Emergency Preparedness for Seniors in Buncombe County

Emergency planning matters for every household, but it matters even more when an older adult depends on medication, oxygen, mobility equipment, caregivers, transportation, or a familiar routine. In Asheville and Buncombe County, families should plan for power outages, flooding, winter weather, wildfire smoke, road closures, water disruptions, and times when phone or internet service may be unreliable.

This guide is a practical starting point for older adults, family caregivers, neighbors, and adult children who want a simple local emergency plan before something happens.

Source note: This page was reviewed on July 29, 2026 using Buncombe County, City of Asheville, ReadyNC, Red Cross, CDC, Ready.gov, and National Institute on Aging preparedness resources. Always follow official emergency instructions during an active event.

Quick answer

Sign up for local emergency alerts before bad weather or wildfire risk arrives.
Write down medications, diagnoses, allergies, doctors, pharmacy, emergency contacts, and equipment needs.
Keep at least several days of food, water, medications, batteries, and personal supplies ready.
Plan for power-dependent medical equipment, refrigerated medications, oxygen, mobility devices, and transportation.
Choose two or three people who will check on the older adult if phones, roads, or utilities are disrupted.
Post an emergency information sheet somewhere visible, such as the refrigerator.

Download the Emergency Info Sheet PDF and keep a printed copy where first responders, neighbors, or caregivers can find it.

Step 1: Sign up for local alerts

Buncombe County tells residents to sign up for BC Alerts for local emergency messages. In 2026, Buncombe County announced that BC Alerts moved to the Rave / Smart911 platform and said residents could opt in by texting BCReady to 67283 or visiting the county’s BC Alerts page.

The City of Asheville also offers AVL Alert for emergency and non-emergency notifications within the city. Families in Asheville may want both county and city alert coverage, especially if an older adult lives alone or does not use a smartphone confidently.

Do not rely on only one alert method. Use text, phone call, email, weather radio, local news, and a neighbor check-in plan when possible.

Step 2: Build a support network

ReadyNC recommends that older adults create a personal support network of family, friends, neighbors, caregivers, and trusted helpers. The goal is simple: do not make one person the entire emergency plan.

Choose at least two local contacts who can physically check on the older adult.
Choose one out-of-area contact who can receive updates if local calls are overloaded.
Give trusted helpers access instructions if the older adult cannot answer the door.
Write down who can help with pets, oxygen, medication pickup, transportation, or evacuation.
Practice how the older adult will ask for help if confused, scared, or unable to use a phone.

Step 3: Plan for medical needs

Medical planning is the part families most often leave too vague. ReadyNC advises older adults to keep written emergency and medical information, including medical contacts, medications, equipment, allergies, communication needs, and instructions for helpers.

Keep an up-to-date medication list, including dose, timing, pharmacy, and prescribing doctor.
Ask the doctor or pharmacist what to do if a medication runs low during an emergency.
Know which medications require refrigeration and what the backup plan is during a power outage.
List oxygen, CPAP, hospital bed, walker, wheelchair, hearing aids, dentures, glasses, incontinence supplies, wound-care supplies, and other daily needs.
Keep copies of insurance cards, advance directives, health care power of attorney, and key medical records in a waterproof folder or digital backup.

Our Medication List Template can help organize the medication side of this plan.

Step 4: Make a power-outage plan

Power outages can become serious quickly for older adults who rely on oxygen, powered mobility devices, CPAP machines, refrigerated medications, electric hospital beds, or temperature control. The CDC advises households to identify emergency lighting, safe backup power, charging options, and plans for medical devices before the outage happens.

Write down which devices require power and how long backup batteries last.
Ask equipment suppliers about battery backups or non-electric alternatives.
Keep power banks charged for phones and small devices.
Use flashlights or battery lanterns instead of candles when possible.
Know where the older adult can go if the home becomes too hot, too cold, or medically unsafe.
Never run a generator indoors, in a garage, or near windows.

Step 5: Prepare for dementia, confusion, or wandering

Emergencies can be especially disorienting for someone living with dementia or memory loss. The National Institute on Aging recommends including familiar comfort items, favorite snacks or drinks, and extra support for agitation or confusion during stressful events.

Keep a recent photo and identifying information available.
Write down the person’s usual routines, calming phrases, and triggers.
Pack comfort items such as a familiar blanket, sweater, pillow, or music.
Use simple written instructions and labels where possible.
Make sure neighbors or helpers know if wandering is a concern.
If evacuation may be needed, decide who will ride with the person and who will bring medications and supplies.

For longer-term planning, see our Memory Care Guide.

Step 6: Pack for home and evacuation

Buncombe County recommends having enough food, water, and supplies to last at least 72 hours, and its emergency preparedness page lists basic kit items such as non-perishable food, water, a manual can opener, weather radio, flashlights, extra batteries, first aid kit, medications, hygiene supplies, sturdy shoes, and local maps.

For older adults, add the items that keep daily care working:

Medication list and several days of essential medicines if available.
Extra glasses, hearing aid batteries, dentures, mobility supplies, and incontinence supplies.
Copies of ID, insurance cards, medical documents, legal documents, and emergency contacts.
Phone charger, power bank, paper phone numbers, and cash.
Special diet foods, thickened liquids, supplements, or high-nutrient drinks if needed.
Pet or service-animal supplies.
Comfort items for dementia, anxiety, or sensory needs.

Step 7: Know who to call locally

During an active emergency, call 911 for immediate danger. For non-emergency planning, Buncombe County Aging & Adult Services lists 828-250-5800 for services related to older adults and adults with disabilities. NC 211 can also help connect people to community resources before, during, and after emergencies.

Buncombe County’s emergency preparedness resources also list local utility, road, water, and communication contacts. Keep those numbers somewhere printed, because internet access may not be available when they are needed most.

A simple family checklist

Sign up for BC Alerts and AVL Alert if applicable.
Fill out and print the Emergency Info Sheet.
Update the medication list.
Choose two local check-in people and one out-of-area contact.
Write down power-dependent medical equipment and backup plans.
Pack a basic kit and a smaller go-bag.
Review the plan every six months, and after any hospitalization, diagnosis, move, or medication change.