Storm Debris After Helene: Private and Commercial Business Property Debris Removal

Debris Hotline now open sign

Private property and commercial business owners impacted by Tropical Storm Helene, have a free option for debris removal.  

 

Private and Commercial Business Property Debris Removal (PPDR) and Demolition 

Owners who cannot take their private or commercial business property debris to the right of way (ROW) for pickup and who do not have debris removal insurance or have inadaquate debris removal insurance, may apply to have qualified disaster debris removed from their property for FREE through the Private and Commercial Property Debris Removal (PPDR) Program. The program also covers the demolition of eligible unsafe structures on both private and commercial business properties.

How long with the process take?

The PPDR program requires a very thorough process to determine eligibility on private and commercial business properties. Debris removal will be a lengthy process, and we appreciate everyone’s collaboration as we begin to clean up our homes, businesses and communities. 

 

What types of debris and demoltion are eligible under the commercial and PPDR program?

  • Removal of hazardous limbs, trees, or other mixed debris caused by Hurricane Helene that is near a commonly used area or maintained areas of a private or commercial business property.

  • Removal of debris impacting a waterway.

  • The demolition and removal of a structure that is a health hazard, deemed unfit/unsafe, and may not be recoverable, or is in threat of collapse on a private or commercial business property. This may include concrete slabs.

 

What is NOT eligible under the program?

  • Debris on vacant lots, unimproved property, and unused or unmaintained areas of commercial/business or private property.

  • Debris on land used primarily for agricultural purposes, such as land for crops or livestock on commercial/business or private property.

  • Debris on property which has been accepted into the FEMA Hazard mitigation Assistance Program (HMA) is not eligible for PPDR services.

 

What is an ROE and why would I need to submit one?

A Right of Entry (ROE) form, signed by all property or business owners, is legally required before contractors providing PPDR and/or demolition can access the owner’s private or commercial business property. A right-of-entry is a voluntary document. Your land is private, and it is your decision to grant access. You may withdraw from the program at any time prior to the start of debris removal or demolition activities on your property.

If your property is in a trust, the signatory authority will need to sign, and you will need to bring the trust paperwork.

If one of the owners has passed away, a death certificate will need to be provided.

To see if you are eligible for debris removal or demolition of unsafe structures on your private or commercial business property, visit the PPDR application center:

103 Arcade Street, Lake Lure, NC 28746 (Arcade Building)
Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

HOW TO APPLY

 

IN-PERSON

 

To see if you are eligible for debris removal or demolition of unsafe structures on your private or commercial business property, visit the Lake Lure PPDR application center at Arcade Building, 103 Memorial Highway, Lake Lure, NC. 

 

ONLINE

 

APPLY ONLINE HERE. 

 

Watch this how-to video for tips on how to complete it.

 

Please have these documents readily available when you apply (see video on required documents):

  • A copy of your insurance policy and proof/statement of loss from the company (if insured)

  • A color copy of your driver’s license or valid U.S. government-issued ID (such as a passport)

  • Proof of ownership such as a warranty deed, tax assessment, etc. for private property, OR

  • Trust documents if you are the trustee, OR

  • Your business's articles of incorporation listing you the registered agent if for a commercial property

  • A simple sketch of the private or commercial business property identifying the locations of debris (hand-drawn is fine). 

For more information on the PPDR and other debris questions, call the PPDR call center, open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., at 1-833-468-6129.

 

03a_Opening of PPDR Application Online Portal

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

You May Download the Right of Entry (ROE) Frequently Asked Questions

The Private and Commercial Property Debris (PPDR) and Structure Demolition program is designed to help individuals with properties impacted by Tropical Storm Helene, who either do not have the means, or have exhausted their means, to remove eligible disaster debris or demolish unrecoverable structures on their property. A Right of Entry (ROE), signed by all property owners/trustees, is required before contractors providing PPDR and/or demolition can access and enter the property.

 

Understanding the Program

 

What is the Private and Commercial Property Debris Removal (PPDR) Program?

