Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce Important Info Post-Helene 10.1.2024 written by Susan Gregory, Executive Director

This is too lengthy to share on the Chinquapin WhatsApp group, so I'm putting it here on the owner webite, News about gas, volunteering, showers, travel and more is within it.

Dear Cashiers Area Chamber members and friends,

I am writing to share an update about the Cashiers Area, which includes Cashiers, Glenville, Lake Toxaway, and Sapphire, after talking with our local fire department, Jackson County Emergency Management, Jackson County Tourism Development Authority, and local groups. Please feel free to share with anyone in your network that may find this information valuable. 

Travel Ban

 The NC Department of Transportation continues to advise that all travel in WNC should be for emergencies only. Within Jackson County, sections of many roads are being repaired due to landslides and flooding. For more information, visit www.drivenc.gov. All roads in and out of Cashiers are now passable (64 E, 64 W, 107 N, 107 S) however, please respect and adhere to the travel ban to use the roads for emergencies only and expect some delays if you must be on the roads. Please drive with caution as many repair crews are diligently working to restore power and roads. 

Outreach - Volunteer Opportunities and Donations

We remain most grateful for the heroic efforts of the first responders, emergency services and volunteers who have stepped up to help in Jackson County and beyond. 

 Cashiers Baptist Church, 213 US-64 East is open for the following:

• Bottled water

• MREs are available

• Limited supplies of diapers & baby formula

• Showers

• Free Wifi

 Cashiers Baptist Church is preparing meals for our first responders and residents in need. They are graciously accepting donations to support this outreach. The following items are in short supply as of this update:

• Sterno cans

• Paper goods

• Coffee, sugar, creamer

• Food donations

 There are local service providers that have reached out to the Cashiers Area Chamber offering assistance with storm damage repair and clean up. Some are offering discounts for their services. Please contact the Chamber at office@cashiersareachamber.com or 828-743-5191 for more information.

 For local residents (only) who wish to volunteer and help those in need, complete this form from Jackson County Emergency Management: https://jax.onl/VolunteerForm At this time, due to limited infrastructure, JCEM can only accept volunteers who are local residents.

 To donate to help flood victims in WNC, visit this comprehensive list: https://jax.onl/HowToHelpWNC

 Public Wifi Spots:

 Cashiers:

• Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library

• Bucks Coffee Cafe, 6 State Route 107 @ the Crossroads

• Brookings Angler, 88 Cashiers Lake Road

• Cashiers-Glenville Recreation Center, 355 Frank Allen Road

• Cashiers Baptist Church, 213 US-64 East

• Chattooga Gardens, 91 Valley Road (off 107 S)

• The Village Green, 160 Frank Allen Road

• Whiteside Brewing, 128 State Route 107 N

 Glenville: 

• Glenville Community Center (former VFW), 5012 Hwy 107 N, Glenville

 Lake Toxaway/Sapphire:

• Grand Olde Station Restaurant, 502 Blue Ridge Rd, Lake Toxaway

• McNeely’s Ace Hardware, 17668 Rodman Hwy, Sapphire

Other Infrastructure: Banks, Food, Gas Fuel / Propane, and Water

 Bank News as of Tuesday, October 1 at 1:30 PM:

• First Citizens Bank is drive thru only & the ATM is working.

• United Community Bank is drive thru only & the ATM is not working.

• Wells Fargo’s lobby is open & the ATM is working.

 Ingles, the Cashiers Farmer’s Market, limited restaurants and food purveyors are open to serve you. Each establishment differs as to whether they can accept cards or cash only.

• Ingles closes at 5:00 PM

• Cashiers Valley Pharmacy is open and ready to serve.

 A Declaration of A State of Emergency is in place restricting the sale and purchase of gasoline to 10 gallons of gas per day per person at every establishment authorized to sell gasoline in Jackson County until further notice. The Chamber has been notified that a fuel tanker is enroute to provide gas. At the time of this update, we do not have a confirmed arrival date.

 A boil water advisory remains in place for Tuckaseigee Water & Sewer Authority and Carolina Water Service customers. Water conservation is strongly encouraged to maintain the water supply needed. 

Places to fill up your own water containers:

• Cashiers-Glenville Fire Department, 579 Frank Allen Rd, Cashiers

• Cashiers Valley Smokehouse, 281 64 W, Cashiers 

Lodging and Showers

Please note: We strongly encourage only those affected by the storm to seek accommodation at this time. This is not the time for vacation travel to the region. Please contact specific lodging destinations for further updates about accommodation availability.

 Many hotels are offering discounted rates for emergency personnel and individuals displaced by the hurricane. 

 We are conserving water in Jackson County so our water system can flush. Showers are available at the following locations:

• Cashiers-Glenville Recreation Center, 355 Frank Allen Road, Cashiers

• Cashiers Baptist Church, 213 US-64 East, Cashiers

• Jackson County Recreation Center, 88 Cullowhee Mountain Road, Cullowhee

• Town of Highlands Recreation Center, 

Glenville Area Services:

 The Glenville Community Center will provide FREE soup & sandwiches on Oct 2 and FREE hotdogs on Oct 3. They have power and WiFi available. If you want to support their outreach or volunteer, please contact Pastor Ralph Campbell at cornerstone007@outlook.com

 The Glenville Thrift Store is open Friday, Oct 4 and Saturday, Oct 5. If you have been adversely affected by the storm and in need of assistance that the Thrift Shop may be able to provide, please contact Pastor Ralph Campbell at cornerstone007@outlook.com

National Parks and Forests

We have several updates related to our National Parks and U.S. Forests. Now is not the time to visit, but we are sharing updates as we know you care about our beloved national park sites.

 Great Smoky Mountains National Park: While parts of the national park are open, outdoor recreation is currently discouraged due to park staffing being stretched and visitor safety concerns. Several park campgrounds and roads, including Newfound Gap Road/US 441 and Kuwohi Road, remain closed. There are no current reopening estimates for closed roads. Visitors are encouraged to reschedule their trips for their own safety.

 Blue Ridge Parkway: The full length of the Parkway in North Carolina, from Milepost 217 to Milepost 469,  is closed due to damage. Closures will remain in place until staff can safely assess the park and clear any storm damage. 

 U.S. Forest Service: All recreation sites in the Nantahala National Forest are closed until further notice. This includes roads, campgrounds, boat launches and popular areas such as Panthertown Valley Trailheads, Whitewater Falls, Balsam Lake Picnic Area and Shelters, Yellow Mountain Fire Tower and others. Prior reservations made through recreation.gov will be automatically refunded. 

Please keep in mind that the above information is evolving and subject to change. We will share more details when they become available. Stay safe and be well.

Susan Gregory

Executive Director

Leadership Cashiers Class of 2022

828-743-5191 | Cashiers Area Chamber

202 US Hwy 64 W | PO Box 238 | Cashiers, NC 28717