Full Notification

McDowell County Emergency Services Officially Launches Countywide Debris Removal Starting October 30th
Starting Wednesday, October 30th, McDowell County residents will see debris removal trucks on primary and secondary roads as part of ongoing recovery efforts. AshBritt, a national disaster recovery service, is working alongside the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide efficient and safe debris removal.

Debris collection will begin in the following areas:
Town of Old Fort
Old Hwy 70
Mill Creek Road
Graphite Road

In the coming days, teams will also make passes through the Crooked Creek Community as they continue to clear debris in Old Fort and surrounding areas. Residents should place debris within 10 feet of the road right-of-way (the white line) and separate it by type: vegetative, construction materials, appliances, electronics, and hazardous waste. Different trucks are designated for specific debris types, so please continue to move items to the right-of-way for collection. This service will continue for many months, ensuring multiple passes in each area. The EOC, in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will coordinate to ensure that all communities across the county receive this essential service in the coming weeks. For more information on debris removal, visit www.mcdowellgov.com/helene. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to restore our community.

McDowell County Emergency Services Reaffirms Commitment to Community Comfort Stations

Listening to the ongoing needs of our community, McDowell County Emergency Services is committed to keeping comfort stations available for residents in Woodlawn and Old Fort. The Woodlawn location at New Horizon Baptist Church remains open and fully operational, offering laundry and shower services. Today, the Old Fort comfort station is being transitioned from Old Fort First Baptist Church to a new, larger location on Water Street to better serve the community in a central setting. During this brief transition period, we appreciate the community’s patience and will share more details about the updated Old Fort facility soon. 'Our team, along with our dedicated local and state partners, has worked tirelessly to ensure essential resources like the comfort stations in Woodlawn and Old Fort continue to operate smoothly for our community,' said Samantha Dirks, Emergency Services Logistics Officer. 'The commitment and hard work of everyone involved – especially our on-the-ground team members – have been incredible, allowing us to adapt and meet the needs of residents as they evolve.' We’re here to support our community every step of the way."

McDowell County Continues Operation of Free Medical Clinic to Support Community Needs

The Free Medical Clinic, located at Roadside Park on US 221 North, remains open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. This walk-in clinic is entirely free of charge and requires no appointment, providing accessible healthcare staffed by physicians, nurses, and paramedics. McDowell County Emergency Services is committed to keeping this resource available for as long as the community needs it, ensuring that essential medical support is always within reach. For information on all currently operating clinics, comfort stations, and free markets, please refer to the resource page on the following page.

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