Residents impacted by Hurricane Helene have additional time to apply for FEMA individual disaster assistance. The deadline to apply has been extended to Monday, April 7, 2025. If residents have not yet reported Helene-related losses, we strongly encourage them to do so as soon as possible to access the support you may be eligible for.
FEMA assistance can help with rent, home repairs, replacement of personal property (like furnishings or computers), moving and storage fees, and more. Even if residents haven’t identified major damage, it’s still important to apply.
Residents can apply for FEMA assistance by visiting disasterassistance.gov, calling 800-621-3362, or visiting a Disaster Recovery Center. Centers are located at Weaverville Town Hall and Fairview Public Library, open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Buncombe County Tax Department Relocation
The Buncombe County Tax Department will soon move to a new location at 182 College Street, Asheville. The move will happen in two phases:
- The Tax Collection Office will close at noon on Monday, March 17, and reopen at the new location on Tuesday, March 18, at 8 a.m.
- The Property Assessment Office, currently at 155 Hilliard Ave., will move the week of March 20. For questions about property values, business listings, or appeals, call (828) 250-4940.
Free parking is available in the garage at 164 College St. — visitors should bring their ticket for validation. This move is part of an effort to consolidate public-facing departments, improve resident experiences, and save taxpayer money. Click here for full details.
Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP)
Residents facing damage or severe erosion threatening homes, roads, bridges, culverts, or other infrastructure may be eligible for assistance through the USDA Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program.
The EWP program helps landowners repair damage that endangers property safety, including debris-clogged waterways, unstable streambanks, severe erosion impacting infrastructure, and wind-borne debris removal. While repair funding is available, the process typically takes 1–3 years.
To check eligibility, fill out the Report Damage form at the top of buncombecounty.org or call the One Buncombe Call Center at 828-250-6100.
Disaster Energy Assistance Program
Funds are still available to help residents with home-heating costs through the Disaster Energy Assistance Program. This program covers utility bills, propane or oil tanks, furnace repair or replacement, and even insulation and roof repairs.
Apply in person at 40 Coxe Avenue or call 828-250-5500, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Legal Clinic for Helene Survivors
Legal Aid of North Carolina and Pisgah Legal Services are hosting a free Legal Clinic to provide free expert legal guidance on FEMA claims, insurance issues, housing concerns, fraud prevention, debt questions, and more. The walk-in clinic is Monday, March 17 from noon to 6 p.m. at the A-B Tech Community College Ferguson Auditorium (parking at lots A3, 4, and 5)
Residents who need immediate legal assistance before the clinic, can call Pisgah Legal Services at 828-253-0406 or the Disaster Legal Services Hotline at 866-219-5262.
Key Deadlines
Residents should be aware of these important upcoming deadlines:
- March 14: ArtsAVL Arts Business Relief Grant deadline
- April 7: FEMA Individual Assistance deadline
- April 15: Last day to apply for the Private Property Debris Removal Program
- April 27: SBA Physical Damage Loan deadline
- June 30: SBA Economic Injury Application deadline
Disaster Case Management Support
For ongoing recovery needs like food access, housing, transportation, employment assistance, and mental health support, the North Carolina Emergency Services Disaster Case Management program is here to help.
Dedicated case managers are available to guide you through the recovery process. Apply by calling 844-746-2326 or completing the intake form at buncombeready.org.
Debris Removal Updates
Crews continue working to remove storm debris from public and private property and waterways. Key updates include:
- Right-of-Way: Final rounds for debris pickup will continue through March from west to east areas of the County. Highly impacted areas like Barnardsville and Swannanoa will be among the last served to give homeowners more time to move debris.
- Private Property: Apply for the Private Property Debris Removal Program by April 15 if you cannot move debris yourself. So far, 776 properties have been cleared, with more than 500 of those cases closed. Apply online at buncombeready.org, call 828-250-6100, or visit the intake center at Fairview Library.
- Waterways: More than 50 crews and over 100 hauling trucks continue removing debris from critical infrastructure sites. For safety, please avoid entering active construction zones.
Community Care Station Schedule
Community Care Stations remain open this week with two locations closing next week due to low use.
- Morgan Hill Baptist Church: Laundry services only, daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Closing Monday, March 17)
- Fairview Ingles: Laundry services only, daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Closing Wednesday, March 19)
- Owen Pool Station: Showers, laundry, water, and restrooms from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends. The station will remain open overnight for warming when temperatures drop below freezing. There are no plans to close this station.
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
Property owners affected by Helene’s floodwaters or landslides are encouraged to apply for the state’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. This program provides funding for projects like home elevation above the 100-year flood elevation, foundation repairs, and property acquisition at pre-storm value.
The program is 100% voluntary, and there are no income limits. Apply at buncombeready.org by completing the 5-minute Grant Information Request form.
Stay Informed
For ongoing updates and recovery resources, bookmark engage.buncombecounty.org/buncomberecovers. You can also subscribe for alerts and feedback opportunities.
For questions, call the Buncombe Call Center at 828-250-6100, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The next Community Briefing will be on Wednesday, March 19 at 11 a.m. livestreamed on our Facebook page.