As our thoughts are with the residents and communities of Florida dealing with the brunt of Hurricane Ian, the City of Asheville turns its attention to preparing our community for potential local weather impacts here.
The main threat from Hurricane Ian will be heavy rainfall and gusty winds Friday through Saturday. Two-to-three inches are expected to accumulate in the Asheville area. You can get updates at The National Weather Service website.
Staff from across the City are already hard at work, preparing Asheville to weather the rain and wind forecasted to come our way. Teams have been clearing debris from flood prone areas, securing equipment and clearing storm drain grates. City of Asheville staff in strategic departments will be on call and available to respond throughout the storm.
To learn more about what you can do to stay safe before, during, and after a storm visit our City’s stormwater page
Stay Safe and Informed:
Asheville Fire Department
During storm-related emergencies, the City of Asheville’s Fire Department is the lead agency to coordinate and manage the action plan and operations during the incident.
Please continue to monitor Asheville Fire Dept social media for updates :
City of Asheville website
You can also find updated information on impacts to City offered programs, activities and services by monitoring our the City of Asheville Website as well as updates on our social media accounts.
Due to the potential of fast moving storm waters or flash flooding, the City of Asheville advises community members to use caution on the roads. If possible, travel when only necessary. But if you must travel, the City will be updating on the AVL Alert system and partnering with WAZE to provide updated road information. As always, when there’s the potential of high water on the road, the phrase to keep in mind is: Turn Around, Dont Drown
AVL ALERTS
Stormwater staff will be using AVL Alerts to alert community members of issues in their more immediate area. So please make sure to sign up for AVL Alerts
WAZE
The City of Asheville and AFD would also like to encourage the community to utilize the Waze map program to get the latest updates on road closures. The map is available as an App for mobile devices or online at www.waze.com
Information Partners:
The City of Asheville also encourages community members to monitor other government or service provider websites and social media for their latest information as well
NCDOT Twitter: NCDOT_Asheville – local information
@NCDOT – regional/ statewide information
Impacted Services or Events
As our community prepares for a weekend of wind and rain, it’s important to note some scheduled services, activities and events that have been or have the potential to be impacted.
Sanitation
- There are no changes to services at this time
ART services
- There are no changes to service at this time
Parks and Recreation
All outdoor events and classes have been canceled or rescheduled. As of this time, indoor events will continue as scheduled
Parks & Rec Canceled Events
Saturday, October 1
- 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament at Burton Street Community Center – rescheduled for October 15
- Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day at Richmond Hill Park – rescheduled for October 22
- Building Better Businesses Pop-up Shop at Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center – canceled
- All youth sports games and practices – canceled
Sunday, October 2
- All co-hospitality adult softball games – rescheduled for November 6
Regional Entertainment – Canceled or Postponed Outdoor Events
- 10/1: Oktoberfest Half Marathon & 5K @ RAD Greenway Route: Rescheduled for 10/22 with route change pending
- 10/1: Burton Street Agricultural Fair @ Burton Street Recreation Center Exterior: Rescheduled for 10/15
- 10/1: Asheville City Market @ N. Market Street: TBD reschedule
- 10/1: Ooh La La Curiosity Market @ Pritchard Park – Canceled
- 10/1: Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day @ Richmond Hill Park w/Shelter : Rescheduled for 10/22
- 10/1: Asheville Art in the Park @ N. Pack/Median/Raised Lawn: Rescheduled for 11/5
- 10/1: The Block Party presented by Looking Glass Realty @ S. Liberty Street –Canceled
- 10/2: Asheville Veganfest @ Pack Square Park – Full Site : Rescheduled for 10/16
Unsheltered community
The City of Asheville also wants to make sure the most vulnerable in our society are aware of resources available to them during this storm. Those in need should reach out to services provided through the community. Those services have already been in contact with many in need: advising them to move to higher ground as needed, distributing rain gear and supplies, as well as offering some transportation and storage. You may also refer to the City of Asheville Homelessness Resources Guide.