The Tuesday, Oct. 29, Buncombe County Helene recovery briefing addressed a stomach flu outbreak, the absentee ballot deadline, parks reopening and more.
Also included were daily updates on food and water distribution and locations of Community Care Centers where showers, laundry and other essentials are available.
Briefings go live daily on the Buncombe County Facebook page at 11 a.m. You can also find recordings of past briefings on the page. Here’s what was covered in Tuesday’s briefing.
Absentee ballot request, mailing deadline
Oct. 29 is the last day to request absentee ballots. More than 80,000 Buncombe County residents have cast their ballots so far, with 6,000 of those being absentee. The post office asks voters to mail their absentee ballots a week in advance to make sure they are received by the Nov. 5 Election Day, so Oct. 29 also is the last day to do so. Absentee ballots can also be dropped off at any early voting site or at the Election Services Office at 59 Woodfin Place in Asheville.
Early voting in Buncombe County
Early voting continues everyday through Saturday, Nov. 3 at 3 p.m. Currently, an average of 6,700 people are voting early each day.
Use the wait map at buncombecounty.org/vote to see how many people are in line to help you choose where to go. Weekends are usually less busy for early voting. You can vote at any of the following locations:
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West Asheville Library
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Black Mountain Library
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East Asheville Library
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Enka-Candler Library
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Fairview Library
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Leicester Community Center
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South Buncombe Library
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UNCA Health & Counseling Center
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Weaverville Community Center
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Dr. Wesley Grant Southside Center
Stomach flu outbreak in Buncombe County
Buncombe Country Health and Human Services Medical Director Dr. Jennifer Mullendore warned that the risk of gastroenteritis often increases after a flood. Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain or cramping, headaches, muscle aches and fever.
The risk increases for a variety of reasons, including:
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Contact with sewage or contaminated water.
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Decreased ability for appropriate hand hygeine and safe food handling practices.
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Lack of consistent refrigeration due to power outages.
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Organisms washed from livestock areas to areas growing fruit and vegetables.
Gastroenteritis can be caused by a number of contaminants, including:
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Norovirus
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Hepatitis A
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Cryptosporidium
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E Coli
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Salmonella
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Shigella
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Campylobacter
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Giardia
Mullendore said that Public Health Epidemiologists with NCDHHS continually review public health data to identify illnesses, infections and conditions that are affecting the health of people in N.C. They review real-time data from emergency departments and some urgent cares that show the reasons that people are seeking care at these facilities. They also review reports from health care providers and medical laboratories. Additional public health epidemiologists work at large hospitals across the state, including Mission Hospital, to monitor illnesses being seen on a local level.
Review of this data has shown a recent increase in campylobacter cases above baseline in Buncombe County. Campylobacter is typically the most common reportable gastrointestinal illness in Buncombe County, typically caused by cross-contamination of food preparation or kitchenware with raw or undercooked poultry. It can also be spread through touching animals or their food, water, feces or habitats, and by drinking untreated water.
Based on patient interview, this increase does appear to be storm-related, with a variety of potential sources, including deficiencies in appropriate hand hygiene, food handling issues and contaminated food preparation surfaces. Mullendore made it clear, however, that those preparing food for relief efforts aren’t to blame. The conditions created by the storm make it easier for campylobacter and other contaminants to spread.
“When people lack the normal resources to perform these tasks, the risk of illness increases,” she said.
There has also been a slight uptick in visits to emergency departments for general gastrointestinal illness in the county. It’s too early to tell if this is the start of an increasing trend, a return to baseline or just a “blip.” Epidemiologists at the state are continuing to monitor this data.
More: Asheville police chief reflects on Helene recoveries: 10 city residents yet to be found
Legionnaire’s disease risk
Finally, Mullendore warned hot tub owners (and users) that, due to Helene, hot tubs may have been flooded, damaged or may not have received regular maintenance and cleaning. Hot tub contaminants can lead to harmful buildup of bacteria including the bacteria that causes Legionnaire’s disease, a serious form of pneumonia. Ensure your hot tub is clean and decontaminated post-Helene before using.
