RESOURCES

Staff
Nathan Ramsey
Executive Director

Erica Anderson
Deputy Executive Director

Helene Resources and Updates

IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE

Mental Health Support

The Hope4NC Helpline (1-855-587-3463) provides mental health support for first responders and volunteers working on our Hurricane Helene disaster response. The helpline is free, confidential, and available 24/7.
Call or text the free Disaster Distress Helpline (2-800-985-5990) for 24/7 counseling services to help disaster survivors cope with trauma. Spanish speakers should press “2”. Deaf and hard of hearing ASL callers can connect directly to an American Sign Language agent, through ASL Now or by calling 1-800-985-5990 from your videophone.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a crisis, you can call or text 988 or chat at https://988lifeline.org to reach a trained counselor who can provide support in a mental health, substance use, or suicide crisis.

FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

FEMA Public Assistance Program

All of Land of Sky’s county and municipality member governments are eligible for FEMA’s Public Assistance Program, which provides funding to cover costs for debris removal, life-saving emergency protective measures, and restoring public infrastructure.

Learn more about the FEMA Public Assistance Program

Request access to the NC Emergency Management Public Assistance Applicant Briefing presentation

View the FEMA Roadmap to Federal Resources for Disaster Recovery document

Emergency and Disaster Response Fund

The Community Foundation of WNC’s Emergency and Disaster Response Fund (EDRF) is funding organizations providing emergency relief to those affected by Hurricane Helene in its 18-county service area. As of Monday, October 21, CFWNC has awarded 163 EDRF grants totaling $4,226,590.

EDRF grants are up to $25,000 and are intended to be used for frontline human service needs. Apply online.

If connectivity is an issue, email or call Alana Nottage (828-254-4960) communicating the following information:

Name of organization and county(ies) to be served
Amount requested; $25,000 or less
Is the request for direct services or to address impact to your organization’s ability to provide direct services?
Please briefly describe the local situation and needs including primary weather-related impact on people served and the organization’s disaster-related services that would be supported by a grant.

Review the grant program guidelines

Debris Removal

There are 4 options for debris removal assistance, a reimbursable expense under FEMA PA:

State pre-positioned contracts (Region 13)
Local contracts
NC Department of Transportation
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Historic Preservation

The State Historic Preservation Office has put together a Disaster Preparedness and Response webpage that contains resources for historic properties following a natural disaster.

FOR INDIVIDUALS

FEMA Individuals and Households Program

FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP) provides financial assistance and direct services to eligible individuals and households affected by a disaster, who have uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs.

How to apply:

Apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov
Call 800-621-3362 between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Apply through the FEMA mobile app, available for download on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

FEMA Application Assistance

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers provide federal, state, and local resources to help residents as they apply for FEMA assistance. The DRCs allow residents to speak with someone in-person about FEMA assistance and answer follow-up questions.

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers in our region:

Buncombe County
Where: A.C. Reynolds High School – 1 Rocket Dr, Asheville, NC 28803
When: Daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Henderson County
Where: 2111 Asheville Highway, Hendersonville, NC 28791
When: Daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Madison County
Where: Madison County Public Library – 1335 N Main St, Marshall, NC 28753
When: Daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Transylvania County
Where: Transylvania County Community Services Building – 106 E Morgan St, Brevard, NC 28712
When: Daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits are now available for individuals who are unemployed or had their employment interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Helene. Currently, 39 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina have been approved for DUA.

View an updated list of all eligible counties

Eligible individuals can file an application online at www.des.nc.gov or by calling the DUA hotline (919-629-3857). The deadline to apply for most counties is December 2, 2024.

How to file a DUA claim

Read Governor Cooper’s Executive Order to increase unemployment benefits

Disaster Tax Relief

The IRS has announced disaster tax relief for all individuals and businesses in North Carolina. Taxpayers now have until May 1, 2025, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.

FOR BUSINESSES

Business Recovery Center

The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce has established a Business Recovery Center in the Asheville Visitor Center (36 Montford Ave) to provide local businesses with the resources they need to recover from Hurricane Helene.

