Addressing Misinformation, Road Repair Updates, Hotels are Available for Survivors

Buncombe County -- November 26, 2024: Buncombe County Government Press Release: Buncombe County staff have worked around the clock since before the storm,

Buncombe County staff have worked around the clock since before the storm, facing their own personal losses while providing essential services to the community. Similarly, local media have played a critical role in keeping the community informed while helping residents access accurate and timely information during this challenging time. 

Despite these efforts, the County must address misinformation circulating online. False claims suggesting County staff are preventing access to housing are unfounded and detract from recovery efforts. A recent statement from the North Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshal confirmed these rumors are entirely without merit. 

“It boggles my mind that here we are, two months later, being distracted from our mission to serve Buncombe County because of rampant and sometimes intentional misinformation campaigns,” Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder said. “There is absolutely no scenario where our staff would deviate from helping our community recover by preventing access to housing. Yesterday, instead of working to rebuild, our Permits department had to field angry, misinformed calls because of what people chose to believe stemming from inaccurate and ill-informed Facebook posts.”   
Please verify sources before sharing unsubstantiated claims on social media, as these actions hinder recovery efforts. 

N.C. Department of Transportation 

Access to area roads has greatly expanded since the initial aftermath of the storm. The opening of I-26 to one lane in each direction provides standard 18-wheelers another route to and through Western North Carolina. 
NCDOT has reopened nearly 1,100 state roads previously closed due to the storm - less than 270 road closures remain. As of last week, DCDOT identified over 8,795 damaged sites, 813 bridges and more than 852 culverts. 

In Buncombe County, NCDOT crews identified 2,000 damaged locations and NCDOT from across the state are assisting with repairs in the northern part of the county. Crews in Buncombe have already responded to snow and ice and are prepared for the next winter weather event. 

Traffic: traffic patterns have changed and will continue to change. I-40 west of Asheville is experiencing less congestion due to the closure in the Pigeon River Gorge. I-240 east of Asheville is experiencing more congestion due to the closure of U.S. 70 and Swannanoa River Road. As people head in and out for holiday travel, congestion will increase across western North Carolina. 

Travelers should visit www.DriveNC.gov before heading out. 
U.S. 70 Bridge (targeted opening on mid-December) 

Concrete work is complete underneath the structure. Recent weather has slowed progress, but crews are currently placing approach fill material.  

NCDOT anticipates completion of grading work the week of Dec.2 and will have paving crew scheduled to be on site when grading is complete. 

Swannanoa River Road 

Contract crews have completed most of the fill work between Fairview and Azalea roads. Grading crews return this week to make final preparations for paving along this section. 

Contractor has not started debris pickup along Swannanoa River Road. Awaiting dates/time frame for those assistance and repair operations.  

N.C. 9 Area 

Contract crews have completed rock embankment repairs that don’t require specialty contractors. GSI has mobilized to the area for three soil-nail walls. Paving crews will be moving into the areas to patch repair areas as needed.  

N.C. 197 

NCDOT Crews are working on permanent repairs and slide locations for opening the existing gravel portion of NC 197.  
Roadway is passable, but two-lane traffic and shoulder area still need repair efforts.  
Crews will continue to accomplish these efforts in a timely manner.  
Barnardsville 
Temporary bridge installations and paving operations are ongoing. 
I-40  
I-40 in the Pigeon River Gorge remains closed with an estimated opening date of Jan. 1 for passenger vehicles and standard 18-wheelers: 
One lane each direction 
40 MPH speed limit  
Quick-clearance towing contract included 

Long-term restoration is in early discussion and cost estimate is TBD 

There is a detour map at ncdot.gov/helene-detours to show motorists how to get around closures on I-40 and I-26 at the Tennessee border. Please avoid using highway 25/70 through Hot Springs as a through-road.  

It will take about $5 billion to restore roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure in the state according to NCDOT’s initial estimates.  

FEMA Updates 

Hotels are available for eligible survivors through Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA). FEMA pays directly to participating hotels and motels to cover the cost of room, taxes, and non-refundable pet fees to provide short-term accommodations for eligible disaster survivors. 

TSA in N.C. has been extended until Dec. 12. This will allow households additional time to identify another housing solution or make repairs to their home. FEMA will notify participants three to seven days before their checkout dates after determining if they are able to return to their residences. 

The Disaster Recovery Center at the Asheville Mall will be closed Nov. 28–Dec. 1 for Thanksgiving weekend.  
Mental Health Support for Hurricane Survivors 
The emotional toll of Hurricane Helene adds to the stress many feel during the holidays. Free mental health resources are available: 
Hope4NC Helpline: Call 1-855-587-3463 for 24/7 crisis counseling and support. 
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Disaster Distress Helpline: Call or text 1-800-985-5990 for confidential support in any language. 
Teen Mental Health Resources: Visit somethings.com for free services tailored to teens. 
 
