What Could Go Wrong?

Just In Case

Car Problems

Towing: It can save the day or ruin it. If you need a tow company, there are many local options in various parts of town, and some of them offer repairs as well. But if you discover your car missing in a central business district or Biltmore Village parking lot that has “Towing Enforced” warning signs clearly posted (which are required if a tow service can unilaterally take your vehicle), you’ll need to consult those signs for the phone number to call to recover your vehicle. If it is not apparent to you why your car was towed, try calling Asheville Parking Services at 828-259-5792 or the police.

Health & Injuries

Chipped a tooth? Rolled an ankle on WNC’s hilly terrain? Need to refill a prescription? Asheville has long been a destination for healing. Mission Hospital’s ER department was voted WNC’s best ER. But for daytime problems that aren’t immediately life-threatening, Buncombe County also has many urgent care clinics: Sisters of Mercy Urgent Care in the west, east and south areas of Asheville, as well as in Weaverville; Range Urgent Care and a Dental Urgent Care in North Asheville; FastMed Urgent Care in South Asheville and just west of town; and two Pardee urgent cares south of Asheville. Pharmacies abound, including in many area grocery stores. CVS maintains a 24- hour store and pharmacy in West Asheville, and there’s a Walgreens in South Asheville open every day from 8 a.m.-midnight.

Missing Things Or NonEmergency Crimes

For lost and stolen items, use the nonemergency number to contact the appropriate law enforcement department. In Asheville, call 828-252-1110; in Buncombe County, call 828-250-6670. If your luggage didn’t make it with you, you’ll find thrift and consignment stores all over town that can set you up with some awesome, budget threads to tide you over.

Legal Trouble

It may be fun to drive fast on curvy roads, but the fuzz doesn’t like it. Also remember this is Beer City, and where the liquor flows, the problems sometimes pool beside the fun. Whether you broke the rules or it was all a misunderstanding, you don’t have to face the system alone. Asheville is chockablock full of lawyers with various specialties, and there is a 24-hour bail-bond service a block from the jail.

Bears!

Seriously, WNC is wild country. Whether camping, staying at a romantic cabin or even just Airbndb-ing it on Riceville Road, animals may pay you a visit. From raccoons to possums to bears, our wild mammals love food (including garbage), so if you are leaving your car unattended with food inside, close the windows; if you generate trash, stow it safely. If an animal is causing significant problems, you can call animal control at 828-250-6670.

Sick, Hurt Or Missing Pet

If your pet needs medical care during regular business hours, Asheville has many vets. (You can also find the winners of Mountain Xpress’ reader poll in Xpress’ annual Best of WNC Guide.) If it’s after hours, Regional Emergency Animal Care Hospital (REACH) is open 24/7. Phone: 828-665-4399.

If your pet goes missing, contact the Buncombe County Animal Shelter at 828-250-6430 (and/or animal control at 828-250-6670); there are also several local web-based missing pet pages, including the Asheville Humane Society at ashevillehumane.org.

Photo by Pam Hedstrom