Buncombe County:

ASHEVILLE, NC (WLOS) — The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners has declared a state of emergency due to Hurricane Helene, the county announced.

The local emergency is in effect within the municipal boundaries of the City of Asheville, the City of Weaverville, the City of Woodfin, the City of Black Mountain, the City of Montreat, and the City of Biltmore Forest.

“With the declaration, Buncombe County Emergency Management personnel will implement plans to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from any emergencies that may arise from the impacts of the storm,” the statement said.

Below is a list of emergency contact information in Buncombe County:

• For emergencies: call 911
• Buncombe County Emergency Services Non-Emergency Helpline: 828-250-6650
• Report fallen trees (not posing an immediate hazard): 828-250-6670
• Report a power outage: 1-800-419-6356

A Code Purple will begin at 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 26 due to weather. Asheville and Buncombe County shelters and other organizations will provide emergency shelter for the homeless.

The full statement of the local emergency can be found here.

McDowell County:

McDowell County, the City of Marion and the Town of Old Fort are in a state of emergency effective Wednesday, September 25 at 5 p.m.

McDowell County will open an emergency shelter at Glenwood Baptist Church, located at 155 Glenwood Baptist Church Road in Marion, on Thursday, September 26 at 9 a.m. Residents who need transportation to the shelter can call 828-652-3241 to schedule a pickup with McDowell Transit.

“We urge citizens to take this storm seriously. If you live near a creek, river or flood-prone area, we urge you to relocate with family or friends until this storm passes and conditions improve. We are taking these proactive steps now to protect lives and prevent dangerous water rescues from occurring,” said Will Kehler, director of emergency services.

For updates and emergency notifications, please text 28752 to 888777.

Asheville:

The city of Asheville will experience heavy rainfall and strong winds as a result of Tropical Storm Helene, the city said in a press release.

Crews across the city are currently preparing Asheville for the forecasted rain and wind. Asheville Fire is preparing for major weather events by activating specialized teams including boat crews, saw crews, crew leaders, safety officers, battalion and division chiefs.

Click herefor the full list of preparation tips from the City of Asheville.

Hendersonville:

The City of Hendersonville has issued a Level 2 Flood Alert in response to the weather forecast. City crews are placing barricades in flood-prone areas and other preparations are underway to ensure public safety.

The City of Hendersonville is urging its residents to stay informed, plan ahead, prepare their homes and travel safely.

Residents can sign up for local weather alerts by texting AlertHVL to 226787.

For additional information and resources for Hendersonville, click here.

Hooihout County

Haywood County is now preparing for Hurricane Helene. County emergency personnel and resources are in place.

The region reports that the Emergency Operations Center will be fully staffed and operational as of Thursday, September 26.

The region advises residents to prepare for a possible evacuation by “putting together an emergency kit, securing their home and belongings, photographing important documents in advance, and making arrangements to stay with family or friends.”

To sign up for Haywood County alerts, click here.

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