Environmental Guidance for Helene-Impacted Areas

Hurricane Helene caused significant damage in Western North Carolina to public drinking water systems, and many systems are not providing water. Use bottled water that has not been exposed to flood waters if it is available. Public water systems may issue boil advisories or other advisories for their customers. 

Check the status of water systems in Western North Carolina: 

Public Water System Status Report

Public Water System Status Report (Mobile)

If you’re on well water and extensive flooding has occurred, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that you do not drink the water and do not turn on the electricity to your pump until flood waters recede. Use your water reserves and bottled water until your well has been disinfected and your water has been tested.

More guidance on drinking water is available from DHHS. 

Exercise caution near floodwaters. Do not swim in floodwaters. Floodwaters may contain hazards, sewage and unknown substances and should be avoided. Practice good hygiene after contact with flood waters. 

If you have flooding near your home, be careful touching electrical equipment.

More guidance on flood safety and cleanup is available from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. 

• Hurricane Helene Memo - Septage Management Firm Requirement for Disposal Authorization-Temporary Waiver for Disposal Authorizations for WWTPs
   
• Hurricane Helene Public Service Reminder - Regulated Septage Management for Areas Impacted by Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene hit our State and left significant devastation.  As cleanup gets underway here is some guidance on proper removal of soils and sediments. Other debris should be removed from the soil if at all possible before cleanup as follows: 

1. No signs of Contamination (discoloration or abnormal odor such as fuel)- Soils and sediments from roadways, parking lots, and other open areas may be stockpiled in an area where they can be recovered and reused for construction or other needs in the recovery effort.
2. Signs of Contamination (discoloration or abnormal odor such as fuel)- Soils and sediments from roadways, parking lots, and other open areas should be isolated and stockpiled on a surface not allowing fluid to pass through or a tarp and cover where possible.
3. Removal from inside of Flooded Homes and Garages- If there is no sight of contamination, follow steps #1 above.   Where there is clear evidence of a spill, sediments should be containerized and taken to a Municipal Solid Waste landfill for disposal.
4. Business/Commercial Removal with Contamination-Should be containerized pending determination of proper disposal in coordination with the Division of Waste Management, Inactive Hazardous Sites Branch.  Regional contact is Brett Engard, (828) 767-2424 or brett.engard@deq.nc.gov 

It is advised not to place material in flood-prone areas & to install adequate runoff controls (e.g., silt fence) around stockpiles. Guidelines may change based on updates from local, state, or federal partners. For more info., contact the Div. of Waste Management at 828-296-4500 

Disaster Cleanup Emergency Guidelines

Temporary disaster debris staging/storage areas are often established in order to handle the large amounts of debris generated after a storm. The Division of Waste Management (DWM) requires that all such temporary areas be approved before use.

• Storm Debris Management
• Emergency/Disaster Debris Management 
• Management of Manufactured Homes Following Flooding
• Managing Animal Mortalities

To view a map of currently active debris sites, please see the Solid Waste Section's Interactive Mapping Application of Active Temporary Debris Storage and Reduction Sites.

Open Burning

Landowners, contractors and municipalities are encouraged to grind vegetative debris into wood chips when possible. Limit allowed open burning as much as possible because the smoke from outdoor fires can cause serious health problems and pollute the air. Burning debris in approved air curtain incinerators emits less smoke and harmful pollution than open burning. 

Following a major storm, many counties and municipalities arrange to pick up limbs and other debris piled along the curb, or residents can haul debris to approved landfills. Debris should be separated into distinct piles for vegetation (logs, stumps, limbs, etc.), household trash (garbage, paper, food, etc.), and other materials (building materials, carpets, furniture, etc.).

The Division of Air Quality’s open burning rules limit what can be burned outdoors, and when. It is always illegal to burn trash or any man-made materials, including construction and demolition debris generated by natural disasters. Vegetation may be burned in some situations. 

Storm Debris Burning Information

Under the Disaster Recovery Act of 2024, you may burn storm-related debris, defined as any solid and engineered wood products, vegetative land-clearing debris, or solid waste consisting solely of vegetative matter resulting from landscaping maintenance, that originates from designated counties in an emergency area as a result of the impacts of Hurricane Helene. This expansion of the open burning rules is in effect until March 31, 2025. 

