McDowell County Private & Commercial Property Debris Removal & Demolition Assistance Portal

Welcome to the McDowell County Hurricane Helene Debris Removal and Demolition Assistance Portal

Thank you for visiting the application portal for our Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) and Commercial Property Debris Removal (CPDR) programs. This application initiates the eligibility review process to determine your Hurricane Helene-related debris removal and/or structure demolition needs.

Please note: Signing this Right of Entry (ROE) form does not guarantee debris removal or structure demolition. Eligibility will be determined based on program requirements following a property review, and only eligible applicants will receive debris removal or demolition services.

Please complete the form as accurately and thoroughly as possible, including all required information and relevant documents. This will help us process your application efficiently, especially given the anticipated high volume of requests. Incomplete applications may take longer to review, so we appreciate your attention to detail.

To assist you, please refer to the following resource links:

Private and Commercial Property Debris Removal FAQ – This FAQ covers commonly asked questions about the program.

ROW Pickup Private Roads & Subdivisions– This FAQ covers commonly asked questions about the program.

Property Search Tool – Use this tool to locate your Parcel ID, which is required in the form to correctly identify your property.
Thank you for your cooperation and patience. We are here to support you in recovering from Hurricane Helene.

HOA Resolution Template - This template is provided as a resource to assist homeowners’ associations (HOAs) in drafting a resolution to request right-of-way (ROE) pickup within private communities. While this template serves as a helpful guide, it is not mandatory to use it. HOAs are welcome to create their own resolution tailored to their specific needs and preferences.

Important: Before proceeding to the next page to complete your application, please ensure you have the following documents ready to upload:

1. Government Issued ID (Driver’s license, Passport, or Real ID) for each property owner.
2. Power of Attorney and/or a resolution on letterhead from the HOA (if using an Authorized Agent) on behalf of all owners on the deed.
3. Insurance Policy.
   • Declaration Pages
   • Debris Removal coverage section/page.
   • Statement of Losses (if an adjuster has visited the property).
4. Sketch of Property identifying the locations of all hazards (This can be a simple, hand-drawn sketch that is uploaded, or you can draw it electronically in the application).
5. If your property is in a trust, the signatory authority will need to sign and you will need to bring the trust paperwork.
6. If one of the owners has passed away, a death certificate will need to be provided.

Having these documents prepared in advance is essential to avoid delays in processing your request. If you do not have all required documents, please gather them before continuing.

Property Search Tool – Use this tool to locate your Parcel ID, which is required in the form to correctly identify your property.

RIGHT OF ENTRY (“ROE”) ONTO PRIVATE PROPERTY FOR DEBRIS REMOVAL AND/OR DEMOLITION DISASTER ASSISTANCE (FEMA-DR-4827-NC)

Ownership Interest’s Grant of Right of Entry for Debris Removal and/or Demolition Activities

The Property Owner(s)/agent authorizes the County of McDowell, the State of NC and the United States of America, their respective agents, successors and assigns, contractors and subcontractors (collectively, the “Governments/Contractors”) to have the right of access and to enter the property above specified for purposes of performing debris removal as it is a public health and safety threat and/or for demolishing structures local authorities have determined through due process to be unsafe directly because of the declared major disaster, FEMA-DR-4827- NC.

Notice to Mortgage/Lienholder if Demolition will be Performed

Owner agrees to be responsible to notify any mortgage holder or other lienholder of the demolition of any clearly destroyed structures that will be performed as part of this ROE to the extent such notification is required by law or Owner’s agreement with such mortgage/lienholder.

Government Not Obligated -- No Expense Except For Insurance Proceeds

The Property Owner(s)/agent understands that this Right of Entry does not obligate the Governments/Contractors to perform debris removal or demolition.  Governments/Contractors will access the property under this ROE if the work has been determined necessary in accordance with Federal, State, Territorial, Tribal or local regulations.  The Property Owner(s) will not be charged for the work conducted by Governments/Contractors.  However, if the Property Owner(s) receives insurance proceeds or compensation from other sources for debris removal or demolition, the Property Owner’s(s’) obligation is set out in the section below, entitled “Avoidance of Duplication of Benefits: Reporting Debris Removal/Demolition Money Received.”

