Hurricane Helene: Information and Assistance in North Carolina
En español | North Carolina residents are coping with massive flooding, property damage and power outages in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which made landfall as a Category 4 storm in Florida on Sept. 26.
The storm resulted in fatalities across multiple states, including in North Carolina, where several homes, businesses, roads and bridges have been destroyed. The damage to infrastructure has left residents in the most severely damaged areas needing basic supplies such as food and water.
President Joe Biden on Sept. 28 granted Gov. Roy Cooper’s request for a federal major disaster declaration for Hurricane Helene, which was downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it hit North Carolina. The declaration provides immediate federal help for 25 North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
The declaration also allows for assistance such as grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners.
AARP has compiled a list of government, nonprofit and other aid available to help those affected by Hurricane Helene.
Federal assistance
FEMA: Residents and business owners who sustained losses in disaster designated areas can begin applying for assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or by using the FEMA App.
U.S. Small Business Administration: Check the SBA’s website for information and to apply for low-interest disaster loans, which are available to help you recover from the storm.
State assistance and resources
North Carolina Department of Public Safety: Find the latest information on cleanup, open shelters, power outages, how to report price gouging and more. The agency has links to county websites for storm-related updates.
ReadyNC.gov: North Carolina Emergency Management provides information on hurricanes, disaster assistance, shelters, road conditions and more.
North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund: Help those impacted by the disaster through the state’s relief fund. Donations will go to nonprofits working to get food, water, cleaning supplies and emergency assistance to storm victims.
North Carolina Department of Transportation: Information on road conditions and closures. Follow the agency on social media and get real-time travel information at DriveNC.gov.
Flood Inundation Mapping and Alert Network (FIMAN): A resource that features the latest information on flooding statewide.
Food and housing assistance
FEMA: Go online to FEMA.gov or download the FEMA app to search for shelters. You can also text SHELTER and your ZIP code to 43362 (for example, Shelter 12345) to find emergency housing.
North Carolina 211: A free, confidential service that connects you with organizations that can provide disaster-related assistance, such as shelter and food. Dial 211 or go online.
North Carolina Food Banks: Feeding the Carolinas provides a list of food banks statewide.
American Red Cross: The Red Cross website lists open shelters near you, or call 800-RED-CROSS. The organization has a chapter in North Carolina helping with supplies and shelter information.
Salvation Army: The charitable organization provides disaster-related assistance, including food.
Connect with loved ones
North Carolina 211: North Carolina residents trying to connect with family members may call 211 (or 888-892-1162 if calling from outside North Carolina) to report missing loved ones.
Facebook: Indicate you are safe by checking in via the social media service, including the Hurricane Helene Safety Check-In group.
American Red Cross: Report yourself safe through Red Cross Reunification by calling 800- RED-CROSS (800-733-2767). The organization has guidance online for reuniting with friends and loved ones, along with state-specific reunification pages for people who are searching for the missing.
Weather and power outages
FEMA.gov: Download the FEMA app for real-time alerts from the National Weather Service. Emergency officials may also reach you via the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alert, which don’t require sign-up.
ReadyNC.gov: Find the latest emergency information, including road conditions and power outages.
Utility companies: Report storm outages to your utility company. The North Carolina Utilities Commission has information on storm recovery and links to utilities. Find a map of electricity outages from PowerOutage.US.
Ready.gov: Find tips for navigating a power outage at Ready.gov/poweroutages.
Local news outlets: Tune in to North Carolina radio stations to hear National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) information on current and forecasted weather. Monitor local television and radio stations for the latest information and instructions from emergency personnel.
Weather.gov: Enter your city, state or ZIP code to find the latest forecast and storm-related news.
Storm safety tips
North Carolina Department of Public Safety: The state created a hurricane guide that features safety tips and guidance, including advice for returning home safely and disposing of storm debris.
Ready.gov/Hurricanes: Get advice from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on how best to return home and recover after a storm.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: The agency has information on how to prevent getting hurt or sick after a disaster, and guidelines for safe cleanup.
Healthcare Ready: If you had to evacuate and don’t have your prescriptions, RxOpen.org provides information on open pharmacies in areas impacted by disasters.
Mental health resources
Disaster Distress Helpline: For help with your mental health, call or text the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s toll-free helpline at 800-985-5990. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to all U.S. residents who are experiencing emotional distress due to disasters, including storms. Help is available in multiple languages.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call 988 and be connected with free and confidential support. This website has a feature that allows you to chat online.
Michelle Tuccitto Sullo is a states writer and editor for AARP. She previously served as managing editor of the Hartford Business Journal in Connecticut and has worked for the New Haven Register, the Connecticut Law Tribune and New Haven Biz.
