Asheville – Buncombe County officials provided updates on community care stations, recovery events, and debris removal deadlines in response to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The Buncombe County Fire Marshall urged residents to exercise caution due to high fire danger conditions, recommending the postponement of any burning activities until conditions improved.
Community Care Stations Adjust Services
Since October, the county’s Community Care Stations have provided essential services to survivors, including drinking water, hot meals, Wi-Fi, showers, laundry, and mental health support. As needs evolved, officials announced adjustments: starting February 28, all stations would transition to self-service laundry. The Bethel United Methodist station in Riceville was set to close on March 5 due to low usage, directing residents to the Owen Pool station, about 15 minutes away. Additionally, showers at Reynolds Community Care Station and Morgan Hill Baptist Church would end on March 5, though laundry facilities would remain available.
The Owen Pool Station maintained its operational hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends, remaining open overnight for warming when temperatures dropped below freezing.
Upcoming Recovery Events and Deadlines
Recovery resource fairs were scheduled in some of the most affected areas. An event at Reynolds High School had already served 150 survivors with FEMA application support, mental health assistance, and legal aid. Upcoming events included a fair at Leicester Community Center on February 27 and another at Owen High School on March 3.
Key deadlines for residents included March 1 as the last day to place storm debris on public right-of-way, with final collection passes throughout March. March 8 was the deadline for FEMA assistance and small business loans for physical damage, while residents had until March 10 to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance and until April 15 for Private Property Debris Removal.
For those unable to move debris by the deadline, the Private Property Debris Removal Program was available online or via phone. Due to low visitation numbers, several intake centers would close, but staff would transition to mobile units to assist residents in impacted areas.
Impact of Damage Reports on Recovery Efforts
Buncombe County received over 1,400 damage reports through its Damage Reporting form, which played a crucial role in securing additional funding and resources from state and federal partners. Kassi Day, Communications Manager for Buncombe County, noted that this data helped conduct safety inspections and assess properties affected by flooding. “Building inspectors have assessed over 800 structures for safety,” she stated. “These efforts have already led to the state committing to launch a program to help repair private bridges and roads.”
Challenges arose in the Private Property Debris Removal Program, particularly regarding documentation required for demolition requests. To address these challenges, Tetra Tech managed the application process and provided dedicated staff to assist residents with documentation needs. Residents could apply online or request mobile intake services for quicker processing.
Community Engagement in Housing and Recovery Action Plan
Residents were encouraged to engage with local authorities regarding the Housing and Recovery Action Plan, which is essential for receiving federal funds from the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program. Day emphasized the importance of public participation in shaping recovery strategies. “All residents are encouraged to share their perspectives on recovery needs,” she said.
Residents could provide input through an online survey or by mailing comments to the North Carolina Department of Commerce. The deadline for input was set for March 20.
As Buncombe County continued its recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene, officials remained committed to keeping residents informed and supported through various channels of communication and community engagement initiatives.