Dear Friend,
With Thanksgiving Day in less than three short days, I find I have even more to be grateful for this year than in years past.
I always find November makes me reflect on how fortunate I am to have family, friends, and staff who I can rely on and who build me up to be the best representative I can be.
Seeing the needs of WNC post-hurricane, I know there is a lot of work to be done, but with your trust and support, I’m committed to making sure our mountains get every last dollar and piece of recognition we deserve to not just recover, but to build back stronger than we were before.
Hurricane Helene tested our communities, pushing many to their limits, yet Western North Carolina has shown an incredible level of resilience. I am grateful for the hardworking men and women who have fought tooth and nail since September 27, 2024, to return our mountains to its former glory. First responders, local emergency management personnel, friends and neighbors…it has taken every single one of you to get WNC to the point we are now, and while there is still a long way to go, I’m not passing up on this opportunity to appreciate how far we’ve come and express my gratitude for the folks who got us here.
The list could go on, but for the sake of brevity I will cut myself off here.
I hope that you can slow down, take a step back, and spend time with your loved ones this Thanksgiving. I would also love to hear what you are grateful for, because I am certainly grateful for you.
This update includes permanent changes to Disaster Recovery Centers hours of operation and holiday hours for Thanksgiving week, the permanent closure of the Jackson County DRC and the A.C. Bud Hogan Community Center DRC in McDowell County beginning at 6:00 p.m. on November 27, the lifting of a boil advisory and total restoration of clean water in the City of Asheville, and the standing down of the North Carolina National Guard in Western NC.
If you need help navigating FEMA, the SBA, or another federal agency, please call my office’s helpline: 223-FIX-FEMA. My team would be happy to help you start a case.
If you have extra supplies or if you're in need of a specific product, please fill out the form at edwards.house.gov/hub. My team will do our best to consolidate efforts and match those requests with available resources.
Today is update number 33. Please make sure to read everything and share it with your friends and family.
Index
Click the title to be taken to the correlating information in the update.
FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Sites
Legislative Support
Housing/Individual Assistance Updates
Food and Water
Buncombe County
Haywood County
Henderson County
Jackson County
Madison County
McDowell County
Polk County
Rutherford County
Transylvania County
Yancey County
Trash Services and Debris Removal
Buncombe
Haywood
Henderson
Madison
McDowell
Polk
Rutherford
Transylvania
Yancey
United States Postal Service/Mail Services
Health Care Services
Resources for Veterans
Resources for Farmers
Power
Roads
North Carolina National Guard & Department of Defense
Asheville Regional Airport
Federal Nutrition Programs
For NC-11 Medical Providers
For Local Government Resource Requests
For Individual Assistance through FEMA
To Connect with a Loved One
Resources for Utility & Other Status Updates
Free Legal Assistance
IRS Guidance for Taxpayers Impacted by Hurricane Helene
Shelters
Buncombe County
Haywood County
Henderson County
Madison County
McDowell County
Rutherford County
Transylvania County
Yancey County
Carolina Cruiser Mobile Office Hours
FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Sites
• The following FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers are open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays to assist North Carolina survivors who have experienced losses from Hurricane Helene.
• Please note: All DRCs are now closed on Sundays.
• DRCs will also be closed from November 28 through December 1 for Thanksgiving weekend.
• All DRCs will reopen 8:00 a.m. on Monday, December 2.
o Buncombe County
Asheville Mall (former Gap store)
3 S. Tunnel Rd., Asheville, NC 28805
o Haywood County
Regional High Technical Center
112 Industrial Park Dr., Waynesville, NC 28786
o Henderson County
2111 Asheville Hwy., Hendersonville, NC 28791
o Jackson County - Permanently closing at 6:00 p.m. on November 27
Jackson County Annex Building
198 WBI Dr., Sylva, NC 28779
o Macon County
Macon County Public Health Center
1830 Lakeside Dr., Franklin, NC 28734
o Madison County
Madison County Public Library - Marshall Branch
1335 N. Main St., Marshall, NC 28753
o McDowell County - Permanently closing at 6:00 p.m. on November 27
A.C. “Bud” Hogan Community Center
909 E. Main St., Old Fort, NC 28762
County Senior Center
100 Spaulding Rd., Marion, NC 28752
o Polk County
Polk County Recreation Complex (Parking Lot)
235 Wolverine Trl., Mill Spring, NC 28756
o Rutherford County
Mountains Branch Library
150 Bills Creek Rd., Lake Lure, NC 28746
o Swain County
Swain County Technology & Training Center
45 East Ridge Dr., Bryson City, NC 28713
o Transylvania County: Community Services Building
106 E. Morgan St., Brevard, NC 28712
o Yancey County
County Annex Facility
677 W. U.S. Highway 19E Bypass, Burnsville, NC 28714
• A Disaster Recovery Center is a one-stop shop where survivors can 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 for disaster loans, etc.
o Additional recovery centers will be opening soon, and I will keep you posted as I learn about them.
• Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams are also stationed across NC-11 to help survivors apply for FEMA assistance and connect them with additional state, local, federal and voluntary agency resources.
Legislative Support
• The U.S. House of Representatives is gearing up to pass a disaster relief package when we return to session in November.
o I have begun conversations with leadership about how to best meet Western North Carolina’s needs in any supplemental relief package passed by Congress in the coming months.
• The North Carolina General Assembly unanimously passed a second round of disaster relief on October 24, known as the Disaster Recovery Act of 2024 Part II.
o State legislators have stated that this package is still preliminary support, and more will be on the way in another session on November 19, 2024.
o This bill adds another $604 million from the state’s Savings Reserve Fund to the Hurricane Helene Fund. Below lays out where the funds are going and shares a summary of what some of the funds will be used for.
$16.7 million for the North Carolina Community College System
$5 million for a grant program to cover tuition and fees for eligible students at impacted community colleges in WNC for the spring semester.
$10.5 million for an emergency grant program to support students who have suffered financial hardship due to damage and destruction by Helene.
Students will be eligible for up to $2,500 and schools must start taking applications by November 15.
The funds must be used on expenses that support a student’s continued enrollment.
$65 million for the Department of Public Instruction
$5 million to increase mental health services to students, families, and school personnel in WNC.
Expands school flexibility by excusing an additional 20 days of missed instruction time due to school closures from Hurricane Helene.
$20 million for the University of North Carolina
$5.5 million to establish a grant program to cover tuition for eligible in-state students at UNC Asheville in the spring semester.
