Hurricane Helene
The purpose of this page is to provide information and resources to North Carolina residents and visitors who were impacted by Hurricane Helene. Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hereby gives notice to the public of its intent to provide financial assistance to the State of North Carolina, local and Indian tribal governments, and private nonprofit organizations under major disaster declaration FEMA-4827-DR-NC.
FEMA Extends Deadline to Apply for Helene Assistance
Homeowners and renters in the eligible 39 counties in Western North Carolina looking to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance after Tropical Storm Helene has been extended to Jan. 7, 2025. Individual Assistance includes financial assistance for serious needs, displacement, basic home repairs, personal property losses and other uninsured or underinsured disaster-caused expenses.
Disaster survivors who have not yet applied for FEMA assistance should apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, which is the quickest way to apply. Survivors can also apply using the FEMA App on mobile devices or call the FEMA Helpline toll-free at 800-621-3362. The Helpline is open every day, and help is available in most languages. Those who use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, should give the FEMA representative their number for that service. To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.
Disaster Assistance
Individual Assistance
FEMA disaster assistance may provide funds to homeowners and renters for serious needs, basic home repair, rental of temporary housing and other uninsured expenses resulting from Tropical Storm Helene. FEMA assistance is not a replacement for insurance.
Housing Assistance
- Home Repair or Replacement: Money to help you repair or replace your home damaged by the disaster. For example, this may include addressing mold caused by the disaster, money to repair or replace damaged wells, septic systems or privately owned roads and bridges, or money for hazard mitigation measures. The money can also help with preexisting damage to parts of your home where the disaster caused further damage.
- Accessibility Needs: Money to help those with a disability with specific repairs to make sure their home is accessible, such as an exterior ramp, grab bars and paved path to the home entrance. Repairs can be made when these items are damaged. Improvements can be made when those features were not present prior to the disaster, and they are needed due to a pre-existing disability, or a disability caused by the disaster.
- Privately-owned Roads, Bridges, Docks: Money for people whose only access to their home has been damaged by the disaster.
- Rental Assistance: Money you can use to rent housing if you are displaced from your home because of the disaster.
- Hazard Mitigation: Homeowners may receive additional funds for specific mitigation measures, such as roof repair to withstand higher wind gusts, based on the cause and amount of damage to their home. Additional funds will be provided within the award amount for homeowners determined eligible for Home Repair assistance.
Other Needs Assistance
- Serious Needs: Money to help you pay for lifesaving and life-sustaining items, including water, food, first aid, prescriptions, infant formula, breastfeeding supplies, diapers, consumable medical supplies, durable medical equipment, personal hygiene items and fuel for transportation.
- Displacement: Money to help with immediate housing needs if you cannot return to your home because of the disaster. The money can be used to stay in a hotel, with family and friends or for other options while you look for temporary housing. Learn more at fema.gov/disaster/4827 October 2024 2 FEMA Fact Sheet - FEMA Assistance for North Carolinians
- Personal Property: Money to help you repair or replace appliances, room furnishings, a personal or family computer damaged by the disaster, books, uniforms, tools, additional computers and other items required for school or work, including self-employment.
- Medical/Dental: Money to help you pay for medical expenses because the disaster caused an injury or illness. This money can also be used to help replace medical/dental equipment, breastfeeding equipment, or prescribed medicine damaged or lost because of the disaster.
- Funeral: Money to help you pay for funeral or reburial expenses caused by the disaster.
- Child Care: Money to help you pay for increased or new childcare expenses caused by the disaster.
Assistance for Miscellaneous Items: Money to help you pay for specific items that you purchased or rented after the disaster to assist with recovery. The miscellaneous items may be used for gaining access to your property or for cleaning efforts caused by the disaster. - Transportation: Money to help you repair or replace a vehicle damaged by the disaster when you don’t have another vehicle you can use.
- Moving and Storage Expenses: Money to help you move and store personal property from your home to prevent additional damage, usually while you are making repairs to your home or moving to a new place due to the disaster.
- Group Flood Insurance Policy: If your home is in a Special Flood Hazard Area and you have flood damage caused by the disaster, FEMA may purchase a Group Flood Insurance Policy on your behalf that gives you three years of coverage.
