• For help locating food, water, shelter and other local resources, call 211 or visit https://nc211.org/. Resources are available to assist with reporting missing persons or those in need of a welfare check.

• Find information about shelters (including availability).

• If you are unemployed as a direct result of Hurricane Helene, you may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance via the N.C. Division of Employment Security.
• Information needed to apply: Name and address of all employers you worked with within the last 24 months, county of residence, county of employment, mailing address and zip code, valid telephone number, Social Security number or Alien Registration number, proof of employment and income if you’re self-employed, a farmer, or a commercial fisher.
• To apply: https://www.des.nc.gov/dua. DUA Hotline: (919) 629-3857 

• Provides guidance on disaster assistance exclusions: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0500830620. Advocates can work with local Social Security field offices and encourage them to take on flexibilities in the time during and after a natural disaster. This may include establishing presumptive good cause for missed appeals deadlines; imposing a moratorium on hearings dismissals; and conducting business and hearings over the telephone. 

• 2024 Hurricane Helene Livestock Assistance Form

• Mayland Community College Small Business Center
  67 Hotel Ave
  Spruce Pine, NC 28777
  Opening: Monday, Oct. 21, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed: Sunday

• Please direct your business resources to this site, so that we can encourage businesses to receive one-on-one business counseling
• SBTDC, SBCN and EDA Small Business Advisors have been working on the logistics and details associated with a consistent, scripted triage process so businesses get to the organization/resources that can provide them the best support

• FEMA in your language / FEMA en tu idioma
• Get assistance after a disaster
• Individual and family assistance
• Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance: Information you will need to apply for disaster assistance:
  • Your Social Security number
  • Insurance information
  • A description of the damage caused
  • Your annual household income
  • Contact information
  • Bank account information for direct deposit
• FEMA Assistance for homeowners and renters: Document damages now. Photograph the damages and items you have to throw away. Individuals may utilize www.disasterassistance.gov, download the FEMA App, or call 1-800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily for assistance. More information can be found at https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2024/09/29/how-apply-fema-assistance-after-hurricane-helene
• Tips for Returning Home Safely After a Disaster
• FEMA Disaster Recovery Center Locator: DRC Locator (fema.gov)

• You must have a FEMA application number and approval from FEMA to participate in the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA)program.
• If you have questions about TSA or need help locating a hotel, you may also call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (in your time zone), 7 days a week.

• Second homes and short-term rentals can consider leasing through our Housing Choice Voucher program. You can help a local family in need, have a reliable income, stream at 110% of Fair Market Rent, and help your community in this time of need. Please reach out to NRHA for questions.

• NC DHHS released information about Emergency Operation Plans that child care centers in disaster-impacted counties can use to reopen more quickly and safely: NCDHHS Supports Child Care Facilities Impacted by Hurricane Helene to Reopen Safely, Return to Serving Families | NCDHHS

• Promise Resource Network Warm Line, (855) 733-7762. Available 24/7.
• HOPE 4 NC, (855) 587-3463. Available 24/7
• NAMI National Warm Line, (800) 950-6264. Available 10AM – 10PM EST.
• WNC Listening Line Seek Healing, (828) 547-4547. Available 24/7.
• Sunrise Community Warm Line, (828) 280-2254. Available 24/7.

• FEMA
• Federal Trade Commission Consumer Advice
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

• Avery Long Term Recovery Group
  •  https://www.averyltrg.com/

• Becky Moody is the Distribution Coordinator and will be happy to help If you are affiliated with a Point of Distribution (church, civic group, non-profit, etc.) and you need help troubleshooting any donation management issues, give her a call. For example, perhaps you have so much water you have no room for anything else. Or maybe you are arriving in Avery County with supplies and don’t know where to take them.
• Ms. Moody works to make sure all distribution points are well-supplied and can meet the needs of their customers.  The distribution hotline is 828-733-8273.

• If you want or need assistance with storm damage or related issues, send an email to averyheleneworkrequest@gmail.com
• If you have skills to offer and want to volunteer, call the Volunteer Line Monday – Friday from 8:00 – 4:30 pm. Staff will take your information and try to match you with Avery County people who submit requests.

• Field Hospital (Free full service medical clinic)

• Avery County Health Department: 545 Schultz Street, Newland, NC 28657.  (828) 733-6031. M-F, 8:00am – 4:30pm
• Mitchell County Health Department: 130 Forest Service Drive, Suite A, Bakersville, NC 28705 (828) 688-2371

• Offering a place to sleep
• Places to shower
• Community Resource information
• Limited supplies and food

• The Volunteer Resources Center (VRC) is open Mondays,Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact info: 828-660-0818 or email: VolunteerMitchell@gmail.com
• The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is open for walk-in visits during those times.

• Mission Health Mauzy-Phillips Center is open 10 AM to 5 PM.
• Blue Ridge Pharmacy is open at the Mauzy Phillips Center from 10 AM to 4 PM.

• Mitchell County Health Department is providing abbreviated services for minor issues (colds, sore throat, etc.), medicine refills, and vaccines including tetanus shots.

• Buladean Community Center: 12190 NC-226, Bakersville, NC 28705
• Tipton Hill Community Center: 4326 Hwy 197, Green Mtn, NC 28740. (828) 385-4303

• The program pays for prescription medications, specific medical supplies, vaccines, and certain medical equipment.
• The program provides a 30-day supply of covered drugs and medical supplies that can be renewed every 30 days for as long as EPAP is active.
• Many pharmacies in the county are participating.
• Hay recursos en español, también.

• Supplies available: blankets, clothing, cleaning supplies of all kinds, shovels, buckets, gloves, no perishable food items, fresh produce, diapers, wipes, formula, baby food, adult diapers, feminine hygiene items, toiletries, dog and cat food, and so much more! Winter clothing and supplies should be arriving this weekend. We will need volunteers to help with sorting and delivering to those in need.

Samaritan’s Purse: Tree work, debris cleanup, roof tarping and mud outs. Sign up at spvolunteer.org.

American Red Cross Volunteer Connection

• Financial Resources for Businesses

New Supply Location: The Reconciliation House, 20 Academy St, Burnsville, NC

• Call Ahead for Assistance: Residents are encouraged to call The Reconciliation House before visiting to arrange for food or supply pickup.

• Yancey County Health Department Facebook Page

• A field hospital has been established in the parking lot of Blue Ridge Regional Hospital to meet all basic medical needs of Mitchell and Yancey County residents.

• The program pays for prescription medications, specific medical supplies, vaccines, and certain medical equipment.
• The program provides a 30-day supply of covered drugs and medical supplies that can be renewed every 30 days for as long as EPAP is active.
• Many pharmacies in the county are participating.
• Hay recursos en español, también.

• Alert Center

• Call Center Hours: M – F, 8AM – 5PM