$5 million for an emergency grant program to support students in the UNC system who have suffered financial hardship due to damage and destruction by Helene.
Students will be eligible for up to $2,500 and schools must start taking applications by November 15.
The funds must be used on expenses that support a student’s continued enrollment.
$1 million for the same emergency grant program for students at private universities in WNC who have suffered financial hardship due to damage and destruction by Helene.
Students will be eligible for up to $2,500 and the UNC system must start taking applications by November 15.
The funds must be used on expenses that support a student’s continued enrollment.
$71.4 million to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services
$1 million to local social services offices for rental assistance.
$56 million to the Department of Commerce
$50 million to Golden LEAF to administer a bridge loan program to qualifying businesses suffering economic distress due to Helene.
$139 million to the Department of Environmental Quality
$100 million to establish an emergency bridge loan program for water infrastructure.
$22 million to establish an emergency infrastructure bridge loan program for commercial underground storage tanks.
$130 million to the Department of Public Safety
$106 million to general government, including the Office of State Budget and Management and the Treasurer.
$100 million to the Local Government Commission to provide cash flow loans to local governments in affected areas.
• The North Carolina General Assembly unanimously passed the Disaster Recovery Act of 2024 on Oct. 9, 2024.
o This bill creates a new Hurricane Helene fund with $273 million from the state’s Savings Reserve Fund.
$250 million will go to the Department of Public Safety's Division of Emergency Management to provide the state’s match to federal disaster relief funds.
Another portion of the funds will be used to establish a revolving loan program to help local government and state agencies with cash flow while they are waiting for reimbursement from the federal government.
$16 million will go to the Department of Public Instruction for “lost compensation of school nutrition employees due to school closures resulting from Hurricane Helene”
$2 million to provide local governments technical assistance with local recovery funds.
$5 million to the State Board of Elections, alongside a variety of temporary election law changes such as changing polling sites that were rendered unusable by the storm and establishing a voter hotline, to make it easier for residents of Western North Carolina to vote.
o The bill also:
Grants school calendar flexibility to public schools by allowing them to make up or mark as completed any number of the days or hours missed.
It also allows the schools to use up to 30 days of remote instruction toward required instructional days.
Waives DMV fees for things like obtaining a duplicate driver’s license, ID card, etc.
Waives certain environmental requirements for state highway repairs.
This provision will not reduce the safety of repairs conducted by NCDOT or negatively impact the environment.
Housing/Individual Assistance Updates
• More than 264,000 Western North Carolinians have registered for Individual Assistance with FEMA.
• The Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program through FEMA is currently providing temporary hotel stays to more than 11,000 individuals
o FEMA has distributed more than $246 million in housing assistance to more than 134,000 Western North Carolina households.
• How to avoid scams during the assistance application process:
o Homeowners and renters who applied for FEMA disaster assistance in WNC should be aware that FEMA representatives may call from unfamiliar area codes and phone numbers that could show as SPAM or no caller ID.
o It is important to answer the call, but always be alert to these illegitimate practices:
A FEMA inspector calls, and you did not submit a FEMA application.
A FEMA inspector asks for your banking information.
FEMA inspectors are NEVER authorized to collect your personal financial information.
A payment is requested from someone who says they are from FEMA.
FEMA will never request payment.
A FEMA inspector calls and asks for your personally identifiable information such as your social security number.
o If any of these things happen to you, or you receive a call from someone saying they are a FEMA representative and you aren’t sure, call the FEMA Helpline to report the incident.
FEMA Helpline: (800) 621-3362
o If you believe you are the victim of a scam related to the Helene response, you should file a complaint with the North Carolina Department of Justice by:
Visiting ncdoj.gov/complaint; or,
Calling toll-free at 877-566-7226.
Food and Water
• The boil advisory has been lifted for all customers in the City of Asheville.
o If your plumbing was installed before 1988, flush cold water for 30 seconds to two minutes before gathering water for consumption.
Clean water in the City of Asheville has been one of the most challenging local infrastructure-related issues caused by Helene.
The restoration of water quality and service in Asheville signifies yet another turning point for the folks of Western North Carolina.
We are recovering. Slowly but surely, we are recovering.
• Free drinking water testing is available by request through the Buncombe County Public Health Department.
o Just contact the Buncombe County Public Health Department to request a test kit.
o The department will provide you with an empty bottle along with instructions to collect a drinking water sample and where to drop it off for analysis.
• If you have a private well that flooded, the well should be disinfected and tested to ensure the safety of yourself and your family.
o The Division of Public Health is providing free, well-testing kits through local health departments.
o Contact your local health department (find your local department via this link) to obtain a free well testing and disinfection kit.
• NCDEQ has provided the following resources to help community members track progress on water supply restoration efforts:
o Public Water Supply Situation Report Tracking - ArcGIS map with filters for system status, county, etc. linked here.
o DEQ Dashboard - links to additional maps, including mobile view of water system status, and environmental guidance linked here.
• Buncombe County
o Buncombe County has water distribution at multiple sites. Each will be available daily from 12:00-4:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Please bring your own container.
Buncombe County Sports Park Complex
58 Apac Dr., Asheville, NC 28806
Black Mountain Ingles
550 NC-9, Black Mountain, NC 28711
Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center
121 Shiloh Rd., Asheville, NC 28803
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Pack Square Park
80 Court Plz., Asheville, NC 28801
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sky Lanes Bowling Alley
1477 Patton Ave., Asheville, NC 28806
Daily hours: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Swannanoa Ingles
2299 US-70, Swannanoa, NC 28778
Daily hours: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Fairview Ingles
225 Charlotte Hwy., Fairview, NC 28803
o The following resources sites are available in Buncombe County, where citizens can access food, water and other basic necessities:
Biltmore Baptist Church
35 Clayton Rd., Arden, NC 28704
Distribution and bulk pickup for volunteers looking to take bulk loads of supplies to in-need community members
Saturday hours: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Community drive-thru for anyone in the community needing supplies
Saturday hours: 3:00-6:00 p.m.
First Baptist Church – Weaverville
63 N. Main St., Weaverville, NC 28787
Hot showers available from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Unlimited clean drinking water is available, bring your own container.
Supplies and bottled water.
Hot lunch served at 1:30 p.m.
