Winter weather hits North Carolina mountain communities still recovering from Helene [Video]

BOONE, N.C. (WBTV) – Freezing temperatures are typical this time of year, but they are less than welcome in communities still recovering from Helene.

Emergency management officials across the mountains have plans in place to ensure residents have a warm place to stay.

Officials in Watauga County say the Red Cross is on standby with the capability to open warming shelters if needed. People displaced by Helene needing a place to stay should go to the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Boone (130 Poplar Grove Connector) for a hotel voucher. Click here for more information.

In Avery County, officials say they have not needed to open warming stations because the winter weather has fortunately not caused power outages. If outages occur, local fire departments would open warming stations in those areas. At this time, officials say people displaced by Helene are in hotels.

If you are living in Ashe County and needing a warm place …