It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Bryson City, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I'm so happy to have such a professional and reliable agency that I can refer”
“Always Best Care Seniors Services provide the personal touch in-home care! From our initial”
“Highly professional and very caring. A great company”
“I love this company. They are always very responsive. They truly care about the ones”
“Wonderful service, very helpful, great communication.”
“All their caregivers are nice, show up, rarely late, and very helpful and kind. They”
“I am a current client of this provider They give me the peace of mind. They are”
“My husband has dementia. They have helped me continue to work and feel comfortable in”
“Very great place to work! The staff is very supportive!”
“This place is absolutely amazing to work for!! The office team is so welcoming and”
“They do what I ask them to do which makes my life easier. They are”
“The most caring compassionate place i have ever been to”
“Outstanding care and compassion for both clients and employees”
“They really appreciate to have their employees there . And that makes me feel happy”
“I went for my interview there a week ago and the staff were so nice”
“I am a current client of this provider It could just be his cooperation or lack”
“I am a current client of this provider They do what I ask them to do”
“I am Kathryn Merrell and for the past several months I have been under the”
“I am a current client of this provider She does whatever is needed without being asked. I”
“I am a current client of this provider Just being here and making meals is great.”
“As a caregiver I am so pleased with the care for the clients. I've never”
“I would recommend them because they provide good services. I've been down on my”
“They're very prompt about coming when they're supposed to and they do what we need”
“I am a current client of this provider They've helped the most just by being here,”
“I have honestly never met a group of people who care as much as the”
“I'm so happy to have such a professional and reliable agency that I can refer my caregivers to and know that they will receive the service they need to assist with the care of their loved ones with dementia,”
“Always Best Care Seniors Services provide the personal touch in-home care! From our initial call inquiring about services, to meeting the owner Jim Smeaton to discuss our unique family needs, to the caring compassionate and understanding caregivers we are thoroughly impressed. Its such a relief knowing our loved ones are receiving the care they deserve.”
“Highly professional and very caring. A great company”
“I love this company. They are always very responsive. They truly care about the ones that they care for.”
“Wonderful service, very helpful, great communication.”
“All their caregivers are nice, show up, rarely late, and very helpful and kind. They are reliable, and the caregivers are sweet and attentive.”
“I am a current client of this provider They give me the peace of mind. They are always able to be reached and are willing to work with you.”
“My husband has dementia. They have helped me continue to work and feel comfortable in knowing my husband is safe with excellent care. The office listens, really hears and is helpful to support and meet needs. Our caregiver, Chip, has become family. He was very personable, attentive to needs, brings extra in music, stories, making sure to pay attention to the patient and give accordingly. He is always kind and gracious. We are blessed to have them.”
“Very great place to work! The staff is very supportive!”
“This place is absolutely amazing to work for!! The office team is so welcoming and helpful anytime I call or come in, and my clients are wonderful! It’s more like helping a friend all day instead of working like clockwork!”
“They do what I ask them to do which makes my life easier. They are always on time and they always finish the job during the day.”
“The most caring compassionate place i have ever been to”
“Outstanding care and compassion for both clients and employees”
“They really appreciate to have their employees there . And that makes me feel happy just being in there in their organization .. my google is under Stephanie young but my last name is now Duarte . Young was my married name , I’m divorced now”
“I went for my interview there a week ago and the staff were so nice and welcoming. I’m excited to join the team and see the great things they have in store.”
“I am a current client of this provider It could just be his cooperation or lack thereof. It is regarding his cooperation regarding the service. He tends to not wake the caregiver for assistance during the night time. I would give specific names of individuals in this organization that I would request over others.”
“I am a current client of this provider They do what I ask them to do which makes my life easier. They are always on time and they always finish the job during the day.”
“I am Kathryn Merrell and for the past several months I have been under the care of ABC Senior Services. I have had the privilege of enjoying the care of Lois C. She is the best advertisement for your agency. When I am asked, which happens frequently, about my experience with ABC, I refer to Lois as being your prime example of the type of care they can expect from you. She goes beyond just basic care and does all she can to help remedy any problem we have. I love that I can trust her and feel safe having her share my home with me. She is very professional yet very "down home", a rare combination. You should be very thankful she is on your "team"! Because of her, I have no problem recommending your company to all who ask.”
“I am a current client of this provider She does whatever is needed without being asked. I have had a couple of very good people, one of which I have now. When I was getting going with them, I had a couple of people I would never like to have again, but that has all been ironed out.”
