LIVE UPDATES, Oct. 1: 57 killed in Buncombe County; water, supplies being offered

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — These are the live updates for Oct. 1 following the destruction of Hurricane Helene, which came through Western North Carolina Sept. 26-27.

11:30 P.M. – Jackson County Public Schools update

Jackson County Public Schools announced that there will be no school for students on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday of this week, and teachers have an optional workday.

JCPS will continue to serve meals daily through Friday, Oct. 4 from 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. at Blue Ridge School, Smokey Mountain Elementary and Smoky Mountain High School.

7:30 P.M. – Black Mountain leaders give update on Helene damage

Black Mountain’s water and sewer system remains down and a restoration time is unknown, town leaders said in a press release Tuesday.

“Water restoration within the Town of Black Mountain will be dependent on the North Fork water line, which received significant damage,” the release said.

Power was restored to parts of downtown, but the majority of Black Mountain, Montreat and Ridgecrest remain without power.

Read the full update below:

6:30 P.M. – Henderson County update

Henderson County Resource Hub locations will be open Wednesday, Oct. 2, starting at 9 a.m. for water distribution and other supplies as they become available.

The locations are listed here:

• Etowah Elementary, 320 Etowah School Road Etowah, NC 28729
• Rugby Middle, 3345 Haywood Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28791
• East Henderson High, 150 Eagle Pride Dr, East Flat Rock, NC 28726
• North Henderson High, 35 Fruitland Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792
• Mills River Town Hall, 124 Town Center Drive. Mills River, NC 28759
• Fletcher Town Hall, 300 Old Cane Creek Rd Fletcher, NC 28732

A new donation drop-off site has been established at 118 McAbee Court, Flat Rock, NC 28731. Needed items include non-perishable food items, bottled water, toiletries and baby powder formula.

Visit this website for a full list of accepted items and donation information.

Henderson County is still in a State of Emergency. The county-wide 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. curfew is still in effect.

6 P.M. – Canton mayor update

Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers says the town is “on the brink of fully restoring water and power to all residents.” Smathers released a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Tuesday afternoon.

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“We won’t rest easy until every citizen, within and beyond our town limits, is stabilized,” his statement read, in part.

The mayor added that downtown is open for businesses and volunteers, but urged citizens to use caution as there are areas that remain hazardous. He also said cell phone service remains an issue for the area.

Donations are being accepted behind Town Hall (85 Summer Street). Donations will be relocated to IP Sports Complex for distribution. Needed items include:

• Non-perishable food and pop-top cans
• Water (gallon jugs)
• Baby formula, diapers, wipes
• Pet food
• Toiletries (toothpaste, deodorant)
• First aid supplies
• Feminine products
• Soap, sanitizer, paper towels, cleaning supplies
• New socks and underwear
• Batteries (AA, C, D)
• Rope and tarps
• Gloves (nitrile, latex, leather)
• Shovels
• Bar and chain oil
• small propane tanks

Those wishing to volunteer can also gather at the IP Sports Complex. For information, call Byron Hickox at 828-734-3946.

4 P.M. – Buncombe County Update

Sheriff Quentin Miller confirms that there have been a total of 57 storm-related fatalities in Buncombe County as of 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 1. No names will be released until all next of kin are reached.

Buncombe County asks anyone with donations, equipment or questions about specific needs to email helenedonations@buncombecounty.org.

Beloved Asheville is now also taking donations; they are providing food, water, diapers and baby formula.

MANNA FoodBank is also launching a critical donations and distribution effort. Food and water distribution will start tomorrow, Oct. 2.

Carolina Day School will distribute water from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. this week.

In Woodfin, water distribution is available at North Windy Ridge Intermediate School.

2 PM – Local representatives of North Carolina/WNC hold a news conference at the WNC Farmer’s Market

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, U.S., Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd, and U.S. Representatives David Rouzer, Greg Murphy and Chuck Edwards talk about ongoing relief efforts, storm damage and community needs.

12 P.M. – Asheville opens second distribution site

City of Asheville announces another water distribution site at Asheville Middle School, open until dark.

