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City outlines progress and timelines for storm debris removal; PPDR, waterways and demolition work ongoing
Summary
City sanitation staff updated council May 8 on storm debris work: right-of-way passes are wrapping up, 680+ private property debris removal applications were received, waterways and demolition work continue under FEMA/USACE processes, and some complex sites may require separate public‑assistance contracts.
Sanitation Division staff and debris‑operations contractors updated the City Council May 8 on progress removing storm debris from public rights of way, waterways and private properties following Tropical Storm Helene.
City staff said rights‑of‑way initial and subsequent passes were completed in March and April and that the Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA are completing final punch‑list work. The city reported more than 700,000 cubic yards of vegetation and construction‑demolition debris removed under active contracts and more than 20,000 tons of mud and soil handled; staff noted measurement methodologies differ and some removal (including private contractor work) may be recorded as tonnage rather than cubic yards.
About 680 PPDR (private property debris removal) applications were on file; staff said the county is administering intake and that demolition work for self‑requested demolition is expected to begin in mid‑ to late‑May. Staff estimated approximately 30 structures could be removed through the demolition program, subject to permitting, environmental and archaeological reviews.
Waterway removal along the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers is ongoing; staff said identified debris points must clear environmental and historic‑preservation reviews before removal. The city has removed portions of debris from waterways and had crews working in tributaries including Sweeten Creek, Grassy Branch and Hominy Creek. For smaller debris and continuing cleanups, staff said partners and volunteer groups will continue to assist.
Staff cautioned that some complex city properties (for example, cemetery root ball removal that requires archaeological monitoring) are unlikely to be covered under the direct federal assistance mission and will require separate public‑assistance contracts.
Staff said a debris dashboard has been published and is updated weekly to provide counts and application tallies; council members asked for lists of private properties that have applied for PPDR and for clarification about which sites are awaiting hazardous‑mitigation review or other funding routes.