To Apply to FEMA, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA App or call 800-621-3362.
Start the application process in the:
- FEMA app
- Online: disasterassistance.gov
- Phone: 800-621-3362 (Open seven days a week from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.)
Need help or have questions about applying? AskAI email is available for general questions or comments about FEMA assistance.
Please note: FEMA representatives may call from unfamiliar area codes and phone numbers or show SPAM or no caller ID. It is important to answer the call.
Other Assistance
NC Small Business Disaster Recovery Guide
Business owners in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties and The Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians in North Carolina are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs): Cabarrus, Cherokee, Graham, Iredell, Surry, Union, and Yadkin.
Applicants may also call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
Where to meet with SBA Customer Service Representatives
Customer Service Representatives from the SBA are at every FEMA Disaster Recovery Center. In addition, the SBA has established three Centers in North Carolina where survivors can get help with their SBA disaster loan application. SBA’s Customer Service Representatives can answer questions, help survivors complete their disaster loan application, accept documents, and provide updates on an application’s status. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an appointment in advance. The hours of operation for the SBA Centers are as follows:
| Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) Mecklenburg County U.S. Small Business Administration District Office 6302 Fairview Road Suite 300 Charlotte, NC 28210 Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed: Saturday and Sunday |
| Business Recovery Center (BRC) Buncombe County Asheville Chamber of Commerce 36 Montford Avenue Asheville, NC 28801 Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed: Sunday |
| Business Recovery Center (BRC) Watauga County Appalachian Enterprise Center 130 Poplar Grove Connector Boone, NC 28607 Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed: Sunday |
Business Recovery Center (BRC) Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
Business Recovery Center (BRC) Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
Resources:
Press Release (Sept. 30) - SBA Launches Disaster Assistance for North Carolina Residents and Businesses Impacted by Tropical Storm Helene English | En español
Press Release (Oct. 4) - SBA Launches Recovery Centers for Hurricane Helene Survivors: Help for the Displaced and Hard-Hit - English
Press Release (Oct. 7) - SBA Adds Counties in North Carolina for Businesses and Residents Impacted by Tropical Storm Helene - English | En español
Disaster Loan Fact Sheet - English | En español
SBA Disaster Assistance North Carolina Portal
FEMA’s Public Assistance Program provides supplemental grants to state, tribal, territorial, and local governments, and certain types of private non-profits so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies.
After an event like a hurricane, tornado, earthquake or wildfire, communities need help to cover their costs for debris removal, life-saving emergency protective measures, and restoring public infrastructure.
Resources
FEMA - Public Assistance full eligibility details and requirements (En español)
Top 10 Procurement under Grants Mistakes
FEMA - Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation Greensheet
Tropical Storm Debby Applicant Briefing
NCDOT Disaster Relief Debris Removal
Tropical Storm Helene Applicant Briefing
The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is a FEMA-funded program designed to reduce or eliminate future damages and loss for homeowners and local governments. This includes home elevations and property buy-outs as well as infrastructure improvements and protection for local governments.
- Open Shelters
- Emergency Declarations (En español)
- NCSBE: Helene Recovery and Voting
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance (En español)
- Legal Aid of North Carolina has set up a toll-free legal aid hotline at 866-219-5262.
FEMA:
- Disaster Recovery Center locations (En español)
- Individual Assistance: Get started on FEMA's website or call 800-621-3362
- FEMA: How to replace lost documents in North Carolina (En español)
- Don’t Wait to Clean Up or Make Repairs (En español)
Health and Wellness:
- NCDHHS: Replacement benefits available for Food and Nutrition Services recipients
- Emergency Prescription Assistance Program for uninsured North Carolina residents. Call the EPAP hotline, 855-793-7470 (TTY 1-800-876-1089).
- Laundry Services: TIDE Loads of Hope Laundry Truck are up in running in three locations. These facilities will operate 10 am – 4 pm daily, or until daily capacity is reached.
