NC Congressman Edwards Disaster Response Update #12
Dear Jeffery,
You may have received my email yesterday dispelling the outlandish rumors being spread online about Hurricane Helene response and recovery. It is disappointing such an email had to be sent in the first place, but I hope I have been able to quell any concerns felt by citizens of Western North Carolina.
The reality is: These conspiracy theories, while certainly frustrating, have done more harm than most people may realize. The spreading of falsehoods has diverted state, local, and federal resources from helping NC-11 recover toward refuting hearsay and repeatedly trying to set the record straight.
Our priority MUST be unified on the recovery and repair of Western North Carolina’s mountains, businesses, families and homes. Any attempt to impede that goal is a disservice to the people of NC-11.
I have been overwhelmed by the vast number of Western North Carolinians who share my top priority, and I can only hope that as recovery efforts continue, others who may have been concerned by the falsehoods they were reading online will also turn their attention first and foremost to how they can help, not hinder, Western NC’s recovery.
Today’s update includes best practices for navigating storm debris removal, including what may be needed for FEMA and insurance documentation; how to handle hazardous material; and where to place debris for pickup by municipalities. Additionally, the update includes more information on where to find a hot meal, progress on the I-40 westbound repair process and steps being taken by the Asheville VA to shore up their water source.
This is update number 12, with more information to come in the following days. Please make sure to read everything and share it with your friends and family.
FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Sites
Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams are stationed across NC-11 to help survivors apply for FEMA assistance and connect them with additional state, local, federal and voluntary agency resources.
In addition to designated locations, DSA teams are going door to door in the following counties:
Buncombe County
Henderson County
Madison County
Yancey County
As new stationary locations are established, I will keep you posted.
The following locations are open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., unless otherwise noted:
Buncombe County
Ingles Market
550 Hwy. 9, Black Mountain, NC 28803
Ingles Market
800 Fairview Rd., Asheville, NC 28803
Walmart
60 Airport Rd., Arden, NC 28704
Title 10 Mission - Asheville
503 Park St., Swannanoa, NC28778
Montford North Star Academy
90 Montford Ave., Asheville, NC 28801
AC Reynolds High School
1 Rocket Dr., Asheville, NC 28803
Beech Community Center
15 State Rd. 2117, Weaverville, NC 28787
McDowell County
McDowell County Senior Center
100 Spaulding Rd., Marion, NC 28752
Polk County
Polk County Courthouse
40 Courthouse St., Columbus, NC 28722
Rutherford County
Ingles Market
276 N. 9 Hwy., Lake Lure, NC 28746
Lake Lure Baptist Church
6837 U.S. Highway 64-74A, Lake Lure, NC 28746
Chimney Rock Fire Department
109 Terrace Dr., Chimney Rock, NC 28720
This location closes at 5:00 p.m.
Yancey County
Blue Ridge Elementary School Shelter
910 Cane River School Rd., Burnsville, NC 28714
Food and Water
Supplying drinkable water remains a top priority for emergency crews.
86 water systems are on a boil advisory.
15 treatment plants have reported having no power and 27 systems are out of water.
Water restoration trends continue to move in a positive direction, with nine treatment plants regaining power and six systems restoring water to the system in the past 24 hours.
Several major water systems are currently not distributing water, including the City of Asheville, Black Mountain, Woodfin, Spruce Pine, and Burnsville.
Work continues on each of these systems to restore functionality.
NCDEQ has provided the following resources to help community members track progress on water supply restoration efforts:
Public Water Supply Situation Report Tracking - ArcGIS map with filters for system status, county, etc.
DEQ Dashboard - links to additional maps, including mobile view of water system status, and environmental guidance.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has promised 120 truckloads a day of food and water with no specified end date.
FEMA has shipped 14 million liters of water and more than 16 million meals utilizing the $20 billion in funds that I helped to draft and pass for disaster relief just two days before Hurricane Helene hit.
Of the shipped food and water, more than 6 million liters of water and 4 million individual meals have already been delivered to Western NC communities.
