ASHEVILLE – The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a $14 million budget amendment at its Oct. 21 regular meeting that will help fund a six-person recovery office to manage and oversee repair projects in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene.

The September 2024 storm killed 43 people in Buncombe County and damaged more than 12,000 homes . So far, the county has spent $26 million on recovery efforts, according to its spend tracking dashboard at buncombenc.gov/648/Helene-Spend-Tracking-Dashboard .

The temporary office will manage the county’s recovery plan, oversee projects, manage contracts and collaborate with state and federal partners like North Carolina Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It will likely be in place for an initial f

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