Changes to FEMA Disaster Recovery Center, Displaced Vehicle Tagging, & County Pools to Reopen in May

FEMA Disaster Recovery Center Update 
Due to building issues, FEMA will close its Disaster Recovery Center at the Asheville Mall at 6 p.m. on January 29. Two other centers will open in its place: 

• Fairview Public Library, 1 Taylor Road, Fairview – Also serves as a Private Property Debris Removal intake center. Open in the community room even on days the library is closed. 
• Weaverville Town Hall, 30 South Main St., Weaverville 

Residents can visit any open center; no appointment is required. For the nearest location, visit fema.gov/drc. Operating hours are Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

FCC Collection Rates & Trash Pickup 
FCC is maintaining collection rates at or above 98%, ensuring that trash pickup services remain on schedule. Residents in Swannanoa can expect normal trash collection today. 

Storm-Displaced Vehicle Stickers 
Residents may notice stickers on titled property such as cars, RVs, and trailers displaced by the storm and in the public right-of-way in unincorporated Buncombe County. These stickers are part of the debris process and are not parking tickets or fines, nor will residents be jailed. They help officials contact owners, and if insurance does not cover removal, the County will handle it at no cost to residents through FEMA reimbursement. For more information on this process, please read this article. 

Waterway Debris Cleanup 
The Army Corps of Engineers and their subcontractors will begin waterway debris cleanup in the coming days. 

Fire Safety Alert 
Due to high winds, the Buncombe County Fire Marshal advises against open burning today, Wednesday, January 29. All fires must be small, attended, have a means of extinguishment, and be kept 25 feet away from combustible vegetation and structures, especially away from any vegetative storm debris. 

Historical Preservation Project 
Buncombe County Special Collections has launched Come Hell or High Water, a community-driven memory project to document the impact of Tropical Storm Helene in Western North Carolina. Residents can contribute personal stories, photos, videos, and other digital materials to a growing archive, ensuring a lasting historical record of the storm. The project also includes scientific data, media coverage, and historical weather event comparisons. With support from the Friends of Buncombe County Special Collections, volunteers, and local organizations, the project aims to foster community reflection and healing. To contribute, visit specialcollections.buncombecounty.org/helene. 

Buncombe Parks & Recreation Update  
Buncombe County Parks & Recreation continues its work to restore parks and facilities impacted by storm damage. All Buncombe County pools are operational and will reopen on Memorial Day weekend. 

Among the most affected areas is Owen Park and the County is committed to reimagining and reopening the park with community input. Other impacted parks include Karpen Soccer Fields & Walking Path and Collier Cove Nature Preserve where crews are actively clearing fallen trees and landslides, stabilizing terrain, and ensuring safety before reopening. 

Teams are conducting thorough tree assessments and infrastructure maintenance across all park sites. Cleared areas are not necessarily safe for public use. We urge visitors to respect park closures and signage. 

County staff are pleased to announce the reopening of several parks and facilities: 

• North Buncombe Complex & Hominy Valley Park – Fully open and ready for visitors. 
• Cane Creek Park Playground – Open; however, the field is currently in use as a major debris site and unavailable for recreation. Cane Creek Pool, along with all Buncombe County pools, is set to open Memorial Day weekend. 
• Buncombe County Sports Park – Fully open, offering soccer fields, disc golf, a dog park, walking trails, and open spaces. 
• Lake Julian Park – Nearly 100% open, including fishing, boating, walking paths, playgrounds, shelters, and most of the disc golf course. Crews worked tirelessly to ensure the Festival of Lights continued in December, and nearly 200 trees were safely removed to improve public access. Visitors are asked to respect signage marking unsafe areas. 
• River Parks Cleanup Initiative – Bent Creek and Corcoran Paige River Parks are currently open, and work continues to enhance additional riverfront parks through a long-term waterway cleanup initiative. 

Disaster Recovery Events 

• Agriculture Recovery Fair – Farmers and agricultural workers impacted by Helene are invited to attend a resource fair at A-B Tech Community College (Ivy Building) on Thursday, January 30, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Representatives from FEMA, USDA, N.C. Department of Agriculture, and more will be available. Attendees should bring proof of ownership, damage photos, and cost estimates for lost equipment. 
• Resources for Recovery Series – Survivors can meet with representatives from various agencies for disaster recovery assistance. All events are designed as drop-in sessions.  
  • Thursday, Feb. 13 – Barnardsville Fire Station 
  • Thursday, Feb. 20 – Owen High School Cafeteria 
  • Tuesday, Feb. 25 – Reynolds High School Cafeteria 
  • Thursday, Feb. 27 – Leicester Community Center 

Disaster Energy Assistance 
Residents impacted by Helene can receive help with utility bills, heating costs, and related expenses. Eligibility requires Buncombe County residency during the disaster and meeting income limits such as $5,247 a month for a family of four. Apply online at buncombeready.org, in person at 40 Coxe Avenue, or by calling 828-250-5500. 

February 6 Deadlines 
February 6 is the last day to apply for FEMA assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362 and the deadline for Disaster Unemployment Assistance for individuals whose employment was impacted. Apply at des.nc.gov. 

FEMA Assistance Progress 

• $103 million provided in individual and housing assistance in Buncombe County. 
• $318 million in Public Assistance approved for Western North Carolina. 
• Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) will continue through May 26 for eligible residents. 

Storm Debris Collection Updates 

• 33 debris trucks are in operation today, with second pass collections starting in all areas except Swannanoa, which was highly impacted. 
• January 31: AshBritt, the County's contracting debris cleanup company, will no longer collect black bags from the right-of-way. Residents who need to bag their debris must use clear bags only moving forward. 

Community Care Stations 
Showers, laundry, bottled water, and other resources are available daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Bethel United Methodist, Fairview Ingles, Owen Pool, and Morgan Hill Baptist Church.