News

More than 6,000 remain without power in Zeta's aftermath

Heavy rain from Tropical Storm Zeta caused a washout of West Blue Ridge Road, closing the road in both directions near the Millhouse Lodge..

By Lightning Reports, Published: October 30, 2020

More than 6,000 homes and businesses remained without power Friday as utility workers and NCDOT crews worked to restore power and repair roads.

On Thursday night parts of Crab Creek, Little River, West Blue Ridge and Mine Gap roads in Flat Rock were closed either because of road damage, downed trees or downed power lines after high water closed roads throughout the county on Thursday.

The fast-moving storm lashed the area with tropical force winds on Thursday, causing schools to close and triggering as many as 11,000 power outages. A flash flood warning was in effect until Thursday afternoon.

In the mountains and foothills, 104,000 customers had lost power by 8:45 Thursday morning, 10,739 in Henderson County. Polk County was especially hard hit, with 7,231 of the county's 8,285 homes and businesses in the dark. At noon Thursday, 74,000 Duke Energy customers remained without electricity, in the southwest mountains and Blue Ridge Escarpment.

The county 911 center had received about 35 calls reporting trees and power lines down.

"Fire departments have been busy since about 6 a.m. answering those calls, notifying DOT of road closures and converying information (about downed power lines) to Duke Power and I know Duke Power is out starting to assess damage" and organize repair work, " Emergency Services Director Jimmy Brissie said Thursday morning.

Flooding in areas that are "the usual suspects" caused road closures, including Greenville and Spartanburg highways, South Grove Street, Cabin Creek Road in Green River, U.S. 64 at Mills Gap Road in Edneyville and Jackson Road at Howard Gap Road. So far, the French Broad  had not overrun its banks to close River Road at Hebron Road "but I'm sure it's just a matter of time because it looks like Transylvania County has had quite a bit of rain as well."

Water rescue teams responded to motorists who drove into floodwaters at the Beverly Hanks Center on Asheville Highway and on Airport Road near Blue Ridge Community College, Brissie said. A few people were hurt by debris whipped around by Zeta, none with injuries serious enough to require hospitalization.