Emergency Information

Current Situation:

Henderson County has declared a State of Emergency due to Hurricane Helene. The State of Emergency is also proclaimed at the request of the Mayors in the Town of Fletcher, Town of Laurel Park, Village of Flat Rock and Town of Mills River. The City of Hendersonville has also declared a State of Emergency as revoking all special event permits until the end of the state of emergency.

Community members are encouraged to make necessary preparations to ensure they are ready for impacts. For tips visit: Ready.gov preparing for Floods

Impacts:

This will be one of the most significant weather events to happen in the western portions of the NWS GSP Weather Service Area in the modern era. Record flooding is forecasted and has been compared to the floods of 1916 in the Asheville area. The impacts from this event are expected to be greater than Tropical Storm Fred from August 2021, and those seen during 2004 from Frances and Ivan. We plead with everyone that you take every single weather warning very seriously through the entirety of this event as impacts will be life-threatening and make sure to have multiple ways to receive the alerts.

The public is encouraged to sign up for alerts from Henderson County Emergency Management (and partners) at: ConnectHC Alerts - Smart911 and download the Henderson County Sheriff's Office App.

The French Broad River Valley has the potential to see historic level flooding not seen since 1916.

Flood Maps:

Residents are urged to review the County's flood maps at THIS LINK. Residents can enter their address to determine their proximity to the 500 year floodplain. Remember the map is only a guide to where flooding may occur, actual impacts could be different; it is only a guide.

Note: when reviewing the floodplain maps use this guide:

Crosshatched area is the floodway
Light Blue is the 100 year floodplain
Grey is the 500 year floodplain

Emergency Operations Center:

The Henderson County EOC is open 24 hours a day during this emergency.

For emergencies call 911
For routine non-medical requests contact our EOC Call Center at 828-771-6670.

Citizens should also tune to local and regional radio and television stations for up to the minute emergency information from the Henderson County Emergency Operations Center.

Traffic and Road Conditions

The Henderson County Sheriff's Office and Emergency Management is maintaining a list of local road closures. It is linked here. Other roadways in Henderson County not on this list may be flooded or impassable, this is only a list of road closures that have been reported to the Henderson County Sheriff's Office.

Additional road closures are also reported here: Drive NC

Shelter Locations and Operations

An Emergency Shelter is currently open at the Henderson County Athletics & Activity Center.