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There are two, free options Buncombe County is providing for removing storm debris from your property:
- Public right-of-way debris removal: Residents are encouraged to move debris to the public right-of-way. Trucks are making several passes throughout the county.
If you are able to move debris to the public right of way, this is your best option for getting rid of storm debris.
- Private Property Debris Removal: property owners who cannot take their debris to the right of way (ROW) for pickup and who do not have debris removal insurance or have inadequate debris removal insurance, may apply to have crews assess and remove debris from their residential or commercial property.
For more information on eligibility and to apply, read this article.
Have questions about Private Property Debris Removal? Call 828-250-6100 Monday- Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and press “2.”
If you are unable to move storm debris to the right-of-way and would like for crews to assess and remove debris from your property, then you should apply for Private Property Debris Removal.
Please do not bring storm debris to the Buncombe County Landfill.
1. Public Right-of-Way Debris Removal
If you are able to move debris to the public right-of-way, this is your best option for getting rid of storm debris.
We ask that you separate storm-related debris wihtin 10 feet of the public right-of- way according to material type: appliances, construction debris, vegetative debris, and electronics [see graphic above].
Trucks are out in all parts of the county, picking up debris in the public right-of-way.
Important Reminders:
- Debris removal is not a one-pass operation. There will be multiple trucks and passes, so residents do not have to place all debris out at one time or worry if they have debris left.
- Place debris within 10 feet of the public right-of-way.
- Do not place debris near low-hanging power lines, trees, poles, or other structures. This includes fire hydrants, meters, and curbside trash carts.
- Do not block the roadway for large trucks/emergency vehicles.
- Do not attempt the cleanup process without proper PPE: masks, long pants, safety glasses, gloves and sturdy shoes are recommended.
- Residents should not attempt to bring debris to the landfill. Mud/soil will not be accepted at any Buncombe County disposal facility.
Buncombe County Daily Report ( 1.17.25):
- Trucks Running in Buncombe County for Right-of-Way Collection: 31 (Veg & Construction & Debris)
- Buncombe Mud/Soil and Silt Report: Zones E & H – 2 Crews for Mud/Soil and Silt (17 Dump Trucks)
- Buncombe ROW Truck Allocation Plan:
- Buncombe County Tree and Debris Separation Crew Allocation Plan: 17 Debris Separation Crews and 39 Tree Crews (39 Debris Separation Crews / 39 Emergency Road Clearance Crews / 39 Debris Hauling Trailers with Tree Crews)
- Active Park Operations: Lake Julian Park
- Buncombe County Black Bag Collection Crew Allocation Plan: Zones A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H & Black Mountain – 10 Black Bag Collection Crews
What has been done?
Debris pickup has occurred in different stages:
- As soon as it was safe to do so, crews began picking up debris in critical infrastructures, including medical, sewer, and school facilities.
- After these critical infrastructures were clear, residential storm debris removal began in the public right-of-way. The public right -of-way is the publicly accessible area, such as streets, sidewalks, and road shoulders, where Helene storm debris can be placed for removal without crews accessing private property. Crews cannot access private property without consent. The hardest-hit areas were prioritized, including Swannanoa, Black Mountain, and Fairview.
- Currently, debris pickup is taking place in all parts of the County and will continue for several months until all debris is cleared.
To see debris removal amount updates from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, click here.
I can’t get large items to the curb. What should I do?
We encourage residents to get as much debris to the curb as possible. This is the fastest and most efficient removal of debris. Buncombe County has worked with FEMA and other partners to provide debris removal from private properties. If you are unable to move debris to the right-of-way, you can request this to be done for free through the Private Property Debris Removal program.
Can I bring my debris to dump sites or the landfill?
No, the public is not allowed to bring debris to dump sites or the landfill.
Can the public use the debris sites?
No, access to these sites is strictly limited. Only authorized personnel are allowed to bring debris into the site to ensure safety and regulatory compliance. The sites are monitored.
What if I have household hazardous waste that needs to be disposed of?
Residents may place Household Hazardous Waste that was impacted by the storm at the curb for separate collection by the debris contractors. Waste placed at the curb should be contained to prevent spillage. Household Hazardous Waste includes: paint, household cleaning chemicals, and small propane tanks. Waste will be contained after collection and processed according to environmental regulations. if you have hazardous waste not related to the storm, please dispose of them at one of the County's Household Hazardous Waste Collection events.
Why do I have to apply to have debris removed from my property?
If you are able to move debris from your property to the right-of-way, you don’t have to apply.
If you are unable to move debris from your property to the right-of-way and would like crews to assess and remove debris from your property a Right-of-Entry (ROE) form, signed by all property owners, is legally required before contractors providing PPDR and/or demolition can access the owner’s private property. A right-of-entry is a voluntary document. Your land is private, and you decide to grant access.
How does the debris removal process work in this region?
The mountainous terrain and narrow roads pose significant challenges. For example, grapple trucks often can’t navigate dirt roads with their outriggers. Debris piles beyond the right-of-way or under tree canopies require specialized crews. Additionally, roads and properties marked with signs like “Do Not Enter” can delay progress.
Why might trucks skip or miss a house on a street?
There are several reasons a truck might not pick up debris from all houses in a street or only pick up some debris. Debris may be inaccessible due to parked cars, overhanging power lines, or the pile being outside the right-of-way, which is 10 feet. Trucks are not allowed to leave the road so if the debris is further back, they cannot reach it. Trucks are also limited by the type of debris they can collect during each pass. For example, if a truck is collecting vegetative debris, it cannot pick up construction or mixed debris. Trucks are making several passes, the first pass, which the county is currently in, is to grab anything that is readily accessible. Passes will continue until streets are cleared. Residents are encouraged to ensure their debris is properly sorted, placed within the right of way, and not obstructed to avoid being missed.
How do you define the “first pass”?
The first pass is when crews go down a road and pick up all accessible debris that can be safely picked up right away. Crews will return in subsequent passes as more debris is brought out.
Do you prioritize certain types of debris?
Yes, crews have been collecting vegetative debris and construction and demolition debris. Crews also recently started black bag collection.
When will all debris be picked up?
The debris removal process is extensive and methodical to ensure everything is cleared properly. Crews are committed to revisiting all areas to pick up remaining debris, but it takes time due to the challenges in this region. Our goal is to remove debris as quickly as possible.
Helene was a historic event that left behind the largest amount of storm debris the area has ever seen. For comparison, Hurricane Florence, which landed in Wilmington, North Carolina in 2018, left behind about 1 million cubic yards of debris which took many months to clear.
What happens at temporary storm debris management sites?
Debris is staged and separated into categories:
- Organic waste (trees, vegetation)
- Construction and demolition materials (building materials, dry wall, lumber, carpet, furniture, plumbing)
- Appliances and electronics (refrigerators, washers, dryers, water heaters, televisions, computers and stereos)
- Household hazardous waste (batteries, pesticides, paint, cleaning supplies, compressed gas under 25 pounds).
Once sorted, bulky materials are processed to reduce their size. Household hazardous waste will be contained after collection and processed according to environmental regulations. After processing, they will be taken to a permanent location and the temporary site will be returned to its original state.
Who should I contact if I have a question or concerns about debris removal or debris processing?
Call the One Buncombe Call Center M-F from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 828-250-6100. You can also use this form to report public right-of-way debris piles in unincorporated Buncombe County, City of Asheville, and the Town of Black Mountain that are posing public safety risks.This is not for private property debris removal.
We appreciate your patience and cooperation as crews continue to clear debris from our homes and communities.
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