Advisory
FEMA 10-7-24 Fact Sheet
FEMA 10-7-24 Fact Sheet 
FEMA Daily Fact Sheet
North Carolina Tropical Storm Helene Recovery
Oct. 7, 2024
Key Messages
Cash is the best donation. Financial contributions to recognized disaster relief organizations are
the fastest, most flexible and most effective method of donating. When people support voluntary
organizations with money, it helps ensure a steady flow of important services to the people in need
after a disaster.
Questions about your letter?
If you applied for federal assistance after Tropical Storm Helene, you
will receive an eligibility letter from FEMA in the mail or by email. The letter will explain your
application status and how to respond. Read the letter carefully because it will include the amount
of any assistance FEMA may provide and information on the appropriate use of disaster assistance
funds. If you have questions, or disagree with the initial decision, call FEMA at 800-621-3362 to
find out what information FEMA needs.
Getting Help to Those Who Need It
FEMA has already paid out more than $33 million in housing and other types of assistance to 27,800
North Carolina households. With more than 700 FEMA staff on the ground in North Carolina, and more
arriving daily, we are getting help to those who need it most.
There are 1,500 active-duty service members now in western North Carolina communities to speed the
delivery of life-saving resources to residents after Tropical Storm Helene. These teams are
conducting critical missions in the hardest impacted areas, including emergency route clearing,
emergency debris removal and commodities
distribution.
How to Apply for FEMA Assistance
Homeowners and renters in 27 North Carolina counties and tribal members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians can apply for federal assistance in several ways:
• Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov,
• Use the FEMA App
• Or call 800-621-3362 any day of the week. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay
Service (VRS),
captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance, go to FEMA Accessible: Applying for
Individual Assistance - YouTube.
North Carolinians May Be Eligible for Transitional Sheltering in Hotels
Hotel or motel stays paid for by FEMA may be available for North Carolinians displaced by Tropical
Storm Helene in 27 counties and for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. People do not need to
request this assistance. FEMA will notify them of their eligibility through an automated phone
call, text message, and/or email, depending upon the method of communication they selected at the
time of application for disaster assistance.
Stop the Spread of Rumors
FEMA is working to stop the spread of dangerous rumors. Be aware and share official information
from trusted sources. Learn more and help us amplify: Hurricane Helene: Rumor Response | FEMA.gov.
FEMA is also working to cultivate awareness of fraud in North Carolina.
Be Alert for Fraud After Tropical Storm Helene in North Carolina
North Carolinians should be aware that con artists and criminals may try to obtain money or steal
personal information through fraud or identity theft after Tropical Storm Helene. Note that all
FEMA employees wear official photo identification badges and will never charge applicants for
disaster assistance. If you believe you are the victim of a scam, report it immediately to your
local police or sheriff's department or contact the Office of the Attorney
General’s Consumer Protection Division or FEMA’s Hotline.
Assistance to Meet Your Unique Needs
Everyone’s journey to recovery is different, so FEMA is here to help with your unique situation.
FEMA offers an upfront, flexible payment of $750 to help pay for essential items like food, water
and other emergency supplies. There are other forms of assistance that you may qualify to receive
once you apply for disaster assistance. You only need to apply with FEMA once.
What Kind of Help Can FEMA Provide?
FEMA assistance does not replace insurance and cannot restore your home to its pre-disaster
condition. FEMA may be able to provide help for uninsured or underinsured costs. File your
insurance claim, then apply to FEMA. FEMA’s disaster assistance offers new benefits for survivors
that provide flexible funding, a simplified process and expanded eligibility for access to a wider
range of assistance and funds for serious needs.
Damaged Wells and Septic Systems
For private wells and septic systems, FEMA may reimburse you for the cost of a professional,
licensed technician to visit your home and prepare an estimate detailing the necessary repairs or
replacement of your disaster-damaged systems. FEMA may also pay for the actual repair or
replacement cost of your septic system or well, which typically are not covered by homeowner’s
insurance. At the time of your home inspection, let the FEMA inspector know you have a private well
and/or septic system that may have been damaged by the hurricane.
