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In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, NCRMA and our partner NC Emergency Management are committed to supporting and supplying helpful information to the directly impacted retailers, their customers and employees in the affected areas of the state.
NCRMA’s first priority is, as always, to be the reliable resource for retailers who need answers, guidance and information. For that reason, NCRMA maintains close contact with state and federal officials and is constantly monitoring the situation in Western North Carolina.

If you or your company would like to contribute to CFIC’s charitable foundation, the Retail Consumer Alliance Foundation (RCA), we will pass along 100% of donations received to charitable organizations that are supporting Hurricane Helene relief efforts.

On this page we share updates, links to important documents, and provide industry specific information.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, NCRMA and our partner NC Emergency Management are committed to supporting and supplying helpful information to the directly impacted retailers, their customers and employees in the affected areas of the state.
NCRMA’s first priority is, as always, to be the reliable resource for retailers who need answers, guidance and information. For that reason, NCRMA maintains close contact with state and federal officials and is constantly monitoring the situation in Western North Carolina.

On this page we share updates, links to important documents, and provide industry specific information.

HELPFUL LINKS

DOCUMENTATION

HELPFUL LINKS

REAL-TIME UPDATES

RALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and local health departments are working with restaurants and food establishments impacted by Hurricane Helene to help them reopen and feed their communities. Local and state public health staff are working to help them reopen safely while infrastructure continues to be repaired or rebuilt in western North Carolina counties.

“Restaurants are deeply rooted in the communities they serve, and we are working closely with businesses and local health departments to get them back open safely as soon as possible,” said NCDHHS State Environmental Health Director Larry Michael.

Restaurants who lack their usual sources of power, drinking water and wastewater treatment can reopen through an Emergency Operations Plan developed with their local health department. More than 70 restaurants’ Emergency Operations Plans have been approved as of October 9, 2024, in addition to those approved at the local level.

Restaurants may need to limit or simplify their menu based on the amount of water available; they may need to switch to take-out service only; or they may need to obtain a porta-potty. Other important elements include:

  • Water is coming from an approved source, such as the municipal water system, an approved and tested community well or water supply company or bottled water. If a water storage truck, tank or other container is used, it should be designed for potable water.
  • Water for employee handwashing is provided.
  • A toilet or porta-potty for employees and customers is available if the restaurant is open for seated customers. If using flushing toilets, either gray water or other non-potable water must be available to flush them.

A flyer with elements of an approved Emergency Operations Plan for Restaurants is available online. Many counties in the impacted area are reporting that a majority of food establishments are open, including Ashe, Catawba, Jackson, Lincoln, Watauga and Wilkes counties.

For more information about Hurricane Helene and resources available for people who are impacted, please go to ncdhhs.gov/helene and ncdps.gov/helene.

Power: Restoration remains a priority with 86,371 outages remaining (0 substations and 3 transmission lines down).

Roads: There are at least 612 roads that remain closed due to flooding, trees and downed power lines. This number is increasing as connectively is restored and reporting improves. (3 Interstate, 43 US, 50 NC and 516 secondary roads). Visit www.drivenc.gov for road conditions. There are some FEMA checkpoints along I-40, I-77 and I-26 in the Western part of the state to verify access due to recovery efforts.

Water: Currently, 76 systems on boil water advisories and of these, 38 systems need bacteria results to clear the advisory. Additionally, 9 systems have no power, 47 are operating on backup power and 25 systems are out water. Visit: Public Water Supply Situation Report Tracking for more detailed information.

Solid Waste / Debris Management: There are currently 41 Active Debris Sites and 17 Pending Review and Approval. The WTS (waste transfer station) is in operation in Asheville. Link: Active Solid Waste Sites

From Buncombe County:

Non-potable water (grey water) for flushing toilets is now available at all County and City distribution sites:

  • William W. Estes Elementary – 275 Overlook Rd, Asheville
  • Sand Hill Elementary – 154 Sand Hill School Rd, Asheville (Enter via Acton Circle)
  • North Windy Ridge Intermediate – 20 Doan Rd, Weaverville
  • Fairview Elementary – 1355 Charlotte Hwy, Fairview
  • Black Mountain Ingles – 550 NC-9, Black Mountain
  • Cane Creek Middle – 570 Lower Brush Creek Rd, Fletcher
  • Leicester Elementary – 31 Gilbert Rd, Leicester
  • Pack Square Park – 70 Court Plaza, Asheville
  • Asheville Middle – 211 S. French Broad Ave, Asheville
  • Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center – 121 Shiloh Rd, Asheville
  • Lucy Herring Elementary – 98 Sulphur Springs Rd, Asheville

Oakley Elementary – 753 Fairview Rd, Asheville

USDA’s hot foods waiver WILL BE ISSUED STATEWIDE in order to accommodate SNAP customers that have been displaced. The hot foods waiver will run from Friday, October 4 until November 3. Please make sure your POS systems are programmed.

The hot foods waiver allows for SNAP benefits to be used for HOT foods and foods intended to be consumed on retailer premises in every county.

To reiterate: All SNAP authorized retailers will need to update their systems.

These purchases are not subject to sales tax when purchased with SNAP EBT benefits.

Resources:
Store Signage
Eligible Foods Under Hot Foods Waiver

Customer questions should be directed to the EBT Call Center at 1-866-719-0141.

NCRMA has reviewed the local emergency declarations below and made note of any requirements that affect your store operations relative to curfews or sales restrictions. Remember to provide associates access to your re-entry certification PDF to show to local officials during curfew hours.

To view the list, click here.

Governor Roy Cooper declared a State of Emergency effective September 25, 2024, and will remain in effect for 30 days unless terminated earlier.

The Order activates the State Emergency Operations Plan and allows for the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety to take the appropriate action to ensure the expeditious movement of utility vehicles to eliminate power outages, vehicles carrying essential supplies such as food, medicine and fuel or transporting livestock, poultry and crops. This order also triggers the NC Price Gouging Law.

The full declaration under Executive Order No. 315 can be found here.

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