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 currently four active shelters which also act as supply distribution locations in the county. In Newland, the Avery Recreation Center/ Rock Gym serves as a shelter where citizens can sleep and get basic supplies. Frank Volunteer Fire Department in Frank, Temple Baptist Church in the Three Mile/Ingalls area, and the Best Western Mountain Lodge in Banner Elk also serve as shelters where people can sleep and receive a multitude of supplies such as food, water, clothes and more.
Although it’s not designated as a shelter, First Baptist Church in Newland is serving as the official food and water drop-off location for Avery County. It is asked that only food and water supplies be brought to this location. Reaching Avery Ministry (RAM) in Newland is serving as the official drop-off for dry goods, as clothes, diapers and more will be received there. Both of the official drop-off locations actively will distribute to the official shelters and other areas to help decrease the amount of traffic on the roadways.
All official shelters are operable 24 hours a day. It is asked by county officials to stay off the roadways unless absolutely necessary as “sightseeing” not only causes the potential diversion of area resources, but also are causing traffic issues and hinders progress being made by emergency and essential workers.
Other local area citizens are helping out as well, some by preparing hot food and also providing supplies. The Spear Country Store on South Hwy. 19E, operated by local business owners Derek and Erin Buchanan of Wheels Construction, is currently offering free hot meals and supplies to the community. Community members there have also began a civilian effort to make welfare checks, as local emergency personnel are inundated with search and rescue efforts across the area. Additionally, the organization is working around the clock to help clear roadways of debris, trees and more. Spear Country Store is operational from 9 a.m. to dusk each day.
Other places in the county are also making hot meals available, such as the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games office in Linville.
“I love my county, and I love my people,” said Avery County Manager Phillip Barrier. “The area has rallied together really well in such a rough time in our life.”
For more information and to stay up to date on shelters, drop-offs and ways to help out, residents are urged to check the “Avery County Government” Facebook page.
Local News
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