ASHEVILLE – The county is working to open water distribution sites and will announce the sites when they open, said Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder.
None are open yet, as of 4 p.m., Sept. 28.
“We expect to have that up and running by tomorrow,” Pinder said.
“We continue to be without water, for most, without power and without cell service.”
Buncombe County Emergency Services Assistant Director Ryan Cole said Highway Patrol is trying to escort “needed supplies” and resources into the area.
Interstate 26 is open to South Carolina, he said.
“With that we are able to utilize that for resources to be able to get those in. All other access points, from I-40, going over Old Fort mountain; I-40 through the gorge; and I-26 going to Tennessee will remain closed for an extended period of time due to the damage.”
Cole said there are “several tractor trailer loads” of resources, including food and water, requested to come into the area.
With only one access point, Cole urged people not to drive unless necessary.
“Please stay at home so that we can get these resources in,” he said.
“Once we receive those we will coordinate with the city of Asheville in setting up locations for distribution. We will have points of distribution for food and water in Buncombe County, the city of Asheville and surrounding communities.”
He said the amount that can be given out to each household will likely be “minimal.”
‘Fill bathtubs’
Customers who currently have water should fill bathtubs and other available containers in preparation for loss of service, the city said in a Sept. 28 update. With limited resources, it told people to only use potable water for drinking, not for flushing.
The State Emergency Operations Center is sending potable water to Asheville, the update said. Designated distribution points will be established and a distribution system is currently being put in place.
When will water be restored?
Preliminary assessments of the Asheville water system revealed that the storm had caused severe damage, said Assistant City Manager Ben Woody. “This means that extensive repairs are required to restore our water system.”
Government and private sector partners have been engaged to begin the procurement process for additional materials, equipment and personell. Assessment is ongoing and will continue as flood waters recede, he said.
He reminded people that a boil water advisory is in place, meaning: boil water vigorously for at least one minute before using as drinking water.
This is a “generational weather event,” Woody said. “Although providing an accurate timeline is impossible, I want to be clear that service restoration will be an extended effort.”
This story will be updated.
Sarah Honosky is the city government reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. News Tips? Email [email protected] or message on Twitter at @slhonosky. Please support local, daily journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville water distribution sites in the wake of Helene: What we know
