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FEMA Updates, Homeowner Grants, Debris

Online Niel November 13, 2024

Buncombe County Helene’s Tuesday, Nov. 12 recovery briefing covered homeowner subsidies, FEMA updates, a new company assisting with private property debris removal 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 Tuesday’s briefing.

Buncombe FEMA Updates

FEMA representative Hannah Vick provided an update on recovery programs. Vick said FEMA has approved $227 million for more than 130,000 post-Helene households and individuals, including $75 million for more than 51,000 households and individuals in Buncombe County.

FEMA also offers several temporary housing options. More than 4,500 households are accommodated in hotels and motels through FEMA, of which more than 1,600 are Buncombe households.

FEMA continues to encourage anyone affected by Helene to apply for FEMA assistance by going to disasterassistance.govby calling 1-800-621-3362 or visiting a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center. DRC locations include:

Asheville Mall at 3 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville 28805 – open daily 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
(DRC Mobile Location) Swannanoa Fire Rescue Bee Tree Substation at 510 Bee Tree Road, Swannanoa 28778 – Open 8am-7pm November 11-14
(Coming Soon) Buncombe County Sports Complex Parking Lot at 58 Apac Drive – Open 8am-5pm November 15-18

The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance has been extended to January 7 for NC residents. Finally, Vick recalled that FEMA is hiring in Asheville, Durham, Hickory and Raleigh. Visit usajobs.gov and enter the keyword “FEMA.”

2024 Homeowner Grant Program

Applications for the 2024 Homeowner Grant Program are now reopening to give the community affected by Hurricane Helene more time to complete and submit applications, with new eligibility requirements. Mobile home owners can also apply now.

Applications can be submitted by November 15 and can be obtained at buncombecounty.org/homeownergrant or by calling 828-250-5500.

Well Water Test Note

During the week of Thanksgiving, well water testing will only be conducted on Monday, November 25th.

Hazard Mitigation Program

Hazard reduction personnel from NC Emergency Management will be available this week in Buncombe County to assist property owners at the Asheville Mall from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

This program helps protect against further damage and loss following a disaster, with options such as buying homes at their pre-storm value, raising homes above the estimated 100-year storm level, and more.

Where are the waste collection trucks today?

There are 41 trucks operating in the unincorporated areas of Buncombe County in the eastern part of the county today, November 12th. The active areas today are B, C, D, E, H and G.

A private property debris removal and demolition program is established with the help of FEMA, the US Army Corps of Engineers and the state.

Tetra Tech is a new partner in this activity, acting as disaster recovery consultants.

Tetra Tech

John Buri, director of Disaster Programs at Tetra Tech, explained a little more about the company’s role in Western NC. The organization’s “community boater assistance” program will bring in experts to serve as information resources, supporting the county’s efforts to help residents. go through the recovery process. Private property debris removal is the other main area where Tetra Tech provides assistance.

Buri added that Tetra Tech currently employs locals in a wide range of roles, including clerical and field work. Visit tetratech.com/careers/ to apply

FCC environmental jobs

In other possible job opportunity news, FCC Environmental is hosting hiring events next week on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 19 and 20 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 309 College St.

Public safety reminder

County officials reminded the community that the entire county is an “active and dynamic environment” today, with garbage trucks, utility contractors and ongoing traffic and road safety hazards. Officials asked residents to obey all barricades and road closure signs, including never trying to go around barricades.

Draw red light outages as four-way stops and plan for extra time when traveling, as many GPS systems still don’t recognize road closures. Officials also asked residents to be patient with debris trucks and utility workers.

Community care posts

Community care centers are open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., 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

Free vaccines in Buncombe County

Free vaccines are available through the Buncombe County Mobile Team. These are available:

Tuesday and Friday: 12-6pm at Swannanoa Ingles and Tunnel Road Community Care Stations
Wednesday: 11:00am – 4:00pm at Big Ivy Community Center
Thursday: 2-5pm at the Bounty and Soul market at the former BI-LO in Black Mountain