Running water returns to some areas of Asheville; some western NC students back in school

School leaders haven't set a reopening date. However, at a school board meeting on Friday, Oct. 11, Buncombe County school superintendent Dr. Rob Jackson said the plan is to bring in 32 5,000-gallon water tanks, one for each school currently without water, according to ABC Affiliate WLOS. In addition, the county is looking to bring in portable restroom trailers and is considering having schools share campuses or shortening school days. The superintendent said the district will do everything it can to reopen as fast as possible.

A local farmer is pulling double duty, helping his community get into the fall spirit while helping Hurricane Helene victims.

This weekend, Jackson Family Farms' pumpkin patch in Fayetteville will donate a portion of its sales to relief efforts in western North Carolina.

A farmer for nearly 30 years, Brent Jackson wanted to help those in need.

"Man, those people have been through a lot," Brent Jackson said.

"Man, those people have been through a lot. I mean, it's the least I can do, and I wish I could go help, but I hope this can help in some way," he said.

They also have a lot of fresh produce grown right here in our viewing area at Jackson Family Farms. They are open daily from 9 am to 6 pm.

ABC11 got a look at the damage left behind in Bat Cave after Hurricane Helene.

The community is part of Henderson County, near Chimney Rock and Lake Lure.

Our crew rode along with the Bat Cave Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department.

Our crew rode along with the Bat Cave Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department.

You can see the mess left behind after mudslides. Homes were tossed around like toys.

"DOT needs a little more time to get these roads safer," Steve Freeman, who is with the department, said. "It's amazing the work they've done in a short amount of time."

Also, he said that some roads still need to be shored up to prevent people from running off the road and getting hurt.

Some good news is coming out of the mountains in the wake of Hurricane Helene as the region continues to slowly but steadily recover.

This positive development comes out of Virginia, where a long stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway has reopened.

Nearly 200 miles are back open in Virginia after Hurricane Helene.

The scenic byway was closed following the damage from Helene. It has officially reopened from milepost 0 to milepost 198 as of Friday. This restoration opens nearly 200 miles from Shenandoah National Park to Virginia Route 685.

Visitors can again experience the Parkway's iconic Virginia attractions, including the Peaks of Otter, Rocky Knob, and the historic Mabry Mill.

The hard-hit North Carolina stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway has not yet reopened.