Helene Recovery Updates - FEB 12, 2025 - County Briefing

Helene Recovery Update: County Briefing Recap - February 12, 2025

On February 12, 2025, the County held a briefing to update residents on progress related to recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Helene, which impacted the region 140 days ago. Led by Deborah Campbell, Manager for the City of Asheville, with support from Jess Foster (Solid Waste and Sanitation Division), the meeting provided a comprehensive overview of ongoing work and outlined upcoming opportunities for community involvement. No formal decisions or votes were taken during the meeting; instead, it served as an informational update and a call to action for residents.

A significant portion of the discussion focused on storm debris removal, with contractors continuing their work across public properties and waterways. The meeting also addressed the recovery of vehicles and vessels impacted by the storm, with an estimated 80 still remaining in waterways. Efforts are underway to retrieve and document these items, with debris contractors engaged in the process. Updates were provided on progress at Riverside Cemetery and the Asheville Municipal Golf Course, where crews are continuing debris collection and silt/tree removal. While work continues at the golf course, officials clarified that this does not indicate a storm debris processing site is being activated there.

Recognizing the importance of community input, city officials highlighted ongoing and upcoming opportunities for residents to share their experiences and needs. A virtual community meeting was held on February 10th, gathering feedback for the allocation of $225 million in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBGDR) funds. The City is actively seeking further feedback on unmet needs to inform the action plan for these crucial funds, encouraging residents to visit publicinput.com/cdbg-dr for a complete list of upcoming sessions and information. City Council will hold a retreat on February 13th and 14th to discuss Helene recovery priorities, informed by this community input. The retreat will be streamed live and posted online for public viewing.

Looking ahead, several key action items were identified. Debris removal will continue across the region, with a focus on waterways and parks. Residents are encouraged to participate in a business response survey available at AshevilleChamber.org, providing valuable insights into the storm’s impact on local businesses. Officials also reiterated the importance of emergency preparedness, urging residents to ensure they have necessary supplies and stay informed through AVL alerts. Deborah Campbell concluded the meeting by thanking all involved – including city council, employees, partners, and nonprofits – for their tireless efforts in the recovery process.

This briefing underscored the ongoing commitment to rebuilding and supporting our community after Tropical Storm Helene. Residents are encouraged to actively participate in upcoming engagement opportunities, particularly regarding the CDBGDR funds, as their input will directly shape recovery priorities. For more information and resources, please visit the City of Asheville website, call the One Buncombe Hotline at 828-250-6100, or visit the Asheville Recovers Engagement Hub at www.publicinput.com/AshevilleRecovers.