City of Hendersonville Storm Sweep

City of Hendersonville Launches Storm Sweep Event for Final Hurricane Helene Debris Cleanup 

The Hendersonville City Council is launching the City of Hendersonville Storm Sweep throughout the month of April. This final push aims to clear remaining debris from Hurricane Helene in Hendersonville. May 1stis the final day to place storm debris in the right-of-way for collection within the city limits. After this deadline, crews will conduct a final sweep to complete debris collection in the municipality.  

“We want this to be a community-wide effort to restore Hendersonville to pre-storm conditions,” said City Manager John Connet. “We’re asking property owners, neighborhoods, HOA’s, and civic groups to join us in this final cleanup push.” City Manager Connet also stressed the importance of residents cleaning up storm debris away from their homes and into the right-of-way as an important way to better protect their homes from the threat of wildfires. 

Residents are encouraged to take this final opportunity to clear their properties of remaining storm debris, ensure they are sorted correctly by type, and placed in the right-of-way by May 1 to ensure efficient and safe collection.  

City of Hendersonville Storm Sweep Instructions for City of Hendersonville Residents: 

To participate, residents should sort and place storm debris into separate piles in the right-of-way in front of their property, ensuring it doesn’t block roadways, sidewalks, drainage ditches, or utility infrastructure. Residents are encouraged to place final storm debris out as soon as possible to help crews efficiently track and collect remaining debris. 

Debris Sorting Guidelines: 

• Vegetative Debris – Tree limbs, logs, and branches. (Large trees and root balls requiring specialized equipment will be handled by Henderson County’s contractors.) 
• Construction & Demolition Debris (C&D) – Building materials, drywall, lumber, carpet, furniture, roofing, plumbing. 
• Storm-related Household Hazardous Waste – Paint, oil, batteries, chemicals, cleaning supplies. 
• Storm-damaged Electronics – TVs, computers, DVD players, stereos, phones. 
• Storm-damaged Appliances – Refrigerators, washers, dryers, air conditioners, stoves, water heaters, dishwashers. Appliance doors must be secured.  

Important Reminders: 

• Only Hurricane Helene-related storm debris will be collected.  
• Do not bag storm debris – leave it loose for collection. 
• Keep piles at least five feet away from hydrants, utility poles, meter boxes, sewer clean-outs, mailboxes, garbage carts, or structures. 
• Avoid placing debris directly under trees, power lines, or in areas that may obstruct collection vehicles. 
• Storm debris should be placed in the right-of-way within ten feet of the roadside. 
• Do not place debris where it could wash into waterways or storm drains. 
• Regular household garbage and recyclables should go in the usual carts for routine collection. 
• Non-storm vegetative yard waste collection may be delayed during the storm sweep. 

Residents do not need to contact Public Works – crews have already mapped and will continue to map and track debris piles for collection.  

For property owners who can’t move debris to the right-of-way or lack debris removal insurance, visit https://www.hendersoncountync.gov/em/page/private-property-debris-removal-program for information on Henderson County’s Private Property Debris Removal Program (PPDR). 

Property owners must place sorted storm debris in the right-of-way by May 1 to ensure collection by the City of Hendersonville. Debris set out after this deadline will be the property owner's responsibility to dispose of and will be subject to code enforcement action. 

Get Involved: 

Cleaning up from Hurricane Helene is a community effort. Even if you don’t have storm debris on your property, there are ways you or your organization can help clean up Hendersonville! 

• Neighborhoods and HOA’s - Canvas areas and ensure storm debris piles are sorted properly and clear of obstructions. HOA and neighborhood leaders can sign up to receive updates.

• Lend a hand - Help neighbors move storm debris to the right-of-way.  

• Businesses, civic groups, and organizations – Reach out to property owners needing assistance to move or sort storm debris.  

• Organize a litter sweep - Join NCDOT’s Litter Sweep.  

• Safety first - Wear protective gear and high-visibility clothing or vest when sorting debris and working near roads. 

“This Storm Sweep is a key part of wrapping up debris collection from Hurricane Helene,” said City Manager John Connet. “We are supplementing the county-wide cleanup by dedicating additional resources and mutual aid assistance to make a final debris push within the city limits.” He explained the success of the Storm Sweep relies on collaboration with property owners and the community to get storm debris out to the right-of-way by the May 1 deadline. 

For more information on the Storm Sweep and debris removal guidelines, visit www.hvlnc.gov/helene or contact the Public Works Department at 828-697-3084.