NEED TO KNOW'S

Remembering Helene Anniversary Event:

The Mitchell County LTRG invites you to join us on Saturday, September 27th as we come together to mark the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene. Throughout the day, we’ll gather at our fire departments in Spruce Pine, Bakersville, and Green Mountain to share stories, enjoy free hot meals catered by Pig n Grits, and connect with neighbors. Guest speakers, music, and community resources will be offered at each location as we reflect on how far we’ve come and continue supporting one another. This day is about honoring our resilience, strengthening community ties, and walking forward in recovery together. 

Join us for breakfast at Parkway Fire & Rescue from 9-11am
Lunch at Ledger Fire Department from 12:30-2:30pm
And Supper at Bradshaw Fire Department from 5:00-7:00pm

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Disaster Distress Helpline Information:

It's common to feel stress symptoms before or after a crisis. Natural and human-caused disasters (including severe storms, floods, wildfires, earthquakes, drought, incidents of community unrest or mass violence, anniversaries/trigger events, and infectious disease outbreaks) can have a devastating impact on people's lives because they cause physical injury, damage to property, or the loss of a home or place of employment. Anyone who witnesses or experiences this can be affected, and because crises may affect people in different ways it's important to recognize some of the symptoms:

Eating or sleeping too much or too little

Overwhelming sadness/lashing out/feeling helpless or hopeless/feeling guilty and constantly worried

Pulling away from people and things and losing connection

Lack of energy or always feeling tired

Feeling like you must keep busy

Unexplained aches and pains, such as constant stomach-aches or headaches

Excessive smoking, drinking, or using drugs (including prescription medications)

Thinking of harming yourself or others

Having difficulty re-adjusting to home or work life

The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is the first national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. This confidential toll-free crisis support service is available 24/7 to all residents in the U.S. and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to disasters. Callers can connect with counselors in over 100 languages for live interpretation via 3rd-party services. Call or text 1-800-985-5990 (deaf and hard of hearing ASL callers can call or text using your preferred Relay provider).

Trained counselors listen to what's on your mind and can provide:

1. Crisis counseling for people in emotional distress related to any disaster (you can call on behalf of yourself or a loved one).
2. Information on how to recognize distress and its effects on individuals/families, plus healthy coping tips
3. Referrals to local crisis call centers for additional follow-up care and support

This information was provided by https://www.samhsa.gov/ (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).

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Private Property Debris Removal:

Mitchell and Yancey County are currently accepting applications for a Private Property Debris Removal program (PPDR) through FEMA that can assist residents with removing storm related debris from private property, roads, and/or driveways.

Mitchell County:
The debris removal deadline has been extended from September 28, 2025 to March, 2026.

Mitchell County is accepting applications for Private Property Debris Removal through FEMA using DebrisTech. This program can assist residents with:

Removal of potentially eligible storm-generated debris from private property, private roads, and/or driveways.

Demolition of hazardous structures.

The debris must be the direct result of Helene and must be located within Mitchell County. To be eligible, the debris removal must be in the public interest, meaning that it:

Eliminates immediate threats to life, public health, or safety.

Eliminates immediate threats of significant damage to improved public or private property.

Types of eligible storm-generated debris includes:

Vegetative debris

Construction and demolition debris

White goods (household appliances)

Household hazardous waste

DebrisTech personnel will meet with property owners who are interested at the Multi-Agency Resources Center (MARC), located at the old Bowman Middle School in Bakersville (at 410 South Mitchell Avenue) every Wednesday in August (August 6, 13, 20, 27) from 9 AM to 3 PM.

The following documents are REQUIRED to sign up for the program:

Most Recent Tax Bill/Record *** (NOT OPTIONAL)

Valid Driver’s License or State Issued I.D.

Utility Bill from the time of event (power, water or gas)

Homeowner’s Insurance Policy

House Deed *Deed is only required if signing up for demolition of a structure

For information or to start your sign-up, please call 828-319-2880.

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Yancey County: To sign up for Private Property Debris Removal in Yancey County, applications can be submitted in person at the Yancey County Senior Center on Mondays, or via telephone.