Fellowship Asheville
756 Fairview Rd., Asheville, NC 28803
Daily hours: 1:00-4:00 p.m., Monday-Thursday
West Asheville Baptist Church
926 Haywood Rd., Asheville, NC 28806
Daily hours: 2:30-5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Saint Mary Margaret Catholic Church
102 Andrews Pl., Swannanoa, NC 28778
Daily hours: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday
Saturday hours: 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Please note: This location is not open during mass.
o A Community Care Station is available at the following location:
2319 Hwy. 70, Swannanoa, NC 28778
Daily hours: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Hot meals served daily: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Community Care Stations offer showers, laundry, bathrooms, access to cell towers, wi-fi, potable and non-potable water, and counseling.
• Haywood County
o The following locations are providing community members with essential resources such as but not limited to, food, water, cleaning products, baby formula, and pet food, Monday through Fridays:
Fines Creek Community Center
190 Fines Creek Rd., Clyde, NC 28721
Open every day until 6:00 p.m.
Pigeon Community Center
450 Pigeon St., Waynesville, NC 28786
Also offering hot meals every day at 2:00 p.m.
Daily Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Cruso Community Center
13186 Cruso Rd., Canton, NC 28716
Daily Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
First United Methodist Church
566 S. Haywood St., Waynesville, NC 28786
Includes shower access.
Daily Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Maggie Valley Pavilion
3935 Soco Rd., Maggie Valley, NC 28751
Daily Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Monday-Saturday)
Woodland Baptist Church
545 Crabtree Rd., Waynesville, NC 28786
Daily Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
New Covenant Church
767 Lee Rd., Clyde, NC 28721
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
IP Sportsplex
305 Silkwood Dr., Canton, NC 28716
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Bethel Elementary School
4700 Old River Rd., Canton, NC 28716
Daily Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Jonathan Valley Elementary School
410 Hall Dr., Waynesville, NC 28786
Daily Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday
St. Barnabas Catholic Church
109 Crescent Hill Rd., Arden, NC 28704
Daily Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Reynolds Baptist Church - Family Life Center
520 Rose Hill Rd., Asheville, NC 28803
Daily Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
This location also has potable water available to residents who bring their own vessels to fill.
Mountain Projects
2177 Asheville Rd., Waynesville, NC 28786
The Community Kitchen
288 Crabtree Mountain Rd., Canton, NC 28806
Daily hours: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Haywood Christian Ministry
150 Branner St., Waynesville, NC 28786
Daily hours: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Monday-Friday)
o The following location offers showers daily from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.:
Calvary Baptist Church
2701 Soco Rd., Maggie Valley, NC 28751
o The following location is offering supplies for horses and livestock:
WNC Regional Livestock Center
474 Stock Dr., Canton, NC 28716
• Henderson County
o Henderson County has stood up one Resource Hub location for water distribution and other supplies as they become available.
118 McAbee Ct., Flat Rock, NC 28731
Daily hours: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
o Each family unit will be provided supplies for one day’s meal and water as available.
o Individuals are asked to enter the drive-through and remain in your car unless otherwise instructed by volunteers to ensure an efficient process.
• Jackson County
o In partnership with the Red Cross, the following is available for citizens of Jackson County:
The Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau are providing shelf-stable meals at the following location:
558 Frank Allen Rd., Cashiers, NC 28717
The Canada Fire Department is distributing emergency supplies at the following location:
149 Charleys Creek Rd., Tuckasegee, NC 28783
o The following locations are providing resources to displaced families and individuals in need:
Mountain Projects
154-B Medical Park Loop, Sylva, NC 28779
United Christian Ministries
191 Skyland Dr., Sylva, NC 28779
St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church of Sylva
22 Bartlett St., Sylva, NC 28779
Daily hours: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Cornbread and Roses
1294 Savannah Dr., Sylva, NC 28779
Daily hours:
Wednesday, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Thursday, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Sunday, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
• Madison County
o The following locations are offering food, water, and some supply distribution in Madison County:
Beech Glen Community Center
2936 Beech Glen Rd., Mars Hill, 28754
Daily hours: Unable to locate daily hours at this time.
Center Community Center
1300 Grapevine Rd., Marshall, NC 28753
Daily hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Ebbs Chapel Community Center
281 Laurel Valley Rd., Mars Hill, NC 28754
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Enon Baptist Church
174 Ammons Branch Rd., Marshall, NC 28753
Open Sunday 12:00-4:00 p.m.
Freedom Christian Church
7350 US 25/70 Bypass, Marshall, NC 28753
Daily hours: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
This location offers additional resources such as hygiene products, blankets, clothes, cleaning supplies, diapers, pet food, etc.
Laurel Community Center - also has supplies
4100 NC 212 Hwy., Marshall, NC 28753
Daily Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Revere-Rice Community Center
3980 Revere Rd., Marshall, NC 28753
Daily hours: 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (Mon-Sat)
Spring Creek Community Center
13075 NC 209 Hwy., Hot Springs, NC 28743
Daily hours: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
This location also has additional resources such as pet food, livestock feed and hay.
Walnut Community Center - also has supplies
46 School Rd., Marshall, NC 28753
Daily hours: Unable to locate daily hours at this time.
N.C. Cooperative Extension - Madison County Center
258 Carolina Ln., Marshall, NC 28753
Daily hours: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
This location is offering drive-thru food distribution only.
Little Ivy Baptist Church
1053 Crossroads Pkwy., Mars Hill, NC 28754
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• McDowell County
o McDowell County has established multiple points of distribution that are open daily.
o Distribution takes place daily at the following locations:
Tom Johnson’s Camping Center
348 Resistoflex Rd., Marion, NC 28752
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Weekend hours: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Cherry Springs
6 Bull Walker Rd., Old Fort, NC 28762
Daily hours: Wednesdays 4:00-7:00 p.m., Sundays 2:00-6:00 p.m.
Camp Grier
985 Camp Grier Rd., Old Fort, NC 28762
Daily hours: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 4:00-7:00 p.m.
Restoration Church
2344 Ashworth Rd., Marion, NC 28752
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Centro Unido Latino Americano
79 Academy St., Marion, NC 28752
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
First Baptist Church of Old Fort
203 E. Main St., Old Fort, NC 28762
Daily hours: 4:00-7:00 p.m., Monday-Friday
New Manna Baptist Church
225 E. Court St., Marion, NC 28752
Daily hours: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 4:00-6:00 p.m.
o First Baptist Church of Marion is offering hot showers, air conditioning, and areas to charge devices.
Current hours: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 2:00-5:00 p.m., Monday-Saturday.