Home Depot will be passing out free disaster relief kits every day starting at 9:00 a.m., while supplies last, at the following locations:
Home Depot Asheville
795 Fairview Rd., Asheville, NC 28803
Home Depot West Asheville
127 Acton Cir., Asheville, NC 28806
Home Depot Hendersonville
401 Linda Vista Dr., Hendersonville, NC 28792
Walmart is hosting activities at the following locations:
Hendersonville, NC Store 1242
250 Highlands Square Dr., Hendersonville, NC 28792
Portable restrooms
Serving hot meals at 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. daily
Arden, NC Store 1179
60 Airport Rd., Arden, NC 28704
Portable restrooms
Laundry
Showers
Wi-fi hotspot and charging stations
Buncombe County
Buncombe County has begun water distribution at multiple sites. Each will be available daily from 1:00 -7:00 p.m.:
Pack Square Park - you MUST bring your own container for this site
80 Court Plz., Asheville, NC 28801
William W. Estes Elementary School
275 Overlook Rd., Asheville, NC 28803
Sand Hill-Venable Elementary
154 Sand Hill School Rd., Asheville, NC 28806
North Windy Ridge Intermediate School
20 Doan Rd., Weaverville, NC 28787
Fairview Elementary
1355 Charlotte Hwy., Fairview, NC 28730
The following feeding 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.
Hot meals are available at the following locations:
World Central Kitchen in Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ
135 Coxe Ave., Asheville, NC 28801
Serves 25,000 hot meals a day.
Daily hours: 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Shiloh Community Center
121 Shiloh Rd., Asheville, NC 28803
Daily hours: 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Grovemont Park
251 Stonewall Ave., Swannanoa, NC 28778
Daily hours: 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Manna Food Bank - Farmer’s Market
570 Brevard Rd., Asheville, NC 28806
Daily hours: 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Wesley Grant Community Center
285 Livingston St., Asheville, NC 28801
Daily hours: 12:00-2:00 p.m.
West Asheville Ingles
669 Haywood Rd., Asheville, NC 28806
Daily hours: 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Black Mountain Ingles
550 NC-9, Black Mountain, NC 28711
Daily Hours: 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Nesbitt Chapel
12 Nesbitt Chapel Rd., Fairview, NC 28730
Daily hours: 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Food and drinking water are available from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily at the following locations:
Asheville Middle School
211 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville, NC 28801
Ingles
550 NC-9, Black Mountain, NC 28711
This location also has handwashing stations and portable restrooms
Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center
121 Shiloh Rd., Asheville, NC 28803
Lucy Herring Elementary
98 Sulphur Springs Rd., Asheville, NC 28806
Oakley Elementary School
753 Fairvew Rd., Asheville, NC 28803
Haywood County
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: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Woodland Baptist Church
545 Crabtree Rd., Waynesville, NC 28786
Daily Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 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. John the Evangelist Catholic Church - in the Parish Hall
234 Church St., Waynesville, NC 28786
Daily Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday to Friday
Hot food available from 4:00 p.m. to 7 :00 p.m. daily.
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.
Life Church of Waynesville
601 Westwood Cir., Waynesville, NC 28786
Supplies will be distributed from Wednesday, October 9 to Friday, October 11
Daily hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Mountain Projects
2177 Asheville Rd., Waynesville, NC 28786
Heart to Heart International - in Haywood Department of Health Parking Lot
157 Paragon Pkwy., Ste. 800, Clyde, NC 28721
The following location offers hot meals daily:
Maggie Valley Fire Department
2901 Soco Rd., Maggie Valley, NC 28751
Jukebox Junction
3606 Pigeon Rd., Canton, NC 28806
Daily hours: 12:00-2:00 p.m.
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
The following location is offering supplies for horses and livestock:
WNC Regional Livestock Center
474 Stock Dr., Canton, NC 28716
Henderson County
Henderson County has stood up Resource Hub locations for water distribution and other supplies as they become available.
Distribution will be taking place daily from 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. at the following locations:
Etowah Elementary: 320 Etowah School Rd., Etowah, NC 28729
Mills River Town Hall: 124 Town Center Dr., Mills River, NC 28759
Each family unit will be provided supplies for one day’s meal and water as available.
Individuals are asked to enter the drive-through and remain in your car unless otherwise instructed by volunteers to ensure an efficient process.
In addition to the resource hubs, the following churches will also be providing supplies:
Ebeneezer Baptist Church
2557 Chimney Rock Rd., Hendersonville, NC 28792
Open October 9 and October 11, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
First Baptist Church - Hendersonville
312 5th Ave. W., Hendersonville, NC 28739
Open 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. on October 10 and 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on October 11
Jackson County
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
Hours of operation to come.
The Canada Fire Department is distributing emergency supplies at the following location:
149 Charleys Creek Rd., Tuckasegee, NC 28783
Hours of operation to come.
The following location is providing resources to displaced families and individuals in need:
Mountain Projects
154-B Medical Park Loop, Sylva, NC 28779
Daily hours: Not available at this time.
Madison County
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.
McDowell County
McDowell County has established multiple points of distribution that are open daily from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 4:00-6:00 p.m., depending on supply levels.