BUNCOMBE, ASHEVILLE WATER DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION (OCT. 1)

11:30 A.M. – Woodfin food/water distribution

Woodfin Police Department said food, water and 500 meals will be handed out at the Town Hall located at 90 Elk Mountain Road, starting at 2 p.m.

11 A.M. – Gov. Cooper updates on state’s storm response

10 A.M. – Buncombe County Update

Buncombe County leaders provide an update on Helene recovery efforts. The meeting is expect to start at 10 a.m.

7:15 A.M. – Update on trash, schools, cell service

Anchors Charles Perez and Karen Zatkulak spoke with Lillian Govus, the Buncombe County communications and public engagement director, who said things are improving today, but that it was still a slow work in progress.

Govus gave the following updates:

Trash: The trash pickup has been put on hold indefinitely. The landfill is open, but the transfer station is closed, Govus said, and it could be for quite some time. Curbie Recycling in Weaverville will also remain closed indefinitely.

Schools: Buncombe County Schools and Asheville City Schools are also closed indefinitely.

Cell service: There is a tower at 35 Woodfin Street, and Govus said there are more resources coming in. She said, “Today, I believe we will see some big progress with cell service and wi-fi capabilities.”

Water distribution: Buncombe County has the four sites set up today for water distribution, but Govus said the community can expect to see more in the coming days. “These are just the first four that were available to open, but we are expecting to expand and offer more,” she said.

6:30 A.M. – City of Asheville, Buncombe County announce water distribution sites

The City of Asheville and Buncombe County announced water distribution sites for Tuesday, Oct. 1.

For the City of Asheville, Pack Square will be distributing water, and residents must bring their own containers. There will be a limit of two gallons per person or five gallons per family. The distribution begins at 9 a.m.

For Buncombe County, there will be four sites: Sandy Hill Elementary, North Windy Ridge Intermediate School, Fairview Elementary School and Estes Elementary School.

6:30 A.M. – Henderson County announces water, supply distribution sites

According to a news release, Henderson County will have six Resource Hub locations today beginning at 9 a.m. for water distribution and other supplies as they become available.

Below are the locations:

• Etowah Elementary, 320 Etowah School Road Etowah
• Rugby Middle, 3345 Haywood Rd, Hendersonville
• East Henderson High, 150 Eagle Pride Dr, East Flat Rock
• North Henderson High, 35 Fruitland Rd, Hendersonville
• Mills River Town Hall, 124 Town Center Drive. Mills River
• Fletcher Town Hall, 300 Old Cane Creek Rd Fletcher

Each family unit will be provided supplies for one day’s meal and water as it is available. Individuals are asked to enter the drive-through Resource Hubs and remain in their cars unless instructed otherwise by volunteers, to ensure an efficient process.

In order for the Resource Hubs to function smoothly, efficiently and safely, officials ask for the public’s patience while waiting for their supplies.

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5:30 A.M. – Salvage Station destroyed, crew is safe

Salvage Station off Riverside Drive made an emotional post on Facebook, saying it had good and bad news.

“Like many businesses in our region, Salvage Station was completely destroyed by Hurricane Helene. The extent to which this storm has affected our area is absolutely immeasurable,” the post said.

But the post said the entire crew was safe and taking good care of each other.

“We were even able to find our three Salvage Station cats who miraculously survived the storm and were eager to be fed and loved on. Our community is still in survival mode right now with very little resources, no power, water or fuel. Communication is spotty so we will update as we are able… big love,” the post said.

5 A.M. – Chick-fil-A in Hendersonville to feed first responders

The Chick-fil-A in Hendersonville, located at 52 Highlands Square Drive, posted on social media that it will be offering meals to first responders on Oct. 1 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

“Please share this with your first responders and lineman friends and family. If your crew can not make it to our store and you need to take it to go, please call 828-693-8080,” the post said.

The post said the restaurant plans to open for business to the public on Oct. 3.

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5 A.M. – Biltmore Estate to reopen on Oct. 3

Biltmore Estate posted on social media that it will remain closed through Oct. 3.

“This is a heartbreaking situation for our community and region. The safety of our guests and employees is our top priority, and we appreciate your patience as we assess the damage of last weekend’s storm and work to repair communication channels,” the post said.

Updates on Biltmore Estate will be available at its website.