Burke County Government

08/30/2026

08/30/2026

UPDATE FROM EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 1:50 pm SUNDAY
SHORTOFF MOUNTAIN Rescue
[email protected]

NC HART MISSION ORDERED

Emergency crews are with the patient involved in a significant fall in the Shortoff Mountain area near the Wolf Pit Trailhead. Crews are currently working to safely extricate the patient from the rugged terrain.

This has developed into a significant multi-agency rescue operation. Burke County crews are being assisted by resources from McDowell County, Linville Central Rescue from Avery County, Catawba County, Lincoln County, and Caldwell County.
Burke County resources deployed to the operation include Oak Hill Fire & Rescue, Lake James Fire & Rescue, Glen Alpine Fire Department, Burke County Rescue Squad, Burke REACT, Burke County EMS, Burke County Emergency Management, and Burke County Emergency Communications (911).

All responding agencies are working together under Unified Command to coordinate resources and support the safe extrication of the patient.

Due to the difficult terrain and complexity of the rescue, a North Carolina HART Black Hawk helicopter is en route to assist with the extrication. MedCenter Air is also responding and will be available to transport the patient once the extrication is complete.

North Carolina Emergency Management continues to assist with coordinating resources for the operation.

Wolf Pit Trailhead remains inaccessible and will remain so for an extended period. We continue to ask the public to avoid the Wolf Pit Trailhead and Shortoff Mountain area while emergency crews are operating.

This remains an active rescue operation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available and when appropriate.

08/29/2026

Burke County Public Health is sharing information about a mobile petting zoo that was at a private event on Miller Mills Road on August 9. Several goats associated with the petting zoo have tested positive for rabies.

If you attended the event and had direct contact with the animals, please call (828) 764-1165 with any questions or concerns.

Rabies PEP Guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/hcp/clinical-care/post-exposure-prophylaxis.html

08/28/2026

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT

The Burke County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing to receive citizen input regarding the development of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) applications for the coming year.

Tuesday, September 8, 2026
3:00 p.m.
Commissioners’ Meeting Room 110
110 N. Green Street, Entrance E
Morganton, NC 28655

Community members are encouraged to attend and provide input. Accessibility accommodations and assistance for non-English-speaking individuals are available upon request.

08/28/2026

Please come out and join us tomorrow as Burke County Opioid Response Department will bring Burke and Caldwell counties together to honor the lives of those lost to overdose, support those on the journey of recovery, and remind families and loved ones that they are not alone.
Attendees will have the opportunity to reflect, connect with local resources and vendors, explore wellness opportunities, and hear from community speakers.
Whether you are walking in memory of someone you love, celebrating recovery, supporting a friend or family member, or simply want to stand with our community — we invite you to join us.
💜 Together, we remember. Together, we support recovery. Together, we carry hope forward.
𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟵, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
𝟭𝟬:𝟬𝟬 𝗔𝗠 – 𝟭:𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗠
𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 | 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗻, 𝗡𝗖

08/25/2026

⚠️It’s North Carolina Landslide Preparedness Week, and we’re sharing essential safety tips all week long.

🌧️5 inches or more of rain in 24 hours is enough to trigger landslides in the North Carolina mountains.

⛰Landslides can happen suddenly, giving you little time to react. Knowing if your home is in a landslide danger zone before heavy rain hits can save your life.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landslide Preparedness: https://www.usgs.gov/programs/landslide-hazards/landslide-preparedness-0

08/25/2026

Charlotte recently asked the state for permission to withdraw up to 63 million gallons of water per day from the Catawba River basin, permanently removing it from our region.

Thanks to the leadership of our state lawmakers – Speaker Destin Hall, Rep. Jay Adams, Rep. Hugh Blackwell, Sen. Warren Daniel, Rep. Blair Eddins, Sen. Ralph Hise, Sen. Mark Hollo, Sen. Eddie Settle, and Rep. Mitchell Setzer – the new state budget includes a provision blocking large inter-basin transfers like this one through August 1, 2028.

This matters because water we send elsewhere doesn't come back – especially during droughts, when our families and businesses need it most.

We're not against Charlotte growing; we just don't want it to be at our expense.

We're thankful for our delegation's work to protect what matters to our community.

Speaker Destin Hall
Rep. Hugh Blackwell - Burke County
Senator Warren Daniel
Senator Ralph Hise
Eddie Settle for NC Senate
Mitchell Setzer
Eddins for NC

Via Western Piedmont Council of Governments

08/24/2026

Here in Burke County, our steep, rugged terrain means landslides and debris flows can happen at any time of year, especially during periods of heavy rain.

Unfortunately, we know all too well how quickly a landslide can become devastating. Landslide Safety Week is a good time to review the warning signs and think about what you would do if one threatened your home or the road you were traveling.

Take a few minutes to look through these safety graphics from the National Weather Service. Staying aware and knowing what to watch for could save your life.

08/23/2026

School starts back tomorrow as summer comes to a close. Here are some reminders as you meet the school bus traffic in the morning and afternoon. Have a safe first day of school Burke County!

08/22/2026

8:00pm 8/21/26
Burke County Emergency Alert:

A retaining wall has collapsed, causing a landslide near Hidden Hill Venue on Burkemont Road. Burkemont Road is currently passable; however, the roadway is threatened by the slide.

Rainfall expected through midnight tonight could cause additional retaining wall failure or further movement of the slide into the roadway. Rainfall amounts of one-half inch or more could significantly increase the risk.

If conditions worsen, Burkemont Road could become limited or impassable near Hidden Hill Venue. Because this is the only roadway providing access to the area west of this location, residents could experience delays in emergency response into or out of the area.

Burke County Emergency Management and the Burke County Fire Marshal’s Office are on scene and coordinating with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and other response partners should conditions worsen. Burke County is also working with the National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg to closely monitor expected rainfall and any potential impacts through tonight.

If you travel on Burkemont Road while it remains passable, please use caution and watch closely for deteriorating roadway conditions or additional movement around the slide area.

If you have an emergency, call 911. Emergency responders will respond using the safest means available, but delays are possible if conditions deteriorate.

Please continue to monitor Burke County for additional updates.