Lake Lure Storm Recovery Updates 10/18/24

Christian Aid Ministries in Action

The following are Lake Lure Storm Recovery updates and information for Friday, 10/18/24.   

  • Deep Gratitude: We had to say goodbye to the Christian Aid Ministries Rapid Response Team today.  They have been in Lake Lure since 10/1/24 and they have truly been a Godsend providing hot meals, shower trailers, restrooms, handwashing stations, tool trailers, and all the hard workers who went out into the community to help homeowners clean out their houses and yards.  We can never thank them enough for their tireless and selfless efforts!
  • Last Dates for In-person FEMA Reps: FEMA Reps will be working at Ingles from 9-5 on Saturday and Sunday and then they will be leaving town.
  • Who was flying over today? The 82nd Airborne Division is in Lake Lure.  They are an airborne infantry and artillery division of the United States Army and they are helping the Town recover.
  • Unemployment and Job Assistance: Unemployment and Job Assistance for Victims of Hurricane Helene has been added to the website.  Please share this information with those who may need it.
  • Hiring Event: Debris Tech is hosting a Hiring Event for individuals to help with countywide debris removal—no prior experience necessary! Date: October 19 & 20 Time: 10 AM – 4 PM Location: 227 Sparks Drive, Forest City, NC (Hampton Inn)
  • Debris/Hard Trach Pick Up: Public Works crews removed 65 truckloads of debris and hard trash from Town homeowners Thursday and Friday.  The Town will continue to pick up debris and hard trash each Friday if it is placed at the right of way, near the road.   
  • DEQ Cleanup Guidance: Please see the resources below to guide and assist with yard cleanup. 
  • Yard/Home Cleanup: If you need assistance with yard/home cleanup following the storm, please send a message to Communications@townoflakelure.com (Subject: Cleanup).
  • Boat owners: Please read the updates on boat removals below.
  • Business Needs: Anyone needing to fax information related to Hurricane Helene may do so for FREE at all Rutherford County Branch Libraries, including the Mountains Branch Library Through 11/15/24.
  • Needing Supplies: If you need supplies, please stop by the donation stations at the Parks, Recreation and Lake Department at 658 Memorial Highway (64/74), Ingles on Highway 9, or at Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach at 2556 Memorial Hwy. (The roadway is open without Police Checkpoints.)
  • SNAP: See information below on how residents in Western North Carolina can Apply for Help Buying Food Following Hurricane Helene
  • Making Donations: Our community, along with many of our neighbors, has been devastated by the historic flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. The Town of Lake Lure, NC is deeply grateful for the support our community has received in the past few weeks.  We have been blessed with volunteers, donations, and supplies.  We have had numerous requests to establish a mechanism for financial donations. If you have an interest in this, please click on the following link to donate to the Town of Lake Lure Storm Recovery Fund.  Please click here to donate to the Town of Lake Lure Storm Recovery Fund.  You may also make checks payable to Town of Lake Lure (Storm Recovery), PO Box 255, Lake Lure, NC 28746.
  • Habitat for Humanity: Hosting a drive-thru supply distribution at 141 Duke St., Forest City on Friday, October 18th from 4:00-6:00 pm. They will be providing food, paper products, hygiene items, and baby supplies to those in need. Volunteers needed! If you’re able to lend a hand at the warehouse, please call 828-748-8532. Volunteers are needed throughout the week. Together, we’re neighbors helping neighbors.
  • The National Guard, US Army, the Army Corp of Engineers, and many contractors will be working to remove debris over the weekend. 

 RESOURCES/FEMA ASSISTANCE

FEMA

  • FEMA representatives are working closely with Town Officials to ensure coordination of needs, requests, and resources. 
  • FEMA representatives are returning 10/16/24 for in-person assistance at Ingles from 9-5.
  • 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.
  • A FEMA Resource and Information web page for citizens.  Please see the updated information summarized below.
  • FEMA is Seeking Lodging to House Disaster Survivors: FEMA is seeking both multifamily and residential properties to lease for Helene survivors. The fact sheets are attached for any interested businesses/lodging providers who may want to participate. Please note that homeowners may also be eligible to participate in this program but as a long term lease for survivors. There are requirements, but this is a good place to start.
  • Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP): The D-SNAP program has been activated in North Carolina and the details are located: Hurricane Helene Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) | NCDHHS. People can apply in person at the following locations:
  • Henderson County: Blue Ridge Commons Shopping Center
    2111 Asheville Hwy, Hendersonville, NC 28739
  • McDowell County: McDowell County YMCA gymnasium (bottom level)

348 Grace Corpening Drive, Marion, North Carolina 28752

  • Polk County: Polk County Health and Human Services  Agency, Human Services Building

231 Wolverine Trail, Mill Spring, NC 28756

  • Rutherford County:  Isothermal Community College (ICC)
     Foundation Performing Arts Center, 286 ICC Loop Road Spindale NC 28160

LAKE LURE RESOURCE CENTER: Ingles on Highway 9, 276 NC-9

  • Volunteers have set up donation stations in the parking lot for those in need.
  • Fairfield Mountains Chapel is also available for spiritual support as needed.  