At the center, you will find:

Recovery Workspace: First-come, first-served temporary workspace available at no cost for business owners, nonprofits, and employees displaced due to Helene. There is space for up to 70 users and internet access is provided. Hours: Oct. 16-Dec. 30, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

SBA Disaster Assistance: Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to help businesses apply for low or zero-interest disaster recovery loans. Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
* Walk-ins are welcome, but you can also make an appointment.

Mountain BizWorks: Providing information and application assistance for the WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery fund and other resources tailored for small businesses. Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBTDC): Providing expert advice and technical support for business recovery planning. Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Western Women’s Business Center: Offers support on a range of business topics in Spanish and English for small businesses. Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Colton Groome Financial: Assisting with disaster-related retirement plan questions such as changing contributions and eligibility for hardship distributions. View their financial resources document. Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Kudzu Brands: Available to assist with marketing and communications needs as you move forward, such as social media support, website updates, and communications to clients, employees, or partners. Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Chamber Staff: On-site to connect you with other resources and ensure you get the help you need. Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Business Recovery Funds

Mountain BizWorks has announced the launch of the WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund to provide emergency loan funds to help small business meet immediate needs until longer term relief funds, such as federal aid and regional grants, become available. You can apply online or click here for more information.

The Transylvania Business Support Task Force has relaunched the Transylvania Tomorrow Small Business Relief Fund to distribute emergency support to help small businesses rebuild, maintain employment opportunities, and preserve the unique characteristics of the local economy. For more information or to donate to the relief fund, click here. Eligible businesses can apply online for funding by Monday, November 4.

Explore Asheville has launched the Always Asheville Fund to provide emergency grants to help small, independent travel and hospitality businesses in Buncombe County recover and rebuild in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. For more information or to donate to the Always Asheville Fund, click here. To be notified when the grant application is released, sign up here.

The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce has launched the Mountain Strong Fund for Business Recovery to provide direct financial assistance to businesses that need help rebuilding and recovering from Hurricane Helene. Click here for more information or make a donation to the fund. To be notified when application guidelines are released, fill out this form.

Fundraising Efforts

Madison County has developed a local business donation hub that contains a list of local businesses with links to their respective donation sites. If you are a Madison County business and have a GoFundMe page, reach out to madconchamber@gmail.com to have your business listed.

Explore Asheville and partners have launched the Love Asheville from Afar webpage, which has gathered shop links and direct donation platforms for Buncombe County businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. If your business has an online store or donation platform, fill out this form to be featured on the Love Asheville from Afar webpage.

TRANSPORTATION

Road Updates

While NCDOT has lifted the essential-only travel zone advisory in Western North Carolina, hazardous road conditions still exist. NCDOT encourages travelers to exercise caution when traveling throughout Western NC and to expect delays due to ongoing road repairs and current closures.

NCDOT has re-opened 789 roads of approximately 1,200 roads that were closed as a result of Hurricane Helene. There are currently 2,000 employees and 900 pieces of equipment working to re-open the remaining roads.

View an updated map and list of road closures

Travel between Western NC and Tennessee is limited, especially for trucks greater than 30 feet long. View the interstate detour map and truck detour information.

Visit NCDOT Road Reopening Dashboard

Shelter Transportation

The City of Asheville has started a daily shelter transportation service that will transport residents from the AB Tech, Gold’s Gym, and AG Center shelters to the AC Reynolds Resource Center. The first trip will begin at the AB Tech shelter at 8:00 a.m. and the last trip from AC Reynolds will depart at 4:00 p.m.

View the full shelter transportation schedule for further details on routes and times.

WATER SYSTEMS

Water Supply

Visit Public Water Supply Situation Report Tracking for updates on drinking water systems across Western NC.

If your drinking water system is under a boil water notice, this means that the water is NOT safe to drink or otherwise consume (such as brushing teeth or cooking) from the tap unless it is vigorously boiled. Ensure water comes to a rolling boil for at least one minute, then allow water to cool completely before use. If bottled water is available, it is recommended that be used for consumption if possible.

You can safely use water for laundry, flushing toilets, handwashing, and showering (be cautious to not swallow any water) without boiling. If you are handwashing before food prep, you should use boiled then cooled water or bottled water. You may use water for dishwashing but only if the water temperature is 170°F or higher.

