Banner Elk urges voluntary evacuation due to sewer system damage

October is usually a time when the town of Banner Elk is welcoming tourists to explore the Avery County resort area. But as the Helene cleanup continues, local officials are asking visitors to stay away, and for residents to evacuate if they have a safe place to go.

The sewer system is badly damaged leading to the risk of creeks being contaminated by wastewater, says Lora Elder, a volunteer helping with the town’s crisis communications. And there are still many places where roads and bridges are washed out.

On top of that, she says the storm has all but canceled the vitally important October tourist season. 

“You have a town of people that are dependent upon being able to wait tables or work in ski shops or part of the landscaping teams and all these other matters that just aren't happening and won't for a while," she says. "Economically, this is going to be a huge hit.”

Elder says another problem is out-of-area vacation management representatives telling customers it’s okay to come to Banner Elk or not letting people out of their commitments. 

“So our focus has been getting anybody that this is not your permanent home out to where your permanent home is," she says. "But now our focus, also, with our current infrastructure issues with the water and the sewer system, is encouraging anybody that's local that can decamp to another location, you’re gonna be much happier if you go ahead and find that location."

Elder says it’s too early to say how long the repair efforts in Banner Elk will take.