EPA announces completion of Hurricane Helene response in western North Carolina
Asheville, NC. (March 27, 2025) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the agency has completed its work supporting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and local health departments with hurricane response efforts in western North Carolina.
In February, Administrator Lee Zeldin traveled to western North Carolina to see the damage caused by Hurricane Helene, meet with local partners and discuss the rebuilding effort.
“One of my first trips as Administrator was to western North Carolina to view the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene,” said Administrator Zeldin. “I am proud of the great work EPA has done and for the assistance we have provided to residents. The Trump EPA continues to work effectively and efficiently to complete our mission assignments and work hard for the American people. I am grateful for our federal and state partners for assisting EPA and for their continued support of North Carolina.”
“EPA is proud to have been part of western North Carolina’s recovery following the devastation of Hurricane Helene,” said Kevin McOmber, EPA Region 4 Administrator. “In collaboration with federal, state and local partners, we were able to prevent discharges of hazardous pollutants into the environment and help get drinking water restored.”
EPA’s response included:
- Removing and processing more than 1,700 orphan containers of oil, propane and other hazardous materials from land and waterways at the request of FEMA and NC DEQ. EPA worked with the Asheville Fire Department swift water rescue team and hired local rafting guides to help retrieve containers from the French Broad River.
- Testing over 1,500 samples from private wells at EPA mobile water testing labs in Buncombe and Watauga counties.
- Working with the NC DEQ and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to assess the storm’s damage to more than 250 drinking water and wastewater systems.
- Providing technical guidance to local water operators, supporting efforts to restore and maintain drinking water systems and other essential services, and assisting the City of Asheville Water Resources Department in restoring drinking water service to 150,000 people in the Asheville area.
- Advising residents on the importance of following local boil water advisories to prevent waterborne illnesses, in accordance with CDC guidelines and in partnership with local health departments.
EPA will continue to work closely with federal and state partners to ensure North Carolina residents have safe, clean water and to improve water system resilience in future storm events.
Background Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina in late September of 2024, causing catastrophic flooding and destruction. A Federal Major Disaster Declaration covered 25 North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
As western North Carolina continues to recover from Hurricane Helene, the public may report orphan containers of hazardous materials such as oil or propane to the NC DEQ at ncdwmspills@deq.nc.gov.
For updates on the EPA’s activities in the Southeast, follow EPA Region 4 on X, Facebook and Instagram.
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