Town of Lake Lure Press Release - Storm Recovery - 10/1/24 2PM

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Town of Lake Lure

Press Release

For Immediate Release

 

The Town of Lake Lure and the surrounding area have experienced a historic life threatening storm.  National, State, and Local Agencies are working together to oversee search and rescue operations.  Tremendous progress has been made through these efforts.  Both air and auto traffic in the Lake Lure Town Center areas must be limited to these agencies at this time so they may perform these search and rescue missions safely. 

The Town of Lake Lure greatly appreciates the additional offers of assistance from private organizations; however, at the present time, National, State, and Local authorities are managing the situation effectively.

The following is a synopsis of the current situation as of 10/1/24 at 2PM.  

1) RESCUES: National Guard, US Coast Guard, North Carolina Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team (NCHART), SC HART, the Army Corps of Engineers, NC Forestry Service, and FEMA Representatives are working with the Lake Lure Fire Department/Emergency Management and Local Fire Departments to execute the search and rescue mission.  Firefighters are going door-to-door making rescues in the most affected areas here. Many rescues are by foot and via helicopter where vehicles cannot go. Both air and auto traffic in the Lake Lure Town Center areas must be limited to official agency personnel at this time so they may perform these search and rescue missions safely. 

2) PLEASE STAY OFF THE LAKE: Town Officials have mandated that NO ONE GET ON THE LAKE AT THIS TIME. The Lake is currently unsafe due to the vast amount of debris, propane, and gas.

3) INGRESS/EGRESS: Currently, travel anywhere in the area is tenuous.  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 not currently allowed in the Town Center area near the Lake Lure Beach and beyond.  Power and clean up crews are working throughout these areas so please drive slowly and cautiously. 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.

4) LOCALS ONLY PLEASE:

  • Town Officials have asked that no one come to Town unless you live here.
  • There will be check points requiring verification to minimize traffic going to Town Center. Home owners only will be allowed acess to the Town Center area for safety.
  • If locals are able to leave Town, it is advisable as roads are accessible as the Town does not anticipate having power for some time. 
  • Please do not come to Town unless you absolutely need to be here as this is an ongoing rescue situation and the roads are not safe. Your absence will allow First Responders to focus on rescue operations.

5) LAKE LURE RESOURCE CENTER: 

The Town of Lake Lure has been working with the Christian Aid Ministry Rapid Response Team to set up a LAKE LURE RESOURCE CENTER with FOOD, SHOWERS, RESTROOMS, MOBILE HEALTH  VAN, A TOOL TRAILER, A CHARGING STATION, and WIFI at Ingles on Highway 9 in Lake Lure. 

  • The meals will be served each day 11:30-1:30 and 4:30-6:30.
  • There will be a shower trailer and restrooms.
  • Blue Ridge Health will have a Mobile Health Van each day this week. 
  • A charging station will be available but please bring your charging cords. 
  • A WiFi station is being established so people will be able to come and make calls and send texts or emails.  

There are also two tool trailers and workers to assist with repairs, street clearing, etc.

  • Local churches are also supporting this effort and will be available to offer spiritual support, as needed. Thank you to the Fairfield Mountains Chapel and Chimney Rock Baptist Church for your support! 

*** ADDITIONALLY ***

The Lake Lure Baptist Church will have the A SHOWER TRAILER, RESTROOMS and MEALS starting today, Tuesday, 10/1/24.  These services will be available daily from 12-5PM. THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO ARE SUPPORTING THIS EFFORT FOR THE RESIDENTS OF HICKORY NUT GORGE!

6) TOWN ROADS: Town crews have cleared at least one lane on Town-owned roads so they are passable. NCDOT is working to clear state roads.

7) CURFEW: The Rutherford County Curfew remains in place from from 7:30 PM to 7:30 AM.

8)CELL/INTERNET SERVICE:

  • Cell and internet access has improved in some areas.
  • The Town is working diligently to obtain additional cell coverage resources.
  • Public Starlink should be accessible later today in the Lake Lure Resource Center in the Ingles parking lot on Highway 9. 
  • A charging station is located at the Lake Lure Resource Center.

 9) 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
  • This area is accessible and will help us decongest the Lake Lure Fire Department to allow their important work.
  • Useful donations include:
    • water
    • non-perishable food items
    • batteries
    • flashlights
    • paper products
    • toiletries
    • clean wipes,
    • baby products - diapers, formula, soy baby formula, baby powder
  • If you are in need of these items, they will be distributed from this location as long as supplies last.
  • Financial donations may be made and would be tremendously appreciated! Checks should be payable to the Town of Lake Lure (for Storm Recovery). The address for mailing checks is PO Box 255, Lake Lure, NC 28746.

10) 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.
  • All Town wells are operable except two which staff are working hard to repair. 
  • The water will be tested as soon as possible and updates will be provided here.
  • LaBella Associates have engineers working closely with Public Works to conduct an assessment and to repair the system.
  • Updates will be provided as soon as additional information becomes available.

11) DAM/LAKE LEVELS:

  • The Lake Lure Dam remains stable. 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."
  • The Lake Level is approximately 985.5. Updates will be provided when further decisions are made regarding any needs to lower the lake further.

12) VOLUNTEERS: Although we greatly appreciate all offers to volunteer, Town Officials are working to decongest the area to ensure the highest degree of safety in this rescue phase of recovery.

THANK YOU!

Thank you to all our first responders, staff, and volunteers who have made these difficult rescues!

Thank you for watching out for your neighbors and for taking care of each other!

Thank you for all the donations and prayers. We are so grateful for everyone’s support! We will get through this together!

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