Full Notification

Hurricane Helene Debris Removal: What You Need to Know
In the coming days and weeks, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will be working to collect Hurricane Helene related residential debris from roadsides throughout McDowell County. This is a free program.

How do I contact USACE to pick up my debris?

There is no need to contact anyone to receive this service. Just sort your debris by type and place within 10 feet of the right of way. Debris teams will conduct pickup community-by- community throughout the entire county.

When will USACE be in my area picking up debris?

Updates on scheduling and timing will be communicated through McDowell County Emergency Management social media channels and traditional media (newspaper and radio).

Where should I take my debris?

Residents should not take debris anywhere. The county has hired a contractor to handle the collection of residential debris. Simply sort the debris and move to the right of way.

Are there any size requirement for vegetative debris?

No, there are no size requirements for vegetative storm debris. No additional processing is needed for size reduction. Just make sure to place at the DOT right-of-way and USACE will collect debris.

What about mud/soil?

Mud/soil should be pushed or piled on the roadsides for future collection.

USACE came to my community, but they haven’t collected my debris, why?

The first phase of the clean-up process includes a USACE debris refinement team, these teams will arrive prior to pick-up to ensure each home has their disaster related debris properly sorted. Even after pick-up has begun, there may be multiple teams that collect debris from your ROW over multiple days. To make the process quick and efficient there will be separate trucks for each category of eligible debris. These trucks may arrive at different times in the clean-up process.

Old Fort Fire Hydrant Testing and Water System Restoration Efforts Continue
The Old Fort Fire Department, in collaboration with McDowell County Emergency Management, conducted a thorough testing of the fire hydrant system throughout the Town of Old Fort today. While water service has been restored to 90% of residents, efforts continue to fully restore and strengthen the water infrastructure. Ensuring adequate pressure and supply to the fire hydrants is a critical part of these ongoing efforts. As an additional precaution, large water tanks have been strategically placed across the town to ensure stable fire protection while the water system undergoes further restoration. These measures are essential to safeguarding the community and ensuring readiness in the event of an emergency.

Collaborative Effort Begins Footbridge Installation on Guy Road to Restore Access
Today, work commenced on the installation of a footbridge on Guy Road in Old Fort, which will restore access to a home that has been isolated since recent flooding. Volunteers from Soil and Water Conservation assisted by relocating the support poles for the bridge, while the National Guard is overseeing the placement of these poles. The North Carolina Forest Service (NCFS) will complete the project by constructing the footbridge over the installed poles. This collaborative effort reflects the commitment of multiple agencies to restore access and support recovery for affected residents in the area.