Helene recovery resources Oct. 11

From Asheville City Councilwoman Maggie Ullman:

I can’t get over the rapid responses to assistance requests! So much movement in the last 24 hours alone means you’ll be seeing many changes in today’s informative guide. The number of areas all getting specific attention is testament to the power of the human spirit. It’s incredible how even the smallest moves foward can mean more than you could possibly imagine when life’s been feeling as though it’s at a standstill. With each passing day, Asheville is rising. I can’t remember a time of ever feeling so proud! I know it doesn’t always feel this way, but…we got this!! We truly do!

Yesterday, my colleagues and I spent the day in Raleigh at the North Carolina General Assembly. Our morning began with an emergency briefing with Governor Cooper, FEMA, The National Guard, and The Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kody Kinsley. 1600 personnel from over 35 states are mobilized and continuing rescue efforts in Helene’s aftermath. 3500 national guard soldiers are deployed in the area, and 31 aircrafts are based in Asheville, Salisbury, and Greenville to distribute supplies. FEMA is exploring creative housing solutions, such as bringing travel trailers in for housing and respite for those displaced by the storm. We are making progress restoring cell service, water, and power. For those who don’t yet have those services restored, it’s because there is extensive damage that will require extensive repair. Federal, State, and local agencies are working around the clock in tandem with the private sector to restore essential services and continue the search and rescue efforts in our community.

Mid-day, my colleagues and I voted on an Emergency Relief package. The Disaster Recovery Act of 2024 (HB 149) passed the legislature with a preliminary $273 million relief package and extended the statewide declaration of emergency signed by Governor Cooper. We will return on October 24th to address a wider scope of needed regulatory changes and further relief. I added an amendment to the bill to include expanding the voter registration deadline, in addition to expanding the timeline for people to request absentee ballots, which unfortunately did not pass.

After votes, my colleague, Rep. Deb Butler (D-New Hanover) and I held a press conference to highlight the ongoing dangers that North Carolinians face due to climate change. From the mountains to the coast, this is an existential threat that we must confront. Western North Carolina was supposed to be a climate haven, but now with climate change and more extreme weather events, we know that nowhere that is safe. As your State House Representative, I hope this is the beginning of a larger conversation, about resilience, about building back better, and about confronting climate change head-on. If we don’t address the root causes, we are going to keep seeing these so-called thousand-year floods over and over again, and that’s something our community can’t afford. 

We have an incredible resource guide that is updated daily. You can read the full digest here. Hearing your feedback, we will continue to lift up the changing or new information in the beginning of this newsletter. We are working on getting this resource in both Spanish and Ukrainian. 

IMPORTANT/DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER-

Disaster Recovery Center opened Thursday, Oct. 10 in Asheville (Buncombe County) to assist North Carolina survivors who experienced losses. The site is located at A.C. Reynolds High School 1 Rocket Dr. Asheville, NC 28803

Open: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday through Sunday 

A Disaster Recovery Center is a one-stop shop where survivors can meet face-to-face with FEMA representatives, apply for FEMA assistance, receive referrals to local assistance in their area, apply with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for low-interest disaster loans and much more.

FEMA financial assistance may include money for basic home repairs, personal property losses or other uninsured, disaster-related needs, such as childcare, transportation, medical needs, funeral or dental expenses.

A Comfort Care Center will also be available at this location where survivors can shower, do laundry and take advantage of other services.

Additional recovery centers will be opening soon. To find other center locations go to fema.gov/drc or text “DRC” and a Zip Code to 43362. All centers are accessible to people with disabilities or access and functional needs and are equipped with assistive technology.  

IMPORTANT/VOTING-We want to be sure you have all pertinent information about voting in Buncombe County. You can view the guide here. Persons who are not registered in a county may register to vote during early voting. This process is called “Same-Day Registration.”

IMPORTANT-/TRASH DROP OFF–Tomorrow, October 11th, there will be a household trash drop off site tomorrow, Friday October 11th at 734 Clarks Chapel Road. Weaverville, NC 28787. Please do not bring tree or recovery debris. At this time, storm debris on private property can be piled out of the road until a collection schedule is established.

IMPORTANT/FOOD AND NUTRITION-People and families enrolled in the Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) program can use benefits to purchase hot food. You can read more information here. 

IMPORTANT/SCHOOL UPDATE–Before schools reopen, families are encouraged to keep their children reading, writing, and talking about their experiences. Due to the continued issues with connectivity in so many areas of the county, at this time, virtual learning will not be utilized. County Schools are closed but preparing to reopen, however there is no estimated date for reopening as of today. Families, teachers and support staff will receive at least a 72-hour notice prior to the return of class. While 42 of the 45 schools now have power, only 13 schools have water, due to the severity of damage to the City of Asheville water system. After exploring multiple scenarios, the current plan to safely open our schools as quickly as possible is bringing in portable restroom trailers with built in hand-washing stations. This comes with a large financial burden, especially in a large school system. Asheville City Schools are drilling wells on campuses in preparation for a return to school. No date is set, but the earliest classes will resume is October 28. On October 14, Asheville City Schools will host bridge learning from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; specific information was sent to families. 

Helene has been incredibly challenging for our community in ways that 12 days we couldn’t imagine. Our town is resilient, brave, and strong, and the reality is that it will take time to get back to some semblance of “normal.” Please be kind to yourself and each other during the days and weeks ahead. Tropical Storm Helene has been and continues to be a traumatic event for our community. If you need someone to talk to, call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990.