• Polk County
o The following locations are offering food and water distribution for residents in need from 1:00-5:00 p.m.:
Mill Spring/Green Creek Community
25 International Blvd., Mill Spring, NC 28756
Columbus Community
95 Walker St., Columbus, NC 28722
Saluda Community Bus Parking Lot
214 E. Main St., Saluda, NC 28773
Tryon Community
301 N. Trade St., Tryon, NC 28782
Sunny View
86 Sunny View School Rd., Mill Spring, NC 28756
• Rutherford County
o The following two centralized distribution center locations are open from 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. for citizens to get food and emergency supplies:
The Green Space
658 Memorial Hwy., Lake Lure, NC 28746
Warehouse #7
214 Vance St., Warehouse 7, Forest City, NC 28043
• Transylvania County
o The following location is providing hot meals to county residents:
Balsam Grove Community Center - daily until power is fully restored
8732 Parkway Rd., Balsam Grove, NC 28708
Daily hours: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
o Bottled water is available daily at local fire departments and 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at Anchor Baptist Church located at:
3232 Hendersonville Hwy., Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
o Water filling stations can be found at the following locations:
City Sports Complex
824 Ecusta Rd., Brevard, NC 28712
Daily hours: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Rocky’s Grill & Soda Shop
50 S. Broad St., Brevard, NC 28712
No posted daily hours
Cedar Mountain Outpost
8431 Greenville Hwy., Brevard, NC 28712
No posted daily hours.
DD Bullwinkles
60 E. Main St., Brevard, NC 28712
No posted daily hours.
First United Methodist Church
325 N. Broad St., Brevard, NC 28712
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Pisgah Forest Baptist Church
494 Hendersonville Hwy., Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
Daily hours: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
o Food, water, and other supplies such as hygiene products are being distributed at the following locations:
Anchor Baptist Church
3232 Hendersonville Hwy., Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Zion Baptist Church
423 Main St., Rosman, NC 28772
No daily hours posted
Grace Brevard
55 E. Jordan St., Brevard, NC 28712
Daily hours: 12:00-2;00 p.m.
Mary C. Jenkins Community Center
221 Mills Ave., Brevard, NC 28712
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday
• Yancey County
o Yancey County has one centralized distribution site for water, food and ice located at the following address:
Former Fred’s Store
677 W. U.S. Highway 19E, Burnsville, NC 28714
o Mobile laundry facilities are available in the GO Grocery parking lot located at the following address:
631 W Hwy. 19E Bypass, Burnsville, NC 28714
Trash Services and Debris Removal
• All counties are actively working with NCDEQ to determine where mud, silt and sediment can be safely dropped off without risk of contamination.
• Recycling services are available through Curbside Management for the following counties:
o Buncombe
o Clay
o Graham
o Haywood
o Henderson
o Jackson
o Macon
o Madison
o Polk
o Rutherford
o Yancey
o Some communities have halted recycling services to prioritize trash collection.
If that is the case for your community, Curbside Management has a drop-off site available for residents who wish to bring their recycling to the following location:
116 N. Woodfin Ave., Asheville, NC 28804
• If your home has damage and you need assistance with clean up, please call Crisis Cleanup for access to volunteer organizations that can assist you at 844-965-1386.
• If Hurricane Helene caused damage to your home or belongings, make sure to document it.
o This is critically important in getting reimbursed.
Take photos before you begin cleaning up.
Make a list of damaged or lost items and gather receipts.
o Doing this helps speed up the process with insurance and other assistance programs, and ensures you get properly compensated.
o Before you start the clean-up process, remember:
Wear PPE such as long pants, goggles, gloves and sturdy shoes.
Stay off damaged structures.
Be aware that snakes or other hazardous animals could be present.
• Call your local fire department to inspect or removal chemicals, propane tanks, and other hazardous materials.
o If you suspect debris contains toxic substances, seal them in plastic bags to prevent them from becoming airborne.
• To reduce the risk of accidental fires, please DO NOT burn your storm debris.
o Emergency personnel are continuing to work on other storm recovery and response efforts, limiting resources to respond to accidental fires.
o Please discard storm debris at a local transfer site or via curbside debris pickup.
• Debris should be placed curbside and not block the roadway or access to the property.
o Please place debris away from trees, poles or other structures (e.g., fire hydrants, meters, etc.) to make removal work easier.
o Contact your local municipality for curbside storm debris removal collection schedules or see below for additional information on debris waste removal by county.
• Additionally, the following counties have resources for where to take household trash and debris waste.
o Buncombe
Curbside collection will begin Monday for City of Asheville sanitation customers.
Storm debris collection has begun in Buncombe County.
Separate storm-related debris at the curb in the right of way according to material type:
Appliances, construction debris, household hazardous waste such as pesticides and automotive fluid, vegetative debris, and electronics.
Debris collection will require multiple passes and will be a long process.
Residents do not have to set out all debris at one time or worry if there is debris left; another pass can collect additional debris.
Trash pickup has resumed on the regular schedule for customers in Black Mountain.
Waste Pro collection service has resumed for regular Monday route customers.
Buncombe County is offering to remove eligible debris and demolish unsafe structures on private property at no cost for residents affected by Hurricane Helene.
To participate, submit a Right of Entry form to grant access to your property.
Complete an application by:
1. Clicking this link
2. Visiting one of the Private Property Debris Removal application centers:
Asheville Mall, 3 South Tunnel Road (the Disaster Recovery Center) - daily 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Fairview Library, 1 Taylor Road - Tuesday-Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Barnardsville Fire Department, Station 15, 100 Dillingham Road - Tuesday-Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Swannanoa Fire Rescue, 510 Bee Tree Road - Tuesday-Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
3. Scheduling an in-person meeting at your property by calling 828-250-6100 and pressing 2.
For more information or if you have any questions, call 828-250-6100 and press 2, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
o Haywood
Household waste will be accepted at the Materials Recovery Facility at 247 Recycle Rd., Clyde and at Convenience Centers at Jonathan Creek, Beaverdam, Bethel, Hazelwood, Mauney Cove, Jones Cove and Highway 110.
White Oak Landfill has reopened.
o Henderson
Henderson County Transfer Station is open and accepting storm debris with normal fees.
Henderson County has begun curbside storm debris removal to county residents as a free service.
The county will pick up storm debris for free if it is pushed to the right of way of a property.
Storm debris includes tree branches, leaves, logs, building materials, furniture, paint etc.
