Asheville and Western North Carolina remain remain in a state of disarray after Tropical Storm Helene swept through, leaving roads impassable and thousands without power or displaced, putting a strain on the area's many universities and colleges.
All of the area's private and public higher education institutions will remain closed at least through the rest of the week, as college and university officials scramble to provide resources to students and families.
Currently the region is reckoning with the aftermath of Helene, which has resulted in a death toll across Western North Carolina that has risen steadily with the last report standing at 40 dead in Buncombe and six dead in Henderson and one in Macon counties, with theexpectation of even higher numbers.
UNC Asheville
As of the latest announcement, University of North Carolina Asheville will remain closed entirely until Oct. 7, with classes suspended until Oct. 9. There will also be support with meals or other help, the university set up a response tent located on Reed Plaza in front of the Highsmith Student Union daily from 9 a,m,-5 p.m.
UNC Asheville is also offering mental health services that can be accessed by calling East Carolina University at 252-328-6661 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. through Oct. 11.
Asheville students should monitor news updates from the school at bulldogalert.unca.edu.
A-B Tech
Asheville-Buncombe Technical College will remain closed until further notice due to the effects of Hurricane Helene.
The college is currently home to two hurricane shelters, one serving the general population at the A-B Tech Conference Center at 16 Fernihurst Drive and a medical emergency shelter for those dependent on medical equipment requiring powerat 10 Genevieve Circle.
Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University is offering dining options and landline telephones to its students while it remains clsoed after Hurricane Helene. The university resources available to students facing various problems:
Health Services- Open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.Counseling and Psychological Services- Open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.After Hours Mental Health Emergencies- 855-759-1787Mobile Crisis Line- 888-315-2880
Warren Wilson College
Warren Wilson College president Damian Fernandez in a written update Monday said the school is receiving food and water deliveries and working to restore internet connectivity. The university is continuing to conduct wellness checks on students and said several pigs residing on the on-campus farm died in flooding from Helene.
"Our plans to partner with community organizations are materializing. We are in collaboration with Conscious Alliance and Hearts with Hands to volunteer to distribute food and water close to campus," Fernandez said in his statement.
Montreat College
Montreat College remains completely closed until Oct. 6 and all students have been relocated off campus since Hurricane Helene. The college is advising students not to return to campus to retrieve vehicles or personal belongings.
Campus buildings remain locked and inaccessible, and college officials said gasoline is unavailable in surrounding areas, making travel unsafe and unreliable.
Lees-McRae
Lees-McRae College will remain closed through Oct. 4 with online classes resuming Oct. 7. College officials are advising students not to return until after it has been deemed safe to do so. The college is actively working to shift in-person classes online.
"As the town and state work to rebuild infrastructure in our area, college administration will continue to evaluate area conditions to determine when it is safe for students to return to campus. Should the return to in-person instruction be delayed, additional details will be communicated via email and on the college’s website and social media channels," officials said in a statement.
Appalachian State
Appalachian State University remains closed through Oct. 4. Students can receive updates about Appalachian State University at appstatealert.com
College officials are urging water conservation measures such as:
- Taking shorter showers and turning off the water while soaping or shampooing.
- Run dishwashers and washing machines only when they are full.
- Don't run the faucet while waiting for water to cool, and use a dishpan for washing and rinsing dishes.
Residence halls, dining facilities and campus medical facilities remain operational for on-campus students.
McDowell Tech
Students at McDowell Technical Community College also won't be returning to class until at least Oct. 7 with a phased return for employees.
College officials said in a statement that: "Please note that we are taking every precaution to prioritize the health and safety of our staff and faculty, and we will follow all McDowell County and State Emergency Management recommended guidelines during this transition."
Mars Hill University
Mars Hill University announced Monday that its campus Wi-Fi had been restored and that the campus would be closed until at least Oct. 4. The university is offering meals to its on-campus students and is working to restore normalcy to campus.
"Thank you to facilities, IT, dining, campus safety, and incident response staff who have been on campus around the clock. Thank you to local MHU volunteers and students who have been supporting them," the university said in a prepared statement.
