January 3, 2025

Today marks 100 days since Hurricane Helene profoundly impacted our community. While the road to recovery continues, this milestone is a moment to reflect on the progress we’ve made together. From restoring essential services to clearing debris and supporting our neighbors in need, the collective efforts of city staff, community organizations, and residents have been nothing short of inspiring.

We are committed to rebuilding a stronger, more resilient Asheville, and we thank you for your patience, compassion, and determination during these challenging times.

Upcoming City Council actions on storm recovery

As we continue our recovery from Hurricane Helene, the Asheville City Council is taking important steps to address rebuilding and future planning. Here's a look at the key upcoming actions:

On January 23, the City Council will receive a presentation on the FEMA public assistance process which outlines how the City plans to rebuild city-owned property damaged by the storm. This briefing will provide insights into the steps required to secure FEMA funding, prioritize projects, and ensure compliance with federal guidelines.

On February 13-14, the Council will hold its annual retreat to set priorities for the next year’s budget. Hurricane recovery efforts will be a major focus, including discussions on allocating resources for critical relief and rebuilding initiatives. This retreat is an opportunity for Council members to align on long-term strategies to build back stronger and prepare for future challenges.

We invite community members to stay engaged and follow these discussions. Your input is valuable as we shape the future of Asheville and work together to recover and rebuild. For updates and details on these and other City Council meetings, visit ashevillenc.gov/government.

FEMA assistance, disaster unemployment deadlines extended

The deadline to apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance related to Helene has been extended to February 6, 2025. To date, $5.5 million in federal unemployment benefits have been provided to survivors. For more information call the unemployment assistance hotline at 919-629-3857 (for Spanish call 919-276-5698). To apply for FEMA assistance related to Hurricane Helene, visit disasterassistance.gov or call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362.

The deadline for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) has also been extended. DUA is available for weeks of unemployment from Sept. 29, 2024 through March 29, 2025. To file a claim, visit the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Division of Employment Security webpage at www.des.nc.gov.

Stay Tuned for More Updates

In the coming weeks, we’ll share additional information about ongoing recovery efforts, upcoming projects, and ways you can stay involved in Asheville's rebuilding process. Your patience and engagement have been invaluable as we navigate this challenging time together.

In the meantime, we encourage you to visit the Asheville Recovers Engagement Hub. This is your go-to resource for the latest updates, frequently asked questions, and opportunities to share your thoughts or ask questions.

Your input helps shape our recovery efforts and ensures we're addressing the needs of our community. Thank you for staying engaged and supporting the City of Asheville as we continue to move forward.