FEMA Specialists in North Carolina Communities After Tropical Storm Helene
FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance crews are in affected North Carolina neighborhoods helping people
apply for federal assistance after Tropical Storm Helene. Disaster Survivor Assistance teams wear
FEMA attire and have federal photo identification badges. Disaster Survivor Assistance crews never
ask for, or accept, money.
Be Safe When Cleaning Up
Follow the direction of local authorities as you clean up. Be aware of safety concerns and separate
debris for collection as instructed by local officials. Before cleaning up, make sure to document
any property damage with photos and receipts. Use generators only outdoors and at least 20 feet
from windows, doors, and attached garages. Make sure to keep the generator dry and protected from
rain or flooding.
Low-Interest Disaster Loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest disaster loans for homeowners,
renters, businesses and nonprofit organizations to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance
and other sources. Apply online at SBA.gov/disaster. Disaster loan information and application
forms can also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955.
Donations and Volunteering
Monetary donations are needed most. Please give to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund to help
communities recover from Helene. If you or someone you know would like to volunteer, connect with
an accredited organization.
Other ways to donate or volunteer:
▪ Volunteer NC Disaster Volunteer Opportunities
▪ Feeding Assistance
▪ Donate to a VOAD
▪ NC 2-1-1 Volunteer List
Do not self-deploy to western North Carolina. Help us keep critical supply lines open.
Additional Resources
▪ Have friends or family who are missing or unaccounted for? Text PERSON to 40403 to add your
loved one to search and rescue efforts. Rescue efforts are ongoing and based on the severity of the
need. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
▪ United Way’s NC 211 is an information and referral service that connects North Carolinians to
verified resources for basic needs, such as housing and utility assistance, food, healthcare,
transportation, and more. NC 211 is a multilingual and confidential service that provides health
and human services information and referrals through a free statewide phone number (2-1-1 or
1-888-892-1162 if calling from an out-of-state area code) and website (www.nc211.org).
▪ Red Cross: 800-Red Cross
▪ Crisis Cleanup: 844-965-1386
▪ NC DPS: Emergency Management
▪ North Carolina Office of the Governor - NC Gov. Cooper
▪ North Carolina State and Local Level Referrals
For the latest information about North Carolina’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4827. Follow
FEMA on X at
x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.
North Carolina Tropical Storm Helene Recovery
Oct. 7, 2024
Key Messages
Cash is the best donation. Financial contributions to recognized disaster relief organizations are
the fastest, most flexible and most effective method of donating. When people support voluntary
organizations with money, it helps ensure a steady flow of important services to the people in need
after a disaster.
Questions about your letter?
If you applied for federal assistance after Tropical Storm Helene, you
will receive an eligibility letter from FEMA in the mail or by email. The letter will explain your
application status and how to respond. Read the letter carefully because it will include the amount
of any assistance FEMA may provide and information on the appropriate use of disaster assistance
funds. If you have questions, or disagree with the initial decision, call FEMA at 800-621-3362 to
find out what information FEMA needs.
Getting Help to Those Who Need It
FEMA has already paid out more than $33 million in housing and other types of assistance to 27,800
North Carolina households. With more than 700 FEMA staff on the ground in North Carolina, and more
arriving daily, we are getting help to those who need it most.
There are 1,500 active-duty service members now in western North Carolina communities to speed the
delivery of life-saving resources to residents after Tropical Storm Helene. These teams are
conducting critical missions in the hardest impacted areas, including emergency route clearing,
emergency debris removal and commodities
distribution.
How to Apply for FEMA Assistance
Homeowners and renters in 27 North Carolina counties and tribal members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians can apply for federal assistance in several ways:
• Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov,
• Use the FEMA App
• Or call 800-621-3362 any day of the week. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay
Service (VRS),
captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance, go to FEMA Accessible: Applying for
Individual Assistance - YouTube.
North Carolinians May Be Eligible for Transitional Sheltering in Hotels
Hotel or motel stays paid for by FEMA may be available for North Carolinians displaced by Tropical
Storm Helene in 27 counties and for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. People do not need to
request this assistance. FEMA will notify them of their eligibility through an automated phone
call, text message, and/or email, depending upon the method of communication they selected at the
time of application for disaster assistance.
Stop the Spread of Rumors
FEMA is working to stop the spread of dangerous rumors. Be aware and share official information
from trusted sources. Learn more and help us amplify: Hurricane Helene: Rumor Response | FEMA.gov.
