HELP AFTER HELENE

State & Federal Response

  • On Sept. 28, the federal government declared that a major disaster exists in North Carolina, making federal assistance available to help individuals, families, and business owners impacted by Hurricane Helene.
  • Federal, state, 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. 
  • On October 6, 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 that were already deployed to support recovery efforts. 
  • Federal partners have delivered more than 9.36 million liters of water and more than 7.06 individual meals in North Carolina.
  • On October 13, Federal disaster assistance for Hurricane Helene survivors surpassed $474 million – including more than $86 million in housing and other types of assistance for NC survivors. 
  • Power is back on for 96% of residents 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 made $100 million in Emergency Relief funds available to help pay for immediate emergency road and bridge repair work resulting from flood damage.
  • 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. 
  • The NC General Assembly passed a bill on October 9 to provide $273 million in funding to recovery efforts. You can learn more about the legislation here.
  • NC received approval from the US Department of Labor for an initial grant of $10 million to provide jobs and training services in areas that were severely impacted by Hurricane Helene.
  • Three Disaster Recovery Centers are now open in Western NC: Caldwell, McDowell, and Buncombe. 
  • The EPA is testing 100 water systems per day to ensure they’re safe from contaminants.
  • 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?

  • Request crisis cleanup: (844) 965-1386
  • 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
    • National Organizations

  • Impacted Voter?