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Buncombe County Soil & Water has compiled resources to address commonly reported recovery needs from the agricultural and farming communities.
Debris Removal
Debris Removal Guidelines for Private Residents - For debris that can be moved to right of way (ROW), please move to the ROW. If you find titled property debris (cars, trailers, cargo containers, etc) on your property, push it to the ROW to get it picked up.
Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) offers help removing debris that cannot be moved to ROW, as well as remving title property debris (cars, trailers, cargo containers, etc.). You will have to submit an application with a signed right of entry. Note: Agricultural land is not eligible for this program.
Waterway Debris Removal - Buncombe County has assessed the debris blockages in streams and prioritized certain regions with severe debris blockages and will be cleaning out the waterways. The County is identifying the regions with the highest concentration of debris, which will then be tasked for waterway debris removal. If there is a home, bridge, road, structure, or infrastructure that is threatened, EWP can potentially address regions that are not being cleaned up by waterway debris removal. PPDR does not cover waterways.
Farm Service Agency, Disaster Assistance, Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) helps residents with agricultural and forested lands to get paid to remove the debris from agricultural properties. The debris can then be placed in the ROW and picked up for free. Contact Charles Zink of the Madison/Buncombe FSA Office by calling 828-649-2712 Extension 2 or emailing at charles.zink@usda.gov.
Choosing a Tree Care Company for Disaster Clean-Up
Severe Stream Erosion
USDA Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program offers assistance for debris-clogged waterways, unstable streambanks, severe erosion and other property safety threat. A structure, bridge or road must be threatened to be considered for eligibility for this program.
Hazard Mitigation Grants are available to provide funding to make your property more resilient, or if your property is beyond repair and you want to sell in order to move to a safer location, you can apply for a property acquisition or "buyout" to get paid for your property.
Shade Your Stream is a grant-funded initiative through Mountain Valleys Resource Conservation and Development to incentivize landowners to restore healthy streamside vegetation on their land.
Small-Scale Solutions for Eroding Streambanks
Farm & Rural Landowner Support
Farm and Landowner Resources from Cooperative Extension
FEMA support for replacing lost or damaged farm equipment
Soil Management Recommendations for Helene-Impacted WNC
Farm Service Agency, Disaster Assistance, Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) offers financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to repair and restore farmland affected by natural disasters. ECP helps farmers and ranchers implement emergency conservation measures to rehabilitate damaged land, restore agricultural production, and prevent further environmental degradation. Contact Charles Zink of the Madison/Buncombe FSA Office by calling 828-649-2712 Extension 2 or emailing at charles.zink@usda.gov.
Natural Resources Conservation Service Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers and forest landowners to address natural resource concerns, such as:
- Improved water and air quality
- Conserved ground and surface water
- Increased soil health
- Reduced soil erosion and sedimentation
- Improved or created wildlife habitat
- Mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility
- Forest Management Plan, invasive management, and implementation of forest management practices
Contact Kayla Martineau by emailing kayla.martineau@usda.gov or by calling the NRCS Asheville Service Office at (828) 254-0916, extension 3.
Farm Service Agency, Disaster Assistance, Emergency Forest Restoration Program helps non-industrial forested landowners recover from natural disasters. This program provides funding and technical support for practices that restore forest health, mitigate further damage, and encourage sustainable forests. Contact Charles Zink of the Madison/Buncombe FSA Office by calling 828-649-2712 Extension 2 or emailing at charles.zink@usda.gov.
Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees & Farm-Raised Fish provides financial help for farmers, ranchers, small honey producers, and fish nurseries. It includes items that aren't covered by other disaster assistance programs, like feed, hay, and grazing losses. You can apply for assistance at your local Farm Service Agency center.
Tree Assistance Program helps eligible nurseries, orchards, and vineyards replace or rehabilitate trees, bushes, shrubs, and vines that were produced for commercial purposes and damaged by the disaster. Applications can be submitted at your local USDA Service Center. To locate a nearby center, visit this link.
USDA Hurricane Preparation and Recovery shares fact sheets and FAQS.
Dealing With Pasture, Hay, Feed and Animal Health Issues During Hurricane Helene Recovery
Forestland Recovery
Emergency Forest Restoration Program helps non-industrial forested landowners recover from natural disasters. This program provides funding and technical support for practices that restore forest health, mitigate further damage and encourage sustainable forests. Contact Charles Zink of the Madison/Buncombe FSA Office by calling 828-649-2712 Extension 2 or emailing at charles.zink@usda.gov.
Natural Resources Conservation Service Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers and forest landowners to address natural resource concerns, such as forest management, invasive species management, and implementation of forest management practices. Contact Kayla Martineau via email at kayla.martineau@usda.gov or by calling the NRCS Asheville Service Office at (828) 254-0916 Extension 3.
NC-registered foresters can help with forest management on private property. Individual landowners can hire private foresters to create a plan or implement forest management practices on their private property.
NC Forest Service can help with forest management plans and technical assistance. Contact the Buncombe County office at 828-686-5885 or buncombe.ncfs@ncagr.gov.
Landslide Resources
Landslide Safety
More Landslide Safety and Professional Assessment Contacts
How to Avoid Landslide Hazards
Hazard Mitigation Grants are available to provide funding to make your property more resilient, or if your property is beyond repair and you want to sell in order to move to a safer location, you can apply for a property acquisition or "buyout" to get paid for your property.
Farm and Agritourism Business Recovery Resources
WNC Strong Grants
WNC Strong Recovery Loans
ASAP Appalachian Grown Farmer Immediate Needs Grant
Empowering Mountain Food Systems Recovery Grant
Crop Insurance Guidance for Farmers
Pesticide Disposal Safety After Flooding
Soil Management Recommendations for Helene-Impacted WNC
Planting Fields After Flood Events
Assessing a Food Processing Facility (including packing houses)
Guidance for Small Farms: Cleaning Packing Sheds, Coolers, and Soil Testing
List of current grants, services, and loans for farms and farm businesses, created by ASAP
Economic Recovery Resources
FEMA Disaster Recovery Center
FEMA Transitional Housing
Assistance for Small Business
Non-Profits: NC Disaster Relief Fund
Farmers Assistance
Price Gouging and Scam Reporting
Unemployment
Utility Payment Assistance
Utility Payment Assistance - LIEAP
Mental Health Support After the Storm
North Carolina Farm Help Line - Phone: 844-325-3276. If you are experiencing difficult emotions or mental stress, the NC Farm Help Line is available now for you by phone or text.
CareNet Counseling: 336-716-0855
Disaster Distress Helpline: call or text 1-800-985-5990
988: Help is also available to anyone, anytime in English or Spanish through a call, text or chat to 988.
Peer Warmline: 1-855-PEERS NC (855-733-7762), is staffed 24/7 by Peer Support Specialists who offer non-clinical support and resources to those in crisis.
Need Additional Help?
Visit Buncombe County's Helene Resources Page or contact the One Buncombe Call Center at 828-250-6100. The call center is available Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
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