Hurricane Helene storm debris should only be burned in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. 

NOTE: Burning other types of debris not allowed under the law could jeopardize FEMA reimbursement for debris collection and disposal if the debris contains hazardous waste (such as asbestos) or would result in an air quality violation.

For rules and specific guidance on burning storm debris generated by Hurricane Helene, please refer to the below memos from the Division of Air Quality. 

• Open Burning at a Residence - Hurricane Helene Specific Guidance
• Open Burning at a Disaster Debris Site - Hurricane Helene Specific Guidance

Open Burning Permits

The N.C. Forest Service is temporarily waiving the requirement for open burning permits in 21 western N.C. counties. This waiver does not apply to permits required by other agencies, including a local fire marshal’s office. For burning best practices and wildfire prevention tips, visit the N.C. Forest Service's website. 

Air Curtain Incinerators

Burning disaster debris in approved air curtain incinerators (ACIs) emits less smoke and harmful pollution than open burning. The use of ACIs to dispose of material generated by a natural disaster has specific requirements. The below memo has specific information on regulations related to the duration of operation, notification requirements, permitting, permissible materials and other restrictions. 

Burning Disaster Debris with an Air Curtain Incinerator

The Division of Air Quality on Oct. 24, 2024, requested regulatory relief from EPA regarding the use of ACIs in North Carolina to handle disaster debris. On Nov. 6, 2024, EPA responded with a letter that addressed some of the requests. The Division on Nov. 15, 2024, also requested a No Action Assurance (NAA) letter from EPA to help facilitate an efficient and safe processing of certain disaster debris using air curtain incinerators. 

For additional questions about using an air curtain incinerator to handle storm-related debris, contact Taylor Hartsfield at 919-707-8497 or taylor.hartsfield@deq.nc.gov. 

Dust

As mud dries, the public may be exposed to dust in their communities, especially while disturbing or cleaning up soil, sediment and storm debris. While the dust is unlikely to consist of fine particulates, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that anyone cleaning up after a natural disaster wear goggles, an N95 mask or respirator, heavy work gloves and other personal protective equipment. This equipment can protect you not only from dust, but also from mold and unknown hazardous substances or chemicals in debris.

Indoor Air Quality

DEQ does not regulate indoor air quality. The CDC and NCDHHS have specific guidance for addressing mold.

Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning by never using a generator, pressure washers, or other gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices inside your home, basement, garage, or camper.

Smoke

There may be an increase in smoke from open burning if storm debris is burned. All open burning rules, including restrictions involving setbacks and burn times, still apply. Only vegetation and wood may be burned; all synthetic or manmade items, include trash, cannot be burned.

Limit allowed open burning as much as possible because the smoke from outdoor fires can cause serious health problems and pollute the air. Burning debris in approved air curtain incinerators emits less smoke and harmful pollution than open burning. Contractors and municipalities are encouraged to grind vegetative debris into wood chips when possible.

Smoke can contain fine particle matter, which can cause health impacts at high concentrations. Avoid prolonged exposure to smoke; if you can see or smell smoke, consider moving indoors. Sensitive populations such as children, active people, older adults, and those with asthma or other heart or lung diseases are more at risk and should take precautions to avoid smoke exposure.

Air Quality Monitoring

All of DEQ’s Division of Air Quality’s ambient air quality monitors in western North Carolina remain in good condition following the storm; however, some sites remain offline. The Division is actively working to restore communications to our equipment.

The Division is partnering with the EPA and the Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency to deploy non-regulatory PM_2.5 monitors and sensors in key areas to complement our regulatory monitors and collect data about potential air quality impacts from open burning of storm debris. 

Post-Helene, some construction efforts may not require a 401 certification (from DWR) or 404 permit (from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers). See this guide from USACE on 404 permits and this page for DWR staff contacts and more information on 401 Certifications. Also see this guide for information on removing debris from buffers and from wetlands.