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The following pages are updated daily to help Veteran and VA Employees navigate this ongoing response from Hurricane Helene. 
Email: vhaashpubaff@va.gov  to add resources.

Facility Operations and Updates | Staff Updates | Disaster Recovery Resources

Veterans Disaster Response Line 24/7: 1-800-507-4571
 

Updates and Resources

This page is dedicated to disseminating critical updates concerning the emergency response to Hurricane Helene, specifically aimed at local veterans who may be at risk, as well as the staff involved in the response efforts.

Phone support is available 24/7 via the VISN 6 Clinical Contact Center at 1-855-679-0074. The VISN 6 Clinical Contact Center provides virtual care and support to Veterans enrolled in its the Western North Carolina VA Health Care System. Services include general administrative support, nurse triage, virtual visits with a doctor or nurse practitioner via telephone, VA Video Connect, or VA Health Chat, and pharmacy services. 

Disclaimer: The VISN 6 Clinical Contact Center should not be used for emergency situations. If you are experiencing a medical or psychiatric emergency, please call 9-1-1 or visit the emergency room closest to you.

Update on Emergency Services and Operations as of 10/4/2024 at 6:15 PM 

Veterans with medical questions or concerns can contact the VISN 6 Clinical Contact Center for 24/7 Nurse Support at .  


Veteran Outreach

  • Clinical providers, including mental health professionals, are prioritizing high-risk and vulnerable patients while deployed teams are providing care at local emergency shelters. 
  • We are coordinating oxygen deliveries and respiratory therapies for Veterans in need, and actively reaching out to those expressing concerns.

Emergency Veteran Resources

Immediate Assistance and Resources

Missing Persons

  • Call the Helene Hotline at
  • Family Assistance Center: If you make contact with your loved one, you should notify the Family Assistance Center by email: buncombesearch@gmail.com The phone number for information is

 

Appointment Status

  • All appointments for Monday, Oct. 7, has been cancelled at the main facility.
  • The CBOCs in Franklin, Forrest City, and Hickory will operate as scheduled. 
  • Patients have been notified via VetText and phone, with rescheduling efforts underway.
  • Staff are prioritizing the needs of high-risk and vulnerable patients.

Medication Refills or New Prescriptions

  • Veterans can visit the Asheville VA Hospital Pharmacy or call the Regional Clinical Contact Center at 855-679-0074 and press 1 for pharmacy representatives.

Status of Patients with Specialty and Mental Health Appointments

  • Veterans Crisis Line: www.veteranscrisisline.net. Call 988 (Press 1). Text 838255
  • Staff are triaging the needs of patients, prioritizing those who are high-risk and vulnerable.

Vulnerable Patient Outreach

  • Asheville employees and VISN 6 support have sent VetTexts to all critically vulnerable patients and are actively communicating and addressing their immediate needs.

Status of Patients in the Community Living Center, Hospice, and Inpatients

  • Staff care for patients in our Community Living Center, Hospice, and inpatient units. Despite operating on generator power, patients receive proper nutrition, hydration, and comfortable living conditions.

Veterans Currently Staying with Family in Other Cities or States

  • They can seek services at any VA facility by contacting a local Traveling Veteran Coordinator at 1- (press 0) or calling the VISN 6 Clinical Contact Center at 1- for guidance.
  • Veterans can use their Urgent Care Benefit; learn more at VA Urgent Care Resources.
  • In an emergency, go to the nearest Emergency Room or call 911. Veterans can report emergency care by calling or the VISN 6 Clinical Contact Center at 1-.

Employee Updates

  • Employee safety and well-being have been our top priority throughout this emergency. As of October 4, 2024, we have received 100% safety updates through various channels, including supervisor contact, social media, and the disaster line via calls and texts. However, many of our employees remain without power, water, or cell service. Some have lost their homes and are currently staying with family, in shelters, or out of the city. Their status may have changed since initial contact, and we are actively working with each individual to assess their personal safety and any losses they may have experienced.

Employees Who Cannot Work:

 If you are unable to come to work due to impacts from the hurricane or need to provide updates on your status, please contact your supervisor:

  • Phone: then dial an extension or press 0 to speak to an operator.
  • Text: Start a conversation by texting your full name to .

Facility Status

Asheville VA Hospital Status

As of 10/5 3:00 PM, the main facility is open for pharmacy services and emergency care only. 