Please be patient.
The county will pick up storm debris for free as quickly as possible.
o Madison
The Hot Springs collection center is operating on normal hours for household trash ONLY:
Monday: 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Hot Springs trash pickup is returning to Mondays like usual.
Please only use this pickup service if you cannot bring it to the collection center yourself.
The pickup service is being led by volunteers at this time.
o McDowell
McDowell County has hired private contractors to facilitate storm debris pickup from public right of ways in the Town of Old Fort, City of Marion, and along state secondary roads in the county.
Residents are asked to separate debris into the following categories:
Large appliances
Construction debris
Vegetative debris
Hazardous waste
Electronics
Household waste
o Polk
The Polk County landfill is open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
322 Landfill Rd., Mill Spring, NC 28756
Drop-off of residential trash is $10.
GFL trash services will continue the regular schedule.
The County has partnered with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to support residents with storm-related debris removal.
Cleanup crews are actively collecting debris across the county and transporting it to an approved temporary site on Wolverine Trial in Mill Spring, on Polk County-owned property.
To ensure smooth and efficient removal:
Debris should be placed within 10 feet of the road.
Vegetative debris must be in manageable piles.
Logs can have a maximum length of 15 feet.
Debris should be separated into five categories:
Vegetative - Tree branches, leaves, log, branches.
Construction - Building materials, drywall, lumber, carpet, furniture, plumbing.
Large Appliances - Refrigerators, washer/dryers, air conditioners, stoves, water heaters, and dishwashers.
Please DO NOT leave doors unsealed or unsecured.
Electronics - Television, computer, stereo, phones, DVD players, etc.
Hazardous Waste - Oil, batteries, pesticides, paint, cleaning supplies, compressed gas.
Document the clean-up process with photos before and after debris removal.
o Rutherford
The county has begun storm debris removal along state-maintained and municipally-controlled roads.
Residents are asked to place storm-related vegetative debris, including trees and limbs, within the road’s right-of-way.
Cut large debris into four to six ft. sections.
The Rutherford County Landfill and all convenience centers have reopened with normal hours.
o Transylvania
The City of Brevard has resumed regular trash pickup.
The county landfill accepts natural vegetative storm debris, including spoiled hay, trees, brush, etc. for free.
o Yancey
The Riverside and East Yancey Recycling Centers have resumed operations.
Daily hours: 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday-Saturday
The Yancey-Mitchell Landfill is now open, following repairs from Hurricane Helene.
555 Landfill Rd., Burnsville, NC 28714
Daily hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Monday-Friday); 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Saturday)
Residents should sort storm debris from regular household waste.
Hazardous materials will not be accepted and construction debris should be separated from household waste.
United States Postal Service/Mail Services
• My office has heard concerns related to the Barnardsville Post Office being closed.
o The facility has been deemed unsafe for occupancy until all necessary repairs are completed and the facility has passed the required inspections.
o USPS is dedicated to reopening the facility as soon as possible and I am working with them to make sure there are no unnecessary delays.
o Retail services are still being provided via a Mobile Retail Unit that is located on-site.
o Delivery operations remain temporarily transferred to the Weaverville Post Office and reliable mail delivery is continuing as it would if delivery were taking place through the Barnardsville location.
o All Post Office Box mail and packages can be picked up from the mobile retail unit located in Barnardsville until further notice.
• Social Security and FEMA checks are being routed to all units for delivery and/or are available for customer pick up.
• For impacted residents who have relocated due to the storm, please be sure to complete a change of address request at moversguide.usps.com.
• Most USPS offices have reopened under normal operations.
o Sunday delivery is being made in some of the affected communities to ensure delayed mail is delivered as soon as possible.
• Only 21 offices, or 10 percent of all USPS offices in Western NC remain closed.
o Only one facility was fully destroyed, the Micaville PO box office in ZIP code 28755.
• USPS is utilizing Mobile Operations Units where residents can send or receive mail and packages in many of the areas with closed offices.
o The mobile units are located in the following communities:
Alexander - 28701
Barnardsville - 28709
Cedar Mountain - 28718
Edneyville - 28727
Hot Springs - 28743
Marshall - 28753
Micaville - 28755
Montreat - 28757
Rosman - 28772
Swannanoa - 28778
•
o
Health Care Services
• Free mental health services - All available for drop-in
o If you have been impacted by the storm and need someone to talk to, call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1 (800) 985-5990.
Help is also available to anyone, anytime in English or Spanish through a call, text or chat to 988.
Learn more at 988Lifeline.org.
o Care Collaborative for Western North Carolina Clinicians is a partnership among more than 200 mental health professionals volunteering to provide free mental health services for Hurricane Helene survivors.
Services are provided virtually, and you can follow this link to find a professional that fits your needs and their contact information to schedule a session.
o Hot Springs Elementary School - Art Room
63 N. Serpentine Ave., Hot Springs, NC 28743
Daily hours: 12:00-5:00 p.m.
o The Pearl Institute
55 Academy St., Waynesville, NC
Daily hours: 12:00-6:00 p.m. (Monday-Friday)
Free telehealth appointments are also available.
To book a telehealth appointment, you can email
o Community Support Group
Regular group sessions will be occurring through the end of December at the following locations:
221 Mills Ave., Brevard, NC 28712
Mary C. Jenkins Community & Cultural Center
Hosted by the City of Brevard, AARP, and Blue Ridge Community College
9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on October 28
45 Oak Park Dr., Brevard, NC 28712
Blue Ridge Community College, Brevard Campus, Room 140
9:00-11:00 a.m. on November 4, 18, 25; December 2, 9 ,16
o All University of North Carolina System students have access to free mental health through their university.
Please monitor your student email for more information on how to access these services.
Resources for Veterans
• Outpatient clinics have rescheduled 66 percent of the appointments that were cancelled due to Hurricane Helene, with more being rescheduled every day.
• The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs launched a new web page with disaster relief resources, providing a single place for veterans and their caregivers to access VA resources on health care, housing, benefits payments, insurance, and more.
o You can access the web site via this link.
• The VA has established a Veterans Disaster Response Hotline, which is available 24/7 at 1(800) 507-4571.
• If you or a veteran you know needs immediate housing assistance after Hurricane Helene, please call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 424-3838.
o The call center is open 24/7.
