The Wednesday, Dec. 4, Buncombe County Helene recovery briefing covered a burn ban, remaining Community Care Stations, financial assistance post-Helene and more.
Today’s briefing marked 70 days since the tropical storm swept through Western North Carolina on Sept. 27, claiming lives and destroying residences, businesses and ecosystems.
Briefings go live on the Buncombe County Facebook page at 11 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. You can also find recordings of past briefings on the page. Here’s what was covered in Wednesday’s briefing.
Burn ban Buncombe County
Starting today, Wednesday, Dec. 4, at noon, the Buncombe County Fire Marshal’s Office is issuing a burn ban for open fires for all of Buncombe County. High fire danger is a risk due to low humidity and strong, gusty winds. Burning yard waste and debris or land clearing burns are not allowed during this ban.
Representatives also reminded the public that it is never legal to burn anything other than naturally occurring vegetation, and that open burning is never allowed within city of Asheville limits. The ban does not restrict fires contained in a pit, barbecue grills, cooking fires, warming fires or chiminea devices smaller than 3 feet in diameter.
The burn ban will be in effect until Saturday, Dec. 7, at 9 a.m. However, during this time the burn ban may be extended depending on conditions.
When do I have to sign up for FCC?
FCC, the new trash and recycling pickup service provider for unincorporated Buncombe County, is continuing its transition into the community. This week, Waste Pro began picking up bins and FCC is beginning to deliver new bins.
After Waste Pro picks up its bins, you can expect FCC to deliver new bins to your home within 24-48 hours. The bins will match the bins you currently have, and if you purchased a bear cart from Waste Pro, FCC will simply place an FCC sticker on said bin.
Trash pickup will continue as usual in December with new FCC bins. However, as of January, you will need to be subscribed with FCC for your trash and recycling to be picked up. If you choose not to subscribe with FCC, you must opt out before quarterly billing begins.
Current Waste Pro customers must sign up with FCC at fccenvironmental.com/buncombe to continue service in the new year.
Can I get an extension on my property taxes?
Buncombe County officials reminded the public to make sure you have paid or planned to pay your Buncombe County property tax bill. For in-person payments, the Buncombe County Tax Department has reopened at 94 Coxe Ave.
Unfortunately, N.C. law does not allow property tax waivers or exceptions due to natural disasters. Property taxes are still due by Jan. 6. However, the Tax Department may be able to help work out a plan. Contact the office at 828-250-4910 during open hours Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. to discuss alternative ways to pay your tax bill or set up a payment plan.
For FAQs about tax bills and hurricane-related tax information, buncombecounty.org/tax.
More:How much will Helene affect property values in Buncombe County? Assessors already at work
When will Community Care Stations close?
All Community Care Stations and water distribution sites in the city and county have closed, with the exception of four stations still open in most impacted communities:
- Morgan Hill Baptist Church, 594 Barnardsville Highway
- Bethel United Methodist, 1050 Riceville Road
- Owen Pool, 117 Stone Drive, Swannanoa
- Fairview Ingles at 225 Charlotte Highway by Reynolds High
These stations will remain open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. to serve residents in these highly impacted areas.
Code Purple
Today and tomorrow, Dec. 4-5, have once again been placed under Code Purple conditions. Code Purple is a community initiative promoting safety for people experiencing homelessness by expanding emergency shelter capacity during cold weather.
Code Purple sites will also work with participants to refer them to ongoing shelter and housing options. Shelter locations during Code Purple include:
- ABCCM, 20 20th St.: open for single men. Intake starts at 4 p.m. Accessible via transit route WE2 at Bear Creek Road.
- ABCCM Transformation Village, 30 Olin Haven Way: Single women and children. Intake starts at 4 p.m. Accessible via transit route W2.
