Blowing Rock
Politics
Biden approves Major Disaster Declaration for North Carolina, including Avery County
WASHINGTON — FEMA has announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of North Carolina to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by Tropical Storm Helene from Sept. 25, and continuing. The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Assistance can include grants for temporary...
AVERY STRONG: County resilient in face of unprecedented disaster
AVERY COUNTY — Strength can be defined in many ways. From “the capacity of an object or substance to withstand great force or pressure,” to “the emotional or mental qualities necessary in dealing with situations or events that are distressing or difficult,” to “the good or beneficial quality of a person or thing.” Following the utter devastation that has befallen Avery County since the arrival of Hurricane-turned-Tropical Storm Helene, the word “strong” has been repeated countless times from the officials and residents who are efforting...
App State closed after Helene, but dining hall, dorms open; campus has Wi-Fi
Appalachian State University will remain closed through Friday, Oct. 4, at least, as the town of Boone recovers from Helene. Interim Chancellor Heather Norris shared an update Tuesday afternoon days after flooding left cars underwater and damaged buildings on campus and across town. "Throughout our entire area, there is widespread...
Inmates moved from Avery County as jail suffers water, power outages
AVERY COUNTY, N.C. — The disastrous conditions in counties around the North Carolina mountains are forcing resources to be shifted to other parts of the state. Inmates at the Avery County jail have been moved to Rowan County in response to the jail having no running water or power, according to the Rowan County Sheriff's Office.
Shelters and distribution sites available post-Helene
AVERY COUNTY — After a massive disaster, support has began flooding into Avery County and surrounding areas. Although citizens have witnessed devastating losses, there is a glimmer of hope for those in need. With a number of residents losing their homes and experiencing damaged property, with even more without power for long lengths of time, there are resources that are increasingly being brought into the area to help. Local and outside agencies have banded together to help the affected areas around Avery County. There are...
Newland issues system pressure advisory, boil water advisory issued
The water consumers of the Town of Newland in Avery County are experiencing periods of low pressure and outages in the distribution system due to Hurricane Helene. Periods of low or no pressure in the distribution system increases the potential for back siphonage and introduction of bacteria into the water system. When water service is restored consumers, are advised to boil all water used for human consumption (including drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation) or use bottled water. ...
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