Distribution takes place daily at the following locations:
Former TJ’s Discounts - North Cove
8153 US 221 N., Marion, NC 28752
Old Fort Town Hall
38 Catawba Ave., Old Fort, NC 28762
New Manna Baptist Church
225 E. Court St., Marion, NC 28752
Solid Rock Free Will Baptist Church - Dysartsville
7860 NC 226 S., Nebo, NC 28761
Zion Hill Baptist Church
1036 Zion Hill Rd., Marion, NC 28752
Hot meals are also being provided at the following location:
Grace Community Church
5182 US 70 W., Marion, NC 28752
Lunch is served every day from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Dinner is available from 4:00-5:30 p.m.
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
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
The following locations are serving hot meals daily:
Tryon Equestrian Center
4066 Pea Ridge Rd., Mill Spring, NC 28756
Daily hours: 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Roseland Community Center
56 Peake St., Tryon, NC 28782
Daily hours: 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Rutherford County
The following locations are open from 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. for citizens to get food and emergency supplies:
Thomas Jefferson High School
2527 US-221A Hwy., Mooresboro, NC 28114
Florence Baptist Church
201 S. Broadway St., Forest City, NC 28043
Rutherford County Health Department
221 Callahan Koon Rd., Spindale, NC 28160
Gilkey Church of God
255 Oak Springs Rd., Rutherfordton, NC 28139
Parks, Recreation, & Lake Office
658 Memorial Hwy., Lake Lure, NC 28746
Lake Lure Baptist Church
6837 US-74 ALT, Lake Lure, NC 28746
Ingles at Lake Lure - meals only
276 NC-9, Lake Lure, NC 28746
Offers hot meals at 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Also offers showers, restrooms, a mobile health van, a tool trailer, a charging station (please bring your own charging cord), and wi-fi.
Father’s Vineyard - also has shower and charging stations
724 Oakland Rd., Spindale, NC 28160
Spencer Baptist Church - water distribution only
187 N Oak St., Spindale, NC 28160
United Way of Rutherford County - water distribution and charging stations only
668 Withrow Rd., Forest City, NC 28043
The Church at Sapphire - through October 10
620 Whitewater Rd., Sapphire, NC 28774
Daily hours: 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Little River Baptist Church - through October 11
51 Little River Church Rd., Penrose, NC 28766
Breakfast hours: 8:00-10:00 a.m.
Lunch hours: 12:30-2:00 p.m.
Dinner hours: 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Transylvania County
The following locations are providing hot meals to county residents:
The Church at Sapphire - through October 10
620 Whitewater Rd., Sapphire, NC 28774
Daily hours: 12:00-4:00 p.m.
Little River Baptist Church - through October 11
51 Little River Church Rd., Penrose, NC 28766
Breakfast hours: 8:00-10:00 a.m.
Lunch hours: 12:30-2:00 p.m.
Dinner hours: 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Cedar Mountain Community Center
10635 Greenville Hwy., Cedar Mountain, NC 28718
Breakfast hours: 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Lunch hours: 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Dinner hours: 4:00-6:00 p.m.
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.Resource pick-up locations are listed below by county. As I learn more, I will keep you posted:
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
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.
Cedar Mountain Outpost
8431 Greenville Hwy., Brevard, NC 28712
No posted daily hours.
Territory Brevard
43 S. Broad St, 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.
Newfound Artisan
22 W. Jordan St., Brevard, NC 28712
Through today, October 6.
Hours: 12:00-5:00 p.m.
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.
Yancey County
Yancey County has transitioned to one centralized distribution site for water, food and ice located at the following address:
Altec
150 Altec Rd., Burnsville, NC 28714
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
If your home has damages 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.
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.
Doing this helps speed up the process with insurance and other assistance programs, and ensures you get properly compensated.
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.
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.
Emergency personnel are continuing to work on other storm recovery and response efforts, limiting resources to respond to accidental fires.
Please discard of 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.
Please place debris away from trees, poles or other structures (e.g., fire hydrants, meters, etc.) to make removal work easier.
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.
Buncombe
Curbside collection will begin Monday for City of Asheville sanitation customers.
There will be no recycling pick up until the recycling plant is operational.
Residents can use both recycling and trash carts for household waste.
The following materials cannot be collected at this time: Mud, construction debris, concrete and other bulky or hazardous items.
Debris collection is estimated to start in mid-October.
The Town of Black Mountain Public Works Department has secured four 15-yard dumpsters located in two sites for Black Mountain residents to throw away household trash ONLY:
Tractor Supply: 125 Old US Hwy. 70 E., Black Mountain, NC 28711
Ingles: 550 NC-9, Black Mountain, NC 28711
Please Note: Yard waste, bulk item, separate recycling and debris collection are not available at this time.
