Buncombe closes two storm shelters; Hearts with Hands open until Jan. 28

Buncombe County demobilized two temporary community storm shelters as of 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, and designated Hearts with Hands in Swannanoa as the final open site through noon Wednesday, Jan. 28. County officials said anyone at the closed sites who wished to remain sheltered would be transported to Hearts with Hands, 850 Warren Wilson Road.

As of 4 p.m. Monday, the Erwin High shelter held 48 people and the Reuter Family YMCA shelter held 11, while Hearts with Hands was sheltering 12 and was set up for 50. The three sites had been opened beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, ahead of an Ice Storm Warning and icy conditions that prompted a local state of emergency.

Buncombe County’s press release made the operational changes official: “As of 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, the community shelters at Reuter Family YMCA and Erwin High will demobilize.” The release added, “Any current shelter clients who wish to remain sheltered will be transported to Hearts with Hands, 850 Warren Wilson Road, Swannanoa, which will stay open until Wednesday at noon.” County officials also said, “Any community member looking to access warming or overnight sheltering will be welcomed until that shelter's closure.”

Shelter operators emphasized basic comfort and safety services rather than medical care. Each site was outfitted with generators, meals, cots and blankets, and could expand capacity if needed. Hearts with Hands will provide meals to those sheltering. Because respiratory illnesses, including measles, have circulated in the community, nurses were scheduled to provide health screenings at shelter sites; officials stressed that these were not medical shelters and could not administer medical treatment. Therapy animals were permitted at the temporary sites.

Local weather remained a driver of operations. The National Weather Service advisory included forecast lows near 4 degrees with wind chill values as low as -7, prompting the county to maintain warming and overnight shelter options while the cold persisted. County Manager Avril Pinder thanked residents for heeding warnings: “I can’t thank our community enough for taking this storm seriously. Because you heeded the warnings and stayed safe at home, our emergency responders were able to help to those who needed it.”

Buncombe County planned to end the local state of emergency at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26. Administrative offices, libraries and parks were scheduled to resume regular operations Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 12 p.m.; the landfill and transfer station were to resume at 8 a.m. Tuesday. The county also is coordinating with winter and Code Purple partners to arrange emergency beds for people experiencing homelessness and pointed residents toward a coordinated hotel option through Explore Asheville for those seeking private lodging, pets or utility-worker accommodations.

Lillian Govus, a county spokesperson, said officials remain watchful: “we will always reevaluate if the need remains in our community. Keeping our community safe is top of mind during extreme weather events like this one.” For residents still needing warming or overnight shelter, Hearts with Hands will accept people through noon on Wednesday, Jan. 28; county officials said transportation would be provided for those coming from the demobilized sites.