EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

For Immediate Help

Dial 9-1-1 for Police and Fire

Dial 2-1-1 for Welfare Check

Non-Emergency Assistance

Black Mountain Police Department
828-250-6670 

Emergency Assistance FAQs

TOP TRENDING QUESTION: I hear that North Carolina building inspectors are conducting damage assessments beginning the week of October 14. What does that mean?

North Carolina building inspectors and members of the Red Cross will be assessing structures in the Black Mountain area. A damage assessment focuses on estimating the extent of damage to infrastructure, public services, and residential and commercial properties, including but not limited to the determination if a building is safe to enter.

  • What are the current road conditions in town?

    CLICK FOR MAP OF DAMAGED ROADS/BRIDGES IN TOWN. Non-essential travel is discouraged as damaged roads may not support heavy traffic. Barricades are in short supply, so drive with caution as not all hazards are marked.

  • How can I report suspicious activity or a scam?

    Call 911 immediately to report any suspicious activity. Stay alert and do not engage with unfamiliar individuals acting suspiciously. To report a scam or price gouging, call 877-566-7226.

  • Is the town water supply safe to drink?

    The Town is under a BOIL WATER NOTICE. This means you can drink the water that comes out of your tap but only if you boil it vigorously for a full minute before you drink it. Click here for more information.

  • What should I do if my power is out?

    If you are still without power, Duke Energy asks that you text O-U-T to 57801. Visit outagemap.duke-energy.com to check outage status.

  • What should I do if I notice a new water leak?

    Turn off the water main at your meter box to prevent water loss. If you can't shut it off yourself, contact the Town Water Department at 828-419-9300 for help.

  • Is there a curfew in place?

    No. The Town curfew has been lifted as of October 22, 2024.

  • Should I avoid certain areas in town?

    Yes, for your safety, avoid entering rivers, streams, and park facilities until they are officially reopened. Damaged roadways may also pose hazards, so only travel if essential.

  • Is there a risk of fire in the area?

    Yes, fire danger is increasing. Please do not burn brush or debris within town limits, as this could pose a serious risk. Visit our FAQs for more information.

  • How do I prepare for cold weather safety?

    Never run generators indoors. Never use a gas oven to heat your home. Have a functioning carbon monoxide detector. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using a portable heater. If your heat goes out, keep warm indoors by closing off rooms, dressing in layers, and wearing a cap. Info about obtaining clothing and other supplies can be found on the Emergency Assistance page.

  • Who do I call for unemployment assistance?

    Disaster Unemployment Assistance info can be found at https://www.des.nc.gov or by calling 919-629-3857.

  • Can I get help cleaning up damage?

    Call (844) 965-1386 to ask for help. This hotline will remain open through October 25, 2024.

  • When will schools reopen?

    Buncombe County Schools will reopen on Friday, October 25. That day, along with the school days of Oct. 28 - Nov. 1, will operate on a two-hour delay for students. More info at buncombeschools.org

  • Who do I call if I see a sewer issue? 

    Call the Metropolitan Sewerage District at 828-768-0540.

More FAQs

Everyone who experienced Helene needs some kind of help. Here is our list of crisis intervention resources available to serve the immediate needs of our community.

Disaster Aid

FEMA and North Carolina

Hurricane Helene disaster relief, recovery funds, and information are available to Black Mountain residents through both the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State of North Carolina. FEMA recovery funds are available for a number of assistance categories, including the repair or replacement of privately owned roads or bridges that are the only access to the property.

The fastest way to apply for FEMA relief is through DisasterAssistance.gov or via the FEMA app. Although call volume is very high, you may also call 800-621-3362 [TTY: 800-462-7585]. CLICK HERE for a video on how to apply for assistance.

Additionally, Disaster Recovery Centers provide survivors with information from FEMA and the US Small Business Administration. Survivors can get help applying for federal assistance, learn about the types of assistance available, learn about the appeals process, and get updates on applications. Meanwhile, hundreds of Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) staff members continue to work alongside us in Black Mountain, Swannanoa, Asheville, and our neighboring communities.

Disaster Recovery Center
A. C. Reynolds High School
1 Rocket Drive
Asheville, NC 28803

For additional locations, CLICK HERE.

Assistance for Veterans

Are you a U.S. Veteran or V.A. staff member in need of support in the aftermath of Helene? The Department of Veterans Affairs has created a hub for disseminating information and critical updates to at-risk veterans and staff.

