UPDATE Oct. 1 from Town of Highlands Mayor Pat Taylor:
- First Baptist Church is operating an emergency aid station with essential supplies and support services. It is open from 10 to 3 daily.
- Power is restored in the business district and some neighborhoods. Crews will be restoring power to other areas throughout the day and week. Highlands is bringing in additional electric crews to erect destroyed utility poles which is a timely and detailed process.
- Hotwire has some spot outages but most of their network is operational. Other communication providers are working to restore their networks.
- Highlands Police continue to do welfare and damage checks throughout the town.
- Town Hall is open and staff continues to answer phones, questions and record outages.
- Sewer and water departments has operated throughout the emergency and continues to do so.
- Garbage service will run regular route schedules.
- WNC state road closures are posted on NCDrive or click HERE.
UPDATE Sept. 28: Roads out of Highlands from Highlands Fire & Rescue
- Franklin road is open
- Walhalla road is open
- Cashiers road is open to Cashiers but no further
The article below was posted on Sept. 27 at 3:20 p.m.
Authorities urge residents to stay off the roads
By Brian O’Shea, Plateau Daily News
Hurricane Helene swept through Highlands last night and knocked down trees, power lines, and flooded streets leaving all roads in and out of Highlands unpassable as of Friday afternoon.
This includes highways NC-64, NC-106, and NC-28.
Mill Creek on Friday morning after the storm. Would make for a wild Rotary Duck Race.
Highlands and the surrounding area is without power and Mayor Pat Taylor said he does not expect it to turn back on for days. His advice is residents is to stay home.
Rain began on Thursday and by Thursday afternoon, the canoes at Mirror Lake were washed out.
“Stay home and shelter in place,” said Mayor Taylor. “Traffic hinders our crews working.”
The shopping cart rack was blown over at Bryson’s Food Store.
Highlands Fire & Rescue received approx. 15 calls on Friday afternoon reporting impassable roads.
Flooding and downed powerlines at 5th and Chestnut streets on Friday afternoon.
“Please stay off the roads it’s safer for the public and all emergency workers,” said HFR Asst. Chief Robbie Forrester. “Main Roads are in the process of getting cleared but many side roads are still blocked by trees.”
Harris Lake flooded past the picnic table at the left of the frame.
Mill Creek on Friday afternoon.
Fallen trees and downed power lines on 5th Street looking towards the Peggy Crosby Center.
Pictured at the top of the article is a fallen tree that took out several powerlines on 5th Street. It’s the other side of the photo above.
Wow,
Brian, was not aware of this level of damage in Highlands.
My heart goes out to those affected.
Thanks for your efforts to keep us informed.
Ed McCloskey
Brian,
Thanks for the updates!
Its the only news about Highlands we have seen.
Keep up the good work but be safe!