  • This program is for removing debris caused by Tropical Storm Helene that is still on private or commercial property. In severe disasters where debris removal is overwhelming to property owners, a PPDR program is offered to aid the community. 

What is a Structure Demolition Program?

  • This program is for demolition of unsafe structures that were severely damaged by Tropical Storm Helene and located on private or commercial property.

Who can apply?

  • The owner(s) or trustee(s) of a private or commercial business property located within the town/village limits.

What kind of properties can apply?

  • Both residential and small commercial business properties can apply. Each property will be reviewed for eligibility on a case-by-case basis. The PPDR contractor team will review each application closely and work with the property owner(s) or trustee(s) to obtain information about the ownership and damages. Applying does not guarantee that your property will be approved.
  • Second homes and rental properties are eligible providing all owner/trustees sign an ROE.

What if I’m a renter?

  • Only the legal owner/owners can submit a property for this program. If you are a renter of a property, you must coordinate with the legal owner to sign up for this program.

 

Understanding ROEs

 

Why is an ROE needed?

  • If there is debris on your property, gaining legal access to it is the very first step. This project will require government representatives to access the property even before the actual debris removal or demolition begins.
  • An ROE is sometimes needed as a “easement” to another property. For example, an ROE may be needed to grant access through a private easement that exists on your road and property to get to a waterway for debris removal. ROEs may be requested at the beginning of the project to prevent future delays later.

What are the three parts of a Right-of-Entry (ROE) form?

  • Right of Entry: This grants the right of property access and entry to the PPDR contractor and subcontractors for inspecting, removing, and clearing eligible storm-generated debris.
  • Hold Harmless: This releases the PPDR contractors and subcontractors for damage of any type, whatsoever, either to the property or persons situated thereon and releases, discharges, and waives any action, either legal or equitable, which might arise out of activities on the property during property inspection, debris removal and/or demolition.
  • Non-Duplication of Benefits: This states that any money specifically for debris removal for the property must be (a) returned to the government if you received it and did not spend it on debris removal/demolition or (b) declare that you do not have insurance, or the policy does not include these benefits.

I own multiple properties. May I include all parcels on one ROE?

  • No. Each parcel will require a separate application and ROE specific to the parcel.

Do I have to sign the ROE for debris removal or demolition services?

  • A right-of-entry is a voluntary document. Your land is private and therefore it is your decision to grant access.
  • However, an ROE is required for (a) debris removal or demolition on your property or (b) may be a requirement for a community project to proceed like hard-to-reach debris on an adjacent property or debris in a waterway.

Does agreeing to an ROE mean I am agreeing to the whole project?

  • Signing an ROE does not mean you are agreeing to having a project implemented.  This is a voluntary program; therefore, you may withdraw from the program any time prior to the start of debris removal or demolition activities on your property.
  • An ROE is your authorization for the government and its contractors to enter your property for the purposes of traversing to another project site; to perform a site inspection and debris removal.
  • However, if you choose not to proceed after formal reviews, studies, or work has begun, you may be liable for the cost of work completed to date.

 

Submitting an ROE

 

I think my property is eligible for debris removal or demolition; how can I apply?

  • Visit the online portal link at the Lake Lure websites.
  • Visit the PPDR application center to apply in person:
    103 Arcade Street in Lake Lure
    Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For questions, call the debris call center open daily from 7A to 7P at 833-468-6129.

What documents do I need to have ready to complete my application?

  • A copy of your insurance policy (if the property was insured)
  • Proof/statement of loss from insurance company (if the property was insured)
  • A color copy of your driver’s license or valid government-issued identification (e.g. passport or North Carolina identification card)
  • Proof of ownership such as a warranty deed, tax assessment, etc.
  • Trust documents if the property is in a trust.
  • Articles of Incorporation if the property is owned by a corporation
  • Power of Attorney if an authorized agent is acting on behalf of the property owner
  • Sketch of the parcel and where debris is located (not required but encouraged)

 

If the property is owned by multiple persons or trustees, all parties may need to sign the ROE based on how the property is titled.

