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.
Fact vs. Rumor
There are many false reports and misinformation being shared on social media about the response to Hurricane Helene. Do your part to stop the spread of rumors.
Read more
Best Ways to Donate
The best way to help Western North Carolina recover is with a monetary donation but those who wish to volunteer their time can register with an accredited NC VOAD.
Learn More
Donate to the Disaster Relief Fund
Contributions help with the unmet needs of hurricane victims.
DonateExecutive Orders
- 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
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
- 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.
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, 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
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
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 |
Resources:
Press Release (Sept. 30) - SBA Launches Disaster Assistance for North Carolina Residents and Businesses Impacted by Tropical Storm Helene English | Spanish
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 | Spanish
Disaster Loan Fact Sheet - English | Spanish
SBA Disaster Assistance North Carolina Portal
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.