Private Property Debris Removal

North Carolina Emergency Management has created a call center and a website for people who have questions or concerns about the Private Property Debris Program. If you have questions or concerns about the Private Property Debris Removal Program, call 828-348-1405 between 7 am - 5:45 pm on weekdays or complete the form found at https://arcg.is/1veDSe.


Caldwell County residential, rental, and small business property owners impacted by Hurricane Helene, who do not have debris removal insurance, may apply to have qualified disaster debris removed from their property at no cost through the Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) Program. The program also covers the demolition of eligible unsafe structures.

What is eligible in the PPDR program?

  •  Removal of hazardous limbs, trees, uprooted stumps or other mixed debris caused by Hurricane Helene that is:
    •  near a commonly used area or maintained areas of a property
    •  not in a maintained area but threatens infrastructure or homes.
  • Removal of debris impacting around waterways.
  • Removal of debris on, adjacent, or threatening a private road. 
  • 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. This may include concrete slabs.

*Note: hazardous trees include standing trees that are leaning more than 30 degrees, or have lost more than 50% of the tree canopy.    

What is NOT eligible under the program?

  • Debris on vacant lots, unimproved property, and unused or unmaintained areas.
  • Debris on land used primarily for agricultural purposes, such as land for crops or livestock