Lake Lure Storm Recovery Updates - 10/5/24
The following are Lake Lure Storm Recovery Updates for Saturday, 10/5/24.
HURRICANE HELENE UPDATES
MISSING PERSONS
• 876 individuals have been confirmed safe thanks to the diligent efforts of the Sheriff’s Office and the FBI team working to verify all missing persons.
• There are 43 active welfare checks in progress.
• To report a missing person, please email EOC@rutherfordcountync.gov.
• Citizens who have not been able to be in touch with their loved ones may sign in at a citizen check-in at the Resource Center or Churches serving meals.
RESOURCES/ASSISTANCE
FEMA ASSISTANCE
• FEMA App: Use the FEMA app to apply directly from your smartphone.
• Online: Visit disasterassistance.gov to apply.
• By Phone: Call 1-800-621-3362 to speak with a FEMA representative.
• In Person Assistance for anyone in the community from 9:00am-5:00pm:
• Lake Lure Baptist Church: 6837 US-74 ALT, Lake Lure, NC 28746
• Ingles in Lake Lure: 276 NC-9, Lake Lure, NC 28746
• Rutherford County Library: 255 Callahan Koon Rd, Spindale, NC 28160
LAKE LURE RESOURCE CENTER: At Ingles on Highway 9
• Ingles and their Pharmacy are open but it is cash only until their system is fully restored.
• The Christian Aid Ministry Rapid Response Team is serving meals each day from 11:30-1:30 and 4:30-6:30
• There is a shower trailer, restrooms, and a hand washing station.
• Water and supplies are also available here.
• A charging station is available but please bring your charging cords.
• A public Starlink WiFi is available and there is no password.
- Turn on WiFi on your phone.
- Turn your phone to airplane mode.
- Under WiFi, click on LL Starlink and you should be good to go.
• There are also two tool trailers and workers to assist with repairs, street clearing, etc.
• Local churches are also supporting this effort and the Fairfield Mountains Chapel Pastor will be available at the evening mealtime.
*** ADDITIONALLY ***
• The Lake Lure Baptist Church provides showers, restrooms, and meals.
• These services are available daily from 12-5PM.
DONATIONS/VOLUNTEERS
MONETARY DONATIONS:
• The best way to support the relief efforts is through monetary donations. The Town of Lake Lure will use 100% of your contributions toward disaster relief and recovery and are tax deductible.
• Checks should be payable to the Town of Lake Lure (for Storm Recovery) and mailed to PO Box 255, Lake Lure, NC 28746.
• RHI Legacy Foundation will match any donation up to $50,000 at www.rhilegacyfoundation.com
• United Way of Rutherford County at www.unitedwayofrutherford.org
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.
• The station will be opened from 10AM - 3:00 PM Monday - Friday
• Additional Donation Substations include Chimney Rock Fire Department, Chimney Rock Baptist Church, Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach (Monday- Friday 10-2), Ingles, and Lake Lure Baptist Church.
• These areas are accessible and will help us decongest the Lake Lure Fire Department to allow their important work.
• Useful donations include: non-perishable food items, batteries, flashlights, paper products, toiletries, clean wipes, baby products - diapers, formula, soy baby formula, baby powder, baggies, safety glasses, earplugs, inflatable life vests, metal rakes
• If you are in need of these items, they will be distributed from these locations as long as supplies last.
VOLUNTEERS:
To support disaster recovery efforts, please email volunteer@rutherfordcountync.gov.
UTILITIES/INFRASTRUCTURE
POWER:
• Duke Energy and REMC have made significant progress restoring power throughout the Hickory Nut Gorge area.
• Crews have been working through the night to continue their work.
• Duke Energy: 7,959 customers without power (approx..1,500 are in the Lake Lure area) down from 10,452 customers without power 1-/4/24
• REMC: 2,876 without power down from 3,568 customers without power
We appreciate everyone's support and caution driving through areas where crews are working.
TRASH:
• The Bill’s Creek Convenience Center has now reopened Monday, Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday. The Center is closed on Sundays.
• The Greenhill Convenience Center is also open at 204 Rainbow Rapids Road, Rutherfordton on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday. The Center is closed on Sundays.
• The Town is working to establish additional trash dumbs for construction debris near highway 9. Please stay tuned for details.
WATER/SEWER SYSTEM:
• A BOIL ADVISORY remains in place for Town and well water.
• A NO FLUSH order is in place for those on the Town system.
• The Washburn reservoir has been restored and is being filled.
• Water has been restored in the Town Center area.
• Crews have been working hard and are close to restoring water to the Firefly Cove community.
• The water was tested Friday and updates will be provided here as soon as the results are received.
• Emergency repairs are being made to the lift station.
TOWN ACCESS/INGRESS/EGRESS
LOCALS ONLY PLEASE:
• Town Officials have asked that no one come to Town unless you live here.
• The NC Highway Patrol, Rutherford County Sheriff's Office are overseeing checkpoints requiring verification to minimize traffic going to Town Center.
• If locals are able to leave Town, it is advisable due to the power outages and challenging ingress/egress.
TOWN CENTER ACCESS AND BEYOND:
• Currently, travel throughout the area is challenging due to downed trees and power lines.
• Please use extreme caution and expect delays.
• Routes in and out of the Lake Lure area are subject to change as roads are being cleared and power lines are being repaired.
• Through traffic is limited to homeowners in the Town Center area near the Lake Lure Beach and Arcade Center.
• Traffic is not allowed beyond this area as it is currently unsafe.
• Traffic to Boys Camp Road is currently restricted as the temporary Boys Camp Road bridge is being built.
• Traffic to Chimney Rock Village is currently limited to Fire Department personnel and other essential workers. Officials are working hard to allow others in as soon as possible. Please stay tuned here for updates.
INGRESS/EGRESS: The following are currently accessible routes.
• 64/74 to Rutherfordton from Lake Lure.
• Bill’s Creek Road is accessible to Cove Road - through to Sugar Hill Road - which leads to I-40.
• You may also access Rutherfordton from Bill's Creek Road - to Freeman Town Road - to Cove Road - and on to 64/74 to Rutherfordton.
• Highway 9 is open though to McQuinn’s Store. From Highway 9 in Lake Lure - take Big Level Road - to Highway 108 - to Highway 74 - and then to I-26.
LAKE/DAM
PLEASE STAY OFF THE LAKE:
• Town Officials have mandated that NO ONE GET ON THE LAKE AT THIS TIME except approved workers.
• The Lake is currently unsafe due to the vast amount of debris, propane, and gas.
• A boom has been placed to prevent large debris from going further downstream.
• The major task of removing debris from the lake is underway and will get it done!
DAM/LAKE LEVELS: The Lake Lure Dam remains stable.
• The Lake Level is approximately 985.5. Updates will be provided when further decisions are made regarding any needs to lower the lake further.
• The following is a quote from the Town's Dam Engineers with Schnabel Engineering following their on-site assessment on Sunday, 9/29/24.
• "The dam generally performed as intended and is stable. Most of the arches overtopped, which they were designed to do during extreme floods, and the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) was subsequently activated out of an abundance of caution. The abutments did not overtop, and the concrete structure was not compromised. Some damage to the abutments and downstream area occurred, and plans are underway to repair these areas. The lake is being operated at a lower level until the repairs can be made, but there are no ongoing concerns associated with dam failure."
Questions
For questions, please email Communications@townoflakelure.com