  • Appointment Rescheduling: Regular appointments for Monday, October 7, 2024, will be rescheduled as we continue to prioritize high-acuity patients. If your appointment is affected, you will be contacted by text and phone.
  • All Services Status: Our dedicated providers are diligently working to resume all services. We are committed to ensuring that every aspect—supplies, space, and staffing—meets the highest standards of quality and care before fully reopening. We aim to reinstate a significant number of services and appointments next week, contingent on meeting these expectations.

Hickory Community-Based Outpatient Clinics

  • The infrastructure is operational, with power, internet, phone, and water available.
  • Hickory VA Clinic is fully operational.

Forest City Community-Based Outpatient Clinics

As of 10/5 3:00 PM, the infrastructure is operational, with power, internet, phone, and water available.

  • The Master Sergeant Jerry K. Crump VA Clinic is providing essential services. Now that power and communication services are back online, will be fully operational starting Monday. 
  • The site is assessing staff safety and the ability to return to normal appointment status.

Franklin Community-Based Outpatient Clinics

  • The infrastructure is operational, with power, internet, phone, and water available.
  • Franklin VA Clinic is fully operational and has resumed regular operations, ensuring all necessary care is available.

 

 

Additional Information

 

More Resources

Relief Sources

WIFI Locations

  • Citizen Vinyl
  • Moxy Hotel
  • The Plug Shop
  • Center for Craft
  • Patton Ave Pet Co
  • Mosaic Cafe in Biltmore Park
  • Waynesville Lowe's
  • North Asheville Library

Pharmacies

Operating Pharmacies in Counties Affected by Hurricane Helene

NC Board of Pharmacy staff have received notice that the following pharmacies in Western North Carolina are operating and serving patients. We will continue posting updates as we receive them.

CVS locations that are open:

  • Smokey Park HWY Asheville, NC 28806
  • Asheville HWY Brevard, NC 28712
  • Spartanburg HWY, Hendersonville, NC 28792
  • Hendersonville Rd, Fletcher, NC 28732
  • Russ Ave, Waynesville, NC 28786
  • Long Shoals Rd Arden, NC 28704
  • Free Emergency Prescription refills through Pardee, Fleming St, Hendersonville, They can refill nearly everything including insulin. There will also be providers there who can see patients!

Driving conditions

Utilities

Shelters

  • Open Shelters
  • WNC Agricultural Center (Davis Building, Gate 5)
  • Hotels accepting locals
  • Code Purple shelter for single men: Veteran’s Restoration Quarters, 1329 Tunnel Road, Asheville 28805 -
  • Code Purple shelter for single women and women with children: Transformation Village, 30 Olin Haven Way, Asheville 28806 -

Showers

As of October 4, 2024, several locations in our area are offering shower facilities to assist those affected by Hurricane Helene:

  • Walmart Locations:
    • 60 Airport Rd. Arden, NC 28704: Portable restrooms, Laundry, and Showers
    • 1636 Hendersonville Rd. Asheville, NC 28803: Portable restrooms, Laundry, and Showers
    • 200 Watauga Village Dr. Boone, NC 28607: Portable restrooms, Laundry, and Showers
    • 2514 Halltown Rd. Spruce Pine, NC 28777: Portable restrooms, Laundry, and Showers
    • 25 Northridge Commons Pkwy. Weaverville, NC 28787: Portable restrooms, Laundry, and Showers
  • YMCA Locations:
    • 3 Town Square Blvd. Asheville, NC 28803: Open from 10 AM to 5 PM (Restrooms and Showers)
    • 348 Grace Corpening Dr. Marion, NC 28752: Open from 2 PM to 6 PM (Restrooms and Showers)
  • AB Tech:
    • 340 Victoria Rd. Asheville, NC 28801: Showers available only for those sheltering there.
  • Lake Lure Baptist Church:
    • 6837 US Hwy. 64/74-A Lake Lure: Open from 12 PM to 5 PM (Restrooms and Showers)
  • Mills River Park:
    • 124 Town Center Dr. Mills River, NC 28759: Mobile shower station open from 9 AM to 6 PM; Please bring your own toiletries and towels.

These facilities aim to support the community during this challenging time.

