Updates in our community – Tuesday October 8, 2024

Watauga County, the Town of Boone, Appalachian State University, and partners are collaborating to keep our community informed about Hurricane Helene's impacts and the resources available for relief. Continue to check this post for updates.

FOR EMERGENCIES, CALL 911.

PAUSE ON UNSCHEDULED DONATIONS: We request that you please continue to PAUSE any unscheduled deliveries to Watauga County sites. Contact the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce at 828-264-2225 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to schedule a donation delivery. To view a list of needed supplies, which is updated daily, visit: http://boonechamber.com/…/donation-intake-and-pick-up…

One of the best ways for you to help support our communities, now and in the future, is by making a monetary donation to relief funds and to area nonprofits. Please consider the following donation sites:

– Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation: boonechamber.com/foundation

– App State Disaster Relief Fund: appstate.edu

– North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund: nc.gov/donate

NON-EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS:

– 828-268-6200 Boone Town Hall: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday, hours subject to change.

– 828-263-4178 Appalachian Medical Reserve Corps Non-Emergency Call Center (for non-urgent inquiries and reports related to storm impacts): 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, leave a message after hours.

– 828-262-2000 Appalachian State University’s Main Line: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

– 828-795-1970 AppHealthCare (health department serving Alleghany, Ashe and Watauga counties): Monday through Friday 8 a.m to 4:45 p.m.

CURFEW: 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. for Watauga County, Town of Blowing Rock and Town of Boone until further notice, due to severely compromised roads and ongoing emergency operations in Watauga County.

CHILDCARE: Kid Cove at Oak Grove is now accepting reservations Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Text 828-964-8924 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

RESOURCES (Food, Water, Volunteer & Donation Options, Health Care, Children’s Resources, Debris Cleanup, Wi-Fi, Laundry, etc.):

– Boone and Watauga County Resources and Services: townofboone.net/hurricanehelenerecovery

– Watauga County Resource Information – Boone Area Chamber of Commerce: http://boonechamber.com/…/official-watauga-county…

– App State Disaster Relief Resources: appstate.edu

– UNC Health Appalachian Community and Employee Resources: apprhs.org

– Crisis Clean Up: Call 844-965-1386 for help getting items to the road for pickup.

URGENT CARE: Urgent Care Services (10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Friday): 261 Longvue Drive, Boone

PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES:

AppHealthCare, the public health department serving Alleghany, Ashe and Watauga counties, is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m to 4:45 p.m. Contact AppHealthCare at 828-795-1970 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

– If your well or spring has flooded, it is recommended you disinfect and test your water. Visit: http://apphealthcare.com/apphealthcare-urges-safe-water…/ for more information and request test kits at no cost.

– If you have an open wound/rash and have been exposed to floodwaters, get a tetanus vaccine to prevent infection.

SHELTER:

– Red Cross Emergency Shelter for students and community members, Holmes Convocation Center, 111 Rivers St. Call about pet restrictions.

– Anyone in need of shelter should call 1-800-RED-CROSS (733-2767).

FEMA ASSISTANCE FOR HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS:

Photograph all damages and items you have to throw away. Homeowners and renters in Watauga County can apply for assistance through FEMA. Use disasterassistance.gov, download the FEMA app, or call 1-800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily for assistance. Contact the local call center with questions at 828-263-4178, or visit http://governor.nc.gov/…/how-apply-fema-assistance…

Disaster Recovery Assistance Specialists are available at these locations to assist with the application for emergency assistance. You’ll need a social security number and bank account and routing numbers. Times are 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

– Stewart Simmons Fire Department, 191 Jakes Mountain Rd, Deep Gap

– Appalachian Enterprise Center, 130 Poplar Grove Connector, Boone

– Bethel Baptist Church, 125 Mountaindale Rd, Vilas

-Western Watauga Community Center NOTE: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m on Wednesday 10/9 ONLY

Locations may change daily, so please visit www.townofboone.net/hurricanehelenerecovery for updates.

UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF: Disaster Unemployment Assistance can be applied for here: des.nc.gov/dua

SHOWERS

– The Care Collective, 584 State Farm Rd Suite 104, Boone: Call 828-406-4344 to schedule, or walk-ins welcomed. Shampoo/Conditioner/Soap/Towel available. Handicapped-accessible shower available. 8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday; Sunday 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

– 180 Float Spa, 249 Kimberly Dr, Boone: Walk-in available Wednesday – Sunday 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.; call 828-832-8180 if appointment is needed.

– Fairfield Inn, 2060 Blowing Rock Rd., Boone: Room available for the public showers. Please ask at the front desk.

– Perkinsville Baptist Church, 274 Jefferson Rd., Boone: Monday-Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

– Fairgrounds Raceway, 748 Roby Greene Rd, Boone: Showers available after 5 p.m.; please bring your own items.

COMMUNITY CARE CENTERS:

– Western Watauga Community Center, 1081 Old US Hwy 421, Sugar Grove: Showers (available 24/7), toilet, handwashing (ADA accessible), hot meals (lunch/dinner 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.)

– Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 1564 Silverstone Rd, Vilas: Showers (7 a.m. – 7 p.m), Toilet (ADA accessible), hot meals (lunch/dinner noon to 5 p.m.)

– Bethel Baptist Church, 125 Mountaindale Rd, Vilas: Shower, Toilet (ADA accessible), hot meals (lunch/dinner 7 a.m. and 7 p.m).

– Stewart Simmons Fire Department, 191 Jakes Mountain Rd, Deep Gap: showers, toilets, food, over-the-counter medicines, handwashing (non-ADA) 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. but subject to change.

– Howard's Creek Baptist Church, 240 Howard's Creek Rd, Boone: Shower (ADA accessible, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. and supplies available). Lunch 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

– Shawneehaw Fire Department, 171 Rominger Rd, Banner Elk: Showers and toilets (non-ADA) 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

– Valle Crucis Conference Center, 146 Skiles Way, Banner Elk: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for hot showers, hot coffee, charging stations, cell signal (no Wi-Fi yet) and hot meals. Toiletries and towels also available.

– Walmart Supercenter, 200 Watauga Village Dr, Boone: Portable restrooms, laundry, showers

Wi-Fi, charging station, IT Disaster Resource Center available daily.

VOLUNTEER: While we are extremely grateful to everyone who has reached out to help, we ask visitors NOT TO TRAVEL TO THE AREA FOR NOW unless you are part of a coordinated volunteer effort, such as the ones listed below. Find more info at the resource links above and at boonechamber.com.

– Samaritan’s Purse: spvolunteer.org

– Appalachian Medical Reserve Corps: https://forms.gle/AaKy78d2pL7V2sNk7

– Down Home NC: facebook.com/DownHomeNC and instagram.com/downhomenc/

– American Red Cross: volunteerconnection.redcross.org/

This list of resources is subject to change. Many organizations and individuals are also providing resources for our community, and we are unable to provide an exhaustive list of all these resources. We, as a community, want to thank everyone for their patience and their willingness to help their neighbors!