We have first hand knowledge of the disaster and the need left by Hurricane Helene. Help us help our community.

Food

World Central Kitchen is up and running in Asheville, NC. With the help of donations and talent from Asheville’s vibrant restaurant community they will be making hot meals every day from the downtown location of Bear Smokehouse BBQ, Ben’s Tune Up, The Hop, and NuWray Hotel.

Beloved Asheville, for 12/28, is handing out hot meals, bottled water, and baby supplies at 32 Old Charlotte Highway.

Black Mountain/Ingles Supermarket now open, everyday, 9-7 pm. Hot meals, food, water, and public restrooms. 550 NC-9, Black Mountain.

Marshall Mutual Aid Hub, everyday, 2-6 pm. Food, medical supplies, household cleaning, personal care items, baby supplies, and pet supplies. 1685 Hwy 231, Marshall, NC.

Woodfin Town Hall, daily, 2:00 pm - dark. Food and water. 90 Elk Mountain Rd, Woodfin.

Pisgah Brewing Co, 12/28. Food, hot meals, water. 2948 US-70, Black Mountain.

Blunt Pretzel, daily, 10 am - 5 pm. Hot meals, food, water, baby supplies. 120 Alexander Pl, Swannanoa

RAD Brewery, Daily, 1 pm - run out. Hot meals, food, water, supplies. 13 Mystery St, Asheville.

MREs will be available at the following schools as of 10/1:

Dsnap

Residents who pre-registered for D-SNAP through the online portal by 4 p.m. on Oct. 24, 2024, but were unable to reach the call center to complete their interview, will receive a call from DSS officials by Nov. 1 to complete their application. NCDHHS asks those who have pre-registered to anticipate a call between now and Nov. 1 at the phone number they provided in the pre-registration application. The number calling may be from outside their local area code.

To learn more:
www.hendersoncountync.gov/em/page/disaster-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-d-snap

water

Beloved Asheville, for 12/28, is handing out hot meals, bottled water, and baby supplies at 32 Old Charlotte Highway.

Pack Square Park, for 12/28, is handing 2 gallons of water per person, 5 gallons per family, until dark. Must bring your own containers. Grey water pick up station for flushing toilets. 70 Court Plaza

Pack Memorial Library is a designated filling station. Please bring your own containers. 67 Haywood St.

Asheville Middle School is a drive through bottled water supply station. Limit 1 case (32 bottles) per person, max of 2 cases per car. Grey water pick up station for flushing toilets. 211 S Broad Ave

Black Mountain/Ingles Supermarket now open, everyday, 9-7 pm. Hot meals, food, water, and public restrooms. Grey water pick up station for flushing toilets. 550 NC-9, Black Mountain.

Caldwell Well Drilling, 12/28, 10 am – 4 pm. Offering to fill containers of any size. 351 New Leicester Hwy, Asheville.

Public Showers

Reuter Family YMCA
10-5 pm, daily

First United Methodist Church Friendship House
Mon - Fri, 9 am - Noon
566 S Haywood St, Waynesville, NC 28786

Trinity Baptist Church
Mon - Sat, 10 am - 3 pm
Showers, restrooms, hand washing.
Laundry drop off: 24 hrs, pick up the next day.
216 Shelburne Rd, Asheville, NC 28806

Lake Lure Baptist Church
Daily, Noon - 5 pm
Showers, hot meals, water, restrooms
Please bring your own towels. Flip flops recommended.
6837 US-74 ALT, Lake Lure, NC 28746

Lake Lure Resource Center
Daily, 9 am - 5 pm
Ingles
276 NC-9, Lake Lure, NC 28746
Shower trailers, restrooms, hand washing stations.
Please bring your own towels. Flip flops recommended.

Community Care Station
Ace Hardware
2319 US-70, Swannanoa, NC 28778
Daily, 7 am - 7 pm. Hot meals: 11 am - 4 pm.
Showers, laundry, bathrooms, Wi-Fi, water, and counseling. Please bring your own detergent, shower shoes, towels, and toiletries if possible.

Hendersonville Walmart
1636 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville, NC 28803
Daily, 8 am - 6 pm. First Responder hours: 6 am - 6 pm.
Showers, laundry. Please bring your own: soap, towels, flip flops, baskets, detergent.

Asheville Community Care: At Home
980 Brevard Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
Daily, 7 am - 7 pm. Water, hot meals, bathrooms, showers, laundry, wifi, charging stations, counseling services. Please bring your own detergent, towels, shower shoes, and toiletries.

