NEED TO KNOW'S
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: To sign up for Private Property Debris Removal in Mitchell County, reach out to the Helene Contact Center with your name and address.
Phone: 828-537-1441
Email: restore@mitchellcountync.gov
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
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.
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.
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.
Avoiding Scams and Fraud:
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Our case managers are here to help Mitchell and Yancey County residents affected by Hurricane Helene—connecting you to the right resources every step of the way.
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