Hurricane Helene Community Briefing: Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024

Hurricane Helene Community Briefing Recap: Key Updates and Next Steps

On Wednesday, November 13th, 2024, the Buncombe County and City of Asheville held a community briefing to provide updates on recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. The meeting, attended by key officials including County Manager Avril Pender and City Manager Deborah Campbell, focused on water restoration, hazard mitigation, community support services, solid waste management, and economic recovery. This recap summarizes the key takeaways for residents impacted by the storm.

A significant portion of the briefing centered on addressing the ongoing water crisis and related concerns. Clay Chandler, Water Resources Public Information Officer, provided an update on the Norfolk Reservoir turbidity, noting a positive trend with levels falling below 15 NTU. While this is encouraging, a boil water notice remains in effect for all Asheville city customers, and residents are advised to consult medical professionals, particularly those with compromised immune systems. The City is working diligently towards a permanent solution, expecting the Corps of Engineers interim pretreatment system to be operational in late November or early December. Residents can continue accessing bottled water and meals at designated distribution sites, including Pack Square Park, 70 Court Plaza, Skylines Bowling Alley, Landwood Crump and Shallow Community Center.

Beyond the immediate water crisis, the briefing highlighted several crucial resources available to residents and businesses. The Homeowner Grant Program, offering financial assistance for housing-related costs (including property taxes and insurance), remains open until Friday, November 15th. Notably, mobile homeowners are now eligible to apply. Residents seeking to protect their homes from future natural disasters can also apply for hazard mitigation funding, available online and in person at the Asheville Mall until Friday. For those needing immediate support, Community Care Stations are operating across Buncombe County, providing showers, laundry services, and meals. A mobile health team is also offering free vaccinations at various locations throughout the week – check their schedule for details.

The transition to FCC Environmental for waste management services, effective January 1st, was another key topic. A hiring event will be held on November 19th and 20th at the Hilton Garden Inn, offering residents interested in employment opportunities a chance to connect with the new provider. Meanwhile, crews are working tirelessly to collect storm debris – currently removing approximately 12,000-15,000 cubic yards daily – and residents are encouraged to sort debris appropriately for efficient collection.

Recognizing the economic impact of Hurricane Helene, the City is offering $700,000 in small business recovery grants through Mountain BizWorks. Eligible businesses can apply for up to $25,000 in assistance. To streamline recovery efforts, the City is establishing a new organizational structure with support from Hagerty Consulting Inc., focusing on housing, debris removal, economic recovery, water infrastructure and other vital areas. City Council meetings are scheduled for November 19th, December 5th and 10th to discuss these changes.

What’s Next?

• Apply for Assistance: Residents should prioritize applying for the Homeowner Grant Program and Hazard Mitigation funding before Friday, November 15th.
• Stay Informed: Monitor official channels for updates on the boil water notice and storm debris collection schedules.
• Attend City Council Meetings: Engage in the discussion about the new recovery organizational structure by attending meetings on November 19th, December 5th and 10th.
• Seek Employment: Explore job opportunities with FCC Environmental at the hiring event on November 19th and 20th.

This briefing underscored the ongoing commitment from local government to support residents and businesses affected by Hurricane Helene, while also outlining critical steps individuals can take to access available resources and prepare for the future.