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Shelters close, vehicle repairs, debris

Online Niel November 8, 2024

The Thursday, Nov. 7, Buncombe County Helene recovery meeting covered debris collection, the condition of Habitat for Humanity area properties, storm shelter closures and more.

Also included were daily updates on food and water distribution and the locations of Community Care Centers where showers, laundry and other essentials are available.

Briefings go live on Buncombe County Facebook page at 11 a.m. on weekdays. You can also find recordings of previous briefings on the page. Here’s what was covered in Thursday’s briefing.

Free post-Hellenic and Habitat for Humanity vehicle repairs

Working Wheels local nonprofit provides free vehicle repairs to relief organizations and helps provide affordable and reliable vehicles to families affected by the storm. Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity also launched a disaster repair program, providing assistance to low-income homeowners with storm-related repairs. Visit workingwheelswnc.org and ashevillehabitat.org for more information.

Andy Barnett, Habitat for Humanity’s Asheville area director, said all staff and owner families are safe from the storm. No significant damage was recorded in the habitat districts.

Government offices were closed on Veterans Day

Buncombe County government offices, including the courthouse, sheriff’s office, health and human services and others will be closed Monday, Nov. 11, for Veterans Day. Aid stations and community care stations will remain open.

The Buncombe County Office of Veterans Services provides a wide range of services for veterans and their families. This includes support for disability compensation, survivor benefits and more. Learn more at buncombecounty.org/veterans.

Debris collection

County Manager Avril Pinder said the county has received many inquiries about collecting storm debris. She reminded the audience that the trucks run seven days a week, including holidays. There is no exact schedule as there is with garbage collection, but more permits will be made. Debris will be collected on private roads and rights-of-way. However, rights of way are completed first.

Pinder added that more than 95,000 cubic meters of debris was collected. Ten million cubic meters have been identified throughout the county. The county is currently working on the formation of a Private Property Debris Removal and Demolition Program. The US Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA and NC officials are working together on this effort.

If your private property has debris that is a safety concern and you cannot bring it to the first pass, you may be eligible for this program. In particular, Pinder suggested that people who do not have debris removal insurance or have exhausted their insurance benefits apply when the program becomes available.

Community care posts

Community Care Centers are open daily from 7am to 7pm with showers, laundry and more. All community care centers now have ADA accessible showers and bathrooms. Laundry drop-off and pick-up is available at Swannanoa Ingles.

The locations of the community care posts are:

Store parking at home
Big Lots/Innsbrook Mall
Buncombe County Sports Park
Bethel United Methodist
Fairview English
Swannanoa Ingles
Owen Poole
Morgan Hill Baptist Church

Where to get food and water in Buncombe County

Water and ready-to-eat food are available daily at distribution points at:

Sky Lanes bowling alley
Black Mountain English
Swannanoa Ingles
Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center
Pack Square Park
Buncombe County Sports Park
Fairview English

Disaster shelters are closing

The American Red Cross is supporting the transition of disaster shelter operations to the Western Carolina Rescue Mission. This will happen on Saturday, November 10, to ensure continuity of care for disaster-affected people currently in shelters. 164 people still live in disaster shelters in the county. The Red Cross works with these people to help promote stability. The WNC Ag Center shelter will close on November 10th, and residents with ongoing shelter needs will be able to transition to the Gold’s Gym location, where services will continue through December 31st.

Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Contact her at [email protected].