McDowell officials report steady progress in Hurricane Helene recovery, warn deadline for debris applications

William Keller provided a detailed update on recovery work from Hurricane Helene, reporting progress on debris removal, temporary housing and volunteer-led repairs while warning that significant work remains.

Keller said right-of-way debris removal is complete but waterway debris remains substantial; he gave figures showing 762,563 cubic yards of debris removed so far and an estimated 83,000 cubic yards remaining in the roadside tally shown that morning. He said hundreds of waterway sites have been identified for clearing but only a small share have been completed: “sites identified and approved are 700 and I think that says 23 … they’ve only cleared so far a 77 of those waterway sites,” Keller said. He added that waterway debris removal could push total removed debris well above one million cubic yards once larger waterways are addressed.

Keller said a disaster resource center is open at 129 Barnes Road, where representatives from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration and county staff are helping residents with active applications. He said the FEMA individual assistance application period ended April 7 but people with active applications may still get in-person help Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

On temporary housing, Keller said FEMA’s Transitional Shelter Assistance program (TSA) is providing hotel rooms for five families, down from 15 previously; direct housing placements (FEMA trailers or direct leases) were at zero, down from three in March. He said volunteer organizations active through the county’s VOAD (volunteer organizations active in disaster) have handled hundreds of emergency housing-repair requests: 489 requests were made, 349 have been completed, 64 projects remain pending and 76 registrants could not be contacted.

Keller urged residents with storm debris on their improved property to apply for the personal property debris removal (PPDR) program by May 1. He said about 861 PPDR applications had been filed as of that morning and that the county expected Army Corps contractor work to begin soon; he said the first PPDR contract was awarded and would start the next day. “If we have residents that still have storm debris on their property, they have until May 1 to apply at our headquarters facility, 129 Barnes Road,” Keller said.

Keller also described work on private roads and bridges, hazard-mitigation applications (34 families for acquisition, 21 for elevation) and generator projects to protect 17 critical facilities. He said the county is coordinating with FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Lake Tahoma and Duke Energy on Lake James debris removal. Keller closed by recognizing Emergency Operations Center staff, 9-1-1 telecommunicators and numerous volunteers and partner organizations for sustained response and recovery work.

Keller warned that some recovery programs will take years to close out and again urged residents to apply for available federal assistance and PPDR before the stated deadlines.

Keller’s remarks occurred during the commissioners’ appointments section and included recognition of staff and partner agencies. He answered a question from a commissioner confirming that the PPDR program does not cover farmland but may cover debris in streams on improved property.

Ending Keller said operations continue and emphasized the county’s long-term recovery role: “This team that I recognize tonight is here for the long run, and we’re not going anywhere.” He urged residents to apply for PPDR and other recovery programs and noted that final FEMA closeout will take years.