Evacuations ordered for Swannanoa River valley area in Buncombe Co.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WSPA) – A mandatory evacuation has been put in place for anyone in the Swannanoa River valley in Buncombe County due to flooding.

The City of Asheville said the North Fork Reservoir’s auxiliary spillway was activated and more water will be flowing downstream into the Swannanoa River.

Due to the high risk, the city said a mandatory evacuation is in place.

The evacuation includes areas along the Swannanoa River from the North Fork Reservoir to Biltmore Village. A map of the evacuation zone is included below.

All residents within that area are required to move to higher ground. If residents need assistance evacuating, they should call 911.

A shelter has been set up at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center in downtown Asheville.

The Swannanoa River reached a record height of 26.1 feet, more than 10 feet above major flood stage and more than five feet above the previous record high water level, according to the US Geological Survey.

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