“I am a current client of this provider Just being here and making meals is great. But they could be more proactive. They need to be better at communicating.”
“As a caregiver I am so pleased with the care for the clients. I've never worked for a company that was so dedicated to clients and caregivers. Everyone is always happy, clients and staff. I am blessed to work here.”
“I would recommend them because they provide good services. I've been down on my health, so it's been a blessing to have them taking care of him for me. I appreciate that the caregivers are friendly.”
“They're very prompt about coming when they're supposed to and they do what we need them to do. They've helped the most just by being here.”
“I am a current client of this provider They've helped the most just by being here, and doing what they're supposed to. They're very prompt about coming when they're supposed to and they do what we need them to do.”
“I have honestly never met a group of people who care as much as the Always Best Care team. I have watched the staff there change lives for the better, not only for clients but each other as well. It is a pleasure to be a part of this team, nothing compares to it!!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Bryson City, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Bryson City, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Bryson City, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Students at Swain West Elementary School collaborated on this design as part of a school board initiated plan to create more positive images to be posted on school campuses.Jessica [email protected] County Board of Education had a slate of business actions at their regular meeting Thursday, Feb. 6. Among them was the approval of calendar adjustments for the 2024-2025 school year to make up for snow days.The adjustment makes May 27-29 student days with early dismiss...
Students at Swain West Elementary School collaborated on this design as part of a school board initiated plan to create more positive images to be posted on school campuses.
Jessica Webb
Swain County Board of Education had a slate of business actions at their regular meeting Thursday, Feb. 6. Among them was the approval of calendar adjustments for the 2024-2025 school year to make up for snow days.
The adjustment makes May 27-29 student days with early dismissal on the 29th. The district also announced it has set the Swain County High School 2025 graduation date for Thursday, May 29 at 7:30 p.m.
“We’ve had more weather interruptions this year than I have seen in a decade,” said Superintendent Mark Sale before the board.
He noted the state legislature forgave the days missed this past fall surrounding Hurricane Helene, but freezing weather and snow also led to a few dates missed this spring that must be made up.
The calendar was also a subject in a letter the board has sent to N.C. Rep. Mike Clampitt urging support for local calendar flexibility regarding the start and end dates for the year. In the letter, the district states: “We continue to work within the boundaries of the school calendar law. However, this is forcing a short semester in the fall compared to the spring. We have chosen this unbalanced calendar approach to finish all mandated fall testing before Christmas and more closely align with the local community college for dual enrollment.”
The letter further states the district would like to be able to push back the start day about a week but has not done so because of the state requirements.
The letter, signed by the board, also includes two budget items they are seeking support for, and is in response to the legislator requesting local government and the school district for submissions.
Middle school and sewer needs
Swain County Schools, Swain County Board of Commissioners and Town of Bryson City Board of Aldermen have agreed to join together for their top request to be $10 million to address water and sewer infrastructure needs on the north side of Tuckasegee River. Such upgrades are needed before the system could support a new middle school which is in the works, as is additional housing for that area of town.
Congressman Chuck Edwards is also receiving a request for support for the project.
Swain Schools also requested legislative support to increase the state’s allotment for Small Rural Schools Consortium (SRSC) Supplemental Fund by 40 percent. Swain is among 30 districts to receive the fund that goes to small districts and currently receives about $1.7 million.
In the letter to Clampitt, the district states: “This supplemental funding is crucial for small, rural counties to receive their fair share of funding and overcome the inequities resulting from the current public education funding model. It allows these districts to provide quality educational experiences and maintain essential services, staff and programs that would otherwise be impossible to fund.”
Fleet agreement
Swain Schools will enter into a lease agreement with Enterprise for three fleet vehicles that updates the current fleet by 10 years and could offer financial savings. The district will get one van and two sedans.
Finance Officer Stephanie Treadway presented on the plan, and said the vehicles are used primarily for staff to attend trainings mostly beyond Asheville and sometimes to transport students if there are only a few riding.
“Our key objectives when we have been looking at this… is to provide a safer fleet for our employees and students and increase visibility and reporting,” she said.
The agreement is for $21,106 a year and is a 5-year lease term. This will be added to this year’s budget using Article 46 funding.
In other decisions, the board gave the go-ahead to request additional funding from a repair and renovation fund held by the state for a new compressor at West Elementary and thermostat controls.
