Widespread flooding and destruction has decimated North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene. We’re seeing reports across social media from many top mountain bike destinations across the state — including Asheville, Brevard, and Pisgah National Forest — that mountain bike trails and public lands are completely closed at this time. Other nearby regions, such as Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, and Eastern Tennessee, have been impacted as well.
An article on APNews.com notes that the death toll continues to rise in Buncombe County, NC, which includes the city of Asheville. Buncombe county “reported at least 35 people killed.” The death toll has passed 120 people across six states.
Explore Brevard posted an update on Instagram to share that “all of our public lands are […] closed until further notice. This includes the Blue Ridge Parkway, Pisgah National Forest, DuPont State Recreation Forest and Gorges State Park. Please give the land managers time to assess the damage from Helene.” They go on to say:
Communication and power outages remain widespread throughout the county. Resources are stretched thin, here and across the region. Long lines are prevalent at stores and gas stations that have power. A public curfew remains in effect from 8 pm to 8 am for all of Transylvania County.
While we would love to have visitors in our special part of the mountains, sadly now is not the time to travel here. Please know that as soon as normalcy can be restored, we would love to have you come to Transylvania County.
The NCDOT says Helene-related dangers are still very much a factor in Western NC. At this time, you are asked to please refrain from travel for non-emergency purposes.
Pisgah Area SORBA shared on Instagram that “all Pisgah Area SORBA events are canceled until further notice.” They go on to say:
The devastation, damage, and loss our community is witnessing is unimaginable. Our current priority is the safety of our friends and family. We appreciate the outpouring of support we have received over the past 72 hours, as we all know our trails will require immense restoration, but the trails can wait. When the timing is appropriate, we will communicate planned restoration efforts as we coordinate with our land managers. Right now, please help take care of each.
Local brands, such as Industry Nine, are asking their customers “for patience, and we will be working to respond to calls and emails when we are able to.”
Cane Creek shared that “all of our employees have checked in and are safe.” However, Cane Creek is closed on Monday, September 30, 2024, as their “facility in Fletcher, NC, is still without power and other services.”
It’s still too early to know the extent of the damage to local trails or how non-locals can pitch in to help these North Carolina communities. We’ve seen reports on social media of local riders and bike industry employees banding together to take care of their neighbors and provide basic necessities, such as clean water. For now, our thoughts are with these local communities in North Carolina as they struggle to recover from this devastation.
Update October 1, 2024:
Pisgah Area SORBA has posted an update with useful information for both locals and out-of-towners alike. Notably, they ask that you “do not self-deploy to impacted areas! Half of all roads are blocked, and gas stations are empty. You will only add to the crisis.”
The helpful tips include:
IF YOU NEED HELP:
- Call 9-1-1 for rescue or life-threatening situations.
- Call 2-1-1 for shelter and supplies.
- Reach out to the American Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) for shelters or other assistance.
- For help with fallen trees, debris, or tarps, contact Crisis Cleanup at 844-965-1386 (Note: they don’t help with food, clothing, or shelter).
- Disability & Disaster Hotline: Call/Text 1-800-626-4959 or email [email protected] for assistance for people with disabilities.
LOCATING LOVED ONES:
- Call 2-1-1 for reunification services.
- Reach out to the American Red Cross to locate those in shelters.
- In Buncombe County, call 828-820-2761 or visit https://BuncombeReady.org for more info.
HOW TO VOLUNTEER:
- Please do not self-deploy to impacted areas! Half of all roads are blocked, and gas stations are empty. You will only add to the crisis.
- Volunteer to help with disaster services at Call 2-1-1 for reunification services.
- Spanish and English speakers are needed to answer Crisis Cleanup hotline calls. Sign up here: Call 2-1-1 for reunification services.
- Organizations with volunteers or large supplies can offer help through NC Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster by emailing [email protected].
DONATIONS:
- Cash donations are the most helpful right now. Check out Blue Ridge Public Radio’s list of local relief efforts: https://www.bpr.org.
- Donate to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund at: https://pay.payitgov.com/ncdonations.
- NC Community Foundation is accepting donations for long-term recovery. Email [email protected] to support.
- If you want to collect supplies, assemble cleanup kits using this guide: https://umcmission.org/umcor-cleaning-kit/.
OR, DONATE TO THESE LOCAL ASHEVILLE NONPROFITS WHO WILL BE HERE LONG AFTER NATIONAL SERVICES HAVE LEFT:
- Beloved Asheville
- Babies Need Bottoms
- United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
- WNC Bridge Foundation
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Sep 30, 2024
Oct 1, 2024