Waterway debris left by Helene poses wildfire threat in Transylvania County, manager says
By Gerard Albert III
April 17, 2025 at 11:25 AM EDT
Rural counties throughout western North Carolina are grappling with rebuilding after Hurricane Helene. Transylvania County manager Jaime Laughter gave an update on recovery from the storm and wildfires during a commission meeting Monday night.
All Transylvania County households who applied for, were qualified for and accepted housing assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency have received it, according to Laughter.
Housing remained one of the biggest needs since Helene – but a BPR investigation found that the majority of people offered help from FEMA did not use it. Transylvania county was no different..
“We had about half of those that either elected to find their own resources or to stay in their damaged dwelling,” Laughter said.
Still, as people work to find stable housing, wildfires remain a threat.
Last month, the Table Rock fire crossed the state line from South Carolina and caused hundreds of evacuations in the county.
Debris from Helene is making those fires more difficult to reach and contain .
“There have been concerns raised during the wildfires … about waterway debris that could make waterways ineffective as fire breaks,” Laughter said. “ We are going to be under more danger of forest fires for a couple of years because of debris in the forest and around the county.”
The United States Army Corps of Engineers is in charge of debris removal for the county. Laughter said communications with the agency have been limited.
“ We were told at one point that USACE was to complete all work in Western North Carolina by June 1st,” Laughter said. “But we have not received any update on timelines for quite some time.”
All Transylvania County households who applied for, were qualified for and accepted housing assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency have received it, according to Laughter.
Housing remained one of the biggest needs since Helene – but a BPR investigation found that the majority of people offered help from FEMA did not use it. Transylvania county was no different..
“We had about half of those that either elected to find their own resources or to stay in their damaged dwelling,” Laughter said.
Still, as people work to find stable housing, wildfires remain a threat.
Last month, the Table Rock fire crossed the state line from South Carolina and caused hundreds of evacuations in the county.
Debris from Helene is making those fires more difficult to reach and contain .
“There have been concerns raised during the wildfires … about waterway debris that could make waterways ineffective as fire breaks,” Laughter said. “ We are going to be under more danger of forest fires for a couple of years because of debris in the forest and around the county.”
The United States Army Corps of Engineers is in charge of debris removal for the county. Laughter said communications with the agency have been limited.
“ We were told at one point that USACE was to complete all work in Western North Carolina by June 1st,” Laughter said. “But we have not received any update on timelines for quite some time.”