FEMA Daily Fact Sheet - North Carolina Helene Recovery
North Carolina Helene Recovery
Oct. 31, 2024
Key Messages
▪ To date, FEMA has approved more than $200 million to more than 121,000 households and individuals as the begin their recovery.
▪ FEMA is providing multiple temporary housing options to meet North Carolina disaster survivors' individual needs as the holiday season nears. More than 3,700 households are checked into Transitional Sheltering Assistance hotels and motels. The quickest form of help may be financial assistance to pay for rent, temporary hotel or motel stays or reimbursement for out-of-pocket hotel costs. These options are available now for eligible households. The first step is to apply with FEMA for
disaster assistance.
▪ FEMA is also providing Direct Temporary Housing Assistance to eligible households. Direct Temporary Housing options take time and individuals will be contacted by FEMA if they are eligible. For more information on options and eligibility, please visit: https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/direct-temporaryhousing-
assistance-helene-survivors.
▪ FEMA continues expediting federal funds to support community recovery. FEMA approved more than $3 million in Public Assistance funding for debris removal in Watauga County, bringing total Public Assistance funding approved in North Carolina to $193 million.
▪ The deadline to submit Requests for Public Assistance (RPA) to FEMA was extended to Jan. 7, 2025 for local governments, houses of worship and other nonprofit organizations in counties designated for Public Assistance after Tropical Storm Helene.
FAQ of the Day: What information do I need to appeal a FEMA decision on my application?
▪ All that is required to appeal a FEMA decision is documentation supporting your claim, like estimates for repairs, receipts or bills. You can also fill out the Appeal Request Form included with your FEMA decision letter.
FEMA is Hiring – Apply Online
FEMA is hiring in Asheville, Durham, Hickory and Raleigh to support community recovery from Helene. Applications are being accepted online. To see open positions and to apply, visit usajobs.gov, type keywords “FEMA, Local Hire” and enter the location as “North Carolina.”
FEMA also created a new Community Liaison position in North Carolina to support storm-affected communities and add an essential community link in the recovery process. Applications are being accepted online. Applications are being accepted online. To see open positions and to apply, visit usajobs.gov, type keywords “FEMA, Program Analyst Community Liaison” and enter the location as “North Carolina.” For more information, please visit: https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20241029/fema-hiring-community-liaiso....
Applying for FEMA Assistance: Online is the Fastest Option
Homeowners and renters in 39 North Carolina counties and tribal members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (www.fema.gov/disaster/4827/designated-areas) can apply for federal assistance in several ways: online to DisasterAssistance.gov, via the FEMA app (https://www.fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-products) or by calling 800-621-3362.
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 a video on how to apply for assistance, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhtlyTX49RE.
Understanding Your FEMA Letter
If you applied for FEMA assistance, you will receive a letter explaining FEMA’s decision within 10 days. Read your letter carefully and stay in touch with FEMA. They may need more information to approve your application.
If you are approved: You may get funds by direct deposit or a U.S. Treasury check based on which payment method you chose in the application. Your first payment may be for essentials, like food and water. You could also receive funds to hire a contractor to provide an estimate for home repairs. Stay in touch with FEMA even if you are approved. If your situation changes, you may be eligible for further disaster assistance.
If you are NOT approved: FEMA may need additional information from you to support your application. This will be explained in your determination letter. Read the letter carefully. The fastest way to submit additional documents is to upload to your disaster assistance account at DisasterAssistance.gov.
Appealing a Decision
You can appeal any FEMA decision or award amount by sending documents that show you qualify and need more help, like estimates for repairs, receipts, bills, etc. Each decision letter you receive from FEMA explains the reason you are ineligible and the types of documents that may help you appeal FEMA’s decision or award amount for that type of assistance. For more details on appealing a FEMA decision, please visit: https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/how-appeal-fema-decision.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) hotline is now available to survivors of Helene. English 919-629-3857| Spanish: 919-276-5698. For more information or to register online, visit: https://www.des.nc.gov.
United Way’s 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).
NC Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) is sharing guidance on actions people can take to ensure water is safe and to prevent waterborne disease or illness after the storm. Learn more at: www.ncdhhs.gov/safe-water-simplified/download?attachment.
NC Department of Public Safety (DPS): Emergency Management (www.ncdps.gov/our-organization/emergency-management).
North Carolina Office of the Governor: Gov. Roy Cooper (www.governor.state.nc.us).
North Carolina State and Local Level Referrals: (www.fema.gov/assistance/individual/disaster-survivors/state-local-referr...).
North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund: (https://www.nc.gov/disaster-relief-fund-faqs).
FEMA is working to stop the spread of dangerous rumors. Learn more at: www.fema.gov/disaster/current/hurricane-helene/rumor-response.
United States Postal Service has established alternate locations. Find a nearby location at: about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/residential/welcome.htm.
