Disaster Response Funding For Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in Florida on September 26, began as a category four hurricane and became the most powerful on record to hit Florida’s Big Bend before moving north into Georgia, Alabama, the Carolinas, Virginia, and Tennessee. The storm, which downgraded to a tropical storm on September 27, has led to severe flooding and mudslides. Although it has been over a month since Helene, its effects are still deeply felt across the region.
In response, critical supplies have been sent to the Western North Carolina communities most impacted by Hurricane Helene. More than 200 people lost their lives in this storm and the hurricane left a 500 mile wide path of destruction and crews are still working tirelessly to restore power, cell service, and repair roads. Essential items like food and water are being delivered to Asheville and airlifted by the North Carolina National Guard to various counties.
A Federal Major Disaster Declaration has been issued, providing assistance for residents in affected counties, as well as public assistance to reimburse local governments, state agencies, and nonprofits for repairs to facilities and infrastructure. For more information about these resources, visit disasterassistance.gov or call the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362.
For the latest information on Hurricane Helene, visit www.ncdps.gov/helene. Stay informed about local conditions, shelters, and resources by following your county government’s social media channels and websites. You can also check ReadyNC.gov for updates on traffic, power outages, and shelter information.
Special Public Service Announcement from Jimmy Patronis, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer
Florida’s Department of Financial Services can be a resource to those hurting and recovering from Hurricane’s Milton and Helene. If you have property damage from the recent hurricanes, please remember these two things:
- First: DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING. There may be scam artists out there trying to deceive you. Talk DIRECTLY to your insurance company.
- Second: Contact my office if you need help with your insurance company.
- Our phone line is: 877-693-5236
- You can also visit our website: https://www.myfloridacfo.com/
The Department of Financial Services is here to be a resource for you.
Watch this video and please do not hesitate to contact my office. (Paid for by the Florida Department of Financial Services)
Grant Funding For Hurricane Helene
As Western North Carolina embarks on its long recovery from Helene, GrantWatch has a list of grants currently accepting applications that could be of help:
1. Disaster Relief Recovery Grant
Grants up to $2,500 are available to businesses in the rental sector to provide assistance following natural disasters that have severely affected their operations, employees, and communities.
2. Public Safety Rescue Grant
This in-kind grant is available to police, EMS, fire, and other public safety agencies by providing used radios at no cost to enhance communication and support their life-saving missions during emergencies.
3. Community Benefit Grant
Grants are available to organizations and emergency services for programs and projects that benefit local residents, with eligible initiatives focusing on sustainable, vibrant, and safe communities.
4. Credit Union Urgent Grant
Grants up to $7,500 are available to qualifying low-income credit unions to help cover unexpected costs due to natural disasters or emergencies or for unforeseen expenses related to declared local, state, and national emergencies.
5. Hospitality Worker Disaster Relief Grant
Grants are available to hospitality workers for disaster relief and emergency assistance, aimed at helping those in the hospitality sector who are financially affected by natural disasters.
6. Nonprofit Emergency Assistance Grant
Up to $2,500 are available to nonprofit organizations for emergency assistance to cover unexpected expenses arising from unforeseen circumstances like tornadoes, fires, pandemics, flooding, and funding losses.
7. Pharmacy Repair Grant
Financial assistance is available to pharmacy owners to repair community pharmacies damaged by disasters, illnesses, accidents, and other unfortunate events.
8. Animal Welfare Disaster Relief Grant
Grants of up to $10,000 are available to nonprofits for disaster relief, intended to cover expenses for pet food and supplies, medical care, temporary shelter, transportation, and other costs related to caring for pets during natural disasters or emergencies.
9. Public Facilities Repair Grant
Grants are available to local governments, nonprofit organizations, and tribes to repair damaged public facilities in rural communities.
10. Safe Water Preparedness Grant
Grants are available to nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and tribal governments to enhance disaster preparedness and recovery, specifically aimed at ensuring the accessibility of safe drinking water during natural disasters.
Ways to Donate to Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts
As western North Carolina continues the long road to recovery from Helene, here’s a list of verified organizations where anyone can make donations.
United Way of North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund
• Donate: https://pay.payitgov.com/nc
• Donations can also be mailed to:
NC Disaster Relief Fund, 20312 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-0312.
Or NC Disaster Relief Fund, c/o United Way of NC, 1130 Kildaire Farm Road, Suite 100, Cary NC 27511.
American Red Cross
• Donate: https://www.redcross.org/donate/dr/hurricane-helene.html/
• Other options for donating: Call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or Text HELENE to 90999
Samaritan’s Purse
• Learn more and donate to Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts:https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/pray-for-those-in-helenes-path/
The Salvation Army of the Carolinas
• Donate: https://give.helpsalvationarmy.org/give/166081/#!/donation/checkout
• To donate by phone: Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY
Baptists on Mission
• Donate: https://baptistsonmission.org/Mission-Projects/By-Mission-Type/Disaster-Relief/Hurricane-Helene/Donations
• To make a donation by check, make the check payable to Baptists on Mission, PO Box 1107, Cary, NC 27512. Designate on your check to Hurricane Helene Response.
World Central Kitchen
• Donate: https://donate.wck.org/give/499865/#!/donation/checkout
Operation Airdrop Based at Concord Regional Airport
• Donate: https://www.operation-airdrop.com/hurricane-helene
Chabad of Ashville
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