Telehealth
In other matters, the board approved a services agreement with Cartwheel Health Services P.C. for telehealth mental health services. This has been in the works since December and was funded through the North Carolina legislature through June 2027 as part of Hurricane Helene relief.
The district will be able to make referrals to serve students, families, parents and staff. The service bills Medicaid and private insurance for the services, but no student would be denied service due to financial need.
“This is just an option for families, it’s not something everybody is going to want to jump on board with, this is just another option to help families,” Sneed said in response to board questions. “There will be a referral process. It’s not like they can just call this organization and say, ‘I want to see a counselor.’ There will be a process through our school system with our counselors and social workers and our school system.”
Sale added he believes this can offer a level of care beyond what the district can do.
“I think that’s a critical piece for this, as I have worked in the schools and I’ve watched our counselors and our social workers try to deal with some of the mental health issues that are becoming even more prevalent, it seems sometimes they hit a roadblock because they’ve gone as far as they can go, and now what do you do, and this gives us that option of a referral beyond that,” he said.
Sneed noted Cartwheel will not be fore crisis intervention and Swain will continue to use mobile crisis for that service.
Title IX changes
The board also took action Thursday to comply with Title IX changes under President Donald Trump’s administration and the president’s executive orders, as advised by the district’s legal counsel.
President Joe Biden had made changes to the federal laws, expanding protections for LGBTQ+.
In essence, Sale described the current changes as “reverting back to Title IX policies during the previous Trump Administration.”
Tommy Dills, chief of operations, noted the law covers more than just athletics and that the district adopted new policies to comply with the previous administration and has now been urged to change those back. The policies included 17.10 and 17.20 in their books covering discrimination and harassment and specifically sexual harassment.
Dills said there are not a lot of differences but that it does make a difference.
“It changes some verbiage inside everything from the way we look at Title IX and the way we investigate it,” he said.
“This came to us from our attorneys and the reason we are moving quickly is because the executive orders for this are in effect,” Sale said.
Board chairman Cody White noted, “There is a threat of them withholding federal money if we are not in compliance.”
A portion of the meeting was dedicated to a video conference call with Schneider Electric, where they discussed flexibility in setting heating and cooling temperatures for the elementary schools.
“Everything is trending in a good direction,” said Graham Lewis with Schneider Electric. “Going forward, we expect you to be at or exceeding your savings on an annual basis.”
In other actions the board approved an audit contract with Anderson Smith & Wike PLLC of Elon, NC for fiscal year 2024-2025.
The board also recognized February as Career and Technical Education month.
The next regular meeting of the school board will be Monday, March 10 at 5 p.m., which will include Best and Then Some awards for January, February and March.
Flood advisories issued early morning on Thursday, Feb. 13, warned of potential flood risks in parts of Western North Carolina.The advisories, issued by the National Weather Service, follow several days of rainfall in the area. Previously, the NWS told the Citizen Times that minor flooding was a risk due to the multiple rounds of storms.Here's what NWS Meteorologist Thomas Winsett said about the Thursday flood advisories.Flooding in Henderson CountyA flood warning issued at 1:03 a.m. on Thursday, ...
Flood advisories issued early morning on Thursday, Feb. 13, warned of potential flood risks in parts of Western North Carolina.
The advisories, issued by the National Weather Service, follow several days of rainfall in the area. Previously, the NWS told the Citizen Times that minor flooding was a risk due to the multiple rounds of storms.
Here's what NWS Meteorologist Thomas Winsett said about the Thursday flood advisories.
A flood warning issued at 1:03 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13, warned of nuisance flooding affecting the Central Henderson County area. Winsett provided a definition of "nuisance flooding" to ease concerns.
"That's flooding of poor drainage areas, or really minor flooding of lowlands, along river banks that sort of thing. It's not anything that's going to cause any major impacts."
Over the past 24 hours, about 2-3 inches of rain fell in the Henderson County area, with around 0.4-0.6 inches of that rainfall having occurred since midnight. The steady rainfall has caused some streams in the area including Mud Creek, Bat Fork Creek and their tributaries to rise near or above bankfull levels, resulting in developing nuisance flooding of adjacent low-lying areas.
In particular, the NWS warned of Mud Creek's affects on:
Broader areas that may be affected included Hendersonville, Mills River, Fletcher, Flat Rock, Mountain Home, Laurel Park, Dupont State Forest, Valley Hill, East Flat Rock, Crab Creek, Dana and Tuxedo. High flows and nuisance flooding are expected worsen over the next several hours before streams crest and conditions gradually improve later this morning.
