10/19/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/19/2024 13:06
Crews continue to remove debris across Western North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene's devastation. Residents are reminded to stay safe when removing debris from their properties.
The N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is continuing to remove roadside debris in Western North Carolina and is working on additional agreements with counties and municipalities to assist with that process. To date, 10 counties and 19 impacted cities and towns have signed agreements with NCDOT contractors to facilitate debris removal.
"We're grateful to our counties and municipal partners who really stepped up and agreed to remove this debris," said Mark Gibbs, Deputy Chief NCDOT Engineer for Western North Carolina. "This is another great example of how NCDOT is partnering with our counties and municipalities to expedite the recovery process."
For any debris on town and city-maintained roads, residents will need to check with their town or city for the cleanup plan in their area. You can check on whether your road is state maintained by going to https://apps.ncdot.gov/SRLookup.
While state and local partners work to remove debris along the roadside. Debris removal from private property is the responsibility of property owners. "If you elect to utilize open burning to aid in the removal of natural vegetation from your property, it's important to remember that human activity is one of the most common causes of wildfires," said North Carolina Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Mike Williams.
North Carolinians should remember the following if they decide to burn debris:
Be sure to also check with your local authorities for any temporary burn bans or other regulations before igniting debris. Never burn trash, tires, plastics or other man-made materials. For more information on open burning, visit https://www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/air-quality/air-quality-compliance/open-burning.
If you need help cleaning up damage from Hurricane Helene, call the Crisis Cleanup hotline at (844) 965-1386. They can connect you with volunteers who may be able to assist you. This hotline will remain open through at least Friday, Oct. 25, 2024.
If you are removing debris from your property, remember the following:
Be wary of anyone who approaches you offering debris removal. Scammers often use disasters as an opportunity to take survivors' money. Some ways you can prevent yourself from falling victim to a scam are:
If you believe you are the victim of a scam, report it immediately to your local police or sheriff's department or contact North Carolina Attorney General's Office at 877-566-7226 or visit www.ncdoj.gov/protecting-consumers.
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