<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3Jg6Wf_0wEQbLCj00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3Jg6Wf_0wEQbLCj00" width="1000" height="563" ></figure>Main Radio Updates – 7am, 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm(to update or get an announcement on this pageemail to 940@wkyk.com or 1470@wtoe.com)FRENCH BROAD EMC – (10/20 Progress Update from 10/19)From: Jeff Loven,General Manager / CEOFrench Broad Electric Membership Corp.We now have over 50 crews working in Mitchell and Yancey County. These guys have done amazing work over the last three weeks. Even though we have power restored to the vast majority of our customers, we are now faced with more difficult situations in the remaining areas.In Mitchell, we are still plowing through popular creek and pigeon roost as well as Beams Creek. Our facilities in these areas were torn to pieces by high winds and what looks to be tornado like activity. Hundreds of poles have been broken and wire is down in almost every span. To make things even more difficult, most of the broken poles are on mountains or ridges, inaccessible with most of our equipment. With that, we think that we should have most of Beans Creek and Popular on by Wednesday and should wrap up pigeon roost on Monday.In Yancey, we have re-scouted the areas of Big Creek, Little Creek, Cane River, Pensacola, and Roses Branch. These areas were devastated by flood waters. Miles of our poles and wire along with the roads no longer exist. Access to these areas with our equipment has been impossible. The NCDOT is doing a remarkable job of creating new roadways, slowly making it possible to reach these areas. We have developed a plan to bring power in Big Creek and Little Creek with an alternate feed. Road access is still extremely challenging but we feel like we may have a way to provide service to these areas in the next couple of weeks. We will be constructing new lines without all of our typical equipment so things could take a little longer to complete.In Pensacola, the situation is similar to a point. If we can get access up NC 197 past Bowlens Creek, we will construct a new three phase line along the road bed. We will need to build miles of new line to reach up to Ewuart Wilson Road and other taps, but with multiple crews working, our timeline would be several weeks instead of months.Parts of Roses Branch was completely washed away and so we will be looking at alternate ways to supply power. Currently, multiple crews are building lines down NC 80 that will cross the river into Yancey and give us the ability to pick up parts of Roses Branch that wasn’t washed out. Cane River is the most difficult to figure out. 19w is in large part gone. It looks like we can now get close to Langford Branch and will be moving that direction as soon as the road allows.In going over these areas, I really feel for the people who live there. Many lost their homes and other possessions. Those that didn’t still have no way to get to their places. Please know we are doing everything we can to get power back to you if at all possible. We celebrate those that now have power of course, but our main focus is on those who do not.We are now averaging over 100 pole replacements per day. Before this storm, the worst we had ever seen was a total of 120 poles over a seven-day period in 2009. We are now well over 1200 poles replaced to date and still have hundreds left to do. Please keep our crews in your thoughts and prayers. They have been going strong for over 3 weeks now and all they want is for everyone to get power back to their homes.Duke EnergyFriday afternoon Outage update: 4:00pm: 5 customers without power in Mitchell CountyCharter SpectrumWaterBoil Water Notice Continues until further notice for Burnsville and Spruce PineHot FoodFree BBQ will be served in the area between Spruce Pine Tire and Uplifting Deals, 977 Oak Avenue Monday, October 21st. Starts at Noon.FEMAMeet in person at Yancey Library from 9 to 5. Private property only, not AirBNB or rentalMeet in person at the Mitchell Senior CenterRegister at disasterassistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362. Fema Update LinkFEMA Application AssistanceTractor Food and Farms – 10992 NC-226 Spruce Pine – 10/21 – 10/22 – 10/24 (10am to 3pm)Blue Ridge Regional Hospital – 125 Hospital Drive Spruce Pine (Cafeteria/Entrance B)10/23 – 10/24 – (1pm to 6pm)10/25 (12pm to 3:30pm)Pisgah Legal ServicesNonprofit Pisgah Legal Services, will host a free walk-in clinic in Burnsville on Tuesday, October 22 for people affected by Tropical Storm Helene who need to apply for aid from the FEMA. The clinic will be held from 10am – 3pm at the Cane River Middle School, 1128 Cane River School Rd, Burnsville. This event is for people with first-time applications. No advance appointments are necessary. Clients will be served on a first-come, first-served basis. More info and tips for applying can be found at