Waste Pro collection service has resumed for regular Monday route customers.
Recycling services are currently suspending while repair work is underway at the recycling process facility.
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.
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.
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.
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
Beginning today, October 9, drop off of residential trash will be $10.
GFL trash services will continue on the regular schedule. However, certain areas may be inaccessible due to ongoing power outages from Hurricane Helene.
Two dumpsters are located on Gibson Street for immediate trash disposal due to road inaccessibility.
Transylvania
The City of Brevard has resumed regular trash pickup.
Yancey
The Riverside and East Yancey Recycling Centers have resumed operations.
Daily hours: 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday-Saturday
Voter Information
The North Carolina State Board of Elections has provided pertinent information and recommendations for voters in the Helene disaster area during the 2024 general election.
To review information on voting in the 2024 general election after Hurricane Helene, you can follow this link.
The site provides information on absentee voting, how to change your polling location if you have a new permanent address, county board of elections, office closures and more.
For any additional questions on voting post-hurricane, please contact your county Board of Elections.
Please note: Your county Board of Elections is the best place to get any questions answered.
I have been permitted to share the above, nonpartisan information but am prohibited from answering any questions related to the 2024 general election.
United States Postal Service/Mail Services
USPS anticipates continued improvement of mail delivery operations with local recovery efforts, to include power, connectivity, and roads.
There are some facilities unable to provide full retail and mail delivery due to road closures and current conditions.
No drop shipments will be accepted at any of the locations listed below.
The following sites are closed with no retail, but delivery is being attempted where it is safe to do so:
Newland - 28657
Cedar Mountain - 28718
The following sites are closed with alternative facilities listed:
Alexander - 28701
Alternative location: 2350 Old Marshall Hwy., Alexander, NC 28701
Daily hours M-F: 8:00 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.; closed 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. for lunch
Open Saturdays: 8:00-10:00 a.m.
Bat Cave - 28710
Alternative location: 3979 Chimney Rock Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Daily hours M-F: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; closed 12:00-1:00 p.m. for lunch
Barnardsville - 28709
Alternate location: 1664 Barnardsville Hwy., Barnardsville, NC 28709
Daily hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; closed from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. for lunch.
Open Saturdays: 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Chimney Rock - 28720
Alternate location: 2432 Memorial Hwy., Lake Lure, NC 28746
Daily hours M-F: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., closed 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Edneyville - 28727
Alternate location: 3979 Chimney Rock Rd., Hendersonville, NC 28792
Daily hours M-F: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; closed 12:00-1:00 p.m. for lunch
Gerton – 28735
Alternate location: 1352 Charlotte Hwy., Fairview, NC 28730
Daily Hours M-F: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Open Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Green Mountain - 28740
Alternate location: 670 W. Main St., Burnsville, NC 28714
Daily hours M-F: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Open Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Hot Springs - 28743
111 Bridge St., Hot Springs, NC 28743
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; closed 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. for lunch.
Open Saturdays: 9:00-10:30 a.m.
Marshall - 28753
Alternate location: 100 S. Main St., Marshall, NC 28753
Daily hours M-F: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; closed 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. for lunch.
Open Saturdays: 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Micaville - 28755
Alternate location: 670 W. Main St., Burnsville, NC 28714
Daily hours M-F: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Open Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Montreat - 28757
Alternate location: 2 Tucker Rd., Ridgecrest, NC 28770
Daily hours M-F: 12:30-4:30 p.m.
Penland - 28765
Alternative location: 899 Oak Ave., Spruce Pine, NC 28777
Daily hours M-F: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Open Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Rosman - 28778
Alternate location: 272 Main St., Rosman, NC 28772
Daily hours M-F: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; closed 12:30-1:30 p.m. for lunch.
Open Saturdays: 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Swannanoa - 28765
Alternate location: 2311 U.S. 70 Highway, Swannanoa, NC 28778
Daily hours M-F: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
All remaining locations are attempting delivery where it is safe to do so.
Multiple United Parcel Service (UPS) sites continue to be affected by power, flooding, and downed trees/power and lines/storm related obstacles.
The Hendersonville and Asheville UPS buildings are currently operational and are being powered by portable generators.
Delivery of packages in these areas is increasing as road conditions improve daily.
Pharmacy Access
The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response under the Department of Health and Human Services has activated the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) for North Carolinians as of Friday, October 4.
The EPAP program helps uninsured residents replace prescription medication or certain medical equipment lost or damaged during Hurricane Helene.
Through the program, uninsured residents can:
Request a free 30-day supply of certain prescription medications at any EPAP-participating pharmacy which can be renewed every 30 days while the EPAP is active.
