Full Notification

Honoring First Responders with Thanksgiving Gratitude
A heartfelt thank you to DaVita Dialysis, former Representative Jim Harrell, and Senator Warren Daniel for their generous donation of turkeys to first responders across McDowell County. Thanks to their kindness, law enforcement, fire, rescue, and emergency services personnel were gifted a turkey to enjoy during their Thanksgiving celebrations this year. Your support and thoughtfulness mean so much to those who serve our community every day!

Thanksgiving Week Schedules for McDowell County Services and FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers
In observance of Thanksgiving, the following schedule updates are announced for McDowell County and FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers: FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers: All FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers will be closed from Thursday, November 28, through Sunday, December 1. The Marion Disaster Recovery Center will resume operations at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, December 2. McDowell County Helene Hotline 828-652-3241: The McDowell County Helene Hotline will remain operational 24/7 during the holiday period. Residents with urgent needs are encouraged to call for assistance.

FEMA Assistance Deadline Extended: Apply by January 7, 2025
If you sustained damage or loss due to Hurricane Helene, it’s not too late to apply for FEMA assistance. The deadline to apply has been extended to January 7, 2025. Don’t miss this opportunity to get the help you need! Here are the ways you can apply: Online: Visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov. Phone: Call FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 1-800-462-7585). In Person: Visit the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at the Marion Senior Center: Address: Marion Senior Center, 100 Spaulding Rd. Marion, NC Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–6:00 PM; Saturday, 9:00 AM–2:00 PM. Closed on Sundays. The Disaster Recovery Center is staffed with representatives ready to help you with your application, answer questions, and provide additional resources. Don’t wait—apply today! If you know someone impacted by the storm, share this information to help ensure they don’t miss out on this vital assistance.

Debris Operation Update
Debris removal contractors continue right-of-way debris removal operations across McDowell County. Please note that debris contractors will pause operations on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2024, to allow crews time off with their families and to ensure the safety of residents traveling or engaging in outdoor activities. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to restore our community. Regular operations will resume promptly following the holiday. Today, six trucks are operating in McDowell County for debris removal, with two trucks working in Dysartsville, two in Crooked Creek, and two at temporary debris sites hauling debris to landfills. On Friday, a sand, soil, and sediment removal crew will begin clearing mud and dirt from the right-of-way, starting in the Town of Old Fort and moving to other communities after their first pass. Additionally, new tree crews will begin working on Friday across multiple areas of McDowell County to remove vegetative storm debris. We appreciate your patience as these essential cleanup efforts continue.

FEMA Extends Transitional Sheltering Assistance for Helene Survivors
FEMA has extended its Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program for Hurricane Helene survivors, granting additional time for those in short-term emergency sheltering to stay in hotels and motels. Initially authorized for 60 days until December 3, the program will now run through December 12. This extension provides households more time to secure alternative housing solutions or complete home repairs. FEMA will continue to evaluate the program's necessity based on survivors' housing plans and notify participants of their eligibility and checkout dates via automated calls, texts, or emails. Since the program's inception, over 10,000 households have used TSA for shelter, with nearly 5,000 finding long-term housing solutions. As of November 25, 5,179 households remain in participating hotels. Survivors can also explore additional housing assistance, such as FEMA's rental assistance or direct temporary housing options, which include direct leases, multifamily repairs, and temporary housing units. For more information, or to address ongoing housing needs, survivors should contact the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or visit DisasterAssistance.gov.

Foothills Food Hub: Your Resource for Free Food Distribution
The Foothills Food Hub continues to provide free, no-questions-asked food distributions for those in need. Each household will receive a food box filled with shelf-stable goods, fresh produce, and local farmer-sourced meat. Every Monday: Drive-thru distribution at 407 Salem Church Road, Old Fort, NC, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the Month: Distribution at 608 Jacktown Road, Marion, NC, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Please check the monthly calendar for the most accurate distribution dates and times, as schedules may be affected by holidays. If you are unable to attend a distribution, assistance is available. Call 828-659-5289, and McDowell Access to Care and Health (MATCH) can help you sign up to have a food box delivered. For more information and updates, visit www.foothillsfoodhub.org.