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.

Read the full notice

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?

Monetary Donations Are Needed Most At This Time. Please give to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund to help communities recover from Helene.

Donate Now

Other ways to donate or volunteer

Read our recommendations on the best ways you can donate in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

Coordinate any donation or volunteer efforts through an accredited organization.

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. 

Press Release

More Information:

Read the declaration summary

 FEMA - How a disaster gets declared

Individual Assistance

Start the application process in the:  

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

FEMA Housing Assistance

 Individual Assistance FAQs

 

Assistance for Businesses

Business owners in 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 and The Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians 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:

SBA Press Release - English  |  Spanish

Disaster Loan Fact Sheet - English  |  Spanish

SBA Launches Recovery Centers - English  

SBA Disaster Assistance North Carolina Portal

SBA - Disaster Assistance Info

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.
  • State transportation officials are urging people to avoid unnecessary travel in western North Carolina as about 390 roads, including areas along Interstate 40 and dozens of highways in the foothills and mountains, remain closed due to flooding, downed trees, landslides or catastrophic damage from Helene. 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.