Replace certain medical equipment and supplies such as canes, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, blood sugar meters and blood sugar test strips for diabetics.
Uninsured North Carolina residents affected by the recent hurricane can call the EPAP hotline, 855-793-7470, or visit the EPAP website to check their eligibility, determine if their medications or medical equipment are covered, or locate a participating pharmacy.
Prescription Pad is open from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and filling prescriptions for Yancey County residents at the following location:
730 E. Main St., Burnsville, NC 28714
For individuals able to safely travel to fill a prescription, the following CVS locations are open:
324 Long Shoals Rd., Arden, NC 28704
505 Smokey Park Hwy., Asheville, NC 28806
371 Asheville Hwy., Brevard, NC 28712
3450 Hendersonville Rd., Fletcher, NC 28732
1605 Four Seasons Blvd., Hendersonville, NC 28792
2001 Spartanburg Hwy., Hendersonville, NC 28792
111 S Main St., Rutherfordton, NC 28139
773 Russ Ave., Waynesville, NC 28786
You can also use this link to locate non-CVS pharmacy locations open to the public by county.
How to Acquire a Prescription:
If a store is closed, you can still call the number and the pharmacy’s phone lines have been rerouted to a nearby CVS Pharmacy that is open to help patients access their prescriptions.
Patients can visit any CVS Pharmacy for assistance with immediate prescription needs.
Open Urgent Cares/ Health Care Services
There is a field hospital with physicians, nurses and paramedics who can treat patients at the Burnsville Fire Department. The address is as follows:
305 Pineola St., Burnsville, NC 28714
The following urgent cares are open and accessible for community members with non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries:
Locations open between 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.:
Mercy Urgent Care Weaverville
61 Weaver Blvd., Weaverville, NC 28787
Mercy Urgent Care West Asheville
1201 Patton Ave., Asheville, NC 28806
Mercy Urgent Care Waynesville
120 Frazier St., Ste. 6, Waynesville, NC 28786
Locations open between 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.:
Mercy Urgent Care Brevard
22 Trust Ln., Brevard, NC 28712
Locations open between 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.:
Mercy Urgent Care Columbus
140 West Mills St., Columbus, NC 28722
Locations open between 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.:
Mobile Urgent Care Clinic
12 Florida Ave., Black Mountain, NC 28711
Mental Health & Basic Medical Support Center
130 Montreat Rd., Black Mountain, NC 28711
Pardee Urgent Care
45 Hendersonville Hwy., Ste. A, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
Free mental health services - All available for drop-in
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.
Hot Springs Elementary School - Art Room
63 N. Serpentine Ave., Hot Springs, NC 28743
Daily hours: 12:00-5:00 p.m.
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 info@pearlpsychedelicinstitute.org or call/text (828) 400-7091
Community Support Group
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 14, 28, and November 18.
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.
The following emergency orthopedic offices are open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily:
800 Fleming St., Hendersonville, NC 28791
2585 Hendersonville Rd., Arden, NC 28704
9 Haywood Office Park, Ste. 102 and 103, Waynesville, NC 28785
Please Note: Emergency orthopedic phone services are down so patients will be seen on a walk-in basis without appointment.
Dialysis Locations
The following location is open and available for dialysis treatments in NC-11:
Pardee Hospital
800 N. Justice St., Hendersonville, NC 28791
This location can dialyze 30 patients a day.
DaVita Kidney Care nurses are reaching out to their patients to coordinate treatment, but the following DaVita locations are available:
DaVita Greer South Dialysis
3254 Brushy Greek Rd., Greer, SC 29650
Contact Number: (864) 801-2065
DaVita Saluda River Dialysis
8080 Augusta Rd., Piedmont, SC 29673
Contact Number: (833) 378-2702
DaVita Wofford at Home
8024 White Ave., Spartanburg, SC 29303
Contact Number: (864) 583-4788
DaVita Boiling Springs Dialysis
196 Sloane Garden Rd., Boiling Springs, SC 29316
Contact Number: (833) 458-4809
Oxygen Locations
Hendersonville High School
1 Bearcat Blvd., Hendersonville, NC 28791
Must be assessed through Pardee Hospital.
Lincare is only serving established patients.
