Buncombe County Community Briefing | March 19, 2025

Buncombe County Community Briefing Recap: Tropical Storm Helene Recovery & Important Deadlines (March 19, 2025)

The Buncombe County Community Briefing held on March 19, 2025, focused primarily on providing updates and resources related to the ongoing recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Helene. The briefing, attended by county staff and community members, offered a comprehensive overview of progress made, remaining challenges, and crucial deadlines for residents seeking assistance. No formal votes were taken during the session; instead, the focus was on disseminating information and encouraging community engagement.

A significant portion of the briefing centered around debris removal, with county officials highlighting the online map at BuncombeReady.org as a key resource for tracking zone completion status. Residents were reminded that the deadline to place debris on the public right-of-way has already passed (March 1st), and the deadline for enrolling in the Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) program is rapidly approaching – April 15th. County Manager Avril Pender emphasized the importance of utilizing BuncombeReady.org to monitor progress and take advantage of the free PPDR program. Updates were also provided on the reopening of several county parks and the Nature Center, with a video documenting the recovery effort available at AshevilleRecovers.org.

Beyond debris removal, the briefing covered several state and federal assistance programs available to residents impacted by Tropical Storm Helene. Extended deadlines for North Carolina Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) were announced, now aligned with FEMA assistance at April 7th, benefiting both employees and self-employed individuals. A new state program is available to assist with repairs to private roads, culverts, pipes, and bridges – residents are encouraged to fill out an interest form at ncdps.gov/helene/prb. Homeowners experiencing erosion or property damage may also be eligible for assistance through the USDA Emergency Watershed Program (EWP); reports can be submitted at BuncombeCounty.org or by calling 828-250-6100. Several other deadlines were highlighted, including April 27th for SBA Physical Damage Loan applications and June 30th for SBA Economic Injury Applications.

The briefing also addressed opportunities for community input and support. Residents are strongly encouraged to sign up for the Disaster Case Management Program, which provides one-on-one support and connects individuals with available resources. Public feedback is being actively sought on the CDBGDR Action Plan, with various sessions and comment opportunities available. Deborah Campbell, Asheville City Manager, thanked community members for their support and urged residents to avoid closed riverfront parks during ongoing debris removal efforts.

What’s Next & Important Dates to Remember:

• April 7th: FEMA Individual Assistance and Disaster Unemployment Assistance deadlines.
• April 15th: Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) program deadline.
• April 27th: SBA Physical Damage Loan application deadline.
• June 30th: SBA Economic Injury Application deadline.

For more detailed information and ongoing updates, residents are encouraged to visit the following resources: BuncombeReady.org, AshevilleRecovers.org, des.nc.gov (Disaster Unemployment Assistance), ncdps.gov/helene/prb (Private Roads and Bridges Program), disasterassistance.gov (FEMA Assistance), and engage.buncombecounty.org/BuncombeRecovered. The County is coordinating with nonprofits for trash cleanup following the Army Corps of Engineers mission, and county staff will continue site visits for FEMA damage assessment.