When will schools reopen?

Buncombe County Schools will reopen on Friday, October 25. That day, along with the school days of Oct. 28 through Nov. 1, will operate on a two-hour delay for students. For more information, visit www.buncombeschools.org.

Is the town water supply safe to drink? 

Until further notice, the Town of Black Mountain is under a Boil Water Notice for all Town of Black Mountain water customers due to loss of pressure in distribution system pipes and levels of turbidity (particles) in the water. IT IS REQUIRED FOR CUSTOMERS TO VIGOROUSLY BOIL TAP WATER FOR ONE (1) MINUTE BEFORE CONSUMING IT. Water can be used for flushing toilets, laundry, bathing, and washing hands for basic personal hygiene but not for home or commercial food preparation. During bathing, please monitor small children to ensure they do not accidentally drink the water. Infants can be given sponge baths. It’s recommended that you flush your system before you turn on your hot water heater. Even when water resumes, please limit use until systems are fully operational. This restriction will remain until further notice. CLICK HERE for more information.

What do I do if I still don’t have water? 

If you do not have water, contact the Town Water Administration department at 828-419-9313. Bottled water will still be available at the Emergency Assistance locations.

How do I get updates about water? 

If you are on Black Mountain water, you can sign up for water updates at TownofBlackMountain.org or visit our Media page for the latest information. If you pay your water bill to Asheville, follow their announcements for water updates. CLICK HERE for more information.

What should I do if I notice a water leak? 

Turn off the water main at your meter box to prevent water loss. If you cannot shut it off yourself, contact the Town Water Department at 828-419-9313 and they will assist you. For more detailed information, visit our Media/Town Updates page. 

Who do I call if I see a sewer issue? 

If you have questions regarding sewer backup, call the Metropolitan Sewerage District at 828-768-0540.

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. If your power is still out, please switch your front porch light on, this helps linemen tell if the power is restored and streamlines electricity restoration operations.

What kind of help is available to help me repair my private road or bridge?

If an individual had a privately-owned road or bridge damaged or destroyed by Helene, federal assistance may be available for replacement or repairs. CLICK HERE to view or download a helpful Q&A.

What is the status of trash and recycling pick-up services?

Residential and commercial trash/recycling pickup in Black Mountain resumes its regular schedule on Monday, October 21 with some exceptions. For those who need them, dumpsters are still available for household trash in the public parking lot on Terry Estate Drive. Dumpsters are for Black Mountain residents only. Place all bags inside the dumpsters and DO NOT OVERFILL. CLICK HERE for more information.

What about debris and bulk item removal services?

The Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) will soon assist the town with removing storm debris, yard waste and bulk items. Residents can begin placing storm debris near their roads. CLICK HERE for more information.

How can I report suspicious activity?

Call 911 immediately to report any suspicious activity. Stay alert and do not engage with unfamiliar individuals acting suspiciously. There have been a few reports of scammers and price gouging in the area. To report a scam, call 877-566-7226. Do not give your personal information to any personnel without an identification badge.

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 risks have reached dangerous levels, so the Town of Black Mountain has instituted a temporary burn ban within town limits. We kindly ask that if you live outside of town that you voluntarily refrain from burning as well.

When the burn ban is lifted, please continue to use extreme caution. Be sure burn piles are less than 6 feet in diameter and 4 feet in height. Clear an area of not less than 15 feet around burn piles, and keep them at least 25 feet away from structures and sections where yards meet forests. Be sure to have methods of extinguishment, including water supply (if available), shovel or digging device, or a fire extinguisher.

What are the current road conditions? 

CLICK FOR MAP OF DAMAGED ROADS/BRIDGES IN BLACK MOUNTAIN. Non-essential travel is still discouraged as damaged roads may not support heavy traffic. Traffic is also hindering repair efforts. Barricades are in short supply, and not all road hazards are marked, so please drive with caution.

How do I apply for FEMA disaster assistance? 

Apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster assistance at disasterassistance.gov. There are dozens of FEMA staff members currently on site in Black Mountain. Be wary of scammers and only provide your information to personnel with official FEMA identification. More information is available on this site’s Emergency Assistance, Recovery Resources, and Business Recovery pages.

I hear that North Carolina building inspectors began conducting damage assessments starting the week of October 14. What does that entail?

North Carolina building inspectors and members of the Red Cross will be conducting a damage assessment in the Black Mountain area during the week of October 14. A damage assessment is a rapid evaluation conducted by authorized personnel to gauge the overall impact of a disaster on the community. It focuses on estimating the extent of damage to infrastructure, public services, and residential or commercial properties, including but not limited to the determination if a building is safe to enter. Learn what a damage assessment is—and is not—on our More of the Story Blog.

Do I have to wait for a FEMA home inspection or insurance adjuster to begin clean-up and repairs?

No, you don’t have to wait.

• CLICK HERE to view the Fact Sheet about what to expect after applying with FEMA.

• CLICK HERE to view the FEMA Fact Sheet, “Don’t Wait to Clean Up After a Storm.”

More information can be found on the Emergency Assistance page.

Is the town charging development (permit) fees during the recovery? 

No, the Town has suspended all development fees through June 30, 2025. However, you must still obtain a permit from the Town before beginning any work. Examples of development fees are: building permits, floodplain development, and land disturbance. More information can be found on the Recovery Resources page.

Where can I get food, water, and other supplies? 

Visit the Emergency Assistance page for our directory. Additional locations and resources throughout the county are listed on the Buncombe County website. Qualifying residents of Western North Carolina can apply for help buying food through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) program offered by the NC Department of Health and Human Services.

Additionally, BMT Volunteer Corp is inviting all residents of Black Mountain, Swannanoa Valley, and other local areas to request assistance through an online household needs assessment. This will help the Corp distribute donated supplies according to critical needs. CLICK HERE to take the survey in either English or Spanish.

