Hurricane Helene Aftermath Updates and Resources
October 15, 2024 at 11:15 AM EDT
Our running list of resources — food and water distribution sites, services available, and ways to apply for disaster relief.
Please note: We are trying to keep this list current, and while deemed reliable, we cannot guarantee accuracy.
The information below applies to the greater impacted area. Here are links to specific county information as available.
Buncombe County
Haywood County
Henderson County
Madison County
Polk County
Transylvania County
Rutherford County
(828x1022, AR: 0.8101761252446184)
For now, Asheville street parking and parking in city-owned garages will remain free.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Dogwood Health Trust announced a second round of major philanthropic funding for Western North Carolina’s hurricane recovery and relief. The board of directors approved more than $20 million in additional funds for grants that help victims with legal help, housing, and other needs. Learn more at DogwoodTrust.org
____________________________________________________________________________________
Buncombe and Madison Counties: Asheville Habitat’s New Disaster Repairs Program Aims to Support Uninsured and Underinsured Homeowners with Storm-Related Damage
Low-income homeowners with storm-related damage who cannot afford repairs can apply. The Disaster Repair program aims to help low-income homeowners who are uninsured or underinsured. Disaster-related issues include trees, floods, roofs, hazards, and access.
Applications may be submitted on Asheville Habitat’s website here. Qualifying criteria for no-cost repairs include:
- Household income must be < 70% AMI (area medium income) based on your household size
- Damage must be storm-related
- Must live in Buncombe or Madison County
For questions about program requirements, call 828-251-5702.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Have you, or someone you know, lost an instrument due to Hurricane Helene? ReString Appalachia is an initiative from the music history podcast American Songcatcher, supported by over 100 of the leading roots musicians, festivals, venues, non-profits, actors, artists, and media outlets. The project aims to replace what was lost with the same or a comparable instrument, all completely free of charge. For those of you who have a high-quality instrument you'd like to donate, or would like to make a tax-exempt contribution to help with the shipping and acquisition of these instruments, please visit ReString Appalachia here.
(1151x1399, AR: 0.8227305218012866)
______________________________________________________________________________________
Haywood County: While highway 276 and NC 215 are reopened, travelers should be aware that these routes feature several one-lane sections and gravel patches. Please follow the instructions on the signage.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Yancey County: Hot showers and restrooms remain available, as well as Comfort Stations with supplies at the old Fred’s building and East Yancey Middle School from 7 am to 7 pm. Also, a boil water advisory remains in effect.
______________________________________________________________________________________
*A shelter in Yancey County remains open at Blue Ridge Elementary School.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
*A FEMA Disaster Recovery Center is now open at 2111 Asheville Highway in Hendersonville. A disaster recovery center is a temporary office that FEMA sets up after a disaster. Individuals can go there to meet with FEMA staff face-to-face and apply for federal assistance. The Hendersonville Center will be open daily from 8 to 7 with NO appointment is necessary.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Disaster Relief and Recovery Funding — Grant ResourcesThe devastation of Hurricane Helene will continue to challenge Western North Carolina, requiring both short- and long-term responses. A significant part of recovery will involve obtaining grant funding and loans to aid in the rebuilding process and meet the additional needs of the community. Innovative Funding Partners (IFP), with a long-standing relationship with this region, is committed to helping Western North Carolina recover. Many nonprofit leaders are currently facing questions about how to guide their organizations through this difficult time and access the resources available to aid their recovery. To support this need, IFP has assembled this grants resource guide containing funding opportunities to assist local organizations’ disaster relief and recovery efforts.
If you have questions about these grant opportunities, feel free to email Innovative Funding Partners at leadership@innovativefundingpartners.com.
Disaster Recovery Grant Resource Guide - Updated 10/15/24
______________________________________________________________________________________
FEMA Assistance
While various locations are in place across Western NC to meet with FEMA representatives face-to-face, they remind you that your fastest option, if possible, is doing so online. The site is DisasterAssistance.Gov.
FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers:
A. C. Reynolds High School
1 Rocket Dr
Asheville, NC 28803
Buncombe County
Mitchell County Senior Center
152 Ledger School Road
BAKERSVILLE, NC 28705
MITCHELL County
Appalachian Enterprise Center
130 Poplar Grove Connector Road
BOONE, NC 28607
WATAUGA County
Caldwell County Health and Human Services Center
2345 Morganton Boulevard Southwest
LENOIR, NC 28645
CALDWELL County
McDowell County Senior Center
100 Spaulding Road
MARION, NC 28752
MCDOWELL County
Jackson County Annex Building
198 WBI Drive
SYLVA, NC 28779
JACKSON County
Blue Ridge Commons
2111 Asheville Highway
HENDERSONVILLE, NC 28791
HENDERSON County
The hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. - Monday through Sunday. More centers will be coming soon. Find a center nearest you at FEMA.Gov/DRC. Meet face-to-face with FEMA representatives and apply for assistance.
Homeowners and renters in 27 North Carolina counties and tribal members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians can visit any open center without an appointment.
FEMA locations in Rutherford County are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Lake Lure Baptist Church, Ingles in Lake Lure, Hwy 64-74A, The Rutherford County Library, Spindale, and Hanes Branch Library, US-221A, Henrietta.
The Polk County Courthouse is open from 8am-6pm for FEMA assistance and additional resources.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Mountain BizWorks Announces WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund The WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund was created to provide rapid recovery loans to small businesses suffering economic losses related to the impacts of Tropical Storm Helene. The fund is administered by Mountain BizWorks and made possible with support from The Golden LEAF Foundation, and an expanding list of other partners.
The WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund helps small businesses close the gap between when the disaster strikes and when federal loans, insurance payouts, and other disaster relief funds are approved, or businesses have time to recover and get back to business. Info about how to apply can be found here.
Transylvania Tomorrow - Small Business Emergency Relief Fund to support the small business community in Transylvania County. To donate or apply, visit BrevardNC.org and look for Transylvania Tomorrow.
______________________________________________________________________________________
The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities continues to focus on the Hurricane Helene disaster. The state is holding daily emergency management calls focused on the disability community. Dial 211 for general help and to report a missing person.
Available shelters in Western NC are listed at ReadyNC.gov
Call 988 if you’re dealing with a personal crisis.
______________________________________________________________________________________
*Popular roads for fall foliage sightseeing including the Blue Ridge Parkway, Cataloochee Valley, US 276, and NC 215 are currently impassable or closed. Many secondary roads are blocked by mud and debris or are washed out. Please check DriveNC.gov for regular updates on safe, clear routes.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Atrium Health’s Med-1 Mobile Hospital, located at the roundabout of the Tryon Equestrian Center, is FREE for anyone who needs medical care, access to prescriptions, and more. Open 24/7.
______________________________________________________________________________________
(From Food Bank NC) Emergency food assistance stations are providing meals, nonperishable food, water, and basic necessities to local residents. Locations include…
______________________________________________________________________________________
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services continues supplying food, water, and baby formula to impacted areas in Western North Carolina. That includes over 30,000 gallons of water to Mitchell County and 25,000 to Yancey County.
______________________________________________________________________________________
North Carolina Emergency Management and local officials caution the public about false Helene reports and misinformation being shared on social media. A fact versus rumor response webpage has been launched to provide factual information at NCDPS dot gov. FEMA also has a rumor response webpage .
______________________________________________________________________________________
The NC Arts Council has Emergency Grants available to Western NC artists that cover a variety of areas from loss of employment, loss of homes & studios, and pro bono legal services.
1.DUA - Disaster Unemployment Assistance
2. CERF & Craft Artists Emergency Relief Grants
3. MusiCares Disaster Grant Request
4. Pro Bono Legal Services
Links to these programs may be found at https://artsnc.org/arts-emergency-resources/
______________________________________________________________________________________
Residents in Western North Carolina who need animal assistance can contact the North Carolina Animals Hotline at 888-808-0810 or submit a request form at ASPCA.org/NCanimalhelp. The hotline is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.
If you have lost instruments or gear due to the hurricane, please send an email to ashevillemusicprofessionals@gmail.com. They are working on getting donations of instruments and gear.
______________________________________________________________________________________
The information below applies to the greater impacted area. Here are links to specific county information as available.
Buncombe County
Haywood County
Henderson County
Madison County
Polk County
Transylvania County
Rutherford County
(828x1022, AR: 0.8101761252446184)
For now, Asheville street parking and parking in city-owned garages will remain free.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Dogwood Health Trust announced a second round of major philanthropic funding for Western North Carolina’s hurricane recovery and relief. The board of directors approved more than $20 million in additional funds for grants that help victims with legal help, housing, and other needs. Learn more at DogwoodTrust.org
____________________________________________________________________________________
Buncombe and Madison Counties: Asheville Habitat’s New Disaster Repairs Program Aims to Support Uninsured and Underinsured Homeowners with Storm-Related Damage
Low-income homeowners with storm-related damage who cannot afford repairs can apply. The Disaster Repair program aims to help low-income homeowners who are uninsured or underinsured. Disaster-related issues include trees, floods, roofs, hazards, and access.
