Lake Lure Storm Recovery Updates - 10/11/24

Lake Lure Before and After Debris Removal.

 

The following are Lake Lure Storm Recovery updates and information for Friday, 10/11/24.   

  • The National Guard, US Coast Guard, and the US Army will be in town over the weekend continuing to work with Town crews and contractors to remove debris from the lake and roadways. Some troops will be camping at the Chimney Rock State Park parking lot off Boys Camp Road.  
  • National, state, and local agencies have come together to support the Hickory Nut Gorge area with over 500 personnel working in Lake Lure and Chimney Rock to help clear pathways, locate isolated residents and bring them supplies, and assist with the cleanup process.
  • If you need supplies or personal assistance with home cleanup following the storm, please send a message to Communications@townoflakelure.com - Subject: Supplies or Cleanup.
  • If you have been following the daily update posts, please see the new information on recovery efforts, FEMA support, cell service, Lake Lure Classical Academy updates, information on the Salvation Army and United Way, and support for homeowner hard trash and debris removal.

HURRICANE HELENE UPDATES

 RESOURCES/FEMA ASSISTANCE

  • National FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell will be visiting Lake Lure this weekend.
  • FEMA representatives are working closely with Town Officials and daily meetings are taking place to ensure coordination of needs, requests, and resources. 
  • A FEMA Resource and Information web page has been established with a library of information for citizens.
  • FEMA representatives are going door-to-door offering assistance for those who live in areas most impacted by the storm.  If a FEMA representative comes to your home, they will show their ID to confirm their employer.
  • In-person: FEMA representatives are available from 9-5 at Ingles in Lake Lure, 276 NC-9
  • FEMA App: Use the FEMA app to apply directly from your smartphone. 
  • Online: Visit www.disasterassistance.gov to apply. 
  • By Phone: Call 1-800-621-3362 to speak with a FEMA representative.
  • The Office of the State Fire Marshall is in town to take photos of the damage to land and property to assist with FEMA applications.

 LAKE LURE RESOURCE CENTER: Ingles on Highway 9

  • Ingles is now open and operating under normal operating procedures.
  • Christian Aid Ministry Rapid Response Team is serving meals between 11:30-1:00 & 5:00-6:30.   
  • Shower trailers, restrooms, and a hand washing station are available.
  • Charging station are available (near the food trailer) but please bring your charging cords. 
  • Public Starlink WiFi (LL Starlink) available with no password. 
    • Turn your phone to airplane mode.
    • Turn on WiFi on your phone.
    • Under WiFi, click on LL Starlink and you should be good to go.
  • Tool trailers and workers available to assist with home repairs and yard clearing for free.
  • Volunteers have set up donation stations here to offer water, supplies, and clothing for free.
  • Fairfield Mountains Chapel is also available for spiritual support as needed.  
  • Local Fire Stations and Churches are also providing meals and supplies throughout Hickory Nut Gorge.
  • The Salvation Army has been delivering meals and supplies door-to-door for residents who may not be able get to one of the stations listed above. 
  • The United Way is in Lake Lure and is also providing meals and supplies.  They are working to bring in additional resources to support the community next week.  Stay tuned for updates.
  • A Food Truck, restrooms and handwashing stations have been set up in Town Center to support all of the workers in the area. Special thanks to the PowerGrid for working with Swadley’s Emergency Relief Truck for providing these delicious meals to the countless workers supporting storm recovery efforts.

MOBILE HEALTH CLINIC: A Mobile Health Clinic is stationed at Ridgeline Heating and Air at 1618 Bill’s Creek Road and they are available Monday - Friday from 9:30-4:30.

LAKE LURE CLASSICAL ACADEMY: The school is planning to reopen on Monday, 10/14/24. Please visit their website for updates: https://www.llcharter.org/

POST OFFICE: The Lake Lure Post Office is now operating under their regular schedule. 

LIBRARY: Our beloved Mountains Branch Library is now open.  

DOLLAR GENERAL: The Dollar General on Highway 9 is now open.

VOTER INFORMATION: www.rutherfordcountync.gov

DONATIONS/RESOURCES/VOLUNTEERS

MONETARY DONATIONS: The best way to support the relief efforts is through monetary donations with checks payable to Town of Lake Lure (Storm Recovery), PO Box 255, Lake Lure, NC 28746. The Town is working to identify an online resource for donations.

DONATION STATION: A Donation Station has been established at the Parks, Recreation, and Lake Office at 658 Memorial Highway (64/74), next to the Lake Lure Fire Department for those with a need.

  • The station will be opened from 10AM - 3:00 PM Monday – Friday
  • Additional Donation Substations include Ingles Resource Center, Chimney Rock Fire Department, Chimney Rock Baptist Church, Lake Lure Baptist Church, and then Temple of Jesus. 
  • If you are in need of these items, they will be distributed from these locations as long as supplies last.  If you need supplies, please email Communications@townoflakelure.com.
  • You may also visit Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach (Monday- Friday 10-2) for additional food and toiletry items.
  • We are so very grateful for the tremendous amount of donations received and we are working to disperse what we have to those with a need. 

VOLUNTEERS: To support disaster recovery efforts, please email volunteer@rutherfordcountync.gov.

UTILITIES/INFRASTRUCTURE

POWER: 

  • IMPORTANT: The breaker should be off in your home until the power is restored to avoid power surges when the power is restored.
  • Duke Energy: Power has been restored for 97.8% of customers.  Efforts continue this weekend for full power restoration. 
  • REMC: Power has been restored for 97.2% of customers and work continues this weekend and until they achieve 100% restoration.