www.pisgahlegal.org/femaPostal ServiceIf you lost your mailbox during the storm go to the Burnsville Post Office for your mailAMY Library ServicesOperating 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday-Friday (Oct 21-25)Storytime is resuming regular hours at each branchThis includes Avery, Mitchell (Bakersville), Yancey and Spruce PineAssistance with Storm DamageIf you are in need of small road or driveway repair, please contact Sibelco support hotline 1-828-592-1877.Crisis Cleanup(844-965-1386) offers free services such as cutting fallen trees, tarping roofs, and mitigating mold. Their hotline is open until next Friday (10-25), and by calling, you can connect with volunteers from local relief organizations, community organizations, and the faith-based organizations who may be able to assist you.NCWorks Career CenterWill be open from 9am to 12pm on Friday and we will be available to assist folks who need to apply for disaster unemployment assistance with navigation of the application process. They can come by @ 1040 US HWY 19E in Burnsville, between 9 &amp; 3 or call 828-682-6618 ext 11 for help. We can assist folks from any county.Assistance to Buy FoodDisaster food stamps are available to individuals and households who were impacted by Hurricane Helene.The application window is incredibly short: 10/18/24 thru 10/24/24.How to apply:By phone: 1-844-453-1117, 8am-4pm M-F; 9am-noon Sat &amp; Sun.Online: at https://epass.nc.gov/Those who preregister will still have to call to have a telephone interview.In-person:Mitchell County: Mitchell County Department of Social Services347 Longview Dr, Bakersville, NC 28705Yancey County: Burnsville Town Center6 South Main St., Burnsville, NC 287148am-4pm M-F; 9am-2pm Sat &amp; SunThe eligibility criteria are much broader than traditional food stamps, so folks should be encouraged to apply, even if they’ve been denied or disqualified from food stamps in the past. There is NO citizenship or immigration status requirement. The benefits are generous. An eligible individual should get $292; an eligible household of four should get $975. Current food stamp recipients are not eligible for and do not need to apply for DSNAPMitchell County InformationLinks:Livestock SuppliesHemlock Farms of Tennessee is distributing hay and feed for horses and cattle right off 19E at the Mitchell County line (60 New Field Lane) from 8am-4:00 pm. Pick up by appointment. Text Bobby at 828-400-7047.TransportationPine Line Transportation Service (10 am – 4 pm)Shuttle from Bakersville to Walmart leaves Crimson Laurel Circle at 10 AM, 12 &amp; 2 PM)Mitchell Transportation will provide transport to take any displaced residents to relatives who are outside the countySheltersFirst Baptist Church – Tappan Street Spruce PineThe Red Cross Shelter at Mitchell High SchoolWarming StationBuladean Presbyterian Church will be providing a warm place during the nights for anyone who doesn’t have heat. The church will open at 7:00 PM as an emergency and warming shelter. The Buladean Presbyterian Church is located at 217 Blevins Branch Road in Buladean. Sleeping bags/blankets will be available. Also hot coffee will be served. If anyone needs transportation to the church, call/text 404-432-2548.Halloween Activity for KidsA Big Rig Truck’r Treat event will be held at 125 Sky View Circle in Spruce Pine Saturday October 26th from 3:00 pm until?Yancey County InformationYancey SchoolsSchools will be closed for students ne (10/21-10/25). We encourage families to drop in and let us know how we can help you. Faculty and staff members report to their schools from 10:00am – 12:00pm.Halloween on the Burnsville Town SquareThe event will be on the Town Square because we can’t close the street. And we’re going to have activities on the Square. Halloween music playing, Mr. Moon, the Asheville Tourists mascot will be making an appearance to hand out Moon Pies to the kids. We want this to be a little spark of fun in this chaotic time. Mostly so kids and their families have something to look forward to. And can get their minds off of everything that is happening even for a little while.Yancey County Health DepartmentOpen 8am to 5pm – 682-6118Elder Care NetworkMY Neighbors, Yancey County’s all-volunteer eldercare network, is now open from 9am-noon Monday-Friday. If you are a member of MY Neighbors call us at 828 295 2412 if we can help.Storm DebrisMove all storm debris off the edge of your property – on to the right of way so it can be picked up and removedTrashThe Convenience Centers at Riverside, East Yancey, Micaville, and South Toe, Bee Log, Pensacola are now open Monday thru Saturday from 7am to 4pm. Only household bagged trash will be accepted at this time.Land Fill (Opening 10/21)Monday – Friday 8 to 4 and Saturday 8 to 12Small Business AdministrationProvides low-interest loans to businesses or homeowners/individuals for disaster recovery efforts. Apply now. You do not have to know when you are going to reopen yet and you do not have to accept it or disperse it immediately, but they are suggesting for business owners and anyone looking for this type of loan to apply ASAP.