County seeks disaster aid
U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards sent staff members to a Mitchell County Board of Commissioners meeting recently to review ways in which the federal government can help Mitchell residents continue to recover from Hurricane Helene (downgraded to a tropical storm after slowing down over land).
The county has also sent a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump, highlighting ongoing local recovery needs. The letter, signed by County Manager Allen Cook, thanks Trump for his advocacy in the assistance Mitchell has received so far, but highlights the ongoing risk of wildfire owing to downed trees.
“Mitchell County had the highest timber loss of any county in Western North Carolina, with an estimated loss of $41,063,580,” the letter reads. “As the downed timber seasons, this will create a major fire risk that has the potential for greater loss of life and property damage than Tropical Storm Helene.”
Naming priorities
Tommy Laughter, a regional representative for Edwards, asked the board members to list their top priorities for helping the region continue to recover. A second staffer, Josh Greene, took notes.
“I’ve come here in front of the board of Mitchell County to ask, if the congressman gave you an opportunity to have a magic wand and to be able to wave it … (what are) three things that you think need to be stressed that would give an opportunity for the congressman or his staff to be able to help out Mitchell County with its recovery?” Laughter said.
The commissioners agreed that one top priority is funding repairs for
private roads and bridges.
“Folks that still don’t have access to their homes … people still need private bridges,” Commissioner Dale Blevins said.
The commissioners were also concerned about the needs of small businesses trying to recover from the storm.
Commissioner Steve Pitman added that there is damage in McDowell County that limits traffic into Mitchell County, and asked if there is anything Edwards can do to help with repairing Coxes Creek Road outside Marion.
“I think that’s one of the biggest projects that would probably help this area the most,” Pitman said.
As in the letter to the president, the fire danger from downed trees in Mitchell forests was also a significant concern among the commissioners.
“I think right now fire mitigation is one of the biggest dangers, foreseeable, that we have,” said Chairman Jeff Harding. “Mitchell County is one of the smallest counties in the state with the largest timber loss from this storm. … We have no way to put fire lines around it.”
Damage to livelihoods
Harding said he’s concerned that any assistance for small businesses may come too late to make a difference.
“I don’t know if a lot of business can survive eight to 12 months, which affects the whole county,” he said.
Commissioner Harley Masters noted that in addition to other small-business needs, local farmers and artists have disaster-recovery needs that are not being addressed.
“There’s a lot of farmers still here in the county … and their fields are now rocks where there used to be hay fields,” she said.