Helene recovery: FEMA jobs, TSA availability decreases for holidays, more

County officials added that if trucks have skipped your house while collecting right-of-way debris, several things may be responsible. Inaccessibility due to parked cars, overhanging power lines, or the pile being outside of the right of way, which is 10 feet, is one possibility. Trucks are also limited in the types of debris they can collect during each pass – for example, if a truck is collecting vegetative debris, it cannot collect construction debris.

A new Private Property Debris Removal program intake center is now open at the Black Mountain Library, Tuesday-Saturday, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. These hours are the same as the intake centers at Barnardsville Fire Department, Swannanoa Fire Rescue at Bee Tree Sub Station and the Fairview Library. The intake center at the Asheville Mall is open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays.

If you cannot move storm debris to the public right of way, or if unsafe structures need to come down, you may be eligible to have this debris removed through the PPDR program. You must sign a Right of Entry form to allow cleanup crews on your property. To apply, visit one of the intake centers or apply online at buncombeready.org. For questions about PPDR or other debris removal, call the One Buncombe hotline at 828-250-6100.

Post-Helene financial grants in Buncombe County

Several grants are available to those affected by Helene:

• Helene Recovery Housing Assistance Grant – Provides up to three months of support for rent, mortgage payments, or utility bills. Applications are open until Dec. 18, at 5 p.m. To be eligible for the housing assistance grant, you must have lived in Buncombe County before Sept. 26, 2024, have finances that were negatively impacted by Hurricane Helene, and have an income within 80% of the Area Median Income. Apply at buncombecounty.org.
• USDA Emergency Watershed Protection Program – Helps to address damage threatening structures, roads, bridges, or other infrastructure. It covers assistance for debris-clogged waterways, unstable stream banks, severe erosion impacting public infrastructure, wind-borne debris removal and steep slopes at risk of sliding. To apply, submit damage information via the county’s Property Damage Form. When submitting your information, include photos of the damage. You can also fill out the form by phone by calling the One Buncombe Call Center at 828-250-6100.
• Low-Income Energy Assistance Program – While not related directly to Helene’s recovery, the state’s Low Income Energy Assistance Program is also available to help with heating bills. The program now accepts applications for one-time heating bill help for low-income households. Payments go directly to heating vendors. Households, including a person aged 60 or older or disabled persons receiving services through the NC Division of Aging and Adult Services, are eligible to sign up for assistance until Dec. 31. All other households may apply from Jan. 1-March 31 or until funds are exhausted. Apply Online at epass.nc.gov or by phone: 828-250-5500. You can also apply in person at 40 Coxe Ave. Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.