Fire danger and emergency response delays
Emergency Services Assistant Director Ryan Cole provided several messages to WNC residents. First, Cole cautioned the community that delayed emergency responses should be expected in areas with compromised infrastructure or remaining debris in roads.
Cole also reminded the community of fire danger approaching. As leaves fall, leaf litter becomes fuel for potential wildfires. The area is experiencing higher humidity in afternoons and mornings, with current forecasts predicting that this will continue. If levels do begin to drop, however, fire danger will further increase. Be mindful of humidity levels and associated fire danger.
Finally, Cole reminded anyone using alternative housing to check fire safety measures. Check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in temporary housing.
Community Care Centers in Buncombe County
Community Care Centers are open and ready with showers, laundry and more. Tonight, Oct. 29, the Swannanoa Ingles Station will have new equipment switched out. While no disruptions are expected, the county recommended visiting any other station in the area tomorrow morning, Oct. 30, to avoid possible delays. The new site at Swannanoa Ingles will include drop-off laundry service.
Community Care Center locations include:
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A.C. Reynolds High School (ADA showers and restrooms)
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At Home Store parking lot (ADA showers and restrooms)
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Big Lots/Innsbrook mall
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Buncombe County Sports Park (ADA showers and restrooms)
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Bethel United Methodist (ADA showers and restrooms)
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Swannanoa Ingles (ADA showers and restrooms)
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Owen Pool (ADA showers and restrooms)
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Morgan Hill Baptist Church (ADA showers and restrooms)
Free vaccines
Buncombe County registered nurses and the Mobile Team are offering free Tdap, COVID, flu and hepatitis A vaccines at some Community Care Centers including:
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Swannanoa Ingles: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 12-6 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
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Buncombe County Sports Park: Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
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Big Lots: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 12-6 p.m.
Buncombe County food and water distribution sites
Water and MREs (meals ready to eat) are available at the following distribution sites open every day:
More: FEMA opens new Disaster Recovery Center in Buncombe County
Buncombe County parks reopen
Buncombe County Parks and Recreation announced the opening of Glen Bridge and Corcoran Paige River Parks. While the parks are open, county officials reminded the public not to use the river.
The disc golf course at the Buncombe County Sports Park has also been cleared to open and is ready for play. The sports park continues to serve as a water distribution site and Community Care Center. County officials asked anyone visiting to play to park outside of the lots where these services are occurring. Parking is available by fields 1, 2, 8 and 9.
The county also reminded the community that no one should attempt to access closed parks including Lake Julian, Owen and Karpen Soccer Fields. The Ledges Whitewater, Alexander and Walnut Island River parks also remain closed. Hominy Valley Park and North Buncombe Fields are open.
Storm debris cleanup, waste disposal
As of Oct. 29, 40,000 cubic yards of storm debris has been collected in Barnardsville and Swannanoa — roughly the size of 40,000 full-sized mattresses. Debris cleanup, which includes debris from trees, branches, homes, businesses and vehicles, will be a “lengthy process.”
Bagged household trash drop-off is located today at Hearts with Hands at 850 Warren Wilson Road at the circle drive closest to Owen Park.
Temporary debris sites, including the Enka Commerce site, are not accessible to the public. Place storm debris in the right-of-way for collection.
Town of Black Mountain reflects and remembers
The Town of Black Mountain has invited the community to join together tonight, Oct. 29, at 6 p.m. in Town Square for a Community Reflection and Remembrance Program to recognize and honor grief and loss caused by Tropical Storm Helene as a town, valley and region. The program will also be livestreamed on Black Mountain’s official Facebook page at facebook.com/townofblackmountain.
One Buncombe Call Center
The One Buncombe Call Center is ready to answer any Helene-related questions at 828-250-6100. Starting this Wednesday, Oct. 30, the One Buncombe Call Center will be open every day from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Buncombe Helene recovery: Stomach flu risk, voting, parks reopen, more