No flood advisory has been issued for Asheville or Buncombe County.
An advisory issued at 1:23 a.m. for the Tuckaseegee River is affecting Bryson City and Swain County. Steady light to moderate rainfall over the course of 24 hours has caused tributaries feeding the Tuckasegee River upstream of Bryson City to rise, resulting in increasing flows into the Tuckasegee River.
At the time the advisory was issued, the river was beginning to overflow, flooding lowest elevations of Old River Road near Pams Way and Scary Branch Road. The lowest elevations of Bear Hunter Campground and Bryson City Island Park were other potential areas for flooding.
The area saw a storm-total rainfall of 2.5-3.5 inches.
Despite flooding risks, the NWS also provided some good news.
"All the rains are far enough off to the east," Winsett said. "We are not expecting any additional rainfall."
However, beginning Saturday, WNC will see another few days of rain. In the Asheville and Hendersonville areas, the chance of precipitation beginning mainly after 8-9 a.m. is 80%. In Hendersonville, some of the precipitation may be in the form of freezing rain.
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].
NORTH CAROLINA -- Firefighters announced progress Wednesday night on containing two of the largest wildfires burning in the North Carolina mountains, but they warned that fire danger remains from dry and windy conditions.Hundreds of people have been asked to leave their homes in North Carolina and South Carolina as a half-dozen large fires are burning in the Blue Ridge Mo...
NORTH CAROLINA -- Firefighters announced progress Wednesday night on containing two of the largest wildfires burning in the North Carolina mountains, but they warned that fire danger remains from dry and windy conditions.
Hundreds of people have been asked to leave their homes in North Carolina and South Carolina as a half-dozen large fires are burning in the Blue Ridge Mountains, spreading smoke into places like Greenville. Millions of fallen trees from September's Hurricane Helene are both providing fuel for the wildfires and hindering firefighters' use of logging roads and paths.
Wednesday's dry weather led to several new fires in western North Carolina and prompted Gov. Josh Stein to declare a state of emergency in 34 western counties. At least nine fires were active in that part of the state, officials said.
"Our State Emergency Response Team is responding with every tool at its disposal. Please stay safe and stay alert for any evacuation orders if the fires spread to an area near you," Stein said in a statement.
The North Carolina Forest Service said that the Black Cove Fire and Deep Woods Fire were each more than 10% contained on Wednesday night, after days of reporting zero containment for the two blazes. The fires have scorched nearly 10 square miles (26 square kilometers) combined, but the size of the area burned has largely remained the same since the previous day.
SEE ALSO | Crews, property owners work to protect structures as western NC wildfires grow
About 250 homes have been evacuated in Polk County, where the fires are centered. About two dozen homes and outbuildings have been destroyed in Polk County, spokesperson Kellie Cannon said.
Firefighters have managed to save most of the structures near the fires. Only one injury has been reported - a firefighter in North Carolina got his leg caught under a tree, officials said.
Late Tuesday, a wildfire started in far western North Carolina not far from Bryson City. Police were evacuating dozens of people as the fire spread to nearly 1 square mile.
There is rain in the forecast for the weekend, but it isn't the kind of soaking downpour that can knock a fire out on its own, said National Weather Service meteorologist Ashley Rehnberg in Greer, South Carolina.
"Hopefully that will at least calm things down briefly," Rehnberg said.
The bright spot in the forecast for the next week is there is no especially dangerous day where the winds and the dry weather reach potentially disastrous levels like in Los Angeles in January or Gatlinburg, Tennessee, in 2016.
Forestry agencies in North Carolina and South Carolina are already figuring out how to rotate teams of firefighters into and out of the mountains for what could be a long fight.
SEE ALSO | Statewide burn ban put in place by NC Forest service until further notice
"Burn bans are in place, and people need to follow them," Rehnberg said. "Even if we do get rain, the weather is going to continue to be a problem as far as we can forecast."
The fires in South Carolina have been caused by humans.
Authorities from local fire chiefs all the way to South Carolina's governor are urging people to heed burn bans in both states and stop setting fires to burn garbage or at campsites.
"We have people going out in the woods and in their backyards and starting fires when the wind is blowing and everything is dry," South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said. "We just have to use common sense. People get out in nature and they forget how dangerous it can be."
