Full Notification

McDowell County EOC Helene Hotline Assists Citizens with Recovery Needs

McDowell County, NC—October 21, 2024—The McDowell County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) continues to work daily to ensure the basic needs of our community are being met in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The Helene Hotline serves as a direct local resource to help McDowell County residents recover. It remains critical to register for disaster assistance through FEMA. You can apply for federal assistance in several ways: online at DisasterAssistance.gov, via the FEMA App, or by calling 1-800-621-3362.

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) remain open in McDowell County, offering residents convenient, face-to-face access to a variety of recovery services. These centers provide personalized assistance for individuals who have experienced property damage or other disaster-related losses.The centers are located at the Senior Center of Marion, 100 Spaulding Rd., Marion, NC, and the A.C. “Bud” Hogan Community Center, 909 East Main St., Old Fort, NC. Both locations are open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Additional Resources:

Disaster Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP): Residents in the 25 declared N.C. counties and members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians impacted by Helene can apply to receive assistance through the D-SNAP program. For the ePASS tool and more information, visit https://epass.nc.gov/.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) hotline is now available to survivors of Helene. English 919-629-3857| Spanish: 919-276-5698. For more information or to register online, visit: https://www.des.nc.gov/.

United Way’s 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).

NC Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) is sharing guidance on actions people can take to ensure water is safe and to prevent waterborne disease or illness after the storm. Learn more at: www.ncdhhs.gov/safe-water- simplified/download?attachment

Cooperative Extension and NCDA Support Local Farmers

McDowell County is proud to recognize the outstanding efforts of the McDowell County Cooperative Extension and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, whose collaboration has been instrumental in supporting the agricultural community. These dedicated organizations have worked tirelessly to organize donations of animal feed, livestock supplies, and fencing materials to assist local farmers in caring for their animals and rebuilding essential infrastructure. The Ag Barn, located at 188 AG. Services Dr., Marion, NC 28752, is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Cooperative Extension is currently accepting donations of livestock feed and fencing supplies only.

Local Emergency Management Supports Community

McDowell County Emergency Management representatives continue to work daily in impacted communities, addressing urgent needs and providing vital support. Recently, our team successfully sourced a water tank for a neighborhood, allowing residents to share non-potable water until regular water services can be restored. This is just one example of our ongoing efforts to ensure that essential resources reach those in need as we work toward full recovery.