Emergency Resources
Critical contacts, shelter locations, and evacuation information for Andrews and Cherokee County
Emergency Contacts
Save these numbers before an emergency strikes.
911 — All Emergencies
Police, fire, and medical emergencies
Emergency
Cherokee County Emergency Management
(828) 837-2421
Non-emergency disaster preparedness and response coordination
Law Enforcement
Andrews Police Department
(828) 321-4104
Andrews town police — non-emergency line
Law Enforcement
Cherokee County Sheriff
(828) 837-2523
County sheriff — non-emergency line
Fire & Rescue
Andrews Volunteer Fire Department
(828) 321-5511
Fire and rescue — non-emergency
Medical
Murphy Medical Center
(828) 837-8161
Nearest hospital — 15 miles west in Murphy, NC
Utilities
Duke Energy Outage Line
1-800-769-3766
Report power outages 24/7
Utilities
Frontier Communications
1-800-921-8101
Report phone/internet outages
Emergency Shelters
Designated shelter locations activated during declared emergencies.
Andrews High School
500 Yellow Jacket Dr, Andrews, NC 28901
Primary designated Red Cross shelter for Cherokee County
General population shelterCherokee County Fairgrounds
Fairground Rd, Murphy, NC 28906
Large-capacity shelter and staging area — 15 miles west
Large events and overflowFirst Baptist Church Andrews
Andrews, NC 28901
Community warming/cooling center — activated by county during extreme weather
Community warming/cooling centerEvacuation Routes
Know your routes before you need them. Conditions can change rapidly in mountain terrain.
US-74 West→ Murphy, NC
Primary westbound evacuation route — 15 miles to Murphy. Connects to US-64 for further travel.
US-74 East→ Bryson City / Asheville
Eastbound route toward Bryson City (30 mi) and Asheville (65 mi). May be affected by flooding near Nantahala Gorge.
NC-141 North→ Robbinsville, NC
Northern mountain route to Graham County. Use caution — steep grades and sharp curves. May close in winter weather.
Check 511 NC road conditions before evacuating. Mountain roads can close without warning.
Mountain Weather Safety
Appalachian conditions are unique — be prepared.
Temperatures drop 3–5°F for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Dress in layers even in summer.
Flash floods can occur with little warning in mountain valleys. Never attempt to drive through flooded roads — Turn Around, Don't Drown.
Afternoon thunderstorms are common June–September. Plan outdoor activities for morning hours.
Keep a 72-hour emergency kit: water (1 gal/person/day), non-perishable food, flashlight, first aid, medications, and important documents.
Cell service can be unreliable in mountain hollows. Consider a NOAA Weather Radio for alerts when power and internet are out.
Official Resources
Trusted government and relief organization links.
Cherokee County Emergency Management
Official county emergency management office
NC Emergency Management
State-level emergency preparedness resources
American Red Cross WNC
Western NC chapter — disaster relief and shelter
FEMA Flood Map — Cherokee County
Check your property's flood zone designation
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg
Official NWS forecast office covering Andrews NC
511 NC Road Conditions
Real-time road closures and conditions statewide
Stay ahead of severe weather
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