For the latest information about North Carolina’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4827. Follow FEMA Region 4 @FEMARegion4 on X or follow FEMA on social media at: FEMA Blog on fema.gov, @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol on X, FEMA or FEMA Espanol on Facebook, @FEMA on Instagram, and via FEMA YouTube channel. Also, follow Administrator Deanne Criswell on X @FEMA_Deanne.
North Carolina Disaster Recovery Centers
A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is a one-stop shop where survivors 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.
Learn How to Salvage Disaster-Damaged Family Treasures in a DRC
FEMA’s preservation teams will be in DRCs throughout the state to demonstrate how to safely handle and salvage storm-damaged items, like family photos, artwork, textiles, media and other family treasures.
Save Your Treasures Program Schedule | Oct. 31 -- Nov. 1, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
▪ Buncombe County M-DRC: Buncombe County Sports Park (parking lot)
▪ Haywood County DRC: Regional High Technical Center
▪ Henderson County DRC: Blue Ridge Commons
If you are unable to attend an in-person preservation demonstration, you can learn more about salvaging family treasures by visiting www.fema.gov/disaster/recover/save-family-treasures or culturalrescue.si.edu/who-we-are/hentf.
FEMA Community Education & Outreach (CEO) Specialists are in DRCs
CEO specialists are part of FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Cadre. Mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property damage by lessening the impact of future disasters. FEMA CEO specialists are in DRCs meeting with disaster survivors to give advice and guidance on hazard mitigation techniques to repair and rebuild safer and stronger.
CEO specialists are now in the following DRCs:
Buncombe County (Cane Creek Pool parking lot)
Burke County
Caldwell County
Haywood County
Henderson County
McDowell County (No. 2)
Mecklenburg County
Mitchell County
Watauga County
Yancey County
DRCs are currently open from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Monday through Sunday.
Disaster survivors can visit any open center, including locations in other states. No appointment is needed.
Alleghany County DRC: Blue Ridge Business Development Center (BDC), 115 Atwood St., Sparta, N.C. 28675
Ashe County DRC: Family Central Parks & Recreation Center, 626 Ashe Central School Rd., Jefferson, N.C. 28640
Avery County DRC: Mayland Community College-Avery Campus, 785 Cranberry St., Newland, N.C. 28657
Buncombe County DRC: Cane Creek Pool (parking lot), 590 Lower Brush Creek Rd., Fairview, N.C. 28730
Buncombe County DRC: Sports Park (parking lot) 58 Apac Dr., Asheville, N.C. 28806
Burke County DRC: Foothills Higher Education Center, 2128 S. Sterling St., Morganton, N.C. 28655
Caldwell County DRC: Caldwell County Health & Human Services Center, 2345 Morganton Blvd SW, Lenoir, N.C. 28645
Catawba County DRC: Conover Fire Department Station 3, 1776 Village Square NW, Conover, N.C. 28613
Haywood County DRC: Regional High Technical Center, 112 Industrial Park Dr., Waynesville, N.C. 28786
Henderson County DRC: Blue Ridge Commons, 2111 Asheville Hwy., Hendersonville, N.C. 28791
Jackson County DRC: Jackson County Annex Building, 198 WBI Dr., Sylva, N.C. 28779
Madison County DRC: Madison County Public Library, 1335 N Main St., Marshall, N.C. 28753
Mecklenburg County DRC: Former Corvian Community School Building, 9501 David Taylor Dr., Charlotte, N.C. 28262
Mitchell County DRC: Mitchell County Senior Center, 152 Ledger School Rd., Bakersville, N.C. 28705
McDowell County DRC: McDowell County Senior Center, 100 Spaulding Rd., Marion, N.C. 28752
McDowell County (No. 2) DRC: A.C. “Bud” Hogan Community Center, 909 East Main St., Old Fort, N.C. 28762
Rutherford County DRC: Mountains Branch Library, 150 Bills Creek Rd., Lake Lure, N.C. 28746
Swain County DRC: Swain County Business and Training Center (Swain County Training Center), 45 East Ridge Dr., Bryson City, N.C. 28713
Transylvania County DRC: Community Services Building, 106 E. Morgan St., Brevard, N.C. 28712
Watauga County DRC: Appalachian Enterprise Center, 130 Poplar Grove Connector, Boone, N.C. 28607
Yancey County DRC: County Annex Facility (Old Ridge Hardware), 671 W U.S. Hwy 19E Bypass, Burnsville, N.C. 28714
In addition to fixed DRCs, Mobile DRCs (M-DRC) will continue to operate in Buncombe County.
Swannanoa Fire Rescue - Bee Tree Fire Sub Station: 510 Bee Tree Rd., Swannanoa, N.C. 28778
Open: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Nov. 2–5 and Nov. 11–14
Buncombe County Sports Park (Parking Lot): 58 Apac Dr., Asheville, N.C. 28806
Open: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Nov. 6–9 and Nov. 15–18