Asheville Community Care: Innsbruck
85 Tunnel Rd, Asheville, NC 28805
Daily, 7 am - 7 pm. Water, hot meals, bathrooms, showers, laundry, wifi, charging stations, counseling services. Please bring your own detergent, towels, shower shoes, and toiletries.

Morgan Hill Baptist Church
594 Barnardsville Hwy, Weaverville, NC 28787
Daily, 7 am - 7 pm. Water, hot meals, bathrooms, showers, laundry, wifi, charging stations, counseling services. Please bring your own detergent, towels, shower shoes, and toiletries.

Buckeye Antiques
90 Buckeye Access Rd, Swannanoa, NC 28778
Daily, 7 am - dark. Please bring your own towels, soap, and shower shoes.

grey water pick up

Grey water pick up locations. Nonpotable water for flushing toilets. Must provide your own container.

free well water testing kits

Mon - Fri, 8 am - 5 pm
30 Valley St, Asheville, NC 28801

water testing sites

AB Tech
20 Canoe Ln, Woodfin
Daily, 9 am - 5 pm
Mobile drinking water testing station.

wi fi

The following locations have wifi and the possibility of charging stations.

Lowe’s
Waynesville

Moxie Hotel (outside)

Aloft Hotels (outside)

Pack Memorial Library

Groce United Methodist Church

Asheville Middle School

Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Ctr.

Fema

Application Deadline: 1/7/2025

Update 11/8/2024: If you applied for disaster assistance & disagree with our decision, you may file an appeal in person, by mail or fax within 60 days of receiving your letter. You can also provide new or additional information that may affect the decision.

President Biden has approved Major Disaster Declaration. Due to this declaration FEMA can provide grants for temporary housing, home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, rental assistance, and other programs to help individuals and business owners.

FEMA can assist with:

  • Help with rent or lodging

  • Home repair or replacement

  • Replacing personal property

  • Medical or dental care

  • Transportation

  • Child care

  • Replacing important documents

If you were affected by #Helene or #Milton and have questions about your application status or need in-person support, visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). FEMA can help with:


www.disasterassistance.gov
800-621-3362

fema assistance clinics

Daily, in-person help applying for FEMA. Application status checks, file an appeal, apply for other aid.

Asheville Mall DRC
Mon - Sat • 8 am - 7 pm
3 S Tunnel Rd, Asheville, NC 28805

Jackson County DRC
Mon - Sat • 8 am - 7 pm
198 WBI Dr, Sylva, NC 28779

McDowell County Senior Center DRC
Mon - Sat • 8 am - 7 pm
100 Spaulding Rd, Marion, NC 28752

Caldwell Health and Human Services DRC
Mon - Sat • 8 am - 7 pm
2345 Morganton Blvd SW, Lenoir, NC 28645

Hendersonville DRC
Mon - Sat • 8 am - 7 pm
2111 Asheville Hwy, Hendersonville, NC 28791

Haywood DRC
Mon - Sat • 8 am - 7 pm
Haywood Community College's High Tech Center
112 Industrial Pk Rd, Waynesville, NC 28786

Mitchell DRC
Mon - Sat • 8 am - 7 pm
152 Ledger School Rd, Bakersville, NC 28705

Transylvania County Community Services DRC
Mon - Fri • 8 am - 6 pm
Sat • 8 am - 5 pm
106 E Morgan St, Brevard, NC 28712

Mountains Branch Library DRC
Mon - Sat • 8 am - 7 pm
150 Bills Creek Rd, Lake Lure, NC 28746

Bee Tree Fire Substation
Mon - Sat • 8 am - 7 pm
510 Bee Tree Rd, Swannanoa, NC 28778

Marshall Library DRC
Mon - Sat • 9 am - 5 pm
1335 N Main St, Marshall, NC 28753

Appalachian Resource Center DRC
Mon - Sat • 8 am - 7 pm
130 Poplar Grove Connector, Boone, NC 28607

Swain County Technology + Training Center DRC
Mon - Sat • 8 am - 7 pm
45 E Rdg Dr, Bryson City, NC 28713

Old Ridge Hardware DRC
Mon - Sat • 8 am - 7 pm
671 W US Hwy 19 E, Burnsville, NC 28714

Family Central Parks and Recreation Center DRC
Mon - Sat • 8 am - 7 pm
626 Ashe Central School Rd, Jefferson, NC 28640

