McDowell County Storm Debris Collection Update: Over 11,500 Cubic Yards Cleared

On November 12, 2024, storm debris collection efforts are underway in McDowell County, with dedicated resources in key communities. Today, three trucks are operated in the Lake Tahoma community, one truck in the Woodlawn community, and five trucks in the Marion community. Crews are actively collecting storm-related debris along the right-of-way (ROW) in these areas. As of the end of day on November 11, 2024, AshBritt has collected 11,509 cubic yards of debris along ROWs across McDowell County. Residents are asked to place debris within 10 feet of the ROW to facilitate efficient collection. For further assistance or information, residents can contact the Helene Hotline at 828-652-3241. Thank you to all community members for their cooperation as we work to restore our neighborhoods.

FEMA Extends Deadline to Apply for Helene Assistance

The deadline for North Carolinians in 39 counties to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance after Tropical Storm Helene has been extended to Jan. 7, 2025. Homeowners and renters in the following counties may be eligible for FEMA financial assistance for serious needs, displacement, basic home repairs, personal property losses and other uninsured or underinsured disaster-caused expenses: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Forsyth, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lee, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Nash, Polk, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin and Yancey counties, along with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina, with losses from Tropical Storm Helene. Disaster survivors who have not yet applied for FEMA assistance should apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, which is the quickest way to apply. Survivors can also apply using the FEMA App on mobile devices or call the FEMA Helpline toll-free at 800-621-3362. The Helpline is open every day, and help is available in most languages. Those who use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, should give the FEMA representative their number for that service. To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.