South Carolina fire officials called for their first round of evacuations Tuesday night. Two fires are burning - a larger one inside Table Rock State Park in Pickens County that has consumed 3.6 square miles (9.3 square kilometers) and another one on Persimmon Ridge in Greenville County that has burned 1.6 square miles (4 square kilometers).
About 250 homes are in the Pickens County evacuation zone with more in neighboring Greenville County, authorities said.
The fires are about 8 miles (12.5 kilometers) apart, and winds are strong enough that authorities decided to evacuate the area between the two fires.
Featured video is from a previous report
The natural beauty in North Carolina is already stunning enough, but when you add a riverside view to the equation, the landscape becomes surreal. The backroads of North Carolina are home to some of the most charming and enchanting towns in the US. Each of these towns makes for a great destination if you are loo...
The natural beauty in North Carolina is already stunning enough, but when you add a riverside view to the equation, the landscape becomes surreal. The backroads of North Carolina are home to some of the most charming and enchanting towns in the US. Each of these towns makes for a great destination if you are looking to experience something off the beaten path.
Read MoreThe 10 Longest Rivers In North Carolina
Dillsboro, a peaceful and quaint town in western North Carolina, has a small population of just 252 residents, yet some lifelong North Carolinians may not have heard of it. The town is situated along the Tuckasegee River and is best known as the starting point of the renowned Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. This scenic train ride takes passengers through the numerous mountains and hills in the area, ultimately concluding at the Bryson City Depot.
Tourism, particularly from visitors using the railway, plays a crucial role in supporting Dillsboro's local economy. Despite its modest size, the town offers a variety of bars, restaurants, and accommodations to ensure that visitors have an enjoyable experience.
Wilmington is a small city located at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, which is also adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean. This unique location makes water activities plentiful and popular. Depending on the time of year, residents and visitors can rent kayaks, paddle boats, and jet skis.
The downtown area has successfully preserved its historical buildings and maintains a trolley service that continues to operate today. Additionally, Wilmington is home to a branch campus of the University of North Carolina. This presence of students contributes to a surprisingly vibrant nightlife, especially for a town of its size.
Read MoreWilmington
Nestled along the estuary of the Neuse River, New Bern is a charming small town that feels like it has been preserved since the turn of the century. Steamboat rides frequently stop in New Bern as they navigate the rivers and coast, adding to the town's allure. Visitors can explore a wide variety of unique shops that offer an impressive selection of specialty items.
New Bern is also known as the birthplace of the iconic soft drink Pepsi-Cola, which was first created in 1889. The original Pepsi-Cola store still stands today and offers an exciting experience for visitors. This historic location features numerous relics and artifacts from the company, all while maintaining the same vintage charm it had over a century ago.
Nestled high in the Appalachian Mountains is the small town of Hot Springs, located along the scenic French Broad River. This town exemplifies a typical mountain community in North Carolina.
The area is rich in natural mineral springs, some found within resorts and others hidden in the wilderness. The French Broad River serves as a popular destination for rafting and various river activities, which adventurous visitors can enjoy with a guide or a group of friends.
The sleepy town of Bath was the first area settled by European colonists in what is now North Carolina. The early colonial buildings are still preserved and attract many visitors. The colonial village is often inhabited by actors and tour guides dressed in period-appropriate attire, including tricorne hats and powdered wigs instead of baseball caps and blue jeans.
First settled in the late 1600s, Bath remained an important town until the end of British rule in America. Today, it is still a small community with a population of just a few hundred people. Bath is located at the end of Bath Creek, which flows into the larger Pamlico River. The region surrounding the town is home to numerous streams and creeks, offering ample opportunities for exploration.ing ample opportunities for exploration.
Read More9 Best Small Towns In North Carolina
Bryson City is a small yet significant town located on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. It is noticeably larger than its counterpart, Dillsboro, and offers much more than just a railway experience.
Many whitewater rafting adventures begin in Bryson City, thanks to the fast currents and rough waters of the Tuckasegee River, which make it an ideal location for the sport. These rafting expeditions provide excellent opportunities to explore and visit other towns downstream from Bryson City. If railroads and river rapids are not to your liking, there are plenty of guided excursions available that lead to several incredible waterfalls in the surrounding area.