Yancey County Senior Center
503 Medical Campus Drive
Burnsville, NC 28714
Phone: 828-319-2880

Applications Being Taken for CDBG Grant:

In 2021, Mitchell County received a Community Development Block Grant-Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG-NR) grant #20-C-3637 from the NC Department of Commerce to treat four (4) homes. The program assisted low-income homeowners, living in homes beyond repair, with safe and sanitary housing by providing replacement homes in the form of a double-wide manufactured home placed on the same property.

Originally the County selected four (4) program participants and two (2) alternates from a pool of applications submitted by Mitchell County residents in 2021. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond the County and the homeowners’ control, two (2) of the participants and one (1) alternate were unable to take part in the project.

1. The applicant must own (life-estates will be accepted) AND occupy the property full time (no seasonal homes).
2. The applicant must have a clear title to the property and owners must be willing to sign all required program documents including a Deed-of-Trust.
3. The property must be located in Mitchell County.
4. The property CANNOT be located in a floodplain.
5. Total gross income for everyone in the household over the age of 18, must be below 80% of the County median income for Mitchell County as determined by HUD (please see the chart below).

TO APPLY Download, print, and fill out the Homeowner Application (PDF File – open with the free Adobe Reader software), pick up a form at the Mitchell County Department of Social Services, the Mitchell County Administration Building, or the Mitchell County Senior Center, or call (828) 537-1397.

Applications are being accepted through January 5, 2024.

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Wildfire Risk and Mitigation:

With the increased risk of wildfires due to the downed trees in our counties, taking steps to protect property and slow the spread of potential fires is important moving forward.

MY Mountain Recovery encourages homeowners to stay up to date on wildfire information, to help make areas around their structures more resistant to fire.

A Fire-Resistant Home - (NC Depsrtment of Agriculture)

Fire-Resistant Landscaping in North Carolina - (NC State Extension)

Preparing Homes for Wildfire - (National Fire Protection Association)

USDA Program for Helene Damage:

Mitchell County residents who have had damage or severe erosion to their property from Helene that has caused a threat to a structure, road, bridge, culvert, or other infrastructure could be eligible for help from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP). This program assists landowners with repairing damage that is threatening the safety of their property due to a natural disaster.

Under the EWP, both public and private properties are eligible for assistance. To qualify, the property must have a hazard caused by Tropical Storm Helene that threatens an existing structure, road, bridge, or other infrastructure. Some hazards eligible for the program include debris-clogged waterways, unstable streambanks, severe erosion that jeopardizes public infrastructurs, and wind-borne debris removal.

While the program does fund repairs, the timeline for their completion is generally 1 to 3 years.

To be considered for EWP in Mitchell County, we ask that you complete a survey (https://www.mitchellcountync.gov/ewp-survey/) which asks questions about your damage. You are also asked to upload photos of the damage while completing the form. You can also learn more about the EWP on the survey page.

Private Road and Bridge Repair:

The State of North Carolina has announced the Private Road and Bridge Program. This will assist property owners in Mitchell County with repairs from damages due to Tropical Storm Helene.

Getting Started with the Program

Property owners who want to apply for the repair program should visit the PRB website at ncdps.gov/Helene/PRB and fill out the NC PRB Interest Form which is located under the How to Get Started section.

If the resident qualifies, the State will work with the county, engineers, contractors, FEMA and volunteer groups to repair or replace storm damaged private bridges or roads. The qualifications for the program are similar to FEMA in that the bridge or road must provide access to the person‘s primary residence. If the bridge or road is to a gated community or development with a property owner’s association, then certain qualifications must be met and the HOA will be required pay a share towards the bridge project. Also, the program will not reimburse for completed repairs or replacements.

The deadline to apply is August 3, 2025. If the property owner is unable to apply online, then they may call the NC Disaster Management toll free number at 844-746-2326 for assistance.

Officials note that due to the scale and amount of damage in western North Carolina that they are unable to provide individual status updates or timelines for repair.

Avoiding Scams and Fraud: