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Burke County 911 Assistant Director Chris White said county emergency workers responded to 37 structure collapses during the storm.

In Morganton, City Manager Sally Sandy said Monday night that 14 homes in the city had significant damage from the storm but were still livable. Another 14 homes were marked unsafe for occupation and would need contractors to repair the damage.

Sandy said any permits related to storm damage are free.

Fifty-five businesses in Â鶹´«Ã½ were marked unsafe for the public, but Sandy said all the structures in the city can be cleaned up and reopened once repairs are made. Nothing has been condemned.

White said Burke County 911 received 4,225 calls between Thursday and Sunday during the storm. In addition, 315 Burke County calls were answered by Catawba County because Burke’s system rolled over there for a short time, he said.

Burke County emergency crews also conducted 31 water rescues and 322 welfare checks.

“None of those turned up to be missing people or anything like that,� White said. “So to our knowledge, we don’t have anybody missing.�

Burke water, food donation center closing

The county is going to stop accepting donation by 8 p.m. Tuesday due to the abundance of supplies that have been donated, a news release from the county said. Donation center shopping will end at 5 p.m. on Thursday, the county said.

“Thanks to your incredible outpouring of support, the community is saturated with clean water, food, hygiene supplies, blankets, and other items,� the release said. “Both functions can be reorganized should the need arise.�

White said the distribution centers have served around 1,200 people a day, but that has diminished this week. The county’s distribution centers served 600 people in four hours on Sunday, White said.

The items being given out at the distribution centers include water, nonperishable food, toiletries, diapers, baby wipes and batteries.

The county said relief efforts are transitioning to a more long-term relief strategy that supports housing, food and economic insecurities.

Those who still want to contribute can donate to the Burke Community Foundations Emergency Relief Fund. The fund has already reached more than $100,000. The money will be used to source grants to community nonprofits with a specific focus on housing, food and economic insecurities created because of Hurricane Helene.

To donate, visit .

Storm debris

Valdese Mayor Charlie Watts, who retired as the town’s fire chief, said if tree debris is in the street or street right-of-way, the cleanup would fall to the North Carolina Department of Transportation or the municipality.

Watts said FEMA also has a debris program in place to help if a property owner can get the debris to the street, then NCDOT will pick it up. He said if the tree is on private property, municipalities can’t clean it up.

Property owners should not take debris to the landfill. The county has contracted with a hauler to manage debris collection directly from residential areas.

Watts said after a storm, if the town has a lot of trees fall into roads, it’s standard operation for the town to get at least one lane open and then move on to the next street with trees down. The town will then come back and clear the street later, he said.

Residents are requested to move storm debris to the street curb and separate it into three distinct piles:

• Vegetation (tree limbs, branches, etc.)
• White goods (appliances like refrigerators, washing machines)
• Building materials (construction debris, wood, drywall)

Burning debris

For those who are thinking about burning debris such as trees, limbs or brush, the North Carolina Forest Service is advising caution.

“Recent tropical weather, most notably Hurricane Helene, has left piles of debris in its wake. Once safe to do so, many people will have significant yard cleanup and may choose to dispose of leaves and other yard debris by burning it,� Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said in a release. “Outdoor fires left unattended can get out of hand quickly, becoming wildfires that threaten lives and property.�

Typically, wildfires occur more frequently in October through early December. In 2023, the N.C. Forest Service responded to nearly 2,000 wildfires during those months, with response to more than 1,200 of those fires taking place in November.

Troxler said before residents choose to burn debris, they need to obtain a valid burn permit and keep an eye on the weather.

You can obtain a burn permit at any N.C. Forest Service office or Burke County Fire Marshal, or online at t.