Flooding, power outages reported ahead of Helene’s arrival
(WLOS) — (2:30 P.M.) – Buncombe County leaders urge anyone along the French Broad or Swannanoa Rivers in the Fletcher and Biltmore Village area are asked to self-evacuate before the rivers’ anticipated crests overnight Friday into Saturday morning.
A press release from county officials said flooding is expected to rival and/or surpass flooding from the 1916 flood.
“If you are in an impacted area, you should leave now,” said Emergency Services Director Taylor Jones. “It’s possible we may get to a point where our crews will not physically be able to perform rescues. We cannot emphasize how much you should take this seriously.”
BUNCOMBE COUNTY LEADERS URGE RESIDENTS TO SELF-EVACUATE SOME AREAS ALONG FRENCH BROAD, SWANNANOA
(12:30 P.M.) – The city of Hendersonville has enacted the Flood Response PlanLevel 3, meaning major flooding is occurring.
News 13 crews saw rushing water along Greenville Highway near Publix Thursday morning. Police were blocking off the road at Chadwick Avenue.
Residents and businesses in the floodway and floodplain should review the urgent preparedness information. City government offices are closed as of noon Thursday through Friday, Sept. 27.
Current road closures are posted on the city’s website.
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(11 A.M.) – Gov. Roy Cooper holds a press update on Helene preps.
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(10 A.M.) – Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder and Buncombe County EMS Director Taylor Jones provide updates on Hurricane Helene preparations, precautions, and the current State of Emergency.
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Flooding and power outages are reported around the mountains Wednesday evening and Thursday morning due to consistent rain and downpours.
As of Thursday morning, NCDOT says there are more than 30 road closures around the mountains due to weather. News 13 crews reported ponding water on parts of Interstate 26 early Thursday morning.
Viewer video out of Biltmore Village in Asheville showed cars driving through high water, with one sedan nearly becoming submerged.
BUNCOMBE, HAYWOOD, OTHER MOUNTAIN COUNTIES DECLARE STATE OF EMERGENCY
A photo out of Spruce Pine showed flood waters at a cabin at Gem Mountain. Video showed water rushing underneath a nearby road.
Emergency crews in Rutherford County sent an alert around 11:38 p.m. Wednesday, warning that the Lake Lure tainter gates were operating above six feet and warned residents below the dam in low-lying areas to stay alert for rising waters.
McDowell County Emergency Management ordered a mandatory evacuation for River Breeze Campground, located in Marion, due to flash flooding. An emergency shelter was open at Glenwood Baptist Church, located at 155 Glenwood Baptist Church Road.
Many school districts and public officesacross the mountainshave closedThursday due to the threat of flooding and wind. States of emergency have been issued locally and at the state level.
Heavy, widespread rain will continue Thursday ahead of Helene’s arrival in the mountains. More heavy rain will fall Thursday night and Friday morning.
Helene will strengthen rapidly as it moves across the eastern Gulf of Mexico toward a landfall in the Florida Panhandle later Thursday. The current track brings the storm up toward WNC, with potential wind and heavy rain impacts beginning Thursday night continuing through Friday morning.
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POWER OUTAGES:
As of 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Duke Energy reports thousands of customers are without power, including more than 1,174 in Henderson County, more than 780 in Buncombe County, 427 in McDowell, and 925 in Macon.
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