Government Indemnified and Held Harmless

The Property Owner(s)/agent agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Governments/Contractors for any damage of any type whatsoever to the above described property or to personal property and fixtures situated thereon, or for bodily injury or death to persons on the property, and hereby releases, discharges and waives any and all actions, either legal or equitable, which the Property Owner(s) has, or ever might or may have, by reason of any action taken by Governments/Contractors to remove debris or demolish unsafe structures.

Avoidance of Duplication of Benefits:  Reporting Debris Removal/Demolition Money Received

Property Owner(s)/agent has an obligation to file an insurance claim if coverage is available.  Property Owner(s)/agent understands and acknowledges that receipt of compensation or reimbursement for performance of the aforementioned activities from any source, including Small Business Administration, private insurance, an individual and family grant program or any other public or private assistance program could constitute a duplication of benefits prohibited by federal law.  If the Property Owner(s)/agent receives any compensation from any source for debris removal or demolition activities on this property, the Property Owner(s)/agent will report it to the Couny of McDowell in person at McDowell County Emergency Services Headquarters 129 Barnes Rd. Marion, NC 28752.  Or by calling (828) 652-3241.

Authorized Agent Declaration for Subdivision/Gated Community
The individual signing below, identified as the Authorized Agent under the “Property Owner/Authorized Agent” section and representing the gated community listed under the “Subdivision/Community Name” field at the beginning of this agreement, affirms and agrees to the following:

Authority: The Authorized Agent certifies that they have full authority, granted by the property owners and/or the Homeowners Association (HOA) of the named subdivision/community, to execute this Right of Entry (ROE) agreement on their behalf.
Scope of Authorization: This authority includes granting Governments/Contractors and its designees access to the community for the purposes of performing debris removal as it is a public health and safety threat and/or for demolishing structures local authorities have determined through due process to be unsafe directly because of the declared major disaster, FEMA-DR-4827- NC.
Notification and Consent: The Authorized Agent confirms that notice has been provided to all property owners within the named subdivision/community and that no objections or disputes regarding the authorized activities under this ROE agreement have been raised.
Acknowledgment of Indemnification: The Authorized Agent agrees on behalf of the gated community to the terms of indemnification as specified in this agreement and assumes responsibility for ensuring the community's compliance with all terms herein.
Accuracy of Information: The Authorized Agent affirms that all information provided at the beginning of this agreement and within this declaration is true and accurate.

Release of Insurance Information

If insured, the Property Owner(s)/agent authorize(s) its insurer to release information relating to coverage and payments for debris removal/demolition activities to the Town/City/County/Parish/State agency identified herein.

Acknowledgment of Prohibition on Fraud, Intentional Misstatements

The Property Owner(s)/agent understands that an individual who fraudulently or willfully misstates any fact in connection with this agreement may be subject to penalties under state and federal law, including civil penalties, imprisonment for not more than five years, or both, as provided under 18 USC § 1001.

 Mortgage/Lien Holder(s) Information (if Demolition)

Property Owner(s)/Authorized Agent Signature(s).

Witnesses Required Only if Demolition

Privacy Act Statement: The Property Owner/ Owner’s Authorized Agent acknowledges that information submitted will be shared with other government agencies, federal and non-federal, and contractors, their subcontractors and employees but solely for purposes of disaster relief management to meet the objectives of this Right of Entry. This form is signed to allow access to perform debris removal and/or demolition operations on the above-mentioned property, to authorize the release of insurance policy/claim information and to assure notification of any lien holder of demolition.

Please Upload all Necessary Documentation

*Required Documentation includes:

- Government Issued ID (Driver’s license, Passport, or Real ID) for each property owner

- Power of Attorney on behalf of all owners on the deed and/or resolution on letterhead from HOA (if using an Authorized Agent)

- Insurance Policy

-Declaration pages-Debris Removal coverage section/page

-Statement of Losses (if an adjuster has visited the property)

- Sketch of property identifying the locations of all hazards (This can be a simple, hand-drawn sketch)