In observance of the upcoming holiday, Buncombe County administrative offices will be closed on Friday, April 18. This includes Health and Human Services, Libraries, the Helene Resource Center, the One Buncombe Call Center, and other County facilities, along with the Buncombe County Courthouse.
Parks that are currently open, along with the landfill and transfer station, will remain operational. FCC will operate on a normal schedule for trash and recycling collection in unincorporated Buncombe County. Visit www.buncombenc.gov for a complete list of closures.
Helene Resource Center Now Open
The Helene Resource Center at 94 Coxe Ave., Asheville, is now open, offering recovery support from FEMA, U.S. Small Business Administration, N.C. Disaster Case Management, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, and more.
It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed Friday, April 18), and free parking is across the street. ART transit options are available nearby. No appointment is required.
FEMA continues to accept late disaster assistance applications for 60 days. To apply, residents should provide the reason for delay by phone at 1-800-621-3362, in writing to P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055, or in-person—no documentation required.
Private Roads & Bridges Program
If Tropical Storm Helene damaged a private road or bridge, residents may qualify for repair assistance through the new N.C. Private Road and Bridge Program. Applicants who applied for bridge or road repair assistance with FEMA can also apply for this program. Priority is given to properties with no alternate emergency access. To date, over 2,100 submissions have been received. Fill out the interest form at ncdps.gov/helene/dcm.
Help Shape the Future of Recovery
Residents can help shape the County’s post-Helene recovery priorities and 2030 Strategic Plan by completing a short survey at engage.buncombecounty.org/envisionbuncombe.
Before the storm devastated many parts of the community, Buncombe County Commissioners were working to shape strategic priorities for the next five-year Strategic Plan. In the wake of Helene, those priorities may look different. As the County develops the long-term strategy for recovery, we want to ensure every voice is at the table.
Private Property Debris Removal Program
Over 5,000 applications were submitted for the County’s Private Property Debris Removal program.
Here is what applicants can expect:
- Tetra Tech, a County contractor, will continue to process applications and gather required information
- Inspections will be completed to document debris and hazards
- Once that’s completed, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will work with their contractor to schedule the debris collection; this may happen in several steps, but the debris will be picked up
For those who have applied and haven’t had debris cleared yet, the best way to expedite the process is to keep an eye on any calls, texts, or emails from Tetra Tech administrators who may be reaching out for any required additional information
For status updates on applications, reach out to the One Buncombe Call Center at 828-250-6100, option 2.
This center is available 7 days a week from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Additional Recovery Resources
- Public debris pickup has ended. Please do not bring additional debris to the public right-of-way. Residents who have applied for Private Property Debris Removal should submit all paperwork as soon as possible. Questions on the status of your application? Call 828-250-6100.
- For work concerns, contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers via The email at DLL-CESAW-NC-Helene-PPDR@usace.army.mil.
- Agriculture Crop Loss Program is accepting applications through May 2. Contact Cooperative Extension at 828-255-5522 for help.
- NC Disaster Case Management Program: Call 844-746-2326 or visit buncombeready.org to connect with a recovery case manager.
Community Care Station
The Owen Pool Community Care Station remains open with showers, laundry, water, and restrooms. It is open on weekdays: 9 a.m.–9 p.m. and weekends from 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Important County Relocations
If you need to visit County services in person, please note recent and upcoming location changes:
- Tax Collections and Property Assessment are now at 182 College St. Free parking is available in the adjacent deck with ticket validation.
- Planning & Development, currently at 46 Valley St., will move to 35 Woodfin St. on April 22. This new Government Services Center also houses Permits & Inspections, the Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency, and Environmental Health.
- Elections Services will move to the same building in May.
Stay Informed
Bookmark: engage.buncombecounty.org/buncomberecovers
Text: BCAlert to 99411 for phone alerts or go to www.buncombecounty.org/codered
Call: One Buncombe Call Center at 828-250-6100 with questions
Beginning in May, Community Briefings will occur once monthly, on the first Wednesday of the month at 11 a.m. on the Buncombe County Government Facebook page.