FEMA is also working to cultivate awareness of fraud in North Carolina.
Be Alert for Fraud After Tropical Storm Helene in North Carolina
North Carolinians should be aware that con artists and criminals may try to obtain money or steal
personal information through fraud or identity theft after Tropical Storm Helene. Note that all
FEMA employees wear official photo identification badges and will never charge applicants for
disaster assistance. If you believe you are the victim of a scam, report it immediately to your
local police or sheriff's department or contact the Office of the Attorney
General’s Consumer Protection Division or FEMA’s Hotline.
Assistance to Meet Your Unique Needs
Everyone’s journey to recovery is different, so FEMA is here to help with your unique situation.
FEMA offers an upfront, flexible payment of $750 to help pay for essential items like food, water
and other emergency supplies. There are other forms of assistance that you may qualify to receive
once you apply for disaster assistance. You only need to apply with FEMA once.
What Kind of Help Can FEMA Provide?
FEMA assistance does not replace insurance and cannot restore your home to its pre-disaster
condition. FEMA may be able to provide help for uninsured or underinsured costs. File your
insurance claim, then apply to FEMA. FEMA’s disaster assistance offers new benefits for survivors
that provide flexible funding, a simplified process and expanded eligibility for access to a wider
range of assistance and funds for serious needs.
Damaged Wells and Septic Systems
For private wells and septic systems, FEMA may reimburse you for the cost of a professional,
licensed technician to visit your home and prepare an estimate detailing the necessary repairs or
replacement of your disaster-damaged systems. FEMA may also pay for the actual repair or
replacement cost of your septic system or well, which typically are not covered by homeowner’s
insurance. At the time of your home inspection, let the FEMA inspector know you have a private well
and/or septic system that may have been damaged by the hurricane.
FEMA Specialists in North Carolina Communities After Tropical Storm Helene
FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance crews are in affected North Carolina neighborhoods helping people
apply for federal assistance after Tropical Storm Helene. Disaster Survivor Assistance teams wear
FEMA attire and have federal photo identification badges. Disaster Survivor Assistance crews never
ask for, or accept, money.
Be Safe When Cleaning Up
Follow the direction of local authorities as you clean up. Be aware of safety concerns and separate
debris for collection as instructed by local officials. Before cleaning up, make sure to document
any property damage with photos and receipts. Use generators only outdoors and at least 20 feet
from windows, doors, and attached garages. Make sure to keep the generator dry and protected from
rain or flooding.
Low-Interest Disaster Loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest disaster loans for homeowners,
renters, businesses and nonprofit organizations to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance
and other sources. Apply online at SBA.gov/disaster. Disaster loan information and application
forms can also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955.
Donations and Volunteering
Monetary donations are needed most. Please give to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund to help
communities recover from Helene. If you or someone you know would like to volunteer, connect with
an accredited organization.
Other ways to donate or volunteer:
▪ Volunteer NC Disaster Volunteer Opportunities
▪ Feeding Assistance
▪ Donate to a VOAD
▪ NC 2-1-1 Volunteer List
Do not self-deploy to western North Carolina. Help us keep critical supply lines open.
Additional Resources
▪ Have friends or family who are missing or unaccounted for? Text PERSON to 40403 to add your
loved one to search and rescue efforts. Rescue efforts are ongoing and based on the severity of the
need. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
▪ United Way’s NC 211 is an information and referral service that connects North Carolinians to
verified resources for basic needs, such as housing and utility assistance, food, healthcare,
transportation, and more. NC 211 is a multilingual and confidential service that provides health
and human services information and referrals through a free statewide phone number (2-1-1 or
1-888-892-1162 if calling from an out-of-state area code) and website (www.nc211.org).
▪ Red Cross: 800-Red Cross
▪ Crisis Cleanup: 844-965-1386
▪ NC DPS: Emergency Management
▪ North Carolina Office of the Governor - NC Gov. Cooper
▪ North Carolina State and Local Level Referrals
For the latest information about North Carolina’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4827. Follow
FEMA on X at
x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.
Address/Location
City of Saluda
6 E Main St
Saluda, NC 28773
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 828-749-2581