North Carolina SMART Program

The North Carolina Emergency Management SMART Program Hurricane Helene Private Property Debris Removal Support Line number is (828) 412-8947.

The hours of operation are:

• Monday – Sunday, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. EST.

You can email us at: Info@ncdebriscleanup.com

Our website is: www.NCDebrisCleanup.com

The PPDR program helps eligible private property owners who do not have insurance coverage for debris removal by clearing eligible debris or demolishing unsafe, unrecoverable structures caused by Hurricane Helene.

Properties located within County, such as unincorporated areas and cities, may be eligible for the program if qualified debris or demolition eligible structures are present, and if the proper agreements are in place.

A Right of Entry (ROE) form is a legal document signed by all property owners and trustees that grants permission for the state’s PPDR contractors to enter the property to access and remove eligible debris or demolish structures that meet FEMA eligibility requirements.

An ROE is a voluntary document. Your land is private, and it is your decision to grant access. If you change your mind, you may withdraw from the program at any time prior to the start of debris removal or demolition activities on your property.

Only an owner or trustee can authorize debris removal or demolition on private property.

Eligible debris includes:

• Hazardous limbs, trees, or other mixed debris caused by Hurricane Helene that pose an immediate threat to life, public health or property. This can be debris that is near a commonly used area or maintained areas of a property.
• Debris blocking or impacting a waterway.
• Demolition of structures deemed substantially damaged, unsafe, or beyond repair and may not be recoverable or is in threat of collapse. This may include concrete slabs and foundations.

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.

Once we receive a completed application and signed right of entry (ROE) form, the state’s contractor will conduct an initial assessment of the property. The application and assessment will be submitted to FEMA for an eligibility determination.

To complete an application, you must provide digital copies of the following documents:

1. Valid Identification:
   • A clear copy of your driver’s license or valid U.S. government-issued ID (e.g. passport).
2. Proof of Ownership:
   • For Private Property – a warranty deed, tax assessment, etc., or trust documents if you are the trustee.
   • For a Business – your business’s articles of incorporation listing you as registered agent
3. Insurance (if insured):
   • A copy of your insurance policy and proof/statement of loss from the company. If you have insurance, you may still be eligible to participate.
4. Supplemental Documentation:
   • If you are not the owner of the property, a power of attorney or other sufficient legal documents may be required to establish signature authority.

1. Property owner will complete the application and submit required documentation.
2. An initial site inspection will be conducted.
3. Application and site assessment will be submitted to FEMA for approval:
   • If Not Approved – Property owner will be sent email notifying them of the decision and provided additional guidance and resources.
   • If Approved – Confirmation email will be sent to homeowner and debris removal will be scheduled by contractor.
4. Contractor will perform Debris Removal or Demolition within 21 days following FEMA approval.
5. Completion Notice will be sent to Property Owner.

Private property owners will be asked to identify the following types of debris on their property:

• Vegetative Debris, including: Trees, Logs, Trunks, Branches, Limbs, and Other leafy

NOTE: Only debris that poses an immediate threat to public safety or property is eligible. Debris that is not a health or safety concern may be ineligible, even if disaster-related.

• Construction and Demolition (C&D), including: Parts of building structures, Carpeting, Furniture, Roofing, Concrete, Brick, Block, Wood, Wallboard, Metals, Carpeting and flooring, Insulation, Glass, Tile, Window coverings, Plastic pipe, Heating and ventilating, and Air conditioning systems and their components, light fixtures, furnishings, and fixtures.

• White Goods, or discarded household appliances, including: Refrigerators, Freezers, Air conditioners, Heat pumps, Ovens, Ranges, Washing machines, Clothes dryers, and Water heaters.
• Electronic Waste, including: Cell phones, Computers, Televisions, Monitors, and Other items with a cord.

• Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), including: Pesticides, Paints, Batteries, Oils, Lawn chemicals, Cleaning supplies, and Other items that may be explosive, corrosive, or toxic.

• Sediment or sand debris.

Approval and qualifying debris will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

A property owner can remove debris on their own property; however, disposal should be in accordance with local and state laws.

Yes, but you must disclose your coverage and provide policy documentation as requested in the application. To avoid a duplication of benefits provided by the state or federal government, your insurance company may be required to provide payment from your policy designated for debris removal or demolition to the government.

Yes, you can apply for the program if you live in a mobile or motor home. To verify ownership of your mobile home, please refer to the manufacturer label and data plate, which include:

1. Mobile home model name
2. Serial Number
3. HUD number
4. Year built

These can typically be found on the exterior (HUD label) and inside the unit (data plate). This detail will help you locate the ownership of the mobile home.

If you do not own the land your mobile home sits on, we may require a signed Right of Entry (ROE) form and additional documentation from the landowner in order to proceed with inspection or debris removal. Our team can assist you with this process during your application. If any questions call center

Yes, the NCEM SMART (State Mission Assigned Recovery Task) program has a limited enrollment window. Please call to register.

No, the program is free for eligible participants.

Renters are not eligible to apply directly. Only the legal property owner or trustee can submit the application and required Right of Entry (ROE) form. However, renters may assist by providing the property owner’s contact information when completing an application. The property owner will be contacted to initiate the process. Please note that the property cannot be considered for the program unless the owner or trustee completes the application and is determined eligible.

Maintained spaces are areas regularly mowed, landscaped, or actively used — such as yards, driveways, and areas around sheds. They do not include wooded back acreage, forested land, or open pasture. These unmanaged areas are considered ineligible unless there’s clear storm-related hazard debris.

Yes, if the tree died as a direct result of the storm event. Dead trees unrelated to the disaster are not eligible. This program addresses storm-caused debris only.

Debris must be located in maintained areas, pose a safety or health risk, and be caused by the disaster event. If it doesn’t meet these criteria — such as debris in forested zones or pre-existing dead trees — it likely won’t qualify under the SMART PPDR program.

This is program is funded by state funds with the intention of seeking reimbursement through the FEMA Public Assistance (PA) Program. This means that FEMA sets the eligibility criteria and reviews all applications prior to work beginning. If you would like to appeal this decision, you can submit a request by completing this form or by calling 828-348-1405