The devastation facing western North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene is impossible to comprehend. Since this catastrophe began, the people, families, and communities of western North Carolina, alongside those impacted by the tornado in Rocky Mount, have been on our minds and in our hearts.

MomsRising has members in all 100 NC counties, including every single area impacted. To those of you affected, know that we are with you and people all across the state and nation are aching to find ways to support you as you recover and rebuild. To those anxious to help our neighbors, there are plenty of opportunities to give to meet urgent needs. 

Below are links to:

• resources for those directly impacted
• opportunities to support efforts rescuing survivors and providing urgently needed supplies to those affected. 

None of us expected the tragedy that continues to unfold in the mountain communities we love. But we know that the people and the communities of the western North Carolina mountains are strong and that they have the support of so many behind them as they recover and begin to rebuild.

Together we are a powerful force for North Carolina and the communities and people we love!

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Resources for those Impacted

For rescue or life threatening emergencies: Call 911

For state and county-specific resources:

• NC Public Safety Hurricane Helene website
• WNC Helene Resource Guide

For locating lost loved ones:

• Call 211 (1-888-892-1162) to report a missing person or request a welfare check, press 1 once you are connected to reach an operator. Have all information available (name, location, health conditions, etc.) to complete request. Call volumes are high, but operators are processing requests as quickly as possible.
• United Way Missing Person/ Welfare Check Request Requests can also be made by texting 'PERSON' TO 40403.
• Email BuncombeSearch@gmail.com or call 828-820-2761 (Buncombe County Register of Deeds) to locate loved ones. Access the Buncombe Search Form directly at this link, https://forms.gle/eP5n5zGbFauWZoy39.  You can directly enter the information about the person for whom you are looking.
• Call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to locate people in their shelters or file a reunification request

For shelter and supplies:

• Ready NC Open Shelters List 

• Call 2-1-1 
• Call American Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) 

For power outage information: Ready NC Power Outages 

For information on Food and Nutrition Service Disaster Assistance (including info on SNAP and WIC):

• Food and Nutrition Service disaster assistance for individuals home page: https://www.fns.usda.gov/da/individuals 
• For North Carolina as of now, FNS has approved a waiver that makes it easier for people to report food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of the storm. Find the replacement/ supplement request form here: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/child-and-family-well-being/food-and-nutrition-services-food-stamps/fns-food-stamps-replacementsupplement-request-form
• SNAP benefits can be used outside of the state; unfortunately WIC benefits cannot because the federal government authorizes stores for SNAP, whereas state governments authorize stores for WIC.

For support for infant feeding during emergencies from the CDC: 

• How to prepare and store powdered infant formula
• Breastfeeding during a disaster and other emergencies

For caring for your child in a disaster:

• Hurricanes & Floods: Taking Care of Your Children and Yourself from the American Academy of Pediatrics
• American Academy of Pediatrics Tips on Talking to a Child after a Disaster  (youtube) 
• How to Support Your Child’s Resilience in a Time of Crisis from the American Academy of Pediatrics 

For mental health crisis counseling:

• Call or text 1-800-985-5990. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 to all residents in the U.S. and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. 
• Español: Llama o envía un mensaje de texto 1-800-985-5990 presiona “2.” 
• For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL Callers: Please text or call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 using your preferred Relay provider.

For support for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities: 

• If you are impacted by Hurricane Helene and need help, call or text The Disability and Disaster Hotline at 800-626-4959 or hotline@disasterstrategies.org
• The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies’ Hotline “provides information, referrals, guidance, technical assistance and resources to people with disabilities, families, allies, and organizations assisting disaster impacted individuals with disabilities and others seeking assistance with immediate and urgent disaster-related needs.”

For NC Medicaid flexibilities (including CAP/C and CAP/ DA) to ensure patients can receive medications, medically necessary services, etc.: https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/blog/2024/09/26/nc-medicaid-temporary-flexibilities-due-hurricane-helene

For TRICARE beneficiaries: Defense Health Agency temporary prescription refill waivers and emergency fills for NC beneficiaries https://militaryrx.express-scripts.com/notices/weather/2024-sep-25/state-emergency-alert-hurricane-helene-north-carolina

To report damage and downed trees:

• Call local emergency management (click here for a list of contacts) to report damage and get help with issues like downed trees. Some are also assisting with wellness checks.

For cleanup support: 

• Call Crisis Cleanup at 844-965-1386 to be connected with volunteer organizations who can assist with issues like trees, debris, tarps, and mucking out. Note: Crisis Cleanup cannot assist with social services such as food, clothing, shelter, insurance, or FEMA registration.

To apply for FEMA Assistance: North Carolina homeowners and renters in 25 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians who had uninsured damage or losses caused by Hurricane Helene may be eligible for FEMA disaster assistance. 

• There are several ways to apply: Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA App or call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET daily. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in most languages.
• To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.
• You will need the following information below when you apply:

o   A current phone number where you can be contacted.

o   Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.

o   Your Social Security number.

o   A general list of damage and losses.

o   Banking information if you choose direct deposit.

o   If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name

• If you have homeowners, renters or flood insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your disaster expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.
• Tips for applying from the NC Department of Insurance

Ways to Support

•  To donate to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund to provide food and water, cleaning supplies and other emergency supplies, visit nc.gov/donate.
•  Blue Ridge Public Radio has developed this list which includes donations for flights, food, and other needs from local, state, and national organizations.
• Diapers, period products, adult incontinence supplies, and formula are all in critically short supply and are often not provided through traditional disaster response programs. You can donate here to help The Diaper Bank of NC meet these needs.