Foothills Higher Education Center DRC
Mon - Sat • 8 am - 7 pm
2128 S Sterling St, Morganton, NC 28655

Maryland Community College, Avery Campus DRC
Mon - Sat • 8 am - 7 pm
785 Cranberry St, Newland, NC 28657

AC Bud Hogan Community Center DRC
Mon - Sat • 8 am - 7 pm
909 E Main St, Old Fort, NC 28762

Business Development Center DRC
Mon - Sat • 8 am - 7 pm
115 Atwood St, Sparta, NC 28675

Regional High Technology Center DRC
Mon - Sat • 8 am - 7 pm
112 Industrial Park Dr, Waynesville, NC 28786

Rent Assistance for Asheville Housing Authority Tenants Affected by Helene

Are you or someone you know living at an Asheville Housing Authority site and struggling to pay rent due to impacts from Helene? Please note that HACA is not automatically reducing rental portions. Tenants must fill out the Request for Hardship Exemption to Minimum Rent Requirement Form to receive assistance.

Deadline: Complete and submit the form to Asheville Housing Authority by COB 10/31 to apply it toward October rent. Spread the word and make sure everyone gets the support they need!

small business administration loans

SBA disaster assistance for homeowners, renters, nonprofits, and businesses of all sizes affected by Hurricane Helene.

To learn more, visit: www.sba.gov/disaster

sba assistance centers

Offering in-person meetings.
Mon - Fri, 9 am - 6 pm • Sat, 9 am - 3 pm

Asheville Chamber of Commerce
36 Montford Ave, Asheville, NC 28801

Appalachian Enterprise Center
130 Poplar Grove Connector, Boone, NC 28607

SBA District Office
6302 Fairview Rd #300, Charlotte, NC 28210

Buncombe County Helene Recovery Housing Assistance Grant

Application Window: 12/5 - 12/18/2024.

Buncombe County residents impacted by Hurricane Helene can now apply for the Helene Recovery Housing Assistance Grant. This program offers financial support for up to three months of rent, mortgage, or utility payments.

Eligibility:

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

- Resided in Buncombe County prior to September 26, 2024.

- Household finances were negatively impacted by Hurricane Helene.

- Household income is within 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). See income limits by clicking the link in our bio.

What Expenses Are Covered?

All payments are made directly to the landlord, mortgage company, or utility provider.

Eligible expenses include:

- Rent Assistance: Covers overdue or upcoming rent for up to three consecutive months (starting October 2024).

- Mortgage Assistance: Covers overdue or upcoming mortgage payments for up to three consecutive months (starting October 2024).

- Utility Bills: Covers up to three months of overdue electricity, gas, water, and sewer bills dated after September 27, 2024.

What Is Not Covered?

This grant does not cover:

- Debris removal (apply for PPDR for assistance, link in bio).

- Fuel, internet, property taxes, telephone, or cable/satellite bills.

- Credit card payments, hotel/motel stays, insurance payments, or lost food from the storm.

For additional needs not covered by this grant, you may qualify for FEMA Disaster Assistance or the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program.

Application Process:

Funds are limited, and applications will be randomly ranked to ensure fair distribution. Unfortunately, not all eligible applicants may receive assistance.

- Applications Open: December 5, 2024, at 8 a.m.

- Applications Close: December 18, 2024, at 5 p.m.

- Application Verification: Begins December 20, 2024.

Need Help?

For questions or assistance with the application process, call 828-250-5500 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

disaster unemployment insurance

If your employment has been lost or interrupted because of a federally declared disaster, you may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

DUA is a federal program that provides temporary payments for people who, as a direct result of a disaster:

  • No longer have the job that provided their primary source of income.

  • Are unable to reach their place of employment.

  • Cannot work because of an injury caused by the storm.

  • Were unable to begin employment or self-employment due to the storm. 

  • Have become the major supplier of household income due to a storm-related death of the previous major supplier of household income.

To learn more, visit: www.des.nc.gov/dua or call: 919.629.3857

pisgah legal services

Whether it’s helping with issues related to housing and landlord-tenant disputes, FEMA applications, or immigrant rights, Pisgah Legal is available to provide guidance and representation.

Some ways Pisgah Legal can help:

- FEMA and Disaster Benefits: Applying for FEMA assistance or other disaster relief benefits can be complicated. Pisgah Legal staff is prepared to assist families with these applications to ensure they receive the help they’re entitled to.