Patients must bring in empty tanks to one of the following locations:
Asheville Lincare
103 Elk Park Dr., Asheville, NC 28804
Fax number: (866) 234-6698
Greenville Lincare
355 Woodruff Rd., Ste. 204 and 205, Greenville, SC 29607
Fax Number: (864) 288-0339
The following locations are available for oxygen refills, but patients must bring their own oxygen equipment - fire departments are available 24/7:
Boiling Springs Fire Department
186 Rainbow Lake Rd., Boiling Springs, SC 29316
Reidville Fire Department
7450 Reidville Rd., Woodruff, SC 29388
Inman City Fire Department
6 Humphrey St., Inman, SC 29349
First Presbyterian Church
393 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29302
Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Greer Relief Indigo Hope Neighborhood Impact Center
113C Berry Ave., Greer, SC 29651
Daily hours: 2:00-5:00 p.m.
Croft Fire Department
370 Cedar Springs Rd., Spartanburg, SC 29302
Arkwright Fire Department
1070 Southport Rd., Spartanburg, SC 29306
Roebuck Fire Department
2639 Stone Station Rd., Roebuck, SC 29376\
North Spartanburg Fire Department
8767 Asheville Hwy., Spartanburg, SC 29316
Resources for Veterans
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.
Legionnaires and Sons of the American Legion members may be eligible for up to $3,000.
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.
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.
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 and Franklin outpatient VA clinics are now operating regularly.
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.
Please be patient as the VA works to rebuild their workforce.
The Asheville VA Medical Center has successfully contacted over 91 percent of veterans most at risk for injury or poor outcomes due to the storm.
Additional outreach to those who have not yet been contacted is ongoing.
The Asheville VA Medical Center’s water supply is stable due to a schedule of eight 6,000-gallon tanker trucks bringing in water.
To make sure the VA water supply remains stable, an emergency contract for well water and a disinfection service that will be operational as a backup water source in about two to three weeks have both been procured.
Resources for Farmers
The United States Department of Agriculture is beginning to put together a list of resources for farmers and other agricultural industry members.
If your agricultural operation has been impacted by Hurricane Helene, you can review this link, farmers.gov, for emergency and disaster assistance programs.
Power and Gas
Fewer than 99,000 customers remain without power in Western North Carolina.
Duke Energy is providing restoration updates via text to all customers that remain without power.
Restoration of service for all other customers in the heavily impacted areas is anticipated within a week, by Sunday, October 13.
Crews are working around the clock to restore power as quickly as possible.
As work on substations conclude, Duke Energy is moving personnel to work on the power grid’s thousands of miles of lines and poles that serve individual homes and businesses.
This work can feel slower because the same amount of work restores fewer customers.
For more information on Duke Energy’s power restoration efforts, you can review the following links:
Complex Repair & Disaster Rebuild Zones Map: duke-energy.com/info/carolinas-restoration
Outage Map: duke-energy.com/outages
Outage Alerts: duke-energy.com/outages/alerts
Generator safety: duke-energy.com/outages/generators
Power restoration process: duke-energy.com/outages/restoring-your-power
Roads
A “DO NOT DRIVE” message remains in place from the North Carolina Department of Transportation for most of Western North Carolina.
Unless it is an emergency, please do not travel to the hardest hit communities.
Cherokee, Graham, Clay, Swain, Macon and Jackson counties ARE FULLY OPEN to people who can access them through safe routes.
Please DO NOT try to visit or travel through the areas hardest hit by the storm.
To monitor road conditions in and around NC-11, use drivenc.gov.
The website tracks NCDOT-managed road conditions in real time.
NCDOT has reopened more than 460 roads.
Roughly 610 roads remain closed, 98 of which are primary routes.
USDOT approved an initial $100 million in Emergency Repair funds to NCDOT.
Damage to our mountain roads exceeds $100 million but USDOT’s investment is a significant and most welcome start.
NCDOT has stated they will be utilizing the $100 million to supplement ongoing efforts in Western North Carolina - this is what I would have hoped the funds are going to be used for, but their public statement is a welcome confirmation of their commitment to restore transportation networks in our mountains.
NCDOT has awarded a $10 million contract to Wright Brothers Construction of Charleston, TN, to stabilize the westbound lanes of I-40 by drilling soil nails where the eastbound lanes no longer exist.
The contract includes incentives to be complete by January 4, 2025.
Around the time this operation concludes, plans for a larger, complex, and complete repair will be in progress.
NC DMV has reopened nine of the 16 driver license offices that were closed due to Hurricane Helene.
