Hurricane Helene Debris Removal: What You Need to Know

From McDowell County Emergency Management

Debris removal operations are underway in McDowell County, with AshBritt and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers leading efforts to clear storm debris efficiently and safely.  This is a free program, and begins with primary roads, then moves to secondary roads.  If you are unsure of your road designation, click here to view a map of all NCDOT maintained roadways. 

Resident Instructions: Residents should place storm debris within 10 feet of the right-of-way on any primary or secondary road. Be sure to separate debris by type: vegetative, construction materials, appliances, electronics, and hazardous waste. Please note that bagged household trash will not be picked up by debris removal crews; all bagged trash will continue to be collected through regular routes or should be taken to the landfill.  Thank you for helping our crews work efficiently and safely as we restore our community.  See images below for more information. 

Here is the most recent information Old Fort Help has obtained from McDowell Emergency Services related to debris removal:

As of January 17, 2025, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has reported the collection of 41,778.25 cubic yards of debris and 23,780.71 tons of soil as part of ongoing debris removal efforts in McDowell County. As this situation is constantly evolving, please check our storm debris management updates at https://www.mcdowellgov.com/debris Additional passes for ROW debris pickup will continue, and residents are encouraged to place debris within 10 feet of the public right of way. Those needing debris removed from private property or private drives can apply for assistance at www.mcdowellgov.com/helene.

McDowell County property owners (in unincorporated areas and cities) impacted by

Hurricane Helene have three options for debris removal:

1. Public Right of Way (ROW) Debris Pickup
   • Debris placed near the public ROW (next to the roadway without obstructing traffic, garbage cans, mailboxes, or utility structures) will be picked up at no cost.
   • Multiple rounds of debris pickup are ongoing across the county, so residents do not need to move all debris to the ROW immediately.
2. Private ROW Debris Pickup for Private Roads, Subdivisions, and Communities
   • Property owners can apply for Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) at mcdowellgov.com/helene
   • Residents must move debris to within 10 feet of the ROW on private roads to qualify for removal under the FEMA-approved Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) Program.
   • Only one pass will be made in private areas once scheduled with property owner, so ensure all debris is properly placed for collection.
3. Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) and Demolition
   • Property owners unable to move debris to the ROW and who lack sufficient debris removal insurance may apply for FREE debris removal.
   • The program includes removal of hazardous limbs, trees, and mixed debris, as well as the demolition of eligible unsafe structures.

How to Apply for PPDR and Process Overview

1. Visit mcdowellgov.com/helene to submit a Right of Entry (ROE) Agreement:
   • For HOAs, a representative may complete the ROE as the authorized agent.
   • An HOA acknowledgment letter is required (a template is available).
   • Individual property owners can apply if unable to move debris to the ROW.
2. Emergency Management Contact:
   • A McDowell County Emergency Management representative will reach out within 72 hours to discuss your request.
3. Approval Submission:
   • Your application will be submitted to FEMA and USACE for approval.
4. Debris Pickup Scheduling:
   • If approved, USACE will schedule contractors to remove debris.
5. Notification of Timeline:
   • Emergency Management will provide a timeline and further instructions.

What is a Right of Entry (ROE)?

A Right of Entry (ROE) form is required to allow contractors to access private property for

debris removal or demolition. This voluntary document is legally binding and can be

withdrawn anytime before work begins.

For More Information visit mcdowellgov.com/helene to apply for PPDR and find detailed

debris removal guidance. For further assistance, contact McDowell County Emergency

Services at 828-652-3241.

MCDOWELL COUNTY DEBRIS FAQ

How do I contact USACE to pick up my debris?

There is no need to contact anyone to receive this service. Just sort your debris by type and place within 10 feet of the right of way. Debris teams will conduct pickup community-by-community throughout the entire county.

When will USACE be in my area picking up debris?

Updates on scheduling and timing will be communicated through McDowell County Emergency Management social media channels and traditional media (newspaper and radio).  You can view the latest EOC updates on our site here.

Where should I take my debris?

Residents should not take debris anywhere. The county has hired a contractor to handle the collection of residential debris. Simply sort the debris and move to the right of way.

Are there any size requirement for vegetative debris?

No, there are no size requirements for vegetative storm debris. No additional processing is needed for size reduction. Just make sure to place at the DOT right-of-way and USACE will collect debris.

What about mud/soil?

Mud/soil should be pushed or piled on the roadsides for future collection.

USACE came to my community, but they haven’t collected my debris, why?

The first phase of the clean-up process includes a USACE debris refinement team, these teams will arrive prior to pick-up to ensure each home has their disaster related debris properly sorted. Even after pick-up has begun, there may be multiple teams that collect debris from your ROW over multiple days. To make the process quick and efficient there will be separate trucks for each category of eligible debris. These trucks may arrive at different times in the clean-up process.