• If you have a VA-backed home loan and are unable to make your mortgage payments, please contact your mortgage servicer.
o You can also call the VA at (877) 827-3702, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
o Home loan servicers are allowed to put a 90-day pause on foreclosures and encouraged to waive late charges for VA-guaranteed home loans after a disaster.
• Legionnaires, Sons of the American Legion members and Legion Posts that have been displaced from their primary residence due to damage sustained during Hurricane Helene may be eligible for financial assistance through the American Legion.
o Legionnaires and Sons of the American Legion members may be eligible for up to $3,000.
o Legion Posts may be eligible for up to $10,000.
To learn more or to request assistance, please use this link.
Applications must be submitted within 90 days of the disaster: Dec. 26, 2024.
• The Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville and Master Sergeant Jerry K. Crump VA Clinic in Forest City are open for essential and emergency services.
o Veterans can:
Visit the Asheville VA Hospital pharmacy for medication refills or:
Call the Regional Clinical Contact Center at (855) 679-0074 and press 1 for pharmacy representatives.
o Local pharmacies in the VA’s community care network will also fill written prescriptions, or prescriptions as they appear on an active VA prescription bottle that is not older than six months and has available refills, to provide a 30-day supply.
• Hickory, Forest City and Franklin outpatient VA clinics are now operating regularly.
o Due to the damage and personal losses caused by Hurricane Helene to the staff of the VA, it will take some time to bring staffing to full capacity.
o Please be patient as the VA works to rebuild their workforce.
Resources for Farmers
• The United States Department of Agriculture has put together a list of resources for farmers and other agricultural industry members.
o If your agricultural operation has been impacted by Hurricane Helene, you can review this link, farmers.gov, for emergency and disaster assistance programs.
• Ag supplies can be picked up by farmers in need from any of the following distribution centers (including non-NC-11 locations for farmers who may be closer to an out-of-district distribution center):
o Avery County
Mitchell-Avery County Center
6880 Linville Falls Hwy., Newland, NC 28657
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Monday-Friday); 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Saturday)
o Buncombe County
Mills River Station
74 Research Dr., Mills River, NC 28759
Daily hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Monday-Friday)
o Caldwell County
Caldwell County Fairgrounds
2461 Fairground Rd., Lenoir, NC 28645
Daily hours: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Wednesday and Saturday only), or by appointment
o McDowell County
Marion - McDowell County
188 Ag Services Dr., Marion, NC 28752
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Monday-Saturday)
o Haywood County
Smokey Mountain Event Center
758 Crabtree Dr., Waynesville, NC 28785
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Monday-Friday)
o Watauga County
Watauga County Extension
5715 U.S. Highway 421 N., Vilas, NC 28692
Daily hours: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) - NO HAY
1:00-6:00 p.m. (Tuesday and Thursday) - HAY ONLY
Power
• Almost 100 percent of all power outages have been restored in impacted areas.
o Roughly 400 customers remain without power across Western NC.
o 300 Duke Energy customers.
o 100 electric cooperative customers.
• If your insurance provider is requesting “proof of outage,” you can contact Duke Energy’s Contact Center to request the letter.
o (800) 777-9898
• My office has heard multiple complaints of Duke Energy customers being charged for power on days where there was an outage. Duke Energy provided the following information for how billing was calculated, and what will take place to provide a credit if you were over billed due to being a non-AMI account:
o AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure)
Bills for customers with an AMI/Smart Meter will reflect actual usage for the billing cycle if the meter is communicating. (For awareness: Duke is monitoring usage daily)
o Non-AMI
Customers without an AMI/Smart Meter may see estimated usage if Duke was unable to obtain a reading prior to invoicing.
Once Duke Energy can obtain a reading from the meter, your next bill will be adjusted to reflect actual usage and a credit will be applied for anyone who’s usage was overestimated.
• Duke Energy also provided the following information for auto-pay and budget billing customers:
o Auto-Pay
Payments will automatically draft on the due date for customers signed up for auto-pay.
Customers have the option to temporarily pause their automatic payment by contacting Duke at 800-777-9898 (DEC) | 800-452-2777 (DEP) or by logging into their account to unenroll from Auto Pay.
If a customer chooses to unenroll via logging into their online account, they are encouraged to re-enroll when their situation allows to avoid any future missed payments.
o Budget Billing
Customers enrolled in Budget Billing will still be invoiced their set monthly amount.
o
• For more information on Duke Energy’s power restoration efforts, you can review the following links:
o Complex Repair & Disaster Rebuild Zones Map: duke-energy.com/info/carolinas-restoration
o Outage Map: duke-energy.com/outages
o Outage Alerts: duke-energy.com/outages/alerts
o Generator safety: duke-energy.com/outages/generators
o Power restoration process: duke-energy.com/outages/restoring-your-power
Roads
• Western North Carolina is FULLY OPEN to visitors!
o Please come visit!
• NCDOT has now reopened 1,073 roads that were previously closed due to Hurricane Helene.
o 288 roads remain fully closed.
o 98 other roads are open with partial access.
o 48 roads are open to all traffic except truck traffic.
• Temporary one-lane vehicle access, including a temporary bridge, has been restored along U.S. 64/U.S. 74A/NC 9 in Chimney Rock.
o The contractor continues to improve the access road as NCDOT works to procure the permanent repair contract.
• Florida DOT is providing NCDOT with temporary bridge materials for two locations in McDowell County:
o U.S. 221 where it was washed out by the North Fork Catawba River
o U.S. 70 where it was washed out by Curtis Creek in Old Fort
These locations are being prepared in anticipation of bridge materials arriving in December.
• Ames Construction has been awarded a contract for the permanent repair of I-40 in the Pigeon River Gorge.
o NCDOT is targeting New Year’s Day for restoring traffic to one lane in each direction with a reduced speed limit on I-40 in the Gorge.
• In light of interruptions in service caused by NC DMV closures due to Hurricane Helene, the following DMV fees have been waived from Sept. 26 through Dec. 31, 2024:
o Duplicate or corrected vehicle titles.
o Duplicate registration cards.
o Salvage certificate of title.
o Replacement license plates and/or stickers.
o Duplicate driver licenses (including CDLs).
o Duplicate state ID cards (note: state ID cards are already free for anyone age 17 and up)
• The following late fees have also been waived from Sept. 26 through Dec. 31, 2024:
o Late vehicle registration fees for vehicles that expired on or after Aug. 31, 2024.
o Late interest payments on vehicle registrations and property taxes that expired on or after Aug. 31, 2024.
o Title fees on or after Aug. 31, 2024.
o Late fees and interest on limited registration plates and vehicle registration renewals for limited registrations that expired on or after Sept. 30, 2024.
o Late fees for dealer plates that expired on or after Aug. 31, 2024.
