This resource is being update regularly, so please continue to share widely. A Spanish version is available here. 

The devastation facing western North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene is impossible to comprehend. Since this catastrophe began, the people, families, and communities of western North Carolina, alongside those impacted by the tornado in Rocky Mount, have been on our minds and in our hearts.
 

MomsRising has members in all 100 NC counties, including every single area impacted. To those of you affected, know that we are with you and people all across the state and nation are aching to find ways to support you as you recover and rebuild. To those anxious to help our neighbors, there are plenty of opportunities to give to meet urgent needs. 
 

Below are links to:

• resources for those directly impacted
• opportunities to support efforts rescuing survivors and providing urgently needed supplies to those affected

None of us expected the tragedy that continues to unfold in the mountain communities we love. But we know that the people and the communities of the western North Carolina mountains are strong and that they have the support of so many behind them as they recover and begin to rebuild.
 

Together we are a powerful force for North Carolina and the communities and people we love!
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Resources for those Impacted

For rescue or life threatening emergencies: Call 911

For state and county-specific resources:

• NC Public Safety Hurricane Helene website
• WNC Helene Resource Guide

For locating lost loved ones:

• Call 211 (1-888-892-1162) to report a missing person or request a welfare check, press 1 once you are connected to reach an operator. Have all information available (name, location, health conditions, etc.) to complete request. Call volumes are high, but operators are processing requests as quickly as possible.
• United Way Missing Person/ Welfare Check Request Requests can also be made by texting 'PERSON' TO 40403.
• Email BuncombeSearch@gmail.com or call 828-820-2761 (Buncombe County Register of Deeds) to locate loved ones. Access the Buncombe Search Form directly at this link, https://forms.gle/eP5n5zGbFauWZoy39.  You can directly enter the information about the person for whom you are looking.
• Call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to locate people in their shelters or file a reunification request

For shelter and supplies:

• Ready NC Open Shelters List 
• Call 2-1-1 
• Call American Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) 

For water safety:

• Emergency disinfection and water safety
• Well safety

For power outage information: Ready NC Power Outages 

For tips on dangers to avoid in disaster areas:
Resource list. Includes information on water and food safety, flood clean up hazards, mold clean up, mosquitos, septic tanks, wildlife, and more
 

For information on Food and Nutrition Service Disaster Assistance (including info on SNAP and WIC):
Food and Nutrition Service disaster assistance for individuals home page: https://www.fns.usda.gov/da/individuals 
For North Carolina as of now, FNS has approved a waiver that makes it easier for people to report food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of the storm. Find the replacement/ supplement request form here: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/child-and-family-well-being/food-and-nutrition-services-food-stamps/fns-food-stamps-replacementsupplement-request-form
SNAP benefits can be used outside of the state; unfortunately WIC benefits cannot because the federal government authorizes stores for SNAP, whereas state governments authorize stores for WIC.

For support for infant feeding during emergencies from the CDC: 

• How to prepare and store powdered infant formula
• Breastfeeding during a disaster and other emergencies

For pregnant people:

• Hurricane Helene Care and Resource Guide Community
• Emergency Doula + Midwifery Support-Complete the needs request form for needs including doulas, midwives, transportation, gasoline, wellness check, cooked meals, groceries, water, donated breast milk, and housing and you will be matched with a support person
• Hurricane Relief- new and expecting WNC mamas in Charlotte-This is a Facebook group to coordinate supports for new and expectant moms who are evacuating to Charlotte. https://www.facebook.com/groups/94240209104471

For caring for your child in a disaster:

• Hurricanes & Floods: Taking Care of Your Children and Yourself from the American Academy of Pediatrics
• American Academy of Pediatrics Tips on Talking to a Child after a Disaster  (youtube) 
• How to Support Your Child’s Resilience in a Time of Crisis from the American Academy of Pediatrics 
• Sesame Street Hurricane Resources for Kids 

For specialized medical supplies for medically fragile kids: 

• This form is for the collaboration between Advocates for Medically Fragile Kids NC and The Parker Lee Project to get specialized medical supplies to medically fragile children in WNC. They can NOT distribute medication. If there is a medication need, please contact your County Manager.