Well Testing

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has announced free well disinfection and well water collection kits are available for communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. Local health departments in Western NC will distribute kits for households with private wells that were flooded or damaged by the storm.

Each well kit includes the necessary supplies to disinfect and collect a well water sample for testing, including step-by-step instructions. Private well owners should return the sample back to their local health department for testing.

Participating local health departments in Land of Sky’s region include:

Buncombe County Health Department – Environmental Health Building: 30 Valley St., Asheville, NC 28801
Henderson County Health Department: 1200 Spartanburg Highway, Suite 100, Hendersonville NC 28792
Madison – Environmental Health Building: 5707 US-25, Marshall, NC 28753

Well disinfection and well water collection kits can be picked up at local health departments on October 22-24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and October 28-31 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

FOOD, WATER, AND SUPPLIES

Buncombe County

Water and Food Distribution (both drinking and flushing water; bring containers to fill up water):

Sky Lanes Bowling Alley: 1477 Patton Ave, Asheville (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Black Mountain Ingles: 550 NC-9, Black Mountain, 28711 (Noon to 4 p.m.)
Swannanoa Ingles: 2299 US 70, Swannanoa (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Lindwood Crump Shiloh Community Center: 121 Shiloh Road, Asheville (9 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Pack Square Park: 70 Court Plaza (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Buncombe County Sports Park Complex: 58 Apac Dr, Asheville (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Fairview Ingles: 225 Charlotte Highway, Asheville (Noon to 4 p.m.)

Community Care Stations (showers, bathrooms, laundry, device charging cell towers and Wi-Fi, potable and non-potable water, counseling services, and hot meals at lunch and dinner):

A.C. Reynolds High School: 1 Rocket Dr, Asheville (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
At Home store (parking lot): 980 Brevard Rd, Asheville (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Big Lots/Innsbrook Mall: 85 Tunnel Rd, Asheville (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Buncombe County Sports Park: 58 Apac Dr, Asheville (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Bethel United Methodist: 1050 Riceville Rd, Asheville (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Morgan Hill Baptist Church: 594 Barnardsville Hwy, Weaverville (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Ingles: 2319 Hwy 70, Swannanoa (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Owen Pool: 117 Stone Dr, Swannanoa (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.)

Henderson County

Resource Hub

118 McAbee Court, Flat Rock, NC 28731 (Sat. 10/26 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

Madison County

Food and water supplies:

Laurel Community Center: 4100 NC 212 Hwy., Marshall (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
Ebbs Chapel Community Center: 281 Laurel Valley Road, Mars Hill (Mon-Sat, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Center Community Center: 1300 Grapevine Rd, Marshall (Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Spring Creek Community Center: 13075 NC 209 Hwy, Hot Springs (Tues, Thurs, Sat, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
Revere-Rice Community Center: 3980 Revere Rd., Marshall (Mon-Sat, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Walnut Community Center: 46 School Rd, Marshall

Transylvania County

Food, water, and supply distribution sites:

Bottled water, boxed food, and other supplies are available at local fire departments
Anchor Baptist: 3232 Hendersonville Hwy – bottled water, food, hygiene, baby, and pet supplies (Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Cedar Mountain Community Center: 10635 Greenville Hwy – continental breakfast and takeaway dinners (Daily, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
Balsam Grove Community Center: 8732 Parkway Rd (Daily, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Calvary Baptist Church: 133 Osborne Rd – various supplies
Rosman Town Hall: 6 Main St – various supplies
175 Lakeview Ave – free clothing pick-up (Saturday, Oct. 26)

IMPORTANT REMINDER

Beware of Misinformation

NC Emergency Management and local officials are cautioning the public about false Helene reports and misinformation being shared on social media. NCEM has developed a Helene Fact vs Rumor webpage to combat common myths related to Helene recovery. FEMA has also developed a Hurricane Rumor Response webpage.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

For more detailed information for specific counties and municipalities, see the current Helene resource webpages below.

Buncombe County Helene Resource Webpages

Henderson County Helene Resource Webpages

Madison County Helene Resource Webpages

Transylvania County Helene Resource Webpages

Transylvania County