Hurricane Helene Community Briefing: Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024

Hurricane Helene Community Briefing Recap: Key Updates and Resources for Buncombe County Residents

On December 5, 2024 (originally scheduled for Dec. 4th), Buncombe County held a community briefing to provide residents with updates on ongoing recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. The meeting, attended by county officials and representatives from partner organizations like FCC Environmental, the Red Cross, FEMA, and various city departments, focused on outlining available resources and addressing key concerns related to the storm's impact. While no formal votes were taken, a wealth of information was shared that residents should be aware of as recovery continues.

A significant portion of the meeting centered on practical assistance for residents navigating immediate challenges. The County Tax Office is available to assist with payment plans and answer questions regarding property tax bills, emphasizing that while waivers aren't possible under state law, support is available. Residents transitioning to FCC Environmental for trash and recycling services are urged to register at FCCEnvironmental.com/Buncombe by January 1st to ensure continued service. For those experiencing homelessness, the Cold Purple Initiative continues to provide emergency shelter with intake starting at 4 p.m., and four Community Care Stations remain open until 7 p.m. to provide essential resources like water, though reduced demand has led to closures of many sites.

A crucial update concerned the Hurricane Helene Recovery Housing Assistance Grant, a $1.2 million program designed to provide up to three months of rent, mortgage, or utility assistance for eligible residents. Applications opened December 5th at 8 a.m. and close on December 18th at 5 p.m., targeting residents who resided in Buncombe County prior to September 26, 2024 and have an income below 80% of the area median income ($74,800 for a family of four). The ongoing Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) Program is also assisting residents with cleanup, and nearly 1,000 applications have been submitted. Residents are encouraged to move debris to public right-of-ways, separating it by type (vegetative, construction, appliances, hazardous waste, electronics) to facilitate efficient removal.

FEMA continues to play a vital role in the recovery process, having distributed over $85 million to individuals and households. Residents are strongly encouraged to register with FEMA at disasterassistance.gov or 1-800-621-3362 and utilize the Disaster Recovery Centers located at the Asheville Mall and a mobile center in Barnardsville (through Dec. 5th) and Fairview Library (Dec. 6-10th). The Red Cross is also actively engaged, shifting its approach to focus on directly asking residents about their needs rather than providing pre-determined supplies. They encourage those with significant damage to call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

What You Need to Know & What Happens Next:

• Need Tax Assistance? Contact the Buncombe County Tax Office at 828-250-4910 or visit buncombecounty.org/tax.
• Trash & Recycling Changes: Sign up for FCC Environmental services at FCCEnvironmental.com/Buncombe by January 1st.
• Housing Assistance: Apply for the Recovery Housing Assistance Grant at BuncombeCounty.org before December 18th.
• FEMA Support: Register with FEMA at disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 and visit a Disaster Recovery Center.
• Report Debris: Move debris to the curb, separated by type.
• Stay Informed: Visit buncombecounty.org for the latest information and resources, or call the Juan Buncombe line at 828-250-6100.

This briefing highlighted the ongoing collaborative efforts to support Buncombe County residents impacted by Hurricane Helene, and emphasized the importance of utilizing available resources as recovery continues. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and reach out for assistance when needed.