What if one or more of the owners or trustees are deceased and the property is still in their name(s)?

  • If an owner or trustee has passed away, a death certificate will be needed.

 

Program Eligibility Criteria

 

How does my property become eligible for debris removal or demolition?

  • Properties located within the county (unincorporated areas and cities) are eligible for the program if they have qualified debris or a qualified unsafe structure on them.

What may be eligible for the debris removal and demolition program?

The eligible work for a property will be determined on an individual basis following a site inspection. Typically:

Debris Removal

  • Hazardous limbs, trees, or other mixed debris caused by Tropical Storm Helene that is near a commonly used area or maintained areas of a property.
  • Debris impacting a waterway.

Demolition

  • The demolition and debris removal of a structure that is a health hazard, deemed unfit/unsafe to reside in, and may not be recoverable or is in threat of collapse, this may include concrete slabs.

What is NOT eligible under the program?

  • Debris removal from vacant lots, unimproved property, and unused or unmaintained areas.
  • Debris on land used primarily for agricultural purposes, such as land for crops or livestock.
  • Property which has been accepted into the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program (HMA).

Who determines eligibility?

  • A PPDR inspector will conduct an initial eligibility review for Helene-caused debris; however, only FEMA can ultimately decide upon eligibility.

Is commercial property eligible for the program? Second homes?

  • Commercial properties are generally eligible under this program. However, eligibility for the program will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
  • Second homes are eligible for the PPDR program.

Payments and Insurance

Do I have to pay for debris removal or demolition services under the PPDR program?

  • There is no cost to participate in this program. This program was designed to help individual property owners without the means to remove disaster debris or demolish unrecoverable structures on their property following a major disaster.

If I have homeowner’s insurance, can I still participate in the debris removal program?

  • If you have insurance, you may still be eligible to participate in the PPDR program.
  • When you submit an ROE, you must submit a copy of your homeowner’s insurance policy.
  • If you have already received a benefits payment from your insurance company for work you are requesting, you may be requested to reimburse the government for work deemed eligible by the appropriate agencies.

Can I use my debris removal insurance to remove items that are ineligible for removal under the PPRD program?

  • If you have a specified amount for debris removal in your insurance policy, you may be able to use your insurance proceeds to remove disaster debris that is deemed ineligible for removal under the PPDR program (e.g., swimming pools, debris in unmaintained areas, etc.).

 

Timeline

 

What happens after I submit my completed ROE?

  • The PPDR contractors will review your ROE to verify that all property owners or trustees have properly signed it.
  • Next, they will contact you to schedule a site inspection. During the site visit, information about the property and eligible hazards that are a result of Tropical Storm Helene will be documented, and this information will be submitted for review and approval under the program.
  • Following approval, a PPDR contractor will begin the debris removal and/or demolition services.
  • If your property has been surveyed and approved for demolition, additional site visits may be required to test for asbestos, review surrounding environmental conditions, and disconnect utilities from the requested structure(s) prior to demolition operations.
  • Contact information will be provided in the email correspondence from the contractor if you have questions about the progress of your application.

How soon will the work be done?

  • Eligible private property debris removal or structural demolition is a process with inspections, approvals, and work orders.  We appreciate your patience in this process.
  • Once the program verifies ownership of the property, you will be contacted to schedule a site assessment of the property. 
  • The site assessment will be reviewed by USACE and/or FEMA, who will approve/deny the site for debris removal.
  • Debris removal and/or structural demolition on properties will take time as it undergoes additional reviews and approvals.

 

FOR FURTHER QUESTIONS

 

Please call the PPDR call center (open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.), at 1-833-468-6129

Or you may visit the PPDR application center:
103 Arcade Street in Lake Lure
Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Supporting Documents

PDF icon Lake Lure PPDR Frequently Asked Questions (149 KB)
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