Full Notification

McDowell County Emergency Management Conducting Bridge and Culvert Damage Reassessments

McDowell County Emergency Management officials are reassessing bridge and culvert damage throughout the county to ensure accurate and comprehensive data collection. This effort is essential for providing state and federal officials with detailed and reliable information to support recovery efforts. Here’s what to expect from the reassessment teams in the field: Teams will visually inspect bridges and culverts from their vehicles as much as possible. In some instances, team members may need to inspect areas on foot to take additional photos or measurements. Field staff will use handheld electronic devices, including tablets and smartphones, to document necessary information about the damage. Emergency Management staff will be dressed in clearly marked uniform shirts and carry official McDowell County employee IDs. We appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation as this essential work is completed to aid in the ongoing recovery process. For questions or concerns, please contact McDowell County Emergency Management at 828-652-3241. Stay updated on recovery efforts by signing up for Nixle (Text 28752 to 888777) or by following McDowell County Emergency Management on facebook.

Updated Operating Hours for FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers

Effective Monday, Nov. 25, FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. All DRCs will now be closed on Sundays and will also be closed from Nov. 28 through Dec. 1 for Thanksgiving weekend. Regular operations will resume at 8 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 2. Individuals impacted by Tropical Storm Helene have until January 7, 2025, to apply for Individual Assistance.

Storm Debris Removal Update for McDowell County

McDowell County Emergency Services continues to work diligently on debris removal efforts following the impacts of Hurricane Helene. Today, six trucks are actively operating in the county, focusing on the following communities: Pleasant Gardens North Cove Marion Old Fort (second pass in some areas) The trucks are currently picking up storm-related debris along the right-of-way (ROW) on primary and secondary NCDOT roads. We would like to remind residents of the following important guidelines regarding debris placement and pickup: FEMA debris removal includes six categories: vegetative debris (tree limbs, logs), construction and demolition debris (shingles, drywall), appliances (refrigerators, washers), electronics (TVs, computers), household hazardous waste (paint, chemicals), and large bulky items (furniture). Contractors will not collect bagged debris, and piles must remain separated by category. Place debris loose at the curb, within 10 feet of the right of way.

Find Local Food Resources at FoothillsFoodHub.org

The Free Market on US 221 North will be closing on November 21, 2024. The Old Fort Baptist Free Market will remain open to serve the community until its closure on November 26, 2024. Operating hours for the Old Fort location remain the same until that date. For those seeking additional food resources, information about food pantries across McDowell County is available at foothillsfoodhub.org/resources.