Government and local assistance is available for those affected by Hurricane Helene. Here’s how to access help:

FEDERAL

FEMA Assistance for Damaged Wells and Septic Systems:

FEMA is providing Individual Assistance funds, housing, and basic needs. You can apply for assistance through Disaster Assistance or call 1-800-621-3362. A 24/7 helpline that provides immediate crisis counseling for people experiencing emotional distress related to natural disasters. Find out more here.

STATE

• North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NC DPS)

Coordinates state efforts, including search and rescue, shelter operations, and food/water distribution points. Click here to learn more.

• North Carolina National Guard

Over 3,000 soldiers and airmen are assisting with rescue and recovery operations in affected areas. Learn more about their work here.

• North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS)

NCDHHS provides crisis counseling and support services, especially during large-scale disasters like hurricanes. Their resources include local counseling referrals and access to mental health professionals. Find out more here.

LOCAL

• Swain County Emergency Services

Providing Citizens With 24 Hour a Day Emergency Assistance. Click here to learn more.

• Macon County Emergency Management

Macon County Emergency Services is the agency dedicated to ensuring the appropriate and efficient response to emergencies throughout the county operating twenty-four hours a day, year round. Learn more.

• Haywood County Emergency Management

Haywood County Emergency Management is the County’s point of contact with North Carolina Emergency Management with regards to disaster planning, preparation, response, and recovery. They are merely the coordinator of all resources before, during, and after a disaster. Find out more here.

• Jackson County Emergency Management

The Jackson County Emergency Management Office is part of the County Government who are to assist the citizens of Jackson County before, during, and after any type of major emergency or disaster event. Emergency Management is responsible for coordinating, planning, and administering the countywide emergency management program which involves mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Click here to learn more. 

• Department of Emergency Services of Buncombe County

The Department of Emergency Services of Buncombe County takes pride in serving the needs of the residents and visitors of the county. Learn more about their work here.

LOCAL/NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

• Manna FoodBank (Asheville)

Distributing food, water, and hygiene items. Donations are accepted through their website. Donate here.

• BeLoved Asheville

Distributing supplies like food, bottled water, and hygiene items. They need both donations and volunteers (truck drivers especially). You can donate via Venmo (@BeLoved-Asheville) or PayPal. Find out more here.

• Haywood Christian Ministry

Provides food and emergency disaster assistance. Learn more about their work here.

• Diaper Bank of Asheville (Babies Need Bottoms)

Collecting wipes, diapers, and rash creams. They distribute through local partners, and donations can be made on their website.

• Wine to Water

Offering clean water filters and distributing food and supplies. They are also running a plastic recycling program to reduce single-use plastics. Find out more here.

• United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County

Offering a 2-1-1 hotline to connect residents to resources. Donations can be made on their website.

• American Red Cross

Offers mental health services as part of their disaster relief efforts. They provide licensed mental health professionals to help survivors cope with trauma, grief, and stress. Find out more here.

• The Salvation Army

Alongside their disaster response programs, The Salvation Army offers emotional and spiritual care for survivors, including mental health support. Click here to learn more.

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) North Carolina

NAMI provides support groups and helplines for individuals dealing with anxiety, PTSD, and depression after natural disasters. Find out more about their work here.

• Vaya Health

Vaya Health offers mental health, substance use, and crisis services for those in Western North Carolina. They are working with communities impacted by Hurricane Helene to provide additional mental health resources. Find out more here.

• Mountain Projects

Their Emergency Fund is the tool they use in situations like Hurricane Helene, and it is funded through donations. With this Fund, they work to meet the immediate needs of survivors, from food and shelter to clothing and transportation. Click here to learn more about how you can donate.

FACEBOOK GROUPS

• Hurricane Helene Airlift Relief

A grassroots group using helicopters to deliver essential supplies to isolated areas in Western North Carolina. They are coordinating on Facebook, where people can learn how to get involved.

• 828-Helene-Relief

They have been organizing volunteers and sending out teams to provide relief broadly. They are now focused in and around the Hendersonville area. Click here to learn more.

• Off the Beaten Path Helene Relief: Support for Remote Mountain Communities

Off the Beaten Path Helene Relief: Support for Remote Mountain Communities is a grassroots group dedicated to helping the small, often-overlooked mountain communities affected by recent flooding. Find out more here.

• BeLoved Asheville

Drop-off and staging updates are available on the organization’s social media pages.

INSURANCE COMPANIES

• North Carolina Department Of Insurance

They are coordinating with various insurers through “Insurance Camps” where people can directly engage with their providers for claim assistance. Find out more here.

• State Farm Helene and Milton disaster page

State Farm entered impacted areas just as soon as it was safe to do so and immediately deployed claim representatives and opened Catastrophe Customer Care sites across the states impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Click here to learn more about what they’re doing.

• Allstate Helene disaster page

Allstate is helping customers rebuild their lives and take the first steps toward recovery following Hurricane Helene. Their National Catastrophe Team is moving fast to get to their customers and the community as quickly as possible. Click here to learn more about what you can do.

• USAA claim page

Learn how to prepare for, stay safe during, and recover after natural disasters. Click here to report a claim.

• North Carolina Joint Underwriting Association & North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association

On September 30, 2024, in response to Tropical Storm Helene, Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey issued an order that allows a premium deferral for the following North Carolina counties:

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. The Disaster Declaration also applies to the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians of North Carolina.

Policyholders with properties located in the affected counties have the option of deferring the payment of premium due for that property up to sixty (60) days. 

Use the following link to process your request.

Safety & Recovery Tips

• Stay Informed:

Monitor local news, weather apps, and alerts from the National Weather Service to stay updated.

• Power Outages:

Report outages to your utility provider and stay away from downed power lines. For Duke Energy, call 1-800-769-3766 or report outages via their website.

How to Help

If you’re looking to support the relief efforts, here are some ways you can make a difference:

Donate to Relief Funds:

Support those affected by contributing to trusted organizations like:

American Red Cross Hurricane Relief

The North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund

GoFundMe Campaigns

Volunteer Your Time:

Join relief efforts on the ground. Visit Volunteer Match or contact local organizations for opportunities to assist in Western North Carolina.