Press release from FEMA:
Coordinated Tropical Storm Response
FEMA has approved more than $37 million in housing and other types of assistance for over 28,000 North Carolina households.
Staffing: More than 1,000 FEMA staff are on the ground in North Carolina, with more arriving daily. Over 1,200 Urban Search and Rescue personnel are in North Carolina helping people, supporting over 3,200 survivors.
Sheltering and Feeding: Eighteen shelters are housing just under
800 occupants. Mobile feeding operations continue to help survivors in heavily affected areas, including nine Salvation Army Mobile Feeding Units and three mass feeding sites in Buncombe, McDowell and Watauga counties.
Power and Cellular Restoration: As of today, more than 86% of originally reported power outages have been restored. Nearly 8,000 crews continue to assist with remaining power restoration efforts. Approximately 137,516 customers are without power. Cellular restoration continues to improve, with less than 15% of cellular sites down as of today. Only two counties remain with 50% or more cell sites down. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has full mobile cellular service.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services activated the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) for North Carolina to aid uninsured residents in replacing prescription medicines or certain medical equipment lost or damaged in Hurricane Helene that impacted communities in the area.
Over 1,700 National Guard Bureau troops have deployed to North Carolina to support response and recovery efforts. To date, troops have delivered nearly one million pounds of food, water and other supplies.
There are also 1,500 active-duty service members now in western North Carolina communities to speed the delivery of life-saving resources to residents after Tropical Storm Helene.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ 249th Temporary Power team has installed seven generators on water and wastewater facilities.
Even More Resources Available
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits are now available in 25 North Carolina counties as well as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. File an application for Disaster Unemployment Assistance at des.nc.gov. The deadline to apply is December 2. If you need help or don’t have access to a computer, you may file over the phone by calling the DUA hotline 919-629-3857.
A toll-free legal aid hotline is now available for survivors of Tropical Storm Helene in North Carolina. Low-income survivors with disaster-related legal questions may call the disaster legal assistance hotline at 866-219-5262. For more information, visit www.ncbar.org.
North Carolinians May Be Eligible for Transitional Sheltering in Hotels
North Carolina survivors who cannot return home may be eligible to receive help from FEMA to find a safe and clean place to stay while they make their long-term housing plans. People do not need to request this assistance. FEMA will notify them of their eligibility through an automated phone call, text message, and/or email, depending upon the method of communication they selected at the time of application for disaster assistance.
How to Apply for FEMA Assistance
Homeowners and renters in 27 North Carolina counties and tribal members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians can apply for federal assistance in several ways:
- Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov,
- Use the FEMA App
- Or call 800-621-3362 any day of the week. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS),captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance, go to FEMA Accessible: Applying for Individual Assistance –YouTube.
Be Alert for Fraud After Tropical Storm Helene in North Carolina
North Carolinians should be aware that con artists and criminals may try to obtain money or steal personal information through fraud or identity theft after Tropical Storm Helene. Note that all FEMA employees wear official photo identification badges and will never charge applicants for disaster assistance. If you believe you are the victim of a scam, report it immediately to your local police or sheriff’s department or contact the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division or FEMA’s Hotline.
Assistance to Meet Your Unique Needs
Everyone’s journey to recovery is different, so FEMA is here to help with your unique situation. FEMA offers an upfront, flexible payment of $750 to help pay for essential items like food, water and other emergency supplies. There are other forms of assistance that you may qualify to receive once you apply for disaster assistance. You only need to apply with FEMA once.
What Kind of Help Can FEMA Provide?
FEMA assistance does not replace insurance and cannot restore your home to its pre-disaster condition. FEMA may be able to provide help for uninsured or underinsured costs. File your insurance claim, then apply to FEMA. FEMA’s disaster assistance offers new benefits for survivors that provide flexible funding, a simplified process and expanded eligibility for access to a wider range of assistance and funds for serious needs.
Questions About Your FEMA Letter
If you applied for federal assistance after Tropical Storm Helene, you will receive an eligibility letter from FEMA in the mail or by email. The letter will explain your application status and how to respond. Read the letter carefully because it will include the amount of any assistance FEMA may provide and information on the appropriate use of disaster assistance funds. If you have questions, or disagree with the initial decision, call FEMA at 800-621-3362 to find out what information FEMA needs.
Damaged Wells and Septic Systems
For private wells and septic systems, FEMA may reimburse you for the cost of a professional, licensed technician to visit your home and prepare an estimate detailing the necessary repairs or replacement of your disaster-damaged systems. FEMA may also pay for the actual repair or replacement cost of your septic system or well, which typically are not covered by homeowner’s insurance. At the time of your home inspection, let the FEMA inspector know you have a private well and/or septic system that may have been damaged by the hurricane.
Be Safe When Cleaning Up
Follow the direction of local authorities as you clean up. Be aware of safety concerns and separate debris for collection as instructed by local officials. Before cleaning up, make sure to document any property damage with photos and receipts. Use generators only outdoors and at least 20 feet from windows, doors, and attached garages. Make sure to keep the generator dry and protected from rain or flooding.
Low-Interest Disaster Loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofit organizations to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance and other sources. Apply online at SBA.gov/disaster. Disaster loan information and application forms can also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955.
Donations and Volunteering
Monetary donations are needed most. Please give to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund to help communities recover from Helene. If you or someone you know would like to volunteer, connect with an accredited organization.
Other ways to donate or volunteer:
- Volunteer NC Disaster Volunteer Opportunities
- Feeding Assistance
- Donate to a VOAD
- NC 2-1-1 Volunteer ListDo not self-deploy to western North Carolina. Help us keep critical supply lines open.
Additional Resources
- Have friends or family who are missing or unaccounted for? Text PERSON to 40403 to add your loved one to search and rescue efforts. Rescue efforts are ongoing and based on the severity of the need. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
- United Way’s NC 211 is an information and referral service that connects North Carolinians to verified resources for basic needs, such as housing and utility assistance, food, healthcare, transportation, and more. NC 211 is a multilingual and confidential service that provides health and human services information and referrals through a free statewide phone number (2-1-1 or 1-888-892-1162 if calling from an out-of-state area code) and website (www.nc211.org).
- Red Cross: 800-Red Cross
- Crisis Cleanup: 844-965-1386
- NC DPS: Emergency Management
- North Carolina Office of the Governor – NC Gov. Cooper
- North Carolina State and Local Level ReferralsFor the latest information about North Carolina’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4827. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.
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