Full Notification

McDowell County Residents Encouraged to Report Property Damage Following Hurricane Helene
Residents with damaged or demolished vehicles, personal property, or real property due to Hurricane Helene are encouraged to update the McDowell County Tax Assessor's Office. To report damage, please visit www.mcdowellgov.com/helene and click on the designated link. This includes reporting damage to cars, trucks, boats, campers, utility trailers, mobile homes, houses, and outbuildings. A member of the tax team will follow up with you to assist with your report. Your prompt update will help ensure accurate records and support recovery efforts.

Plans for State Aid to Repair Private Roads and Bridges Underway
Governor Josh Stein has issued Executive Order No. 2 to support the repair of private roads and bridges damaged by Tropical Storm Helene. This order allows the state to take steps to streamline the repair process, including expediting contracts and certain permitting requirements, to help restore access to affected areas. While these measures aim to assist communities, details about how this program will be implemented are still being finalized. Local emergency management will share updates with the public as soon as more information becomes available about how this assistance will work. We appreciate your patience as we work to provide clear guidance.

FEMA Extends Helene Disaster Assistance Deadline to February 6, 2025
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has extended the deadline for disaster survivors impacted by Tropical Storm Helene to apply for federal assistance. Homeowners and renters in McDowell County, along with other eligible counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, now have until February 6, 2025, to submit their applications. Survivors can apply by visiting a local Disaster Recovery Center, calling the FEMA hotline at 1-800-621-3362 between 7:00 AM and midnight, or going online to disasterassistance.gov. Those with insurance should file claims before applying, but applications do not require a finalized insurance settlement. Additional support, including Disaster Unemployment Assistance and SBA low-interest loans, is also available​

Debris Removal Efforts Continue in McDowell County
As of Janurary 6, 2025, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has reported the collection of 37,154.90 cubic yards of debris and 18,106.57 tons of soil as part of ongoing debris removal efforts in McDowell County. Old Fort (Zone B) has 2 crews working on mud, soil, and silt removal with 12 dump trucks, while North Cove (Zone E) has 1 crew utilizing 5 dump trucks. Old Fort (Zone B) operating 1 self-loader. In Pleasant Gardens (Zone C), 2 tree crews are actively working, supported by 1 debris separation crew and 1 emergency road clearance crew to expedite cleanup efforts. Additional passes for ROW debris pickup will continue, and residents are encouraged to place debris within 10 feet of the public right of way. Those needing debris removed from private property or private drives can apply for assistance at www.mcdowellgov.com/helene.