County says private‑property debris removal program moving forward; FEMA eligibility remains a limiting factor

Mitchell County officials told commissioners the state‑administered private‑property debris registration process has resumed and that private‑property debris removal could start for approved properties later in the month, but that final removal depends on FEMA eligibility determinations.

County Manager and debris staff explained that the “smart program” registration must be completed to queue private yards for removal, and that FEMA must approve each property’s removal as a health‑and‑safety or access risk before work begins. County Manager said the state is pressing FEMA to treat the county’s high post‑storm fire risk and blocked access as justification for approval; staff estimated the first private‑property removal trucks could begin work by the end of the month if FEMA approves submitted packets.

Officials also said they are coordinating with state staff on removal of stream and silt debris in local creeks and that taxpayers who paid privately to repair private roads and bridges might be eligible for a state program offering up to 50% reimbursement if FEMA did not cover the work; the county posted a county web page with a “road and bridge reimbursement” link and urged residents to preserve invoices and documentation.

County staff asked residents with remaining roadside debris to use the county’s online punch‑list form so roadside removal crews can track and schedule pickups. County Manager repeated a long‑standing safety message: posted gates and closed sections along roads and the Parkway are active work zones and should be respected to avoid injury around heavy equipment.