NC Congressman Edwards Disaster Response Update #17

Written By GMCNCPAC .

Dear Jeffery,

I hear you. North Carolina hears you. The U.S. House of Representatives hear you. We understand that FEMA's response has not been what you expected it to be, but as I stated in my Friday update, we must stop focusing on expectations that were formed by response to other disasters in other communities under other circumstances.

Western North Carolina is charting our own path for recovery. The mountains are not like the coast of North Carolina, Florida, or Louisiana. We’re not like central North Carolina, and the level of devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Helene does not even mirror the damage of other storms in the Appalachia region. The hills and valleys of our mountains make recovery tenfold times more difficult and unique than recovery in any community hit by a similar category storm. We must be patient.

In update number 12 and another communication sent last week, I addressed the conspiracy theories circulating in Western North Carolina about FEMA. I warned of the harm caused by those theories and want to take today to reiterate that Western North Carolina does not have the time or resources to spend falsifying information or making threats toward FEMA. This unhelpful, unnecessary use of time is only hurting our neighbors, friends, and family. It must stop.

I have and will continue to express my gratitude for the folks working to unite Western North Carolina after the tragic devastation of Helene. That is what every single one of us should be doing right now. So once again, thank you to the people on the ground spending every day trying to rebuild Western North Carolina. But to the folks spreading misinformation and getting in the way of that recovery, cut it out.

This update includes where to find Carolina Cruiser hours, information on updated water distribution sites and a correction to the water testing process for Buncombe County, a new Yancey County centralized distribution location, and the addition of a Polk County Disaster Survivor Assistance site.

Today is update number 17, with more information to come in the following days. 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

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

Polk

Transylvania

Yancey

Voter Information

United States Postal Service/Mail Services

Pharmacy Access

Open Urgent Cares/ Health Care Services

Dialysis Locations

Oxygen Locations

Resources for Veterans

Resources for Farmers

Power

Roads

Internet Access

Cell Service

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 seven days a week to assist North Carolina survivors who have experienced losses from Hurricane Helene.

    • A.C. Reynolds High School

      • 1 Rocket Dr., Asheville, NC 28803

      • Daily hours: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

        • A Comfort Care Center will also be available at this location where survivors can shower, do laundry and use other services.

        • The Asheville Social Security office remains closed due to a lack of power and water.

          • The Social Security Administration is maintaining staff at the Buncombe County Disaster Recovery Center until the Asheville office reopens.

    • Jackson County Annex Building

    • McDowell County Senior Center

  • 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.

    • 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.

  • In addition to designated locations, DSA teams are going door to door to provide assistance, but please note, FEMA staff will carry an official photo ID and will never ask for bank information. They will also never ask for money and never require payment in any form. FEMA is going door to door in the following counties:

    • Buncombe County

    • Haywood County

    • Henderson County

    • Macon County

    • Madison County

    • Polk County

    • Swain 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:

Legislative Support

  • The U.S. House of Representatives is gearing up to pass a disaster relief package when we return to session in November.

    • 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 the Disaster Recovery Act of 2024 on Oct. 9, 2024.

    • 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.

    • 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.

Food and Water

Trash Services and Debris Removal

  • Recycling services are available through Curbside Management for the following counties:

    • Buncombe

    • Clay

    • Graham

    • Haywood

    • Henderson

    • Jackson

    • Macon

    • Madison

    • Polk

    • Rutherford

    • Yancey

    • 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:

  • 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.

    • 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 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.

        • 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:

      • Waste Pro collection service has resumed for regular Monday route customers.

    • 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.

      • GFL trash services will continue 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.

  • Social Security 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.

  • 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: Mobile Retail Unit

            • 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

        • Barnardsville - 28709

          • Alternate location: Mobile Retail Unit

            • 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

        • Edneyville - 28727

          • Alternate location: Mobile Retail Unit

            • Daily hours M-F: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; closed 12:00-1:00 p.m. for lunch

        • Gerton – 28735

        • Green Mountain - 28740

        • Hot Springs - 28743

          • Alternate location: Mobile Retail Unit

            • 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: Mobile Retail Unit

            • 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

        • 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: Mobile Retail Unit

            • 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: Mobile Retail Unit

            • 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.

Pharmacy Access

  • Pharmacy Locator

    • Hundreds of pharmacies never closed or have reopened across Western North Carolina.

    • Use this link to locate pharmacy locations open to the public by county.

  • 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.

    • 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

Open Urgent Cares/ Health Care Services

Dialysis Locations

Oxygen Locations

Resources for Veterans

  • 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.

  • 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.

    • 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.

    • You can also call the VA at (877) 827-3702, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

    • 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.

    • 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, Forest City 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.

Resources for Farmers

  • The United States Department of Agriculture has 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

  • Just under 17,000 customers remain without power in Western North Carolina.

    • The majority of remaining power outages remain concentrated in Western North Carolina, with the highest percentage of outages being reported in Buncombe and Yancey counties.

  • Roughly 96 percent of all originally reported power outages have been restored in Western North Carolina.

    • Duke Energy is providing restoration updates via text to all customers that remain without power.

  • All schools and early voting sites served by Duke Energy have been restored.

  • NCDOT crews are coordinating closely with power companies to ensure service is being restored as quickly as possible, including along private roads, keeping in mind that cold months are approaching fast.

  • Restoration of service for individuals in the disaster rebuild zones will be a longer process but Duke Energy workers have already made substantial progress on the extremely difficult and targeted work that lies ahead.

  • For more information on Duke Energy’s power restoration efforts, you can review the following links:

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, Haywood, Transylvania and Jackson counties ARE FULLY OPEN to non-essential travel for people who can access them through safe routes.

      • Please DO NOT try to visit or travel through the areas hardest hit by the storm.

      • Non-essential traffic in impacted areas hinders NCDOT’s efforts to reopen roads.

    • Henderson, Polk and Rutherford counties are each partially open to non-essential travel.

  • At least 521 roads remain closed.

    • This includes:

      • Three interstates

      • 40 US roads

      • 49 NC roads

      • 429 secondary roads

  • To monitor road conditions in and around NC-11, use drivenc.gov.

    • The website tracks NCDOT-managed road conditions in real time.

  • Cut and shove, debris removal, and damage assessment are winding down, and some locations have transitioned to temporary repairs and reconstruction.

    • Transportation infrastructure damage estimates from assessments are up to several billion dollars.

    • Repairs and reconstruction of roadways will be an extremely long road (no pun intended) over the next couple of years to

GMCNCPAC .
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