CELL SERVICE:

  • Fiber optic lines were damaged by downed trees and power lines which impacted our cell service. 
  • ATT is going to be working over the weekend installing a temporary patch of fiber throughout the river channel for Western NC.  

WATER/SEWER SYSTEM:

  • Town Council made a decision to suspend water and sewer bills for the rest of 2024.
  • Water has been restored to Firefly Cove well which impacts all those near Boys Camp Road. 
  • Water has been restored to Town Center; however, breaks were found in the system during the sanitation process. Repairs are underway and the sanitization process will be performed again before the water is turned on for all those in Town Center.
  • A BOIL ADVISORY remains in place for Town and well water.  We are awaiting water quality test results and hope to be able to lift this advisory soon!
  • A NO FLUSH order is in place for those on the Town system.
  • Emergency repairs are being made to the lift station which will enable the sewer system to be utilized.
  • The WasteWater Treatment Plant WWTP) electrical system was destroyed and is being rebuilt.  
  • Crews have made good process restoring the road behind the dam and the WWTP. 
  • The temporary lift station pump is being installed and the design for the permanent station has been received.
  • Crews are working on the sewer line repairs and updates will be included in these daily updates.  
  • The Town is working closely with the NC Department of Environmental Quality on all activities.

PERSONAL WELLS: Resources for assistance with testing and disinfecting personal wells.

  1. Foothills Health District. Please click on the following link for Emergency Drinking Water Well Disinfection Procedures

http://www.foothillshd.org/images/forms/4000/4001/FoothillsHealth_WellWaterDisinfection.pdf 

2) Broad River Water Authority: 828-286-0640 https://www.ncbrwa.com/ 

3) James & James Environmental Management, Inc. 828-697-0063 https://www.facebook.com/jamesandjames1992/

TRASH: 

  • Town Officials are working on a plan to pick up hard trash from homes throughout town. Please stay tuned for updates on this next week.
  • The Town has added two dumpsters in the Dittmer-Watts parking lot (across from Ingles on Highway 9) to assist residents with household trash.  
  • The Bill’s Creek Convenience Center remains open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday. (Closed Wednesdays and Sundays) 
  • Solid Waste: household garbage, demolition materials, brush and tree limbs, pallets, metal, white goods (which consists of refrigerators, stoves, washers, and dryers, hot water heaters, dishwashers, etc.), tires, cooking oil, motor oil, oil filters, batteries and dead animals. They will not accept other liquids, hazardous waste, insecticides, chemicals, stumps, sludge etc. The landfill also accepts used computers, TVs and asbestos.
    •  Rutherford County Landfill: (828) 287-6125, 656 Laurel Hill Dr, Rutherfordton, NC 28139
    •  Polk County Solid Waste (Transfer Station and Landfill): 828-894-3737, NC 9 HWY two miles north of Mill.  Open 8:00-4:30 Mon-Fri and 8:00-4:00 Sat    

TOWN ACCESS

LOCALS ONLY PLEASE

  • Town Officials have asked that no one come to Town unless you live here or are working here. 
  • The NC Highway Patrol and the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office are overseeing checkpoints requiring verification to minimize traffic going to Town Center and beyond.

TOWN CENTER ACCESS AND BEYOND: 

  • Use caution when driving in the area due to road construction and power trucks.  Expect delays from working crews. 
  • Through traffic is limited to homeowners in the Town Center area near the Lake Lure Beach, Arcade Center, and the Memorial Highway Bridge. 
  • Traffic is not allowed beyond this area unless you are a homeowner. 
  • Traffic to Boys Camp Road is currently restricted as the temporary Boys Camp Road Bridge is being built in the coming days. The plans have been developed and we are awaiting supplies and permits. Property owners are allowed in the area with proof of home ownership but officials ask that traffic be limited in and out to preserve the very rugged river access that is in place.  Use extreme caution when fording across the river.  Note that access may need to be limited once construction begins on the replacement bridge.
  • Traffic to the Village of Chimney Rock is currently limited. CRV Officials have established a pass system for homeowners that allows for one entry/exit per day. Entry is restricted to all others except workers.  

INGRESS/EGRESS: The following are currently accessible routes. 

  • Highway 9 is now open  
  • 64/74 to Rutherfordton from Lake Lure is open. 
  • 64/74 to Chimney Rock is not accessible. NC DOT is rebuilding a temporary road to enable access.

LAKE/BOATS/DAM

PLEASE STAY OFF THE LAKE: 

  • The National Guard is working with Town crews and contractors to remove debris from the lake as quickly as possible. The Department of Natural Resources is also working with crews.
  • The lake is currently unsafe and only approved workers are able to be out on the lake at this time. 
  • Booms are in place to prevent large debris from going further downstream toward the dam. A hazmat boom has been strategically placed to soak up water, oil, coolants and other materials, preventing these from going downstream. 
  • Crews are working to remove debris as carefully and quickly as possible to minimize environmental impacts.
  • The Town of Lake Lure has requested an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) consultation through FEMA.  The request has been received and is being evaluated.

BOATS:

  • Contractors have been hired to remove any leaking boats from the lake.
  • Boat owners will be contacted by the contractor if your boat has been removed.
  • Drone photos are being taken of the boats in the marina to assist with insurance claims.

DAM/LAKE LEVELS:

  • The Lake Lure Dam remains stable.
  • Crews are making progress on the work to repair the erosion on the left side of the dam. 
  • The road issues on Buffalo Shoals Road near the dam have been repairs.
  • The Lake Level will remain at approximately 985.5, five feet below full pond. Town staff are working to maintain a stable lake level to minimize the risk for debris floating toward the dam. 

Questions

For questions, please email Communications@townoflakelure.com 

  

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