Public Right-of-Way Debris Removal: What the March 1 deadline means

After four months of ongoing debris pick-up on the public rights-of-way within Town limits, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be wrapping up the process of picking up debris from the public right-of-way in Black Mountain.

Residents of the Town of Black Mountain should place storm debris on the public right-of-way by March 1, 2025. Trucks will be making final passes between now and April 1, so getting your debris out by this date guarantees it will be picked up.  

Guidelines for debris placement

• Place debris within 10 feet of the public right-of-way separated by categories.

• Keep debris away from power lines, trees, fire hydrants, and curbside trash carts. 

• Do not block roadways—trucks and emergency vehicles need access. 

• Wear proper safety gear if handling debris: gloves, masks, sturdy shoes, and safety glasses. 

• Residents should not bring debris to the landfill—mud and soil are not accepted.

The debris removal process is extensive and methodical to ensure everything is cleared properly. Crews are committed to revisiting all areas to pick up remaining debris, but it takes time due to the challenges in this region. Our goal is to remove debris as quickly as possible.

Need help moving debris to the Right of Way?

If residents are unable to move debris on their properties, they may be eligible to have debris removed from their property for free through the Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) program. Through this program, eligible property owners can provide right-of-entry for crews to remove debris at no cost. Visit https://www.blackmountainrecovery.org/debris to learn more about the PPDR program.  Residents who miss the March 1 deadline may also be eligible for the PPDR program.

Please note that the Private Property Debris Removal program, waterway, and vehicle and tank debris removal is ongoing and are not included in the March 1 deadline.

For more information

Helene was a historic event that left behind the largest amount of storm debris the area has ever seen. For comparison, Hurricane Florence, which landed in Wilmington, North Carolina in 2018, left behind about 1 million cubic yards of debris which took many months to clear.

Residents who have not had any debris removed from their public right-of-way since October 2024 or who have additional questions should call the One Buncombe Call Center at 828-250-6100, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You may also send an email to recovery@tobm.org.

For additional information about debris removal and PPDR, visit blackmountainrecovery.org/debris.