The remnants of Tropical Storm Sally are expected to pass close enough to western North Carolina to bring periods of heavy rain Thursday morning into Friday morning. Because of this, the National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch to include Buncombe County.
The City of Asheville is ready. Public Works and the Asheville Fire Department are taking measures for storm response, as needed.
Today, Public Works Streets Division is using a trackhoe to remove silt from Town Branch on Depot Street. This will help the stream stay in the banks and cause less flooding of surrounding properties.
Public Works crews are cleaning storm drains around the City today and Thursday. “We are also considering placing a number of staff on stand-by Thursday evening through Saturday morning should they be needed for potential flooding issues and down trees,” said Assistant Public Works Director Amy Deyton.
Public Works will be prepared to close roads in low lying areas if needed. “We are monitoring the storm and may adjust plans accordingly,” Deyton said.
The Asheville Fire Department’s Emergency Management Division has been communicating with Buncombe County Emergency Management regarding potential severe weather conditions due to Hurricane Sally.
“AFD and Buncombe County will work in conjunction to ensure needed personnel and swift water rescue equipment are on stand by and ready to be deployed if necessary,” said AFD PIO Kelley Klope. “As rain falls, AFD will monitor streets to assist Public Works with any street closures.”