- Housing and Evictions: Evictions tend to rise sharply after natural disasters and the Pisgah Legal housing team is working to stop homelessness before it happens.

- Know Your Rights: Pisgah Legal’s attorneys and advocates are providing resources for the community to understand their rights following a natural disaster in areas such as housing, consumer protections and benefits. Pisgah Legal is spreading these messages through the media as well as on our website and social media channels.

- Domestic Violence Prevention: Domestic violence increases in times of high stress, like a natural disaster. Pisgah Legal attorneys are working to support survivors during this stressful time, including helping them navigate complicated custody issues due to relocations and lack of contact.

All of Pisgah Legal services are free of charge to those who qualify, and they encourage anyone in need to reach out to us as soon as possible. Residents can apply online for services at https://bit.ly/3A8HL6L or call 828-253-0406.

legal aid of north carolina

Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Disaster Relief Project provides legal assistance and education to survivors of natural disasters in North Carolina and supports community economic development and equitable long-term recovery and resiliency in disaster-impacted communities.  

The Disaster Relief Project’s services include: 

  • Providing disaster survivors with information about their rights following a natural disaster

  • Advocating for clients when they are applying for recovery fund assistance and appealing decisions, when needed 

  • Standing up for disaster survivors who were victimized by fraudulent contractors or bad-actor landlords 

  • Connecting clients to community resources 

  • Clarifying title and property ownership, including providing wills and advanced directives for those who have been affected by a natural disaster 

  • Supporting local long-term disaster recovery organizations by writing bylaws, providing document templates, and helping groups incorporate as 501(c)(3) nonprofit 

  • Hosting disaster recovery education sessions and legal clinics 

If you have been affected by a natural disaster and are interested in our services, we encourage you to call the helpline to get more information about if we can help.

Want to get the latest information about Legal Aid’s Disaster Relief Project? Subscribe to the newsletter!

wnc tip it forward

WNC Tip It Forward is a partnership between: AIR, ArtsAVL and GBX Group

Restaurant employees who have been substantially impacted by Hurricane Helene are invited to apply for the WNC Tip It Forward Emergency Relief Grant. The grant provides $500 relief stipends to food service workers 18 years or older in the Asheville Metro Area.

ELIGIBILITY

  • Applicants must currently reside Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson or Madison County.

  • Applicants must currently be employed by, or prior to Hurricane Helene have been employed by, a restaurant in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson or Madison County

  • Be 18 years of age or older.

  • Priority will be given to applicants who applicants who work in, or previously worked in, an independent restaurant for 6 months or longer.

  • Applicants must have been substantially impacted by Hurricane Helene.

  • This grant is intended for individual workers; restaurants are not eligible for this opportunity.

  • Due to the high volume of need, awardees will not be eligible to apply again, until further notice.

artsavl emergency relief grant

Western North Carolina artists of all disciplines substantially impacted by Hurricane Helene are invited to apply for ArtsAVL Emergency Relief Grant. The grant provides $500 relief stipends to arts professionals working in craft, literary, media, performing, visual, and interdisciplinary arts.

This regional grant is open to arts professionals 18 years or older.

To learn more, visit: artsavl.org/relief.

asap Appalachian Grown Farmer Immediate Needs Grant

This grant is intended to support farms with significant losses due to disasters. Farmers may apply for up to $500 to cover immediate needs and expenses towards cleaning, replanting, repairing, or other costs not covered through insurance or other programs that will allow the farm to quickly recover. Qualifying farms must be Appalachian Grown certified. Nonprofits are not eligible at this time.

Priority will be given to farmers who 1) face a significant loss due to flooding or other natural disaster; 2) depend on the farm business for more than 50 percent of their household income; 3) have limited resources or identify as BIPOC; and 4) will use funds to cover costs not eligible through insurance or other available programs.

prescriptions

NC Board of Pharmacy staff have received notice that the following pharmacies in Western North Carolina are operating and serving patients. We will continue posting updates as we receive them.

https://www.ncbop.org/emergencyoperatingpharmacieshelene.html

glasses

zenni, Brighter Days Ahead: Reading Glasses & Sunglasses for Hurricane Victims

Zenni’s mission is to make vision care accessible for everyone, including those who need our help most right now.

“In the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Zenni is offering free reading glasses and sunglasses to those affected, with no shipping costs. If you or someone you know is in need, please submit your information so we can help.”

www.zennioptical.com/hurricane-glasses-donation

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trash drop off