• If you paid any of the above listed fees or late fees prior to notice of the fee waivers, you will be automatically refunded.
o Citizens do not have to take any action to receive refunds.
o Please allow four to six weeks (until Dec. 6, 2024) for refunds to be processed.
o Refunds will NOT be given in-person at NC DMV offices.
• NCDOT has established a Road Reopening Dashboard for folks to keep track of progress made by the department.
o You can use this link to access the dashboard.
o The dashboard is also linked on DriveNC.gov.
• To monitor road conditions in and around NC-11, use drivenc.gov.
o The website tracks NCDOT-managed road conditions in real time.
• NCDOT has launched a detour map to show motorists how to get around closures on I-26 and I-40 at the Tennessee border.
o You can access the map here.
North Carolina National Guard & Department of Defense
• As of COB Friday, November 22, all N.C. National Guardsmen are out of the affected counties in Western NC and are demobilizing at the Morganton Readiness Center.
• As of today, Monday, November 25, BG Morrison, the Commander of Joint Task Force - North Carolina, is officially standing down the task force.
o All remaining missions have been turned over to contractors under county oversight.
• During their time in WNC, Joint Task Force - NC:
o Rescued more than 865 people
o Delivered more than 22,000 tons of relief supplies
o Cleared more than 1,600 obstacles
o Repaired an untold number of roadways, bridges, and culverts
• This has been the longest sustained response to a natural disaster in North Carolina National Guard history.
o More than 6,200 National Guardsmen from NC and multiple other states, along with active-duty soldiers, served 17 affected counties.
o The response lasted eight weeks in duration.
Asheville Regional Airport
• Asheville Regional Airport closed mid-day on Friday, September 27, due to risk of flooding.
• Commercial flights at Asheville Regional Airport have resumed.
• If you parked your car in an Asheville Regional Airport lot and could not retrieve the vehicle due to the storm, great news - none of the airport’s lots flooded and all cars are fine.
o Stay safe and pick up your car when you are able.
• PLEASE NOTE:
o No general aviation pilots are allowed to land at Asheville Regional Airport without prior clearance from FEMA to ensure the safety of aircraft and personnel.
Supply deliveries by civilian pilots ARE permitted to land at Asheville Regional Airport so long as they have prior clearance from FEMA.
FEMA is not turning away any pilot that has gone through the proper channels to coordinate delivery and ensure the safety of his fellow aircraft and personnel.
Federal Nutrition Programs
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service has approved flexibilities due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene.
o SNAP
North Carolina was granted a waiver for the 10-day reporting requirement for the replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits lost because of the hurricane.
This waiver provides additional time beyond the standard 10-day time frame for households to report food losses and receive replacement benefits for food that was destroyed and previously purchased with SNAP benefits.
o Child Nutrition
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction was approved for a waiver pertaining to the child nutrition programs.
Under the waiver approval, NCDPI’s local program operators may:
Serve meals in a non-congregate setting
Adjust the time of meal service
Allow parent pick-up
Allow service of meals at school sites
o Food and Nutrition Services Program
People and families in North Carolina who are enrolled in the Food and Nutrition Services program can now use their EBT card to purchase hot food.
This flexibility will remain in effect until November 3.
o Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, & Children (WIC)
Families participating in WIC who may have relocated to a new area can go to any NC WIC agency to:
Have a new eWIC card issued
Request replacement breastfeeding supplies or breast pumps
Request replacement food that was purchased with current WIC benefits and lost due to Hurricane Helene
For NC-11 Medical Providers
• If you own a medical practice in NC-11 and are experiencing financial hardship due to Hurricane Helene, the North Carolina Medical Society is reactivating its Financial Recovery Program (FRP) to help you recover and open your doors again.
o For more information on the disaster relief fund, you can visit this link.
Details on how medical practices can qualify and apply for funds will be coming soon.
• The Department of Health and Human Services through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has made available:
o Accelerated payments to Medicare Part A providers affected by Hurricane Helene
o Advance payments to Medicare Part B suppliers affected by Hurricane Helene
For Local Government Resource Requests
• For county leaders: This is a reminder to make sure your Emergency Operation Center has submitted the request for gasoline, food, water, cell service deployables, etc. with North Carolina Emergency Management to have your request processed and resources delivered.
o My office stands ready to assist with checking the status of your request if the county or municipality has not heard back from NC Emergency Management within 24 hours.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)
• The deadline to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefits is Dec. 2, 2024 for all counties other than Swain, Graham and Cherokee counties.
o Swain County’s deadline is Dec. 9, 2024.
• Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefits are now available for Western North Carolinians in counties with a major disaster declaration, including:
o Buncombe
o Clay
o Haywood
o Henderson
o Jackson
o Macon
o Madison
o McDowell
o Polk
o Rutherford
o Swain
o Transylvania
o Yancey
• If your employment has been lost or interrupted because of Hurricane Helene, you may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
• File an application for DUA:
o File at des.nc.gov, or
o Call over the phone at (919) 629-3857
• A toll-free legal aid hotline is now available for low-income survivors with disaster-related legal questions: (866) 219-5262.
For Individual Assistance through FEMA
The deadline to file for FEMA Serious Needs Assistance is Nov. 27, 2024. Serious Needs Assistance refers to the initial $750 direct payment provided to eligible households to address necessary expenses like food, water, baby formula, etc.
The deadline to file for FEMA Individual Assistance is Jan. 7, 2025. Please mark your calendars and ensure all applications are submitted on time.
North Carolina received a Major Disaster Declaration for the following counties: Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania and Yancey counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
People with damage to their homes or personal property who live in one of the above-listed counties should apply for Individual Assistance through FEMA, which may include upfront funds to help with essential items like food, water, baby formula and other emergency supplies.
• Funds may also be available to repair storm-related damage to homes and personal property, as well as assistance to find a temporary place to stay.
Individual Assistance provides financial aid and services to eligible individuals and households that have been affected by a disaster to assist with the recovery process. Individuals can officially begin applying for Individual Assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling the application phone number at 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585) between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. EST.
