The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and local health departments are working with restaurants and food establishments impacted by Hurricane Helene to help them reopen and feed their communities. Local and state public health staff are working to help them reopen safely while infrastructure continues to be repaired or rebuilt in western North Carolina counties.  

“Restaurants are deeply rooted in the communities they serve, and we are working closely with businesses and local health departments to get them back open safely as soon as possible,” said NCDHHS State Environmental Health Director Larry Michael.      

Restaurants who lack their usual sources of power, drinking water and wastewater treatment can reopen through an Emergency Operations Plan developed with the local health department.

Restaurants may need to limit or simplify their menu based on the amount of water available; they may need to switch to take-out service only; or they may need to obtain a porta-potty. Other important elements include: 

• Water is coming from an approved source, such as the municipal water system, an approved and tested community well or water supply company or bottled water. If a water storage truck, tank or other container is used, it should be designed for potable water. 
• Water for employee handwashing is provided. 
• A toilet or porta-potty for employees and customers is available if the restaurant is open for seated customers. If using flushing toilets, either gray water or other non-potable water must be available to flush them. 

Additional staff and inspectors have been assigned to Buncombe County to expedite the application and inspection process for EOPs.

Resources:

• 10/17/24 – Buncombe County has set up an expedited process for reopening food service establishments. Restaurants should fill out this form: Emergency Operations Plan for Food Establishments
• Emergency Operations Plan for Restaurants – DHHS Flyer
• From Asheville Independent Restaurants (AIR) more information and the application to operate under an EOP here. Includes recording of Q&A that AIR hosted with Buncombe County Environmental Health officials and additional guidance on how to fill out your EOP.
• The NC Environmental Health Department has activated its staff to assist with the volume of calls. Restaurants may call or email with questions: 919-707-5999
  or  EHpreparednessquestions@DHHS.nc.gov

If your facility did not experience flooding, extended interruption of power or water supplies, or sewage backup, please contact the office by emailing ehrequest@buncombecounty.org. In the subject line of your email, type “Restaurant Open” and include the name of your facility and contact information in the body of the email.  Alternatively, you can call or text 828-772-2820 with this information.