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.
Storm Support Numbers
Call 911
For life-threatening emergencies only.
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.”
Crisis Cleanup
Call (844) 965-1386
This hotline will remain open through Friday, October 11, 2024.
How can you help?
Donations can also be mailed to:
- NC Disaster Relief Fund, 20312 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-0312.
- Or NC Disaster Relief Fund, c/o United Way of NC, 1130 Kildaire Farm Road, Suite 100, Cary NC 27511.
Monetary Donations Are Needed Most At This Time. Please give to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund to help communities recover from Helene.
As of now, please refrain from sending physical donations or volunteers to western NC. If you or someone you know would like to volunteer, connect with an accredited organization.
Other ways to donate or volunteer
Do not self-deploy to western NC at this time. Help us keep critical supply lines open.
Disaster Assistance
North Carolina Receives Federal Major Disaster Declaration
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, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, 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.
Individual Assistance
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
Resources:
FEMA - Get Assistance After a Disaster
Assistance for Businesses
Business owners in Cleveland, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Polk, Rutherford and Transylvania counties can apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
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.
Resources:
Hurricane Helene News Releases
- An Unprecedented Response: State, Local and Federal Partners Surge Resources into Western NC Following Historic Damage from Hurricane Helene - Sept. 30
- Disaster Response Surges in Western North Carolina Following Hurricane Helene - Sept. 29
- North Carolina Receives Federal Major Disaster Declaration for North Carolina - Sept 29
- Rescues Completed, Emergency Supplies Rushed to Western North Carolina Communities Hit by Hurricane Helene - Sept 28
- Rescue Operations Ongoing Following Helene, Needed Supplies Coming to Western NC by Air - Sept 28
- Governor Cooper Requests a Major Disaster Declaration to Expedite Federal Aid for Tropical Storm Helene Recovery - Sept 27
- Hurricane Helene Continues to Bring Heavy Rain and Life-Threatening Flooding to Western NC - Sept 27
- Governor Cooper Warns of Danger as Catastrophic Hurricane Helene Impacts North Carolina - Sept 26
- Governor Cooper Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Hurricane Helene - Sept 25