Helene Recovery: USDA Emergency Watershed Protection Program Offers Support for Damaged Infrastructure

Buncombe County residents with damage or severe erosion from Helene causing a threat to a structure, road, bridge, culvert, or other infrastructure could be eligible for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program. The EWP Program assists landowners with repairing damage that is threatening the safety of their property as a result of a natural disaster.

Both public and private properties are eligible for assistance. The property must have a hazard caused by Tropical Storm Helene that threatens an existing structure, road, bridge, or other infrastructure.

Eligible hazards include:

• Debris-clogged waterways
• Unstable streambanks
• Severe erosion jeopardizing public infrastructure
• Wind-borne debris removal

While this program does fund repairs, the timeline for repairs is generally 1-3 years.

Landowners who would like to be evaluated for EWP program funding should complete the EWP Program Interest Form. Please include photos of the damage if possible.

Landowners with questions or needing assistance in completing the interest form should contact the Buncombe County Helene EWP Team at heleneEWP@buncombecounty.org. If the property is eligible for EWP support, the team will contact the landowner to set up a field visit and begin the application process.

The Buncombe County Soil and Water Conservation District works in partnership with USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to implement the EWP program. The Buncombe County Soil & Water Conservation District's mission is to conserve the soil, water, and related natural resources of Buncombe County by providing education, information, technical assistance, and economic incentives to County residents.

For more information, please see the EWP FAQs.

Related Resources

Visit the Helene Resource Center for Support

Apply for Private Road and Bridge Assistance

Funding for Home Projects: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

For more information on these and other Helene recovery resources, contact the One Buncombe Call Center at 828-250-6100. The call center is available Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.