Locations:- Home Depot Hendersonville (401 Linda Vista Dr, Hendersonville, NC 28792) – TLOH laundry trailer
- Sams Club Hendersonville (300 Highlands Square Dr, Hendersonville, NC 28792) – shower trailer
- Excel College in Black Mountain (12 Florida Ave Black Mountain, NC 28711) – TLOH laundry trailer and shower trailer
IRS Resources:
- Disaster relief for Hurricane Helene: The IRS offers disaster tax relief for all individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Helene.
- Tax relief in disaster situations: Resources to help affected taxpayers after a disaster.
- Reconstructing records after a natural disaster or casualty loss: Help for people who need to reconstruct their financial records after a disaster.
- Frequently asked questions for disaster victims.
- Fact Sheets:
DSNAP Approved for Hurricane-Impacted Counties in NC
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has received approval to implement the first phase of the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) in 25 western NC counties and the Eastern Band of the Cherokee households who reside in the 28719 zip code. We estimate more than 150,000 people in western NC will apply for up to a combined $120 million in benefits, but the window to apply is short, and we need your help making sure people who may be eligible know about D-SNAP and apply.
Phase 1 of D-SNAP begins on Friday, October 18 and the application period closes on Thursday, October 24.
Eligible households will receive a one-time benefit on a debit-like card (called an Electronic Benefits Transfer, or EBT card) to help buy food. The exact amount will depend on household size, income and estimated losses. The benefits are good for up to nine months.
To be eligible for D-SNAP, a person must:
- Live in one of 25 counties in western NC (Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey Counties) or Eastern Band of Cherokee households living in zip code 28719.
- Have suffered losses/damages related to Hurricane Helene, such as damage to property or loss of income.
- Have proof of identity and proof of residency (if available).
- Have income and resources below certain levels.
- Not currently receive benefits through the Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) program. People receiving FNS can also get extra help buying food, but do not need to fill out a D-SNAP application. They can get more information about how to get the extra help on the FNS webpage.
People are encouraged to apply for D-SNAP by phone at the D-SNAP Virtual Call Center at 1-844-453-1117 or complete a pre-registration online using the ePASS Pre-Registration Tool, which will open on Oct. 15 for pre-registration and close on Oct. 24. Once applicants complete the pre-registration, applicants will be issued a confirmation number and will need to call 1-844-453-1117 between Oct. 18 through Oct. 24 to complete the interview part of the application. People can also apply at a D-SNAP location in their county. For a full list of places to apply and for more details, visit www.ncdhhs.gov/dsnap. Please note if you live on the Qualla Boundary in the 28719 zip code and you wish to apply in person, DSNAP applications are being taken on the Qualla Boundary at 1526 Acquoni Road, Cherokee, NC 28719.
Residents will be notified if they have been approved within three days of their application and will be able to pick up their EBT card in person at any of the D-SNAP locations or have their card mailed to them overnight at the address they list in the application.
Residents are encouraged to apply for D-SNAP by phone by calling on their assigned day by last name.
- 10/18 – A-G
- 10/19 – H-M
- 10/20 – N-S
- 10/21 – T-Z
- 10/22 – Open to all
- 10/23 – Open to all
- 10/24 – Open to all
NCDHHS is working with USDA on adding two additional counties through phase two of the D-SNAP implementation at a later date. Once we get that approval, we will share additional information.
- Guidelines for cleaning safely after a disaster (En español)
- Debris Cleanup Guidelines (En español)
- Muck and Gut Guide
- Duke Energy - Flooding and Electrical Safety
- Keeping Your Family Safe: Propane Safety Check (En español)
- Heat your home safely - Carbon Monoxide safety tips (En español)
- Safely clean up trees after a storm - video
- NC Forest Service outdoor fire safety tips. Burn permits have been waived for 21 counties until further notice. NOTE - This waiver does not apply to permits required by other agencies, including the N.C. Division of Air Quality or a local fire marshal’s office.
- NCDHHS Fact Sheets
- After the flood (English | Spanish)
- Mental Health (English | Spanish)
- Mold Cleanup (English | Spanish)
- Restaurant Emergency Operations (English | Spanish)
- Safe Water (English | Spanish)
- Septic Repairs (English | Spanish)
- Well Disinfection (English | Spanish)
- Sewage Exposure (English | Spanish)
- Feeding Infants in a Disaster (English | Spanish)
USGS Hurricane Helene 2024 Landslide Observations
This landslide inventory is based on an emergency analysis of the currently available, post-hurricane satellite imagery, and field collection. As a large quantity of images were utilized in the rapid mapping effort, a formal and systematic assessment on the positional accuracy of the data has yet to be completed. There are limitations to performing a hazard analysis remotely, and thus, further investigation and monitoring would be beneficial to accurately determine the threats posed by the mapped landslides.
