Banner Elk leaders advise residents to seek safe shelter elsewhere due to Helene devastation

Banner Elk leaders are advising people, residents and business owners to leave the area Friday due to devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.

The Visit Banner Elk Facebook page posted on Friday afternoon about “incapacitated” infrastructure.

“If you have another safe and stable place to de-camp to outside of the destruction area for the foreseeable future, please do for your safety and comfort,” the Facebook post reads.

The page said its water systems and sewer systems will continue to be down for the foreseeable future.

Safety of wells and septic systems are likely compromised for consumption or use, according to the post.

The post referred people to the Avery County Health Department for specific information on private wells and septic systems.

Town leaders are expected to bring in porta-johns and temporary camp-style showers by next week.

“It will not be pretty nor comfortable,” the post reads. “If you have somewhere else to go, it’s a good time to do so.

“We cannot define foreseeable future.”

On Thursday, Sky 5 flew over Banner Elk to survey the damage from Helene.

Volunteers needed in Banner Elk, Postal Service still not in service

The Visit Banner Elk Facebook page said volunteers are needed at the resource center in the Historic Banner Elk School to help people sort through donations. The center is open each day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The page also said there is not information on when the U.S. Postal Service will resume operations in the town.