The small river towns of North Carolina are something special; rustic, quaint, and well-preserved. Regardless of the time of year, rural North Carolina is a great place to visit. Taking this journey during the Holiday season might be the best time of the year to do so. Many of these towns host robust Christmas festivals that you will not be able to find in big cities.
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Western North Carolina has no shortage of award-winning breweries and beers, and four more countrywide favorites were just revealed.USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice lists are made up of reader-voted winners, chosen from a list nominated by a panel of experts. On March 5, 2025, WNC was recognized in a roundup of beer-related awards, with five wins spanning four categories.The lists, including best beer cities and towns, best beer la...
Western North Carolina has no shortage of award-winning breweries and beers, and four more countrywide favorites were just revealed.
USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice lists are made up of reader-voted winners, chosen from a list nominated by a panel of experts. On March 5, 2025, WNC was recognized in a roundup of beer-related awards, with five wins spanning four categories.
The lists, including best beer cities and towns, best beer labels and best brewery tours, are made up of locations from across the United States. Here's which WNC locations made the respective top 10s, praise from experts and fans and the full lists.
Locations in the "Best Beer Cities" category were chosen as hosts for the "most outstanding beer scenes in the nation." Experts and voters alike were looking for "stellar collections of established and up-and-coming breweries, beer bars, brewpubs, beer festivals, and even thriving homebrewing communities where a novice brewer can get their foot in the door."
They found one of these cities in Asheville, which ranked No. 7 on the list of 10, praising its "impressive number of breweries, friendly beer bars, and bottle shops that provide enthusiasts with easy access to more than 100 local beers."
The entry noted some of the city's most recognizable names, Highland Brewing Company and Wicked Weed, but added that plenty of the area's countless smaller breweries are well worth a visit.
The full list of Best Beer Cities in the U.S.:
While Asheville was praised as a Best Beer City, another location in WNC was recognized specifically for its Small Town Beer Scene. Experts nominated only towns with populations of under 30,000, and readers voted for the best beer scenes that promise "small-town hospitality."
Writers called Bryson City, which ranked at No. 7 in this category, "the perfect destination for any outdoor-loving beer fan." With hiking, rafting, tubing and exploring in the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other outdoor areas, plus popular craft beer locations such as Mountain Layers Brewing Company and Bryson City Outdoors, it's no wonder this WNC small town made the cut.
The full list of best small town beer scenes:
Another category in which WNC shone was a collection of the Best Beer Labels in the country. This time, two different locations made the cut for their unique branding. Experts and fans voted for attention-grabbing labels that stood out from the crowd.
To any Asheville resident, it may come as no surprise that one of Burial Beer Co.'s funky labels - and poetic beer names - made it onto this list. At No. 5, Burial's "When We Swung From The Rafters and Danced Upon Bars" was praised not only for its "wild" label depicting a giant tarantula, Venus flytrap, giant eyeball, Dali-esque elephants and more, but for its flavor. Experts and voters loved the 8.5% alcohol by volume Double IPA's unique notes of blueberry smoothie, red starburst and cantaloupe.
Slightly further down on the list at No. 7, Sierra Nevada's "Bigfoot" was also recognized for its fun art and tasty flavor. The label shows an explorer and his reluctant steed investigating huge tracks into the forest, unaware of Bigfoot lurking just out of sight. Writers praised the 9.6% ABV barleywine ale's "hefty malt body" and intense hoppiness, calling it "worthy of its namesake."
The full list of best beer labels:
Last but not least, two locations in WNC - both of which were also honored on other 10Best lists - were praised for their behind-the-scenes brewery tour experiences.
Burial Beer Co.'s Forestry Camp location ranked No. 5 for its one-hour tour of the "introspective realm" Burial employees call home. The tour comes complete with tastings, commemorative glassware and an expert company historian as a guide. Tours cost $35 - or free for designated drivers - and are available by reservation on Saturdays at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. You can book one at burialbeer.com/pages/tour-the-brewery.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.'s tours, at No. 7 on the list, are actually held at two different locations - Mills River and Chico, California. Writers appreciated the interactive nature of tours in both locations, in which visitors can "trace the process from grain to bottle," from smelling whole-cone hops and sampling sugary wort to a guided tasting of Sierra Nevada beers. A number of tours are available, from the 45-minute "Innovation Tour" for $9 to the in-depth, 3-hour "Beer Geek" tour for $82.50. Book an NC tour at sierranevada.com/visit/mills-river/tours.
The full list of best brewery tours:
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].
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