How do I prepare for cold weather? 

As the weather starts to get cooler, make sure you are taking precautions to keep yourself and your family safe.

• Never run generators indoors.

• Never use a gas oven to heat your home.

• Make sure you 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.

Information about obtaining clothing and other supplies can be found on the Emergency Assistance page.

Additionally, the BMT Volunteer Corp is asking that all residents of Black Mountain, Swannanoa Valley and our other local areas to complete a household needs assessment. This will allow the BMT Volunteer Corp to better understand who has what immediate cold weather and safety needs, which will help them distribute supplies accordingly. Items that will be available for distribution through their efforts include blankets, coats, boots, generators with an initial supply of fuel, shovels, small refrigerators, and more. Click here to learn more and take the survey by October 30, 2024.

I own a restaurant in town. May I reopen? 

Buncombe County Health and Human Services has created an expedited process for reopening food service establishments. Restaurant operators should immediately complete the Emergency Operations Plan Survey for Food Service Establishments. Once the form is submitted, food service operators will receive notification if a visit from Environmental Health is required before reopening. An inspector will reach out to you to schedule a visit.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE RESTAURANT OWNER SURVEY

Buncombe County reminds food establishments that operation during a water outage or sewage back-up in the kitchen area is prohibited. Because Black Mountain is under a Boil Water Notice, water cannot be used for home or commercial food preparation. Violations can cause imminent health hazards and may lead to suspension or revocation of a permit. Please contact Environmental Health at 828-250-5016 for more information and related needs.

What should I do with household trash? What about debris and bulk items?

Residential trash pickup will resume its normal schedule beginning Monday, October 21st. If your road was previously serviced by the small scout truck, we won’t be able to provide collection. We are currently working on a solution to this issue. Several roads are still inaccessible and cannot be serviced.

For those without service, dumpsters are available for household trash in the public parking lot on Terry Estate Drive. Collection is not available on Sunday. Do not overfill dumpsters or leave bags outside the dumpsters. Drop off sites are for Black Mountain residents only; be prepared to show identification.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) will be assisting the town with yard waste, bulk item and debris collection. Thank you for your patience as we work through the implementation details.

Where can I access medical and mental health services? 

Locations and resources throughout the county are listed on the Emergency Assistance page and the Buncombe County website.

How can I charge my phone and access the internet? 

A mobile charging and internet station is set up in the lower parking lot of the First Baptist Church at 130 Montreat Road. 

Where can I find reliable information and updates about rescue and recovery efforts in Black Mountain? 

This site is your source for reliable information and timely updates. Town press releases and announcements, which contain situation reports and status updates, are posted regularly on the media page. You can also follow the Town’s Facebook page: fb.com/townofblackmountain, or you can obtain information in person at the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center and the Ingles food and water distribution site.

Is the US Postal Service bringing mail in to Black Mountain? 

Yes. According to this USPS press release issues on October 7, the Black Mountain delivery office is attempting delivery where safe to do so. If you have specific questions about your mail delivery, please contact the USPS directly.

How can I request help with hurricane damage 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 remain open until October 25, 2024. 

Where can I get assistance for missing persons? 

Use the NC 211 service by dialing 2-1-1 or calling 1-888-892-1162. You can also visit unitedwaync.org for assistance with search and rescue efforts and welfare checks.

How can I apply for disaster recovery and disaster unemployment assistance? 

Visit des.nc.gov or call 919-629-3857 to apply for disaster unemployment benefits. For disaster recovery assistance, visit tinyurl.com/t7ak2b3p or buncombecounty.org. More information is available on this site’s Emergency Assistance, Recovery Resources, and Business Recovery pages.

What help is available for small businesses and non-profits affected by the hurricane? 

Visit our Business Recovery page for relief and recovery resources available to small businesses and nonprofits. 

Where can I find Town calls for Bids, RFPs and RFQs?

If your business offers goods or services that could support the Town’s non-emergency Helene recovery efforts, you are encouraged to submit a bid, Request For Proposals (RFP), or Request For Qualifications (RFQ). All of this information is housed on the Town of Black Mountain website at townofblackmountain.org/Bids.aspx. There, you can also sign up to receive a text message or email when new bids are added.

Are Town parks open? 

No. All Town parks are closed indefinitely. The parks have suffered significant damage and are not safe at this time. The decision to open parks will be revisited after damage assessments are complete. Some parks will remain closed through clean up and not reopen until restoration is fully complete.

Are facility rentals still available? 

Unfortunately, all rentals have been canceled through November 30, 2024. If you have rented one of our facilities between September 26 and November 30, 2024, and would like a refund, please contact our Recreation Assistant, Michele, at michele.raine@tobm.org. 

Are Town Recreation programs still running?

All ongoing and upcoming programs have been canceled or suspended until further notice. We are working to find an alternate location for our Meal Site and senior programming. Our indoor soccer programs are also being rescheduled and will resume at Grey Eagle once repairs are completed. Additionally, we are in the process of creating new programs to meet the needs of the community, including a Halloween gathering for families, so stay tuned. 

Will there a polling place in Black Mountain for early voting in the 2024 General Election?

Yes, at the Black Mountain Library, 105 N. Dougherty Street. Registered voters in Black Mountain can cast their ballots early from October 17 through November 2. Early voting hours are Oct 17 - Nov 1 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Nov 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00.p.m. For more election information, visit our blog or the Buncombe County website.

How can I help?

Recovery may be the hardest thing we’ll ever do, but recover we will because we are in this together. We are #BlackMountainStrong. CLICK HERE for ways you can volunteer, or donate money, time, and goods or services.