Hurricane Helene Community Briefing: Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024

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

On Wednesday, December 4th, 2024, the Buncombe County Government held a Community Briefing to provide updates on ongoing recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene, alongside information regarding other important community matters. The meeting, attended by various county and city officials as well as representatives from organizations like the Red Cross and FEMA, focused on informing residents about available resources and outlining next steps in the recovery process. No formal votes were taken during the briefing; instead, it served as a platform for disseminating crucial information.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to outlining support programs available to residents impacted by the storm. The most notable announcement was the opening of applications for the Helene Recovery Housing Assistance Grant, a $1.2 million program offering up to three months of support for rent, mortgage payments, or utility bills. Eligibility requires residency prior to September 26, 2024, financial impact from the storm, and an income below 80% of the area median income (an example provided was $74,800 for a family of four). Applications are open from December 5th at 8:00 AM until December 18th at 5:00 PM. Residents seeking assistance with debris removal are encouraged to apply for the Private Property Debris Removal Program (PPDR), with application centers located at various locations including the Asheville Mall and Barnersville Fire Department. Online applications are available at bunkumready.org.

Beyond storm recovery, the briefing also addressed other community matters. A ban on open burning is currently in effect until Saturday, December 7th at 9:00 AM due to high fire danger. Residents are transitioning to FCC Environmental as their new trash and recycling service provider; registration is required at FCCEnvironmental.com/Buncombe to ensure uninterrupted service starting in January. Finally, the Buncombe County Tax Office is available for in-person payments at 94 Cox Avenue, and residents are reminded that property taxes are due January 6th. While no waivers can be granted due to the natural disaster, assistance is available for payment plans and alternative methods.

Several key organizations are actively providing support to residents affected by Hurricane Helene. FEMA has distributed over $85 million in aid, assisting more than 53,000 families. Residents can register for assistance at disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362, and Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers are operating in Barnardsville, Fairview Library, and the Asheville Mall. The Red Cross is providing financial assistance for major damage or destroyed homes, conducting door-to-door outreach and encouraging residents to contact them at 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcross.org/Helene. The Cold Purple Initiative, a coordinated effort to provide emergency overflow shelter for people experiencing homelessness, is operational with intake locations at ABCCM and Transformation Village.

What’s Next? Residents are encouraged to take action based on their individual needs:

• Need help with property taxes? Contact the Buncombe County Tax Office.
• Trash/recycling concerns? Register with FCC Environmental.
• Housing assistance needed? Apply for the Helene Recovery Housing Assistance Grant.
• Debris removal required? Apply for the PPDR program or move debris to public right-of-ways.
• Energy assistance needed? Apply online, by phone, or in person at 40 Cox Avenue.

For more detailed information and ongoing updates, residents are encouraged to tune into the City Council Agenda briefing (December 5th) and Recovery Work Session (December 10th). This meeting provided a valuable overview of available resources, and proactive engagement with these programs will be crucial for residents navigating the recovery process.