For family caregivers: 

• The Disaster Preparedness Guide for Caregivers 
• FEMA Disaster Preparedness Guide for Caregivers: Webinar Resources and Q&As 
   

For mental health crisis counseling:

• Call or text 1-800-985-5990. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 to all residents in the U.S. and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. 
• Español: Llama o envía un mensaje de texto 1-800-985-5990 presiona “2.” 
• For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL Callers: Please text or call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 using your preferred Relay provider.

For support for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities: 

• If you are impacted by Hurricane Helene and need help, call or text The Disability and Disaster Hotline at 800-626-4959 or hotline@disasterstrategies.org
• The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies’ Hotline “provides information, referrals, guidance, technical assistance and resources to people with disabilities, families, allies, and organizations assisting disaster impacted individuals with disabilities and others seeking assistance with immediate and urgent disaster-related needs.”

For immigrants’ rights information:

• During emergency events, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) works with its federal, state, local, and non-governmental partners to support the needs of the people in the areas that may be impacted. In such circumstances, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is reminding the public that sites that provide emergency response and relief are considered protected areas. Read a statement on safety and enforcement during Hurricane Helene from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. 
• To the fullest extent possible, ICE and CBP do not conduct immigration enforcement activities at protected areas such as along evacuation routes, sites used for sheltering or the distribution of emergency supplies, food or water, or registration sites for disaster-related assistance or the reunification of families and loved ones.
• For information about filing a complaint with the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties about these matters, please visit the Make a Civil Rights Complaint page.
• Additional guidance from our partners at the Carolina Migrant Network: ICE and CBP should not be asking you about your immigration status during emergency relief efforts or restricting aid based on your status. If they do, you have the right to: 
  • Not answer any questions and remain quiet
  • Not sign any document without speaking to an attorney
  • If these are violated, file a civil rights complaint and contact the Carolina Migrant Network for support. 

For NC Medicaid flexibilities (including CAP/C and CAP/ DA) to ensure patients can receive medications, medically necessary services, etc.: https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/blog/2024/09/26/nc-medicaid-temporary-flexibilities-due-hurricane-helene
For TRICARE beneficiaries: Defense Health Agency temporary prescription refill waivers and emergency fills for NC beneficiaries https://militaryrx.express-scripts.com/notices/weather/2024-sep-25/state-emergency-alert-hurricane-helene-north-carolina
For prescription assistance and operating pharmacies:

• The Emergency Prescription Assistance Program helps people in a federally identified disaster area who do not have health insurance to access prescription drugs, vaccinations, medical supplies, and equipment.
• List of operating pharmacies
• With some exceptions, pharmacists are allowed to dispense a one-time emergency supply of up to 90 days when they are unable to get a hold of the medical provider and a one-time emergency refill of up to a 30-ay supply of the prescribed medication. 

To report damage and downed trees:
Call local emergency management (click here for a list of contacts) to report damage and get help with issues like downed trees. Some are also assisting with wellness checks.
 

For cleanup support: 
Call Crisis Cleanup at 844-965-1386 to be connected with volunteer organizations who can assist with issues like trees, debris, tarps, and mucking out. Note: Crisis Cleanup cannot assist with social services such as food, clothing, shelter, insurance, or FEMA registration.
 

To apply for FEMA Assistance: North Carolina homeowners and renters in 25 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians who had uninsured damage or losses caused by Hurricane Helene may be eligible for FEMA disaster assistance. 

• There are several ways to apply: Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA App or call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET daily. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in most languages.
• To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.
• You will need the following information below when you apply:
  • A current phone number where you can be contacted.
  • Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.
  • Your Social Security number.
  • A general list of damage and losses.
  • Banking information if you choose direct deposit.
  • If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name
• If you have homeowners, renters or flood insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your disaster expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.
• Tips for applying from the NC Department of Insurance

For Disaster Unemployment Assistance 

• Application information can be found here.
• The deadline to apply is December 2, 2024.

