharmacies

As of Wednesday, Oct. 2, these pharmacies in Western North Carolina are operating.

Buncombe County:

• CVS/pharmacy, 505 Smokey Park Highway, Asheville
• CVS/pharmacy, 324 Long Shoals Road, Arden
• Pinnacle Apothecary Candler, 1388 Sand Hill Road, Set 100, Candler
• PSA Pharmacy/Associated Pharmacy Services, Inc., 2294 U.S. Highway 70, Swannanoa
• Publix Pharmacy, 1830 Hendersonville Road, Asheville
• Publix Pharmacy, 165 Weaver Blvd., Weaverville
• Walgreens, 2501 Hendersonville Road, Arden (Cash only)
• Walgreens, 1835 Hendersonville Road, Asheville (Cash only)

Haywood County:

• CVS/pharmacy, 88 N.C. Highway 107, Sylva
• CVS/pharmacy, 773 Russ Ave., Waynesville
• Publix Pharmacy,124 Frazier St., Waynesville
• Walgreens, 590 Russ Ave., Waynesville (Cash only)

Henderson County:

• CVS/pharmacy, 2001 Spartanburg Highway, Hendersonville
• Pardee Rx - Fleming, 1027 Fleming St., Suite A, Hendersonville
• Publix Pharmacy, 635 Greenville Highway, Hendersonville

Madison County:

• CVS/pharmacy, 191 Carl Eller Road, Mars Hill
• Marshburn Medical Center, 590 Medical Park Drive, Marshall

McDowell County:

• CVS/pharmacy, 555 N. Main St., Marion

Curfews in effect

In effect from 7:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. within Asheville city limits.

Emergencies

For any life-threatening situations, always call 911. Buncombe County has a line for reports of downed trees, debris and other non-emergencies:828-250-6650.

Groceries

• Food Lion: 179 Paragon Pkwy., Clyde.
• Trader Joe’s: 120 Merrimon Ave., Asheville.
• Ingles Markets(cash only): 575 New Leicester Highway, Asheville.
• Walmart: 1636 Hendersonville Road, Asheville.
• Publix: 165 Weaver Blvd., Asheville.
• West Village Marketis open with limited hours selling groceries, such as produce, meat, and vegan and nondairy items at771 Haywood Road, Asheville.
• Walls Wine Baris open and selling beer, wine, vegan cheese and chocolate at its art gallery and wine bar at38 Broadway St.downtown.

Money: Getting cash at ATMs

Many stores are unable to take credit or debit cards because of communications disruptions. If you need to get cash, note that lines at working ATMs can be long.

Missing persons reports

To report a person believed to be missing or unaccounted for, voicemails can be left for the Buncombe County Family Assistance Center at 828-820-2761. The county also created a form — bit.ly/3TLSLNK — to notify Buncombe officials of loved ones who aren't accounted for.

School closures

• Asheville City Schools: closed.
• Buncombe County Schools: closed as of Monday, Oct. 7.
• Asheville-Buncombe Tech: closed until further notice.
• UNC Asheville: campus is closed for all activities outside of mandatory employees through Oct. 14, classes are suspended until at least Oct. 28.
• Western Carolina University: operating under reduced operations through Sunday, Oct. 20. Cullowhee campus scheduled to resume normal operations on Monday, Oct. 21
• Appalachian State University: Closed through at least Tuesday, Oct. 15.

Supplies: Construction

• Ace Hardware: 800 Fairview Road, Asheville.
• Lowe’s: 95 Smokey Park Highway, Asheville.
• Home Depot:
  • 795 Fairview Road, Asheville.
  • 127 Acton Circle, Asheville.

To donate to relief efforts

• American Red Cross: redcross.org
• GoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/c/act/hurricane-helene
• The Salvation Army: www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org
• United Way: support.unitedway.org/page/Helene
• World Central Kitchen: wck.org
• Humane Society Disaster Relief: www.humanesociety.org

How to help the Asheville Humane Society

TheAsheville Humane Societywas able to evacuate around 100 animals to shelters outside of Western North Carolina, but now needs gas and monetary donations. Donate via Venmo@ashevillehumaneor attinyurl.com/AshevilleHumaneDonate.

"...Although we sent out every animal in our care that was in a good spot to be transported, we still have medical needs animals here that we need to care for, and we need to prepare for a potential influx of animals, and that is made possible through donations," said AHS Content Coordinator Colleen Daly.

The humane society also needs volunteers. People interested in volunteering may join theirvolunteer Facebook groupto keep an eye out for volunteer requests.

Text message updates

As a resource in these tough times, we are staffing a text message service to bring you and your loved ones thelatest updates on Hurricane Helene, connect you with resourcesand answer any questions you have. This will give you direct access to reporters and editors in the newsroom who can help you find information about ongoing weather warnings, local services and more.

Tosign up, text "Hello" to (239) 241-6343. If you have friends in the area, please share this phone number so they can sign up for updates as needed.