(WLOS) — (10:00 a.m.) – Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder and Buncombe County EMS Director Taylor Jones provide updates on Hurricane Helene preparations, precautions, and the current state of emergency.

–

Flooding and power outages are reported in the mountains on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning due to persistent rainfall and downpours.

Thursday morning, NCDOT says there are more than 30 road closures around the mountains due to the weather. News 13 crews reported standing water on parts of Interstate 26 early Thursday morning.

Video from Biltmore Village in Asheville shows cars driving through high water and a sedan nearly submerged.

BUNCOMBE, HAYWOOD AND OTHER MOUNTAIN AREAS DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY

A photo from Spruce Pine showed floodwaters near a cabin on Gem Mountain. Video footage showed water flowing under a nearby road.

Rutherford County emergency officials issued an alert around 11:38 p.m. Wednesday night warning that Lake Lure floodgates were operating above six feet. They also warned residents in lower areas below the dam to be alert for rising water.

McDowell County Emergency Management has issued a mandatory evacuation for River Breeze Campground, located in Marion, due to flash flooding. An emergency shelter was opened at Glenwood Baptist Church, located at 155 Glenwood Baptist Church Road.

INTERACTIVE RADAR

From Thursday 8am, Duke Energy reportsThousands of customers are without power, including more than 4,500 in Henderson County, more than 2,000 in Buncombe County, 1,900 in McDowell and 1,800 in Macon.

HELENE UPGRADED TO CATEGORY 2 HURRICANE AS IT MOVES TOWARDS FLORIDA

A lot of school districts And public officesover the mountainshave closedThursday due to the threat of flooding and wind. Local emergencies have been declared and at state level.

Heavy, widespread rain will continue Thursday before Helene arrives in the mountains, with more heavy rain expected Thursday night and Friday morning.

NEWS 13 WEATHER

Helene will rapidly strengthen as it moves across the eastern Gulf of Mexico toward a landfall in the Florida Panhandle later Thursday. The current track will take the storm toward WNC, with winds and heavy rain possible Thursday night through Friday morning.

—

Share your weather photos and videos with us via Chime In.