Don’t Wait to Clean Up or Make Repairs

Residents with home damage don’t need to wait for a FEMA home inspection or insurance adjuster before beginning to clean up or make repairs. Use the information found in the FEMA Clean-Up Fact Sheet (click below) as your guide. Before you start any structural work, you must get a building permit from the Town of Black Mountain. The Town is waiving permit fees until June 2025. For help with clean-up, call the clean-up assistance hotline at 844-965-1386. Volunteers may be able to assist you, though services are not guaranteed due to high demand. The hotline will be open until October 25, 2024. 

I applied for FEMA assistance. What's next?

Whether or not you have insurance, it is recommended that you create an online FEMA Disaster Assistance Center account. There, you can review your disaster assistance application, provide updates pertaining to your personal information and needs, view messaging sent to you by FEMA, and more.

If you have insurance, you must file a claim with your insurance company when you apply for FEMA assistance because FEMA cannot aid with losses covered by insurance. If your insurance doesn’t cover all your losses or is delayed, you may be eligible for FEMA assistance regarding your unmet needs. If you do not have insurance, there is a process for FEMA to verify your disaster-caused losses.

United Way of North Carolina 2-1-1

Call 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162 or go to nc211.org

NC 211 is a free, confidential, and multilingual health and human services information and referral system that helps connect people to the resources they need. NC 211 is available 24 hours a day throughout the state. It’s managed by United Way of North Carolina.

United Way also provides local relief funds and grants for individuals and families. 

Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(D-SNAP)

You may be eligible to receive a one-time benefit to help buy food through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) offered through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. D-SNAP is available beginning October 18 through the ePASS pre-registration tool. Certain income and resource limits may apply. To be eligible, applicants must:

  • Have suffered losses/damages related to Hurricane Helene, such as damage to property or loss of income.

  • Have proof of identity and proof of residency (if available).

  • Not currently receive benefits through Food and Nutrition Services (FNS). People currently receiving FNS can get extra help to buy food without filling out a D-SNAP application.

Food, Water, Supplies, Shelter, and Charging Stations

Ingles, 550 NC-9, Black Mountain
Noon-4pm and 6pm-8pm daily, park & shop with a volunteer
Free water, food, supplies plus restrooms, handwashing stations

Black Mountain Pool, 401 Laurel Circle Dr.
Monday-Saturday 9am-6pm and Sunday 10am-6pm for potable water, supplies, a landline phone, and solar showers.
Mobile showers available daily 9am-9pm

Black Mountain Presbyterian Church, 117 Montreat Road
Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10am to 2pm, Tuesday and Thursday 3pm to 6pm, Closed Sunday
Supplies

The Railyard, 141 S. Richardson Boulevard
11am - 5pm daily
Supplies, meals

First Baptist Church, 130 Montreat Road (lower parking lot)
Mobile charging and internet connectivity station

Phil’s BBQ Pit, 701 NC Highway 9
Clothing

Additional locations and resources throughout the county are listed on the Buncombe County website

Medical and Mental Health Support

Free Mobile Medical Clinics
Old Fort Train Depot, 25 W. Main St. in Old Fort
Woodlawn Roadside Park, 6687 US Highway 221 N. in Marion
Providers are giving walk-in check-ups, filling prescriptions, and transporting urgent cases to hospitals. 8am-7pm daily

Medical Care
Novant Health Urgent Care, 201 NC-9
8am-8pm daily

Disaster Distress Helpline in English, Spanish and ASL
provided by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
1-800-985-5990 (call or text)

Employee assistance programs
Some employers provide free, short-term counseling through health insurance plans or their human resources department. Check with your HR benefits advisor for availability.

Additional Medical and Mental Health Resources
Visit the Buncombe County resource directory.

Interactive Map of Local Resources

To use the interactive map below, select the resource option(s) in the left column that you want to view. If you select 'Yes' to multiple resources, the map will only display locations that include everything you selected.

Stay in the Know

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  • CodeRED

    The CodeRED system is a free emergency notification service for all Black Mountain residents. Through CodeRED, you'll receive notices directly from Town officials about emergency conditions, road detours, water line breaks, weather-related directives, closures, and other service-related information. You can choose to receive information through phone calls, text messages, emails and/or social media.

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