Lake Lure Storm Recovery Updates 10/14/24

D11 Bulldozer

The following are Lake Lure Storm Recovery updates and information for Monday, 10/14/24.   

  • The National Guard, US Army, the Army Corp of Engineers, and many contractors are in Lake Lure working to assist with the storm recovery process.
  • The Boil Advisory has been lifted for all areas in Lake Lure except Town Center (between Pool Creek and Memorial Highway Bridge.)
  • Now that power and water have largely been restored and cell and internet services are improving in Town, an ongoing top priority is cleaning out the lake debris. 
  • A Frogco arrived this weekend to assist with this endeavor and a D11 dozer (largest and most powerful bulldozer) is on its way to Lake Lure right now.  When the D11 arrives, it will take up the entire road when it enters town.  We will do our best to post a notice when we learn it is nearby but please expect delays as this heavy equipment travels through town.
  • 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 missed our last update on Hurricane Helene statistics please read the 10/11/24 update.

 RESOURCES/FEMA ASSISTANCE

FEMA

  • 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 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.
  • 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.

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

  • Ingles is now open and operating under normal operating procedures. 
  • The Ingles Pharmacy is also now open from 9-5.
  • Christian Aid Ministry Rapid Response Team meals offered 11:30-1:00 & 5:00-6:30.   
  • Shower trailers, restrooms, and a hand washing station are available.
  • Charging station 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 mod, Turn on WiFi on your phone, Under WiFi, click on LL Starlink)
  • Tool trailers and workers available to assist with home repairs/yard clearing for free.
  • 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.  
  • Local Fire Stations, Churches, and Ridgeline Heating and Air are also providing meals and supplies.

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 reopened today, Monday, 10/14/24. Please visit their website for updates: https://www.llcharter.org/

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 8 98 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.

WATER/SEWER SYSTEM:

  • Lake Lure water and sewer bills have been suspended for the rest of 2024.
  • The Boil Advisory has been lifted for all areas in Lake Lure except Town Center (Between Pool Creek and Memorial Highway Bridge)
  • Water has been restored to Town Center; however, breaks were found in the system during the sanitation process. Repairs have been made over the weekend and the pipes have been re-sanitized.  Water samples were taken and the Town is awaiting the results.  Results will be published as soon as they are received, hopefully within 48 hours.  
  • A BOIL ADVISORY remains in place for Town Center. We are awaiting water quality test results and hope to be able to lift this advisory soon!
  • A NO FLUSH order remains in place for those on the Town 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.
  • 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: 

  • Debris and hard trash will be picked up from home properties at the right of way (near the street) by this Friday.   
  • 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    

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 is overseeing checkpoints requiring verification to minimize traffic going to Town Center and beyond, just in front of Scoops.
  • Note that Morse Park and the Lake Lure Welcome Center re closed and only accessible to construction workers.
  • The Dam Bridge at the end of Buffalo Shoals Road remains closed at this time.  PLease stay tuned for updates.

TOWN CENTER ACCESS AND BEYOND: 

  • Use caution when driving in the area due to road construction and debris removal.
  • 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. 
  • The Lake Lure checkpoint will be shifting beyond Boys Camp Road in the coming days.  
  • Currently, traffic to Boys Camp Road is currently restricted to homeowners.
  • Plans have been developed and we are working through details to begin construction on a temporary bridge.
  • A 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.  
  • 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.  

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 Corp of Engineer contractors are working with Town crews and contractors to remove debris from the lake as quickly as possible.  
  • 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.

BOATS:

  • The priority at this time is removing any hazardous boats from the lake.
  • Boat owners will be contacted by the contractor if your boat has been removed.
  • Drone photos have been taken of the boats in the marina to assist with insurance claims. The Parks, Recreation, and Lake (PRL) will be sending out a link to slip owners this week. 
  • 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.

DAM/LAKE LEVELS:

  • The Lake Lure Dam remains stable.
  • Crews are working to repair the erosion on the left side of the dam. 
  • The road issues on Buffalo Shoals Road near the dam have been repaired.
  • 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

If you have questions that are not addressed here, please email Communications@townoflakelure.com 

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