Debris removal status report from Buncombe County
FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have been working throughout Buncombe County to remove debris in several areas:
Right-of-Way: 100% complete; 1,009,693 cubic yards removed
Private Property Debris Removal: 60% complete; 3,224 parcels completed
Waterway Debris Removal: 81% complete, 1,201,460 cubic yards removed
Public Right-of-Way
PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY: USACE right-of-way debris removal ended in Buncombe County as of April 1, 2025 after 6 months of operations. According to USACE, 1,009,693 cubic yards of debris was removed in Buncombe County.
Please call the One Buncombe Call Center at 828-250-6100 to report any piles of debris still remaining.
Reporting right-of-way debris helps the County understand where help is still needed, and allows the County to determine what other solutions they can provide outside of the FEMA and USACE deadline. Please note that reporting debris after the April deadline is not a guarantee that the debris will be picked up.
Private Property Debris Removal program
PRIVATE PROPERTY DEBRIS REMOVAL: Applications for the Private Property Debris Removal program closed on April 15, 2025. As of June 3, 2025, the program is 60% complete with 3,224 parcels completed.
If you have applied for Private Property Debris Removal and you have concerns about the work that was done on your property after it was completed, please send an email to DebrisManagementHelene@buncombecounty.org.
If you have questions about the status of your application, call the One Buncombe Call Center at 828-250-6100 or visit the Helene Resource Center at 94 Coxe Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801. The Center is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Free parking across the street. No appointment necessary.
Removal of titled property
REMOVAL OF DAMAGED VEHICLE, TRAILERS, TANKS & MORE: Many types of titled property, including vehicles, trailers, tanks, and recreational vehicles, were displaced in the storm. Buncombe County has been removing abandoned vehicles from unincorporated areas.
Waterways
WATERWAY DEBRIS REMOVAL: Crews with USACE contractor AshBritt are removing all types of eligible debris including vegetative, construction and demolition, titled property (boats, cars, etc.), white goods (washers, dryers, refrigerators) and hazardous waste. As of June 3, 2025, crews have removed 1,201,460 cubic yards with 81% complete.
Source: buncombecounty.org/countycenter/news-detail.aspx?id=21997