For Veteran Disaster Assistance:

• Resource prepared by the NC Council of Churches. Includes information on crisis lines, VA Health Administration, veterans benefits, GI Bill disruptions, home loans, and more  

For disaster legal services: Legal Aid of North Carolina is hosting a disaster legal services hotline for people seeking assistance at (866) 219-5262.

For tenants’ rights after a natural disaster and FEMA Benefits for Immigrants and Tenants:

• Materials from the NC Justice Center answer questions such as:
  • Can I cancel my lease or stop paying rent if I am a tenant and my home is damaged by a natural disaster?
  • Is my landlord responsible for reimbursing me for personal property damaged in a disaster?
  • If I am an immigrant or members of my family are immigrants, can we qualify for monetary assistance from FEMA?
  • Is it safe to share my personal information with FEMA if I am an immigrant?
  • What sort of benefits does FEMA provide to tenants, homeowners and those in “rent to own” contracts?

For voting information (with thanks to Democracy North Carolina):

• Election officials plan for voting post-Helene-press release
• The State Board of Elections has launched this page for voters who are affected by the Helene.
• Voters who have been impacted by the storm and have questions about voting can call 888-OUR-VOTE (888-687-8683).
• Voting by absentee ballot:
  • Due to the temporary suspension of mail delivery service by USPS for ZIP codes beginning with 286, 287, 288, and 289, as well as the closure of 39 post offices, voters in western NC who have requested or intend to request vote-by-mail ballots may experience additional delays.
  • If you are displaced, you can request an absentee ballot to be delivered to your new location.
  • If you have already requested an absentee ballot and need it to be sent to a new location, contact your county board of elections to spoil your current ballot and reissue a ballot to your new location. Request an absentee ballot online at the North Carolina Absentee Ballot Portal.
  • Voters who have been temporarily displaced but intend to return to their original residence retain their original residence for voting purposes. 
• Photo ID requirements: To address the issue of photo ID, President Biden granted Governor Cooper’s request for a disaster declaration on September 28. Voters who are unable to present acceptable photo ID due to Hurricane Helene can vote provisionally by selecting the “victim of a natural disaster within 100 days before Election Day” option on the ID Exception Form.
• Changes to early voting locations: The damage caused by Hurricane Helene will likely necessitate changes to early voting locations in western NC counties, as well as potential alterations to voting procedures. Due to SB 749, the NC State Board of Elections can only exercise its emergency powers to respond to natural disasters in an open meeting of the Board. Therefore, updates on the Board's response are still pending. In the meantime, voters are encouraged to contact the NC State Board of Elections office for the most up-to-date voting guidance or visit ncsbe.gov/helene. 
• Note: Information may change. Voters are advised to stay updated through official NCSBE channels for any changes or developments.

For farmers:

• The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has activated its hotline to connect farmers with resources that can assist with damage and other agricultural emergencies related to the storm. The toll-free number is 1-866-645-9403. A live operator will be available on the hotline between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. 
• Farmers can also find recovery resources here. 
   

For businesses: 

• The U.S. Chamber Foundation’s National Disaster Help Desk can help businesses and organizations both in the impact area and looking to support the impact area. It can be reached at 888-MY-BIZ-HELP (or 888-692-4943). 
• Additionally, they offer this online resource to help businesses take care of their employees’ needs, communicate the impact, address financial matters (e.g., insurance, disaster assistance), restore operations, and organize recovery. 

The U.S. Small Business Administration also has this resource available.

 
Ways to Support

• To donate to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund to provide food and water, cleaning supplies and other emergency supplies, visit nc.gov/donate.
• Blue Ridge Public Radio has developed this list which includes donations for flights, food, and other needs from local, state, and national organizations.
• Diapers, period products, adult incontinence supplies, and formula are all in critically short supply and are often not provided through traditional disaster response programs. You can donate here to help The Diaper Bank of NC meet these needs.

Thank you to all our partner organizations who continue to identify and share resources to add. We are stronger together!