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Avery County reports 152,000 cubic yards of storm debris, extends FEMA sign-up and approves disaster-related budget changes
Summary
County Manager Phillip Barrier said debris removal has reached about 152,000 cubic yards and that sign-up for FEMA Individual Assistance was extended to Feb. 6, 2025; the board approved budget amendments totaling several appropriations for disaster recovery, emergency management reimbursements, and a cybersecurity grant carryforward.
County Manager Phillip Barrier, Jr. updated the board on recovery from Hurricane Helene and on county financial actions tied to recovery work.
Barrier thanked nonprofits, citizens and volunteers for response work and said "the county was transitioning the distribution over to the nonprofits." He announced that FEMA Individual Assistance sign-up had been extended through Feb. 6, 2025 and publicized a mitigation workshop on Jan. 16, 2025 at the Spruce Pine Mayland Campus. Barrier reported approximately 152,000 cubic yards of debris had been removed to date and asked the public for patience as cleanup continues.
Finance Officer Caleb Hogan presented and the board approved several budget amendments: a $158,411 amendment to appropriate $77,716 in state disaster recovery allocations and $80,695 in Disaster Energy funding to County Welfare; a $10,224.44 amendment to record an insurance reimbursement for an Emergency Management bathroom trailer; and a $70,705 carryforward from a FY2023-24 $93,000 cybersecurity grant from the N.C. Department of Public Safety to continue local cybersecurity work. Each amendment was adopted by unanimous vote of the members present (4-0 at the time of the votes).