The following DMV offices are open for walk-in services Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed between 11:30 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. for a lunch break:
Burke County - Closest open location for McDowell and Yancey County residents
115 Government Dr., Morganton, NC 28655
Cherokee County
1440 Main St., Andrews, NC 28901
Haywood County
290 Lee Rd., Clyde, NC 28721
Henderson County
125 Baystone Dr., Hendersonville, NC 28791
Jackson County
876 Skyland Dr., Ste. 2, Sylva, NC 28779
Macon County
16 Patton Ave., Franklin, NC 28734
Rutherford County
596 Withrow Rd., Forest City, NC 28043
Swain County
2650 Governors Island Rd., Bryson City, NC 28713
Transylvania County
50 Commerce St., Ste. 4, Brevard, NC 28712
The Department of Motor Vehicles plans to reopen two more driver license offices on Wednesday, October 9.
The Asheville driver license office will remain closed until water service can be restored.
All but five license plate agencies have reopened.
Air traffic has sustained at 300 percent above pre-hurricane levels in Western NC.
NCDOT’s aviation division continue to work to make sure flight operations are safe coming into and out of airports, including by:
Scheduling landing/unloading times and aircraft parking so aircraft are spaced out and to reduce the risk of incidents.
Establishing a first of its kind “corridors in the sky” to separate civilian and military aircraft in the air.
Having search and rescue partners use short, time and location specific restrictions on air operations to enhance safety when multiple helicopters are engaged in search and rescue efforts.
The state of North Carolina is NOT turning away civil aviation support so long as it has been coordinated through the proper channels with NC Emergency Management.
If you or someone you know is interested in providing civil aviation support and don’t know where to coordinate your efforts, please call my office and we will help you get in touch with the right folks.
NCDOT has launched a detour map to show motorists how to get around closures on I-26 and I-40 at the Tennessee border.
You can access the map here.
Internet Access
Internet providers are working with local energy and cell providers to restore service for customers across Western North Carolina.
To date, more than 1,000 Starlink terminals have been deployed to assist with internet access for disaster response and relief efforts.
SpaceX is offering free monthly Starlink service for 30 days to any household or entity located in the disaster area.
To apply for this free service, residents can go to starlink.com/residential and select the “Helene Relief” service plan at check out.
Internet providers including Optimum and Spectrum are working around the clock to restore service for customers. However, part of the network’s infrastructure was destroyed by mudslides and collapsed bridges making restoration a lengthy process.
As a result, some impacted areas will require a rebuild of the network from scratch.
To mitigate the lack of service, Optimum, formerly Altice USA, has set up an Optimum Wi-Fi Trailer that is open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the following locations:
717 S. Grove St., Hendersonville, NC 28792
1800 Four Seasons Blvd., Hendersonville, NC 28792
The following locations are offering free public wi-fi:
First Baptist Church - Weaverville
63 N. Main St, Weaverville, NC 28787
Downtown Franklin
The Town of Franklin has free wi-fi on the town hill area in downtown.
Transylvania County Library - 24/7
212 S. Gaston St., Brevard, NC 28712
The Yard Brevard
284 Railroad Ave., Brevard, NC 28712
Brevard Visitor Center
175 E. Main St., Brevard, NC 28712
Available daily from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Cell Service
Communications in the region are improving rapidly.
More than 85 percent of cell sites have been restored in Western North Carolina.
Only two counties remain with 50 percent or more cell sites down.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has full mobile cell service.
Cell service providers have implemented disaster roaming for any phone located in Western North Carolina to maximize phone service for all users.
Disaster roaming allows users to connect to any mobile network during a disaster when other networks are down.
This allows users to access emergency services, such as 911, even when their own network is out.
If you have service one moment, but experience a reduction in service the next, try restarting your phone to jumpstart disaster roaming again.
UpCycle Tech in Transylvania County is offering free computers and phones for use at the following location:
470 Asheville Hwy., Brevard, NC 28712
AT&T has deployed its Mobile Connectivity Center to the following location:
Sam’s Club: 645 Patton Ave., Asheville, NC 28806
The Mobile Connectivity Center is an air-conditioned mobile unit open to the public, equipped with laptops, charging stations and wi-fi.
The public can use the center for various needs including contacting your insurance company, filling out paperwork or connecting with loved ones.
Verizon has deployed Wireless Emergency Communication Centers to help hurricane survivors stay connected to their friends, family and other important contacts.
Wireless Emergency Communication Centers are generator-powered mobile units that have device charging and computer workstations, along with wireless phones, tablets, and other devices available for use.
