News

U.S. Rep. Edwards's Update No. 9

By U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards, Published: October 6, 2024

Happy Sunday. If you’ll give me a point of privilege, I’d like to skip the business talk today and share a bit of positivity. Regardless of your beliefs, Sundays are an opportunity to reflect and be grateful for the blessings in our lives.

Today, I’m grateful that I get to represent such strong, resilient, salt-of-the-earth people who continue to show up for each other. I’m grateful for the thousands of people from across the country who have come to serve and help our mountains, and I’m grateful for the local leaders who are working day and night to help us recover and achieve a new normal.

I’m curious, what are you grateful for today?

Today’s update includes the longest list of food and water distribution sites yet. It also includes more information on county trash pickup/debris removal, plans to rebuild and reopen I-40 into Tennessee, and where to find free internet.

Today is update No. 9, with more information to follow in the coming days. Please make sure to read everything and share it with your friends and family.

• Supplying drinkable water remains a top priority for emergency crews. 93 water systems are on a boil advisory. 37 treatment plants have reported having no power and 41 systems are out of water. Water restoration trends continue to move in a positive direction.
• Twelve combined teams from the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be conducting infrastructure assessments on public water supplies Sunday in Buncombe, Henderson and four other counties. The results of the assessments are expected on Monday and will provide insight into the necessary steps to restore water services in each county.
• The Federal Emergency Management Agency has promised 120 truckloads a day of food and water with no specified end date. To date, FEMA has shipped 13 million meals and 13 million liters of water utilizing the $20 billion in funds that I helped to draft and pass for disaster relief just two days before Hurricane Helene hit.
• Walmart is hosting activities at its Hendersonville store, at 250 Highlands Square Road, including portable restrooms and hot meals at noon and 4 p.m. daily.

Resource hubs in Henderson County:

• Etowah Elementary, 320 Etowah School Roa.
• Rugby Middle School, 3345 Haywood Road
• East Henderson High School, 150 Eagle Pride Drive
• North Henderson High School, 35 Fruitland Road
• Mills River Town Hall, 124 Town Center Drive, Mills River
• Fletcher Town Hall, 300 Old Cane Creek Road, Fletcher