Helene Recovery Updates - JUNE 4, 2025 - County Briefing

Asheville's Helene Recovery: A Progress Update for Residents

On June 4, 2025, the City of Asheville held a briefing to update residents on progress related to recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Helene, which impacted the area 224 days ago. City Manager Deborah Campbell led the presentation, providing a detailed overview of ongoing projects and outlining key milestones achieved. The meeting focused on rebuilding and restoring Asheville after the storm, with a particular emphasis on transparency and community engagement.

A significant focus of the meeting was showcasing progress in storm debris removal, with nearly 70% of collected debris already removed – approximately 700,000 cubic yards. Private property debris removal has been completed for 423 properties, and contractors are finalizing work along roadways. Residents were reminded to place any remaining debris by the March deadline to ensure pickup, and detailed information on all infrastructure projects can be found at ashvillenc.gov/projects. A particularly welcomed development was the announcement that Riverside Cemetery will partially reopen to the public on Mother’s Day (May 11th), allowing residents to visit and pay respects. While some areas will remain fenced off for ongoing stump removal, this reopening represents a significant step towards restoring normalcy.

Beyond debris removal, the briefing highlighted substantial work underway to rebuild and improve Asheville’s infrastructure. Over 30 capital projects are currently in progress or beginning construction, including improvements to the Burton Street Community Center Park and sidewalks on Newhall Creek Road. Planning is also underway for larger projects like renovations to the Malvin Hills Pool and pedestrian improvements along Lexington Avenue. A key priority is securing FEMA Public Assistance Program funding to rebuild the French Broad Riverfront Park System and infrastructure/parks along Azalea Road, demonstrating a commitment to long-term resilience. The city is also coordinating with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regarding Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds, with all necessary documentation submitted for review.

Recognizing the need for greater transparency and streamlined decision-making, City Council is launching four new committees: Policy, Housing & Community Development, Planning, Economic Development & Environment, and Public Safety. These committees will focus on key areas impacting residents, including budgeting, affordable housing, economic recovery, and public safety policies. The committees are expected to begin meeting this month, providing a more focused approach to addressing community needs and coordinating advisory board efforts. Finally, the meeting announced several upcoming community events designed to foster engagement and support local businesses, including "Brews & Bears" at the WNC Nature Center, Movies in the Park, and the Festival of the Arts over Memorial Day weekend.

While no formal votes were taken during the meeting, the partial reopening of Riverside Cemetery and the launch of the new City Council Committees represent significant decisions impacting Asheville residents. The next steps involve HUD’s review of the CDBG-DR action plan, continued inventory and inspection activities for FEMA funding, and the commencement of meetings by the newly formed City Council Committees. As Deborah Campbell emphasized, these efforts are a testament to the hard work of city employees, county partners, state and federal agencies, private sector partners, and WCU students. Residents are encouraged to stay informed by visiting ashvillenc.gov/projects for project details and subscribing to the recovery newsletter at AshevilleRecovers.org.