<ul><li>Online: Disaster assistance | U.S. Small Business Administration (gov)</li><li>Phone Number: 800-659-2955 from 8am – 8pm Monday through Friday. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.</li><li>Email: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov</li></ul>Volunteers Anyone wishing to volunteer for supply and donation receiving and distribution sites, support for emergency shelters, etc. should report to the Burnsville Town Center at 6 South Main Street at 9:15am or 1pm daily. There is also a significant need for afternoon support. Volunteers are also welcome to stop by throughout the day for volunteer assignments.ShelterYancey County Shelter is at Blue Ridge Elementary SchoolSuppliesThe main Point of Distribution is the former Fred’s Store in the Burnsville Plaza. Supplies can be picked up or donated at this site, open from 9am – 4pm. East Yancey Middle School and Pensacola Freewill Baptist Church are points of distribution and with comfort stations. Also a Comfort Station on Summit Street in BurnsvilleSave More &amp; Roses Parking Lot – All supplies available from 10 am to 4:30 pm dailyHiggins Methodist Church of Burnsville has Supply distribution Monday through Friday from 9am to 2pmScott McIntosh with Bible Baptist Church in Jacks Creek is looking for those who need help with any needs for staying warm. Text for help to 828-208-2078Liberty Hill Baptist Church is giving out supplies from 9AM to 4PM at the Church fellowship building on Hoot Owl Road in Estatoe.Browns Creek Baptist Church at South Toe has supplies (Buddy Heaters with fuel, propane cook stoves with propane, warm coats and blankets, generators, sleeping bags, livestock feed and pet food – Also serving hot meals every day.Victory Baptist Church – Supplies available Tuesday-Friday from 12 to 3pm and Saturday 12 to 5pmShoal Creek Baptist Church has food and water and other supplies available. The church will be closed on Wednesdays and Sundays to distribution and will not be distributing supplies those days. We will be open the rest of the week from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM to distribute food, cleaning supplies, clothes, and hygiene products.DonationsMonetary donations should be made online to yanceycountync.gov, on the front page your find a link to a VINMO account with a QR code.Animal CareStray animals being found in Yancey County can be taken to the Blue Ridge Elementary Red Cross shelter now. They are set up to intake strays and have a vet there.Yancey Humane SocietyFree Vet Care this week and next (except for Friday)Yancey County DSSThe Yancey County Department of Social Services is closed to the public until further notice. However, the agency has continued to provide Adult and Child Protective Services. If you need to make a report of suspected abuse or neglect, please call the Sheriff’s Department at (828) 682-2124 and ask for the On Call Social Worker. Please do not call the Sheriff’s Department to ask about FNS (food stamps), Medicaid, Child Support, or Work First programs. The agency is continuing to provide these services. Call 682-6148 from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm.Town of Burnsville WaterThe Water Treatment Plant is slowly phasing water into distribution lines, with crews repairing breaks throughout the system. Outages may reoccur as crews make repairs. Water must be boiled until the system can be flushed and sanitized. The water is still usable for showering and flushing toilets. See the official Boil Water Advisory at https://townofburnsville.org/public-notices. A major break has been discovered at Cane River creating a continued outage west of the river. There are a limited number of portable water filtration bags available for residents. Come by Town Hall to pick one up.The Wastewater Treatment plant has some capacity to operate but we are still asking all water customers to be conservative and flush as little as possible.Emotional SupportCall the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. People in immediate crisis or contemplating self harm should not hesitate to call. For everyone impacted by Hurricane Helene, the Disaster Distress Hotline is ready to take your call at 1-800-985-5990.FEMA – I applied for assistance – What’s Next?Storm Pictures (View and Add)</div></body>

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Emergency Information (Updated 10/20/24) Here

FRENCH BROAD EMC – (10/20 P. rogress Update from 10/19) French Broad Electric Membership Corp. We now have over 50 crews working in Mitchell and Yancey County. These guys have done amazing work over the last three weeks. Even though we have power restored to the vast majority of our customers, we are now faced with more difficult situations in the remaining areas.