• Find steps to help you replace important documents that were lost or damaged in the storm: www.fema.gov/disaster/4827/news-media
• If you were initially denied for Individual Assistance, please see below for useful tips to help you file an appeal with FEMA:
1. Understand why FEMA denied your claim before writing the appeal.
It could be as simple as a missing document, which you can submit with your appeal.
Read FEMA’s letter from beginning to end to completely understand what the agency needs from you.
2. Make sure you provide evidence for your appeal. Depending on your situation, documentation may include:
A copy of your flood insurance declaration page.
Proof of occupancy, which could be an employer statement, lease, utility bill, credit card statement, or other recent, formal document that states your address.
Proof of ownership, which might include your mortgage or insurance documents, tax receipts, deed, etc.
3. Can’t write the appeal yourself?
I recommend having a trusted friend, family member, or lawyer write it for you.
4. Know your deadline.
You have 60 days from the date of your FEMA determination letter to appeal.
Circle the deadline on your calendar or write yourself a note to keep the date in the forefront.
Once FEMA reviews your letter, you may receive a phone call or a follow-up letter asking for more documentation.
5. Don’t forget to sign your appeal letter!
6. Once signed, there are three ways to submit your appeal:
1. Fax it to (800) 827-8112
2. Send it by mail to: FEMA Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782
3. Upload all appeal documents to your disasterassistance.gov account.
7. Include your application number on every page of the documents you submit.
8. Expect a decision letter to your appeal within 90 days.
To Connect with a Loved One
• Residents trying to connect with family members may call NC 211 (or 1-888-892-1162 if calling from out-of-state) to report missing loved ones or request a welfare check.
• People in the impacted areas can indicate that they are safe by reporting themselves safe through Red Cross Reunification by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
o Please only use 911 for life-threatening emergencies so the lines remain open for critical situations.
• If you are still trying to locate a friend or family member, please complete this form, linked here, to notify local officials of their missing status.
o The form was created by Buncombe County but information is being shared amongst all counties.
o Regardless of which county your loved one was last known to be in, you can still submit the form.
Buncombe County will share the information with the appropriate officials to initiate search and rescue efforts.
o United Way is also fielding missing person/welfare check requests.
Text PERSON to 40403 to add a loved one to search and rescue efforts or fill out this form.
Resources for Utility & Other Status Updates
For information on the status of utilities, debris sites, etc., we want to share the following resources. As communications are restored and more information becomes available, these sites will continue to be updated.
• Drinking Water Systems: Public Water Supply Situation Report Tracking
• Debris Disposal Sites: Active Temporary Debris Disposal Sites
• NCDEQ Situation Report Tracking System
• NCDPS Hurricane Helene - Storm Information
• NCDPS County Emergency Management Agencies
• How to Apply for FEMA Assistance After Hurricane Helene
Free Legal Assistance
• Legal Aid of North Carolina stands ready to provide free advice and legal counsel regarding natural disaster needs, including legal representation if necessary, including for civil legal issues involving:
o Filing FEMA claims and appeals (a process which can be overwhelmingly bureaucratic and burdensome)
o Replacement of lost or destroyed legal and government documents, including driver’s licenses and identification cards
o Medical and insurance claims
o Home repair contracts
o Utility disputes related to restoration of services
o Consumer protection issues like construction fraud, price-gouging on repairs and identity theft
o Housing issues such as unlawful eviction and foreclosures
o Bankruptcy
o Probate and clearing title for survivors living in generational homes without a clear title
o Family law cases and children in need of services (unfortunately, domestic violence tends to rise following a natural disaster)
• If you need civil legal assistance, please contact Legal Aid of North Carolina via the following toll-free hotline:
o (866) 219-LANC or (866) 219-5262
The hotline is available from:
8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; and 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Monday and Thursdays.
Constituents can also apply online at legalaidnc.org/get-help/ between 1:00-4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday.
IRS Guidance for Taxpayers Impacted by Hurricane Helene
• Extension of certain tax filing deadlines:
o IRS has extended various filing deadlines for taxpayers in impacted areas, including 2024 individual/business returns, certain quarterly estimated income tax payments, and certain payroll/excise taxes.
Click here for the full list of extensions and respective dates
Click here for more information from the IRS on disaster assistance
o Tax relief for qualified payments, disaster-related losses:
IRS released provided guidance to taxpayers on how to address disaster-related losses in their 2024 tax return, as well as providing guidance on how qualified disaster relief payments - like government assistance payments - are generally excluded from gross income.
Click here for a general walkthrough of these policies (under header “Additional tax relief”)
Click here for more information on tax treatment of disaster-related losses
Click here for more information on tax treatment of qualified disaster relief payments
o Disaster payments are usually tax-free:
Qualified disaster relief payments are generally excluded from gross income.
In general, this means that affected taxpayers can exclude the following payments from a government agency from their gross income. Amounts received for:
Reasonable and necessary personal, family, living or funeral expenses.
The repair or rehabilitation of your home.
The repair or replacement of your home’s contents.
You may be eligible for a disaster loss deduction:
In some instances, individuals and businesses in a federally declared disaster area can qualify for a casualty loss tax deduction.
The deduction is available for damaged or destroyed property not covered by insurance or other reimbursement and can result in a larger refund.
Taxpayers can choose to claim the deduction on either the return for the year the loss occurred (in this instance, the 2024 return normally filed next year), or the return for the prior year (the 2023 return filed this year).
For individual taxpayers, the deadline for making this election is Oct. 15, 2025.
The IRS also has a special hotline specifically dedicated to taxpayers with disaster-related tax questions. Disaster victims can call the agency’s disaster hotline at (866) 562-5227.
Shelters
• For those unable to evacuate to a safe location or in need of a place to go, the following shelter is currently open and available as of today:
o Buncombe County
Gold’s Gym
801 Fairview Rd, Asheville, NC 28803
Carolina Cruiser mobile office hours
• In keeping with my office's motto of being "First in Constituent Services" and to help constituents post-Hurricane Helene, my office has resumed Carolina Cruiser mobile office hours.
o Folks can stop by to share their thoughts on issues that matter to them or ask for assistance with federal agencies.
• Visit my website for updated Carolina Cruiser hours and locations, linked here.
With my warmest regards,
Chuck Edwards
Member of Congress
CONSTITUENT SERVICES
CONNECT WITH US
WASHINGTON DC OFFICE
1505 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-6401 HENDERSONVILLE DISTRICT OFFICE
200 North Grove Street, Suite 121
Hendersonville, NC 28792
Phone: (828) 435-7310
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