Buncombe County’s Hurricane Helene briefings are held Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. You can livestream the updates on the Buncombe County Government Facebook page or tune into Blue Ridge Public Radio 88.1 FM or the iHeart radio stations, including 99.9, 104.3, and 105.1 FM and 570 AM.
Here’s what we know:
Monday, Nov. 18
Asheville’s boil water notice lifted
The biggest news of the day was undoubtedly the lifting of the boil water notice. Sampling results from the weekend confirmed no presence of E. Coli or coliform and showed that the flushing process that began Wednesday, Oct. 30 has turned the system over and that all raw water has been replaced with treated water. Normal use of municipal water may resume, including consumption. Read more about the lifting of the notice.
Apply for hazard mitigation grants
Buncombe County residents can apply to the FEMA-funded Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to receive funding to make their homes more resilient and reduce the long-term impacts of natural disasters. Applications will be open for a year. Find more information and learn how to apply.
Private property debris removal program launches tomorrow
Tomorrow, Nov. 19 will launch the official rollout of the county’s private property debris removal program, created with recovery partner Tetra Tech. Read up on eligibility for the no-cost program before applying. You can apply online or by visiting the following intake centers opening tomorrow:
- Asheville Mall, 3 S. Tunnel Rd. (FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in the former Gap store) | Daily, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Barnardsville Fire Department Station 15, 100 Dillingham Rd. | Tues.-Sat., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Swannanoa Fire Rescue, 510 Bee Tree Rd. | Tues.-Sat., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Fairview Library, 1 Taylor Rd., Fairview | Tues.-Sat., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
More information about the program will be shared in Tuesday’s briefing.
Household trash drop-off
Waste Pro will run normal routes this week where accessible. Residents in inaccessible locations can drop off household bagged trash at the following locations from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.:
- Wednesday: Hearts with Hands, 850 Warren Wilson Rd., Swannanoa (near the entrance to Owen Park)
- Thursday: Ingles Fairview, 225 Charlotte Hwy., Asheville
- Friday: North Buncombe Pool, 734 Clarks Chapel Rd., Weaverville
Asheville-Buncombe Rebuilding Together Grant Fund
Asheville and Buncombe County businesses can apply for this grant of up to $25,000 to aid with recovery efforts not covered by insurance. Applications are open through Wednesday, Nov. 27 — explore the full eligibility criteria and apply.
A message from the Buncombe County Fire Marshal
Over the weekend, there was a fire caused by damaged lithium-ion batteries. You’re encouraged to notify your local fire department if you believe that lithium-ion batteries that might have been exposed to flooding are in your home or garage, especially those found in devices such as e-bikes, golf carts, and electric vehicles.
Be sure to follow these instructions for disposing of lithium-ion batteries:
- Place flood-damaged lithium-ion battery-powered products in metal or noncombustible tubs and keep them at least six feet away from debris and structures.
- Do not put lithium-ion battery-powered products in with storm debris for pick up.
- Never put lithium-ion batteries inside garbage or recycle carts or bins.
FEMA update
More than $79 million has been approved for more than 52,000 households in Buncombe County. You can apply for assistance online, by calling 800-621-3362, or by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.