Applications may be submitted on Asheville Habitat’s website here. Qualifying criteria for no-cost repairs include:
- Household income must be < 70% AMI (area medium income) based on your household size
- Damage must be storm-related
- Must live in Buncombe or Madison County
For questions about program requirements, call 828-251-5702.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Have you, or someone you know, lost an instrument due to Hurricane Helene? ReString Appalachia is an initiative from the music history podcast American Songcatcher, supported by over 100 of the leading roots musicians, festivals, venues, non-profits, actors, artists, and media outlets. The project aims to replace what was lost with the same or a comparable instrument, all completely free of charge. For those of you who have a high-quality instrument you'd like to donate, or would like to make a tax-exempt contribution to help with the shipping and acquisition of these instruments, please visit ReString Appalachia here.
(1151x1399, AR: 0.8227305218012866)
______________________________________________________________________________________
Haywood County: While highway 276 and NC 215 are reopened, travelers should be aware that these routes feature several one-lane sections and gravel patches. Please follow the instructions on the signage.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Yancey County: Hot showers and restrooms remain available, as well as Comfort Stations with supplies at the old Fred’s building and East Yancey Middle School from 7 am to 7 pm. Also, a boil water advisory remains in effect.
______________________________________________________________________________________
*A shelter in Yancey County remains open at Blue Ridge Elementary School.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
*A FEMA Disaster Recovery Center is now open at 2111 Asheville Highway in Hendersonville. A disaster recovery center is a temporary office that FEMA sets up after a disaster. Individuals can go there to meet with FEMA staff face-to-face and apply for federal assistance. The Hendersonville Center will be open daily from 8 to 7 with NO appointment is necessary.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Disaster Relief and Recovery Funding — Grant ResourcesThe devastation of Hurricane Helene will continue to challenge Western North Carolina, requiring both short- and long-term responses. A significant part of recovery will involve obtaining grant funding and loans to aid in the rebuilding process and meet the additional needs of the community. Innovative Funding Partners (IFP), with a long-standing relationship with this region, is committed to helping Western North Carolina recover. Many nonprofit leaders are currently facing questions about how to guide their organizations through this difficult time and access the resources available to aid their recovery. To support this need, IFP has assembled this grants resource guide containing funding opportunities to assist local organizations’ disaster relief and recovery efforts.
If you have questions about these grant opportunities, feel free to email Innovative Funding Partners at leadership@innovativefundingpartners.com.
Disaster Recovery Grant Resource Guide - Updated 10/15/24
______________________________________________________________________________________
FEMA Assistance
While various locations are in place across Western NC to meet with FEMA representatives face-to-face, they remind you that your fastest option, if possible, is doing so online. The site is DisasterAssistance.Gov.
FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers:
A. C. Reynolds High School
1 Rocket Dr
Asheville, NC 28803
Buncombe County
Mitchell County Senior Center
152 Ledger School Road
BAKERSVILLE, NC 28705
MITCHELL County
Appalachian Enterprise Center
130 Poplar Grove Connector Road
BOONE, NC 28607
WATAUGA County
Caldwell County Health and Human Services Center
2345 Morganton Boulevard Southwest
LENOIR, NC 28645
CALDWELL County
McDowell County Senior Center
100 Spaulding Road
MARION, NC 28752
MCDOWELL County
Jackson County Annex Building
198 WBI Drive
SYLVA, NC 28779
JACKSON County
Blue Ridge Commons
2111 Asheville Highway
HENDERSONVILLE, NC 28791
HENDERSON County
The hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. - Monday through Sunday. More centers will be coming soon. Find a center nearest you at FEMA.Gov/DRC. Meet face-to-face with FEMA representatives and apply for assistance.
Homeowners and renters in 27 North Carolina counties and tribal members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians can visit any open center without an appointment.
FEMA locations in Rutherford County are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Lake Lure Baptist Church, Ingles in Lake Lure, Hwy 64-74A, The Rutherford County Library, Spindale, and Hanes Branch Library, US-221A, Henrietta.
