Full Notification

McDowell County Honors Veterans and Continues Recovery Efforts on Veterans Day

McDowell County Emergency Services extends heartfelt gratitude to our veterans this Veterans Day. We honor the courage, dedication, and sacrifices that these women and men have made in service to our country. Emergency Services Director Will Kehler expressed his deep appreciation, stating, “Our veterans embody a level of commitment and courage that serves as a beacon for us all. Today, we pause to recognize their sacrifices and unwavering devotion to our Nation. To every veteran, thank you for the legacy of service you have gifted us all." The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains open today to support ongoing recovery efforts, underscoring our commitment to the community and the resilience our veterans inspire.

FEMA Extends Deadline to Apply for Helene Assistance

The deadline for North Carolinians in 39 counties to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance after Tropical Storm Helene has been extended to Jan. 7, 2025. Homeowners and renters in the following counties may be eligible for FEMA financial assistance for serious needs, displacement, basic home repairs, personal property losses and other uninsured or underinsured disaster-caused expenses: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Forsyth, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lee, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Nash, Polk, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin and Yancey counties, along with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina, with losses from Tropical Storm Helene. Disaster survivors who have not yet applied for FEMA assistance should apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, which is the quickest way to apply. Survivors can also apply using the FEMA App on mobile devices or call the FEMA Helpline toll-free at 800-621-3362. The Helpline is open every day, and help is available in most languages. Those who use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, should give the FEMA representative their number for that service. To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.

Ongoing Storm Debris Operations Focus on Right-of-Way (ROW) Clearance Across McDowell County

Contractors are working diligently, seven days a week, to clear storm-related debris from the Right-of-Way (ROW) throughout McDowell County. Current efforts are concentrated on ROW debris removal along primary and secondary NCDOT-maintained roads in Old Fort, Crooked Creek, Marion, and Woodlawn. Residents are encouraged to place any storm debris within 10 feet of the ROW for collection. McDowell County is also collaborating with FEMA on a Private Property Debris Removal Program, which will extend debris collection to ROWs along some private roads and within residential developments. This initiative will enable contractors to assist more broadly across the county, helping residents in privately maintained areas clear storm-related debris safely and efficiently. The McDowell County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will provide additional program details as they are released by North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM) and FEMA.

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