Buncombe County Initiates Extensive Cleanup Efforts Following Devastating Storm

Buncombe County Faces Major Cleanup After Storm

Buncombe County, N.C. is buzzing with activity as local crews work tirelessly to clean up the mess left by the recent storm. The aftermath of the wild weather has left our beautiful county with over 100,000 cubic yards of debris collected so far! That’s like piling up enough leaves and branches to fill 2,690 truckloads! Can you imagine the view from above? It must look like a never-ending trail of trucks making their way to the nearest landfill.

Daily Debris Collection Efforts

Every day, between 12,000 and 15,000 cubic yards of debris is being cleared out. All this activity means we are seeing a bit more truck traffic on our roads—be sure to take your time while driving, as the crews navigate through the areas affected by the storm.

Currently, there are approximately 45 trucks on the job, focusing mainly on the eastern portions of Buncombe County. Some of the neighborhoods seeing the most action include Swannanoa, Julian Shoals, Lower Brush Creek, Black Mountain, and Barnardsville. It’s heartening to see so many dedicated individuals working round the clock to help restore our community!

Expansion of Cleanup Efforts

But that’s not all—additional work has kicked off on collecting debris in the northwest part of Buncombe County. This means that no corner of our lovely county will be left unattended! The teamwork and determination from all involved are commendable.

Plans for Private Property Debris Removal

Helene Private Property Debris Removal and Demolition program. This initiative will be in partnership with our federal allies, such as FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as well as our own State of North Carolina. This is definitely a positive step forward for homeowners dealing with the storm’s aftermath!

What’s Next?

For those residents who may be worried about their property, fret not! The application process for this program will be announced super soon, so keep an eye out for more updates. This kind of initiative is crucial for people looking to get a head start on repairs and cleaning up their properties.

Blue Ridge Parkway Reopens

As if all this wasn’t enough, the Blue Ridge Parkway has seen some relief as well! An 11-mile stretch near Asheville has reopened for travelers nearly six weeks after the storm named Helene caused significant disruptions. This means that our beautiful scenic drives are back on the table for those wanting to soak in the gorgeous fall colors!

A Unified Community Effort

With all this hard work and collaboration happening, it’s clear that the people of Buncombe County are showing just how resilient they can be. From the crews gathering debris to the local government working hand in hand with federal partners, the spirit of community shines bright.

If you see any of the crews out there, feel free to give them a wave or a thumbs up! They certainly deserve it. As Buncombe County continues to clean up from the storm, let’s all stay positive and support one another. Together, we will get through this and emerge even stronger!