The Polk County Courthouse is open from 8am-6pm for FEMA assistance and additional resources.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Mountain BizWorks Announces WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund The WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund was created to provide rapid recovery loans to small businesses suffering economic losses related to the impacts of Tropical Storm Helene. The fund is administered by Mountain BizWorks and made possible with support from The Golden LEAF Foundation, and an expanding list of other partners.
The WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund helps small businesses close the gap between when the disaster strikes and when federal loans, insurance payouts, and other disaster relief funds are approved, or businesses have time to recover and get back to business. Info about how to apply can be found here.
Transylvania Tomorrow - Small Business Emergency Relief Fund to support the small business community in Transylvania County. To donate or apply, visit BrevardNC.org and look for Transylvania Tomorrow.
______________________________________________________________________________________
The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities continues to focus on the Hurricane Helene disaster. The state is holding daily emergency management calls focused on the disability community. Dial 211 for general help and to report a missing person.
Available shelters in Western NC are listed at ReadyNC.gov
Call 988 if you’re dealing with a personal crisis.
______________________________________________________________________________________
*Popular roads for fall foliage sightseeing including the Blue Ridge Parkway, Cataloochee Valley, US 276, and NC 215 are currently impassable or closed. Many secondary roads are blocked by mud and debris or are washed out. Please check DriveNC.gov for regular updates on safe, clear routes.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Atrium Health’s Med-1 Mobile Hospital, located at the roundabout of the Tryon Equestrian Center, is FREE for anyone who needs medical care, access to prescriptions, and more. Open 24/7.
______________________________________________________________________________________
(From Food Bank NC) Emergency food assistance stations are providing meals, nonperishable food, water, and basic necessities to local residents. Locations include…
- Ashe County – Westwood Elementary School, Mountain View Elementary School
- Buncombe County – UNC-Asheville, Asheville Buncombe Tech Ferguson, WNC Ag. Center, Asheville-Buncombe Tech Conference Center, Biltmore Baptist Church, The Greens at Weaverville, Fletcher Nursing and Rehabilitation.
- Catawba County – Catawba Valley Community College
- Henderson County – First Baptist Church Hendersonville, Greens at Hendersonville
- Madison County – Madison County Cooperative Extension Service
- McDowell County – Nebo Crossing Church, Grace Community Church
- Mitchell County – First Baptist Spruce Pine
- Polk County – Polk County High School
- Watauga County – Cove Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Zionville Volunteer Fire Dept, Foscoe Christian Church, Watauga EOC, Holmes Convocation Center, Meat Camp Road, The Town of Boone Police Dept. and First Baptist Church-Boone.
______________________________________________________________________________________
- Beloved Asheville is storing essential supplies and coordinating volunteer drivers for delivery across the community
- Wine to Water, an international disaster relief organization known for its expertise in water purification, is conducting training on water safety and establishing water systems at the site
- North Carolina Highway Patrol is storing vital supplies to support their troopers actively engaged in relief operations
- Flush AVL is storing totes of water
- Curate is storing meat
- Urban Orchard is storing cider
______________________________________________________________________________________
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services continues supplying food, water, and baby formula to impacted areas in Western North Carolina. That includes over 30,000 gallons of water to Mitchell County and 25,000 to Yancey County.
______________________________________________________________________________________
North Carolina Emergency Management and local officials caution the public about false Helene reports and misinformation being shared on social media. A fact versus rumor response webpage has been launched to provide factual information at NCDPS dot gov. FEMA also has a rumor response webpage .
______________________________________________________________________________________
The NC Arts Council has Emergency Grants available to Western NC artists that cover a variety of areas from loss of employment, loss of homes & studios, and pro bono legal services.
1.DUA - Disaster Unemployment Assistance
2. CERF & Craft Artists Emergency Relief Grants
3. MusiCares Disaster Grant Request
4. Pro Bono Legal Services
Links to these programs may be found at https://artsnc.org/arts-emergency-resources/
______________________________________________________________________________________
Residents in Western North Carolina who need animal assistance can contact the North Carolina Animals Hotline at 888-808-0810 or submit a request form at ASPCA.org/NCanimalhelp. The hotline is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.
If you have lost instruments or gear due to the hurricane, please send an email to ashevillemusicprofessionals@gmail.com. They are working on getting donations of instruments and gear.
______________________________________________________________________________________