Storm Recovery Update
MSD, Water, Buncombe County, Asheville City, HCA, Tourism Development, and APD. #ashevillestrong #ashevillenc #asheville
MSD Update (from MSD Director Tom Hartye)
-The treatment plant was operational and treating sewage during the entire weather event.
-Back-up power was used for a while, but the plant is now on utility power.
-The plant did not flood.
-All major lines are working. 38 out of 40 pump stations are working, half of them are on back-up power with staff ferrying fuel to the generators. Two remaining smaller pump stations were totally inundated but should be online soon.
-Toilets may be flushed, but residents should check their own plumbing lines for damage.
-MSD crews assisted Woodfin Water by building a road to their treatment plant and fixing 3 leaks on the interceptor. Water is currently filling up the system and Woodfin Water folks are flushing and looking for leaks.
Water update (from Ben Woody, Assistant City Manager)
-On week 2 of restoration.
-Working on re-construction of the by-pass line into the North Fork treatment plant. Tennoca Construction and T&K Utilities working tirelessly 24 hours per day on the project.
-25 feet remains in order to complete the line on this part of the connection - hopefully done in 72 hours.
-Too much turbidity in the reservoir water to go through the treatment process currently. Sediment must settle.
-FEMA and EPA engineers are on site assisting the construction.
-Additional water lines will have to be replaced throughout the system which will show up as the system is pressurized again.
-Mills River Treatment plant is fully operational, and lines are pressurized. Please conserve the water!
-Still talking weeks for restoration – not days.
Buncombe County Update (from various sources)
-Waste Pro will begin normal pick-up routes beginning on Tuesday (10/8/24) where roadways/homes are accessible. The landfill is open 6 am to 6 pm M-F and 8 am to 3 pm on Saturday to accept trash.
-Buncombe County and City of Asheville permit fees will be waived and expedited for storm repair and recovery efforts.
-The general election will occur on schedule. Plans are being reviewed for precincts and volunteers.
-Well water should be disinfected and tested if the well was breached by flooding.
-Environmental Health is visiting food service establishments to ensure safe operations.
-67,000 Buncombe County residents still remain without power.
City of Asheville Updates (from various sources)
-Solid Waste: trash pickup will resume in targeted areas on Monday (today). Routes are based on road accessibility. There will be no recycling pick-up, it will be collected as trash at this time. Will not pick up flood debris.
-Transit: The City of Asheville’s transit will provide limited fare free transit 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting on Monday to accessible routes.
HCA Mission Hospital (from Greg Lowe, CEO)
-The hospital has been operational through the entirety of the storm. It has stable power and is without municipal water, but it has pressurized, potable water within the facility. This requires 40-50 tanks of wter feeding the hospital system. Outpatient clinics and care settings are opening as power is being restored and as they are deemed safe.
Tourism Development (from Vic Isley, CEO)
-Thanked hotel owners for housing first responders who have come into our community to help.
-TDA has suspended all advertising campaigns and is asking visitors to delay visiting.
-Small business assistance center opened at the Asheville Area Chamber.
-Setting up donation and assistance funds for recovery.
-Water is critical for businesses in order to begin recovery.
Asheville Police Department (from Chief Mike Lamb)
-APD is at full patrol and detective staffing.
-Getting assistance from outside agencies (Greensboro, Holly Springs, New Jersey, and New York).
-FBI and Homeland Security are assisting with identifying deceased persons.
-APD is...arresting looters, looking for missing persons, performing search and rescue, preventing theft and burglary, and using specialized drone teams to aid in the recovery efforts.
-Warned of scammers coming into the area. Beware!
-Reminded everyone that a 7:30 pm to 7:30 am curfew is still in effect. Please observe.
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