North Carolina county removes 1M cubic yards of debris following Hurricane Helene

Buncombe County, North Carolina, which includes the cities of Asheville and Black Mountain and other unincorporated areas, has cleaned up more than 1.22 million cubic yards of debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. 

WLOS reports that the county received 4,551 total applications for personal property debris removal through March 31. Ashbritt, a disaster recovery contractor hired by the county, has completed 1,391 debris removal projects to date. 

Demolitions have also been underway, with more than 316 individuals requesting help and 45 demolition permits granted. 

To qualify for demolition, those requesting help must sign right-of-way entry documents and prove that they filed for demolition assistance through their private homeowner’s insurance and were denied. Other requirements include any statements from lien or mortgage providers that demolition is allowed, along with a site inspection of the structure.

Waterway debris removal in Buncombe County continues through June 1. WLOS reports that more than 696,253 cubic yards have been removed from waterways, including Beetree Creek, Cane Creek, French Broad River, Ivy Creek and Swannanoa River. 

Projected estimates for the work include removing all visible hazards by May 1.