More:School closings, delays in Western North Carolina, Wednesday, Dec. 4
Rental, mortgage help; Helene Recovery Housing Assistance Grant
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners has funded $1.2 million for the Helene Recovery Housing Assistance Grant, which provides up to three months of support for rent, mortgage payments or utility bills. To be eligible, you must meet these requirements:
- Lived in Buncombe County prior to Sept. 26, 2024.
- Finances must have been negatively impacted by Helene.
- Income must be within 80% of area median income.
These grants can pay three months of overdue or upcoming rent, mortgage payments and utilities such as electric, gas, water and sewer. Grants don’t cover things like trash removal, energy costs such as fuel and oil, internet, credit card bills or insurance. Other programs such as FEMA Disaster Assistance can help with these expenses. Applications are open tomorrow, Dec. 4 at 8 a.m. through Dec. 19 at 5 p.m. Apply online at buncombecounty.org.
Residents in the city of Asheville who need help with rent can also apply for assistance through Eblen Charities at Eblencharities.org.
Private Property Debris Removal
Almost 1,000 county housholds have already applied to have debris removed from their properties, or to have unsafe structures demolished through the Private Property Debris Removal program.
PPDR is different from debris collections on public right of ways, as PPDR crews must enter a property to access and collect debris. Crews have been and will continue to collect debris on public right of ways. You do not have to apply for the program if you are able to bring your debris to right of ways.
If you do need to apply, visit one of the application centers at the Asheville Mall, Barnardsville Fire Department, Swannanoa Fire Department or the Fairview Library.
Applications can also be submitted online at buncombeready.org. For questions, call the One Buncombe hotline at 828-250-6100 and select option 2.
How much storm debris has been collected in Buncombe County?
As of today, Dec. 4, 396,180 cubic yards of debris have been collected in Buncombe County, Black Mountain and the city of Asheville. This marks progress toward the removal of an estimated 10 million cubic yards of storm debris that Helene left behind.
County officials continue to encourage area residents to move storm debris to the public right of way and separate it into vegetative, construction, large appliances, hazardous waste and electronics. Do not bring debris to the landfill or place it in FCC bins.
Energy, heating assistance
The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program is now accepting applications for one-time heating bill assistance for low-income households. Payments go directly to heating vendors. Application periods include:
- Now-Dec. 31 – Households including a person aged 60 or older or disabled persons receiving services through the NC Division of Aging and Adult Services.
- Jan. 1-March 31 or until funds are exhausted – All other households.
Use one of the following methods to apply:
- Online at epass.nc.gov
- By phone at 828-250-5500
- In person at 40 Coxe Ave. Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Emergency Watershed Protection
Buncombe County residents affected by Helene may qualify for the USDA Emergency Watershed Protection Program to address damage, threatening structures, roads, bridges or other infrastructure.
EWP covers assistance for:
- Debris-clogged waterways
- Unstable streambanks
- Severe erosion impacting public infrastructure
- Wind-borne debris removal
- Steep slopes at risk of sliding
To qualify, damage must pose a threat to existing structures or infrastructure. Repairs typically occur within 1-3 years.
To apply, submit damage information via the County’s Property Damage Form at buncombecounty.org, or by calling 828-250-4785.
More:MountainTrue releases more post-Helene soil, water samples: How polluted is the French Broad?
FEMA, Red Cross texts
FEMA and American Red Cross representatives asked anyone receiving assistance from the organizations to remain in contact, and to answer any calls or texts received as soon as possible.
In particular, those with major damage to properties may have received texts from the Red Cross. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or visit Redcross.org/helene, ideally before Dec. 20.
Asheville debris collection
Today, trucks will be collecting debris in the following Asheville zones:
- Zone 1 – 1 truck
- Zone 2 – 1
- Zone 4 – 4 trucks, plus one mud and silt crew operating 5 dump trucks
- Zones 4 and 5 – 11
- Zone 5 – 2
- Zones 7 and 8 – 4
Additionally, two debris separation crews and three tree crews will operate in multiple zones. Do not park cars in front of storm debris piles to ensure that crews can collect storm debris.
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
