Asheville's Communication Strategies During Hurricane Helene Water Disruptions
During Hurricane Helene, Asheville, North Carolina faced a 53-day water outage, prompting utility leaders to adopt innovative communication strategies to keep residents informed. According to research shared by PhD candidate Brooke Goggins at AWWA ACE26, the city utilized multiple communication channels to overcome challenges posed by disrupted infrastructure, such as electricity, Wi-Fi, and cellular service. Community briefings played a pivotal role in maintaining transparency, allowing residents to ask questions and receive real-time updates. Utility officials also simplified complex water concepts, like turbidity levels, using analogies and visuals to ensure clarity. These efforts highlight the importance of adaptive communication during extended service disruptions. 