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.

LIBRARY: Now through 11/15/24, anyone needing to fax information related to Hurricane Helene may do so for FREE at all Rutherford County Branch Libraries, including the Mountains Branch Library (Thank You!)

VOTER INFORMATION: www.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 is still being restored to 143 people in our area without power.
  • REMC: REMC advises that power has been restored for customers within 28746.  

CELL SERVICE:

  • Fiber optic lines are being placed throughout the Hickory Nut Gorge and cell and internet services should be improving this week. The Verizon Cell on Wheels is now in Town Center.

WATER/SEWER SYSTEM:

  • Lake Lure water and sewer bills have been suspended for the rest of 2024.
  • Water has been restored throughout Lake Lure and the Boil Advisory has been lifted for all areas.  
  • A NO FLUSH order remains in place for those on the Town sewer system. To clarify, CWS is part of the Town of Lake Lure sewer system.
  • Emergency repairs are being made to the sewer system and WasteWater Treatment Plant.  We are hopeful repairs will enable service within the following weeks.
  • 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/DEBRIS: 

  • Debris and hard trash will be picked up from home properties at the right of way (near the street) next Friday, 10/25/24.   Have items in place by 7:30AM on Friday.
  • Please be sure not to have dumpsters within the public right-of-way.
  • Debris will eventually be picked up from the shoreline once most of the lake debris is removed from the lake.  We cannot give an estimate on when this will be at this time.
  • Please check with Lake Lure Fire Department (LLFD) before doing any open burning due to the Wind Advisory.  Burn Permits may be obtained from the LLFD
  • 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  

YARD CLEANUP

  • The NC Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Waste Management has provided the following information regarding soil and sediment management during cleanup efforts after Hurricane Helene.

TOWN ACCESS

LOCALS ONLY PLEASE

  • Town Officials have asked that no one come to Town unless you live here or are working here for the Town or with a property owner. 
  • The NC Highway Patrol is overseeing checkpoints requiring verification to minimize traffic.
  • The Police checkpoint has been moved to The Hickory Nut Store.

TOWN CENTER ACCESS AND BEYOND: 

  • Use caution when driving in the area due to road construction and debris removal.
  • Expect delays from working crews. 
  • Traffic is limited to homeowners or their contractors in Town Center and Boys Camp Road.
  • Plans have been developed and we are working through details to begin construction on a temporary bridge.
  • A temporary ford has been created that allows passage to Boys Camp Road through a very rugged river crossing. Use extreme caution when fording across the river.  
  • Town Officials ask that homeowners and contractors limit passage in and out of Boys Camp Road to preserve the temporary ford.
  • 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.  

TOWN PARKS AND TRAILS

  • Note that Morse Park and the Lake Lure Welcome Center are closed and are only accessible to construction workers.
  • All other Town Parks and Trails are temporarily closed for assessment and clearing. 

LAKE/BOATS/DAM

PLEASE STAY OFF THE LAKE: 

  • The lake is currently unsafe and only Town approved workers are able to be out on the lake at this time. 
  • The National Guard and Army Corps of Engineers contractors are working with Town crews and contractors to remove debris from the lake as quickly as possible.  
  • The Frogco is hard at work removing debris from the Lake Lure marina basin and they have begun digging out a channel to the boat ramp.
  • 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.  They are making tremendous progress everyday!

BOATS:

  • The priority at this time is removing any hazardous boats from the lake.
  • The Parks, Recreation, and Lake Department is contacting slip renters in the marina to give details about the boat removal process.
  • Boat owners will be contacted by the contractor after their boat has been removed.
  • Washburn Marina: Drone photos have been taken of the boats in the Washburn Marina to assist with insurance claims. The Parks, Recreation, and Lake (PRL) sent out a link to slip owners this week. Individual contractors are not allowed in Morse Park or the Marina at this time.
  • Rumbling Bald Marina: For boats stored at the Rumbling Bald Marina, please contact the General Manager.
  • All other motorized and non-motorized boats will be removed at a later date.  The PRL Department will establish a location for boat owners to retrieve boats at a later date.
  • A comprehensive list of boats and associated permit numbers, along with their whereabouts will be kept by the Parks, Recreation, and Lake Department.

DAM/LAKE LEVELS:

  • The Lake Lure Dam remains stable.
  • Crews are working to repair the erosion on the left side of the dam and they are making excellent progress. 
  • The road issues on Buffalo Shoals Road near the dam have been repaired. The next step is adding guard rails to ensure safe passage.
  • The construction of the new reservoir drain will resume as soon as possible.
  • The Lake Level will remain at approximately 985.5, five feet below full pond for now.
  • Lake Levels may shift in the coming days and updates will be provided when that occurs.   

Questions

For questions, please email Communications@townoflakelure.com

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