State & Federal Response
- The federal government has declared a major disaster exists in the state of North Carolina, which means federal funding is available to individuals in 25 affected counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners.
- Federal government, state government, and municipal governments continue to come together to support those in need. With FEMA’s commitment to reimburse 100% of recovery expenses for six months, assistance will continue flowing to Western NC as communities rebuild.
- President Biden ordered an additional 500 troops to Western NC, joining 1,000 troops, 6,100 National Guardsmen, and more than 7,000 Federal personnel already deployed to support recovery efforts.
- More than $30.2 million in FEMA Individual Assistance funds have been paid so far to Western NC disaster survivors and more than 96,747 people have registered for Individual Assistance.
- Nearly 1,700 people are now housed in hotels through FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance. Federal partners have delivered more than 6.1 million liters of water and more than 4.1 individual meals in North Carolina to support both responders and people living in the affected communities.
- Power outages in the region have been reduced by 91% due to the work of 50,000 personnel from across the US and Canada, working around the clock to restore power to communities in need.
- The Department of Transportation recently announced the immediate availability of $100 million in Emergency Relief funds to help pay for the costs of immediate emergency road and bridge repair work resulting from Hurricane Helene flood damage.
- The North Carolina Air National Guard delivered an additional 80,000 pounds of food, water, and other critical supplies to Western NC, bringing the total aid to over 450,000 pounds.
- In a unanimous vote, the North Carolina State Board of Elections approved a series of emergency measures to enable victims of Hurricane Helene to vote in the 2024 election.
- In an effort to combat disinformation, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NCDPS) has created a Fact vs. Rumor page. Similar to the FEMA rumor response site, NCDPS is countering false narratives in real time.
Need Help?
- Apply for FEMA aid: Visit disasterassistance.gov, call 1-800-621-3362, or use the FEMA App
- Find emergency shelter: https://www.readync.gov/stay-informed/open-shelters
- Find your local food bank: Visit Feeding America or call Manna Food Bank at 1-800-820-1109
- Report a missing person: Call 211 or complete this form through United Way
- Request crisis cleanup: (844) 965-1386
- View road conditions: Call 511 or visit drivenc.gov/
- Report a power outage: 1-800-543-5599 or text "OUT" to 57801
- Report price gouging to the NCDOJ: 1-877-5-NO-SCAM
- Receive disaster distress counseling: Call or text 1-800-985-5990
- View the latest, most comprehensive list of resources: NCDPS
Want To Help?
- Local Organizations
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- Donate to Organizing Resilience’s Hurricane Relief efforts
- Donate to the State of NC’s Disaster Relief Fund
- Donate to NC Counts Coalition Collaborative Efforts for Hurricane Helene
- Donate to the food bank coalition serving Western NC
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- National Organizations
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- Donate to the American Red Cross
- The Red Cross is also organizing blood drives and seeking volunteers
- Donate to the Salvation Army
- Donate to United Way
- Donate to the American Red Cross
Impacted Voter?
- North Carolina State Board of Elections - Disaster Recovery