Verizon’s Wireless Emergency Communication Centers have been set up at the following locations:
A-B Technical Community College
340 Victoria Rd., Asheville, NC 28801
Asheville YMCA
30 Woodfin St., Asheville, NC 28801
Family Justice Center
35 Woodfin St., Asheville, NC 28801
Groce United Methodist Church
954 Tunnel Rd., Asheville, NC 28805
Verizon also has charging stations at the following locations:
YMCA of Western North Carolina
348 Grace Corpening Dr., Marion, NC 28752
Two charging stations at this location
WNC Agricultural Center
761 Boylston Hwy., Fletcher, NC 28732
Three charging stations at this location
A-B Technical Community College
340 Victoria Rd., Asheville, NC 28801
One charging station at this location
T-Mobile has set up satellite cellular on light trucks (SatCOLTs), providing cellular voice and data along with wi-fi and charging stations at the following locations:
Asheville Middle School
211 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville, NC 28801
Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center
285 Livingston St., Asheville, NC 28801
First Baptist Church
130 Montreat Rd., Black Mountain, NC 28711
Additional T-Mobile satellite cell on trucks are located in Hendersonville and at a Tractor Supply Co. in Asheville, with others planned for Mission Hospital in Asheville, Cherokee County Emergency Operations Center in Murphy, and in Cherokee.
North Carolina National Guard & Department of Defense
More than 4,900 federal responders are on the ground in Western North Carolina, including the 1,500 active-duty service members.
More than 1,800 North Carolina National Guard soldiers and airmen have been deployed to provide support to Western North Carolina so far.
The National Guard has now mobilized over 1,200 vehicles and 50 helicopters from six states and two active-duty units in Western NC for rescue and recovery, debris clearing, and other missions.
So far, the National Guard has:
Delivered more than 3,800 tons of commodities to affected areas
Cleared 1,060 obstacles
The Guard’s key tasks continue to be search and rescue of impacted civilian personnel, followed by:
Delivery of essential relief supplies to points of need
Clearing of routes to gain access to isolated communities
Although airspace is limited due to ongoing missions by the National Guard and Department of Defense, a process has been established for private pilots seeking to fly in humanitarian relief to coordinate with local authorities.
If you are looking to fly in resources and don’t know where to turn, call my office and we will get you in contact with the right coordinators.
Here are a few key phone numbers from the NCNG:
HOTLINE: 888-892-1162
Emergency management watch: 919-733-3300
Donated goods: 919-825-2474
These lines have very high call volumes. If you do not get through the first try, keep calling.
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.
Stay safe and pick up your car when you are able.
PLEASE NOTE:
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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:
Accelerated payments to Medicare Part A providers affected by Hurricane Helene
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.
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.
For Individual Assistance through FEMA
North Carolina received a Major Disaster Declaration for the following counties: Buncombe, Clay, 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.
To date, FEMA has paid out more than $37 million in housing and other types of assistance for more than 28,000 Western North Carolina households. .
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).
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 to notify local officials of their missing status.
The form was created by Buncombe County but information is being shared amongst all counties.
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.
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
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:
Filing FEMA claims and appeals (a process which can be overwhelmingly bureaucratic and burdensome)
Replacement of lost or destroyed legal and government documents, including driver’s licenses and identification cards
Medical and insurance claims
Home repair contracts
Utility disputes related to restoration of services
Consumer protection issues like construction fraud, price-gouging on repairs and identity theft
Housing issues such as unlawful eviction and foreclosures
Bankruptcy
Probate and clearing title for survivors living in generational homes without a clear title
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:
(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:
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.
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.
Shelters
For those unable to evacuate to a safe location or in need of a place to go, the following shelters are currently open and available as of October 9:
Buncombe
A-B Technical Community College
340 Victoria Rd., Asheville, NC 28801
Gold’s Gym
801 Fairview Rd, Asheville, NC 28803
WNC Agricultural Center
1301 Fanning Bridge Rd., Fletcher, NC 28732
Haywood
Haywood County Government Armory
285 Armory Dr., Clyde, NC 28781
Henderson
Edneyville Elementary School
2875 Pace Rd., Hendersonville, NC 28792
Henderson County Recreation Center
708 S. Grove St., Hendersonville, NC 28792
Madison
Madison Early College High School
5374 US Hwy 25-70, Marshall, NC 28755
McDowell
Glenwood Baptist Church
1550 Glenwood Baptist Church Rd., Marion, NC 29640
YMCA of Western North Carolina
348 Grace Corpening Dr., Marion, NC 28752
Polk
Polk County High School
1681 NC 108 Hwy. E., Columbus, NC 28722
Rutherford
Rutherfordton/Spindale Central High School
641 US 221 Hwy. N., Rutherfordton, NC 28139
Transylvania
Transylvania Parks & Rec
1078 Ecusta Rd., Brevard, NC 28712
Yancey
Blue Ridge Elementary
910 Cane River School Rd., Burnsville, NC 28714
Cane River Middle School
1128 Cane River School Rd., Burnsville, NC 28714
With my warmest regards,
Chuck Edwards
Member of Congress