Pets

  • October 1 Animal Hospital North Asheville is open starting at 9am (no end time posted) for “urgent med pickup, urgent Rx food pickup, animal first aid, and euthanasia services should they be needed” They say to stay in your car and a staff member will come to you. Urgent requests only
  • Bright vet will also be open 10-2 through at least Friday, Airport Rd, Arden. All appointments will be walk-in only as we currently have no way to schedule. We are not providing preventive care services such as routine vaccines, boosters, etc at this time. We are prioritizing urgent care cases and can refill some prescriptions.

Grocery Stores

Grocery Stores

  • Publix on Hendersonville Road is open and reportedly has water
  • Black Mountain Ingles is open - cash only
  • Sam's Club on Patton is open
  • Whole Foods on Tunnel and Merrimon is open
  • Ingles on Charlotte Highway is open
  • WNC Farmers Market on Brevard Rd has tons of food, in particular produce. No lines and they have power. Most vendors are cash only. But this is a great alternative to grocery stores.

Supplies and water handed out at Thursday 10/3

  • Black Mountain Ingles distributing supplies, unclear if they’re free or not
  • Carolina Day School, Hendersonville Rd, Asheville will be distributing water from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. all week.
  • Manna Food Bank giving out food  10:00 AM - 12:00 PM in two locations:
    • 10AM-12PM - Southwestern Community College-Swain Campus Almond School Rd. Bryson City
    • 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM - Aston Park Towers, S French Broad Avenue, Asheville
  • PVA, Deaverview, or Hillcrest apartments, water is being distributed at the community centers. They will have Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner will be handed out at these times:
    • Breakfast: 10:00 am
    • Lunch: 12:00 pm
    • Dinner: 6:00 pm
  • Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC 28804, 9am
    • water, toilet paper, toothpaste, canned goods, non-perishable food, etc.
  • Groce Methodist Church on Tunnel Road in East Asheville is handing out warm meals 2PM to whenever they run out each day
  • Weaverville Community Center Supplies Distribution 10am - 2pm every day
  • Supplies at Hominy Baptist on 10/3

Food Assistance

Emergency food assistance stations are active in impacted counties — providing meals, nonperishable food, water, and basic necessities to local residents. 

  • Ashe County – Westwood Elementary School, Mountain View Elementary School
  • Buncombe County – UNC-Asheville, Asheville Buncombe Tech Ferguson, WNC Ag. Center, Asheville-Buncombe Tech Conference Center, Biltmore Baptist Church, The Greens at Weaverville, Fletcher Nursing and Rehabilitation.
  • Catawba County – Catawba Valley Community College Tarlton Complex
  • Henderson County – First Baptist Church Hendersonville, Greens at Hendersonville
  • Madison County – Madison County Cooperative Extension Service
  • McDowell County – Nebo Crossing Church, Grace Community Church
  • Mitchell County – First Baptist Spruce Pine
  • Polk County – Polk County High School
  • Rowan County – Rowan-Cabarrus YMCA
  • Watauga County – Cove Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Zionville VFD, Foscoe Christian Church, Watauga EOC, Holmes Convocation Center, Meat Camp Road, Town of Boone PD, First Baptist Boone.

Community Resources for diapers or formula

  • BeLoved Asheville - 32 Old Charlotte Highway. Providing water, food, diapers, and baby formula. Spanish-speaking volunteers are available.
  • Carolina Day School - 1345 Hendersonville Road. Water distribution from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Each person can receive six bottles or one gallon of water. Distribution will continue until supplies run out, said police.
  • Manna Food Bank – distributing diapers, toddler and baby formula at the WNC Farmers Market.  MANNA FoodBank's Headquarters at 627 Swannanoa River Rd is closed indefinitely due to flood damage.
  • Woodland Baptist Church (545 Crabtree Rd, Waynesville) – Baby formula, baby bottles, baby wipes, hygiene products.  Hours: 9am – 6 pm
  • Bethel Elementary School (4700 Old River Rd, Canton) – Baby formula, baby bottles, baby wipes, hygiene products.  Hours: 9am – 6 pm
  • Jonathan Valley Elementary School (410 Hall Dr, Waynesville) – Baby formula, baby bottles, baby wipes, hygiene products.  Hours: 9am – 6 pm
  • The Diaper Bank of North Carolina is collecting diapers, period products, bottles and formula. Visit Distribution Network — Diaper Bank of North Carolina - Diapers and Period Supplies (ncdiaperbank.org)
  • Mountain Area Abortion Doula Collective provides funds and assistance to those seeking an abortion in Asheville and surrounding areas. Visit: MAADCo (mtnabortiondoula.co)

     

Miscellaneous