Asheville residents were told Monday that the water is safe to drink again nearly two months after Helene damaged both water systems that serve the city. As winter approaches, western North Carolina residents are also concerned about fuel shortages needed to heat homes.

Residents of North Carolina’s most populous mountain city are no longer under a boil water notice, Asheville officials announced on Monday. Extensive rain and flooding from Hurricane Helene on seven-plus weeks ago severely damaged a bypass line at the North Fork Reservoir,

Asheville residents were told Monday that the water is safe to drink again nearly two months after Hurricane Helene caused flooding and damaged the water system.