The signs of Hurricane Helene The effects of the storm are still visible in Buncombe County: closed parks, damaged structures, and remnants of the storm in rivers, homes, and roads. But more than a year later, local authorities have taken another step in the recovery process.
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved a $14 million budget amendment last week to create the County Recovery Office, which will be responsible for coordinating rebuilding projects and strengthening the county's recovery efforts. resilience long term.
The decision establishes a dedicated structure to oversee the Helene-related works and manage recovery funds. The plan includes five grant-funded positions: two fiscal analysts and three project managers. In addition, the Board appointed Kevin Madsen as the first Director of Recovery, who will officially take up the role on November 3.
“Looking ahead, we have several projects and processes to complete that will allow us to be better prepared"And this position will lead the acquisition of resources and the management of those projects to their completion," explained County Administrator Avril Pinder.
Projects and next steps
The approved budget also covers priority projects related to the Hurricane Helene damage:
- $10,296,428 for landslide repairs
- 1,324,343 for tower paths
- 1,807,912 for Owen Park
- 572,562 for other county parks
These projects are part of the comprehensive recovery plan, which includes more than one hundred initiatives at different stages.
The new office will coordinate contracts, technical monitoring and financial management, with periodic reports to ensure accountability.
The county announced that the Helene's Resource CenterLocated at 94 Coxe Avenue (Asheville), it will continue to be open Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm, and also offers assistance online or by phone at (828) 250-6100.
It may interest you: More than a year after the hurricane, a Latino workshop in Swannanoa struggles to reopen before Thanksgiving.
Leadership with experience in disasters
Madsen has more than two decades of experience in emergency management and recovery. disastersHis career includes working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), local governments, and universities.
It was also reported that he participated in the response to the Hurricane Florence and Matthew, and more recently, collaborated with the county after Hurricane Helene.
“As someone who spent the last year recovering from the storm, I know the time and effort that lie ahead,” said Madsen, who lives in Buncombe with his family.
As he explained, the work will be based on a broad and inclusive approach: “We will adopt a whole community approach, collaborating with municipalities, community organizations, non-profit entities and the business sector.”
Expand the information in Buncombes County's Recovery from Tropical Storm Helene
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After the storm
A year ago, Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina. The Latino community responded with something stronger than the storm: solidarity.
🎧 In this episode, learn how Latino organizations transformed crisis into resilience.
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