USGS North Carolina Hurricane Helene Landslide Information
This landslide event page serves as an event summary to communicate timely science information to our partners. This information includes what is currently understood about the event and ongoing activities of the USGS and partner agencies and maybe be subject to change.
Additional Resources
Be Prepared for a Landslide - Info Sheet
USGS - Landslide Preparedness
- EO 315 - Declaration of a Statewide State of Emergency and Temporary Waiver and Suspension of Motor Vehicle Regulations
- EO 316 - Permitting Use, Sale and Distribution of Certain Non-Highway Diesel Fuels in Support of Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts
- EO 317 - NC Human Resources Needs Support
- EO 318 - NC Health and Human Services Support
- EO 319 - Support Child Care and Health Care Needs During Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts
- EO 320 - Water System and Environmental Needs
- EO 322 - Providing Unemployment Insurance Relief for North Carolinians Impacted by Hurricane Helene
- EO 323 - Division of Motor Vehicle Support
The counties in the disaster declaration are Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey Counties as well as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. As response operations and eligible damages dictate, North Carolina may be able to add additional counties or programs as assessments move forward.
More Information:
Read the declaration summary
FEMA - How a disaster gets declared
(Update Oct. 18) More counties eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance
Homeowners and renters in Cabarrus, Cherokee, Forsyth, Graham, Iredell, Lee, Nash, Rowan, Stanly, Surry, Union and Yadkin counties who had uninsured damage or losses caused by Tropical Storm Helene are now eligible to apply for FEMA disaster assistance.
Donations
Other ways to donate or volunteer
- VolunteerNC Disaster Volunteer Opportunities
- Feeding Assistance
- Donate to a VOAD
- NC 2-1-1 Volunteer List
Read our recommendations on the best ways you can donate in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
Statewide Resources
State Agency Updates
- All North Carolina state parks west of Interstate 77 are closed through at least Oct. 31. These parks include Chimney Rock, Crowders Mountain, Elk Knob, Gorges, Grandfather Mountain, Lake James, Lake Norman, Mount Mitchell, New River, South Mountains, and Stone Mountains state parks, as well as Mount Jefferson State Natural Area and Rendezvous Mountain. More information can be found at dncr.nc.gov.
- Over 2,000 NCDOT employees are responding to the crisis in Western North Carolina. More than 670 roads have been reopened, including sections of Interstate 40 near Old Fort and downtown Asheville, as well as I-26 in Henderson and Polk counties, providing much-needed relief to residents and businesses. However, challenges remain, with many road closures still in effect. NCDOT staff are nearing completion of preliminary damage assessments to inform ongoing recovery efforts. Read more at ncdot.gov.
- Attorney General Josh Stein announced that the NC Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Division phone line is open for people to report price gouging or other Helene-related concerns. Report by calling 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or go to www.ncdoj.gov/pricegouging.
- NC Department of Environmental Quality advises those participating in cleanup activities to be cautious due to environmental hazards, including risks from drinking water and flood waters. Cleanup efforts must also adhere to regulations to ensure contamination is not spread. Learn more.
- NC Forest Service has resources for landowners in less impacted areas that have broken or fallen limbs, downed trees and debris to remove.
- Information and resources for farms and agribusinesses can be accessed through the NC Department of Agriculture Emergency Programs page.
Storm Support Numbers
Report Price Gouging
Call 1-877-5-NO-SCAM
A complaint can also be filed online.
Call 211
1-888-892-1162
For shelters, food assistance, welfare checks and additional storm recovery help.
Disaster Distress Helpline
Call or text 1-800-985-5990
Español: Llama o envía un mensaje de texto 1-800-985-5990 presiona “2.”
NC Farm Help Line
Call or text 844-325-3276
Support available 24/7