Water Distribution and Community Care Centers 
All sites will close after December 2, except for the following locations in highly impacted areas: 
Morgan Hill Baptist Church (594 Barnardsville Highway) 
Bethel United Methodist (1050 Riceville Road) 
Owen Pool (117 Stone Drive, Swannanoa) 
Fairview Ingles (225 Charlotte Highway by Reynolds High) 
 
Asheville-Buncombe Rebuilding Together Grant Fund 

Businesses have today and tomorrow to apply for the Asheville-Buncombe Rebuilding Together Grant. For-profit businesses in Buncombe County and the city of Asheville are eligible to receive grants of up to $25,000 to support recovery expenses not covered by insurance or other funding sources.   

Applications are open through Wednesday, Nov. 27 and can be found at mountainbizworks.org/abgrants. Applications are also available in Spanish. 
 
Low-Income Energy Assistance Program 

While not storm-related, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Low Income Energy Assistance Program will begin accepting applications from older adults 60 and older or people with disabilities receiving services through the NCDHHS Division of Aging on Dec. 2, 2024. Applications can be submitted at epass.nc.gov. 
  
The federally funded program helps low-income households with a one-time payment sent directly to their heating vendor to offset the high cost of warming their homes during the cold weather months.  
  
Low Income Energy Assistance Program payments will be distributed automatically to heating vendors beginning in December 2024 if a member of the household meets the following three requirements:  
Is age 60 or older or a person with a disability receiving services through the NCDHHS Division of Aging,  
Currently receives Food and Nutrition Services, and  
Received a LIEAP payment during the 2023-2024 season. 
  
Already-enrolled households meeting the requirements for the automatic payment are being notified of their eligibility through November 2024 and do not need to re-apply for LIEAP. Any household with a person 60 or older or with a disability and is receiving services through the Division of Aging who did not receive notice of an automated payment, can apply online at epass.nc.gov.   
 
To apply, call 828-250-5500, go to 40 Coxe Ave., or print a paper application from epass.nc.gov to mail, fax or drop off at 40 Coxe Ave.  
  
To be eligible for the LIEAP program, a household must:  
Have at least one U.S. citizen or non-citizen who meets the eligibility requirements,  
Have income equal to or less than 130% of the federal poverty limit, and  
Be responsible for their heating cost.  
 
Beginning Jan. 2, 2025, all other eligible households who meet the eligibility requirements may begin applying. Applications will be accepted from Jan. 2, 2025, to March 31, 2025, or until funds are exhausted. 
Housing Recovery Support 
The North Carolina Short-Term Rental Alliance is working to offer emergency accommodations by connecting those who need shelter to available short-term rentals. The program is open for both accommodation seekers and accommodations providers to sign up.    

Both hosts and others who wish to offer up their homes for emergency accommodations, as well as families and individuals in need of shelter, can sign up at str-trust.com 

Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) Program 

More than 400 Buncombe County property owners have applied to have qualified disaster debris removed from their property at no cost through the Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) Program. The program also covers the demolition of eligible unsafe structures.  
 

Here are three things you need to know about private property debris removal:   

You can visit one of our private property debris removal application centers located at the Asheville Mall, Barnardsville Fire Department, Swannanoa Fire on Bee Tree Road, and Fairview Library.  
Applications can be submitted online by clicking here. 

Private property debris removal is different than debris collection on public right of ways. Private property debris removal is where crews have to enter a property to collect debris. 
For questions, call the One Buncombe hotline at 828-250-6100 (select option 2). 
 
Trash and Recycling Pickup 
The landfill and transfer station will be closed on Thursday. They will re-open on Friday.  
On Wednesday, Waste Pro will operate normal routes in accessible locations. There will be no trash pick up on Thursday, and pick-up locations will be pushed back one day. On Friday, trash pickup will be in Fairview and Arden and on Saturday trash pickup will be in Weaverville and Barnardsville.    
Bagged Trash drop-off can be made from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on:  
Wednesday: Hearts with Hands  
Friday: Ingles Fairview  
Saturday: North Buncombe Pool open until 1 p.m.  
Soon, residents will start receiving their trash and recycling bins from FCC, the County’s new trash solid waste service provide. Sign up at fccenvironmental.com/buncombe. 
Starting on Monday, Dec. 2, the Community Briefings will be on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 11 a.m. and will continue to be livestreamed on Buncombe County’s Facebook page.