The City of Asheville is pleased to announce an additional $6.9 million in combined state and federal funding dedicated to the city’s Helene Recovery and rebuilding efforts.
Over $5 million in FEMA funds will go toward rebuilding the fusegate that tipped on the auxiliary spillway at the North Fork Water Treatment Plant. During Helene, this system was vital in protecting Asheville and other low-lying areas from catastrophic flooding. The state will provide an additional $500,000.00
“We want to recognize and thank state and federal officials for their continued support. North Carolina Senator Ted Budd was integral in getting these essential funds released so our recovery efforts can continue, even in light of a government shutdown,” said City of Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer. “These federal dollars are crucial to rebuilding vital infrastructure like our water system. This continued government support by both FEMA and the state allows us to move forward with our efforts to rebuild and serve the people of Asheville with consistency and resilience.”
Completed in 2021 as part of the North Fork Dam Improvement Project, the spillway and fusegate provide additional capacity, allowing the reservoir to safely pass water from large precipitation events.
“The auxiliary spillway at North Fork is perhaps the single most important project in our water system’s history. It functioned exactly as it was designed during Helene – protecting the treatment plant’s earthen dam, preventing unimaginable loss of life and property, and preserving 80 percent of our drinking water supply,” said Interim Water Resources Director Bill Hart. “This funding is critical to replacing the spillway’s tipped fusegate, and I’m grateful to Sen. Budd, our entire congressional delegation and our partners at FEMA for prioritizing resilient infrastructure.”
Other portions of the overall funding are designated to address City infrastructure assets damaged by Tropical Storm Helene. Those assets include:
- Repair of damaged guardrails $ 158,419.09
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Temporary Bridge at Hardesty Lane $ 256,057.39
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Repair of minor damages to City parks $ 909,177.89
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Aston Park Tennis
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Kenilworth Park
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Montford Ballfield
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Weave Park
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Roger Farmer Park
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Eagle St.
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Malvern Hills Park
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