North Carolina Construction News staff writer
A major disaster has been declared for 25 North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians following Hurricane Helene, paving the way for public assistance to help hard-hit local governments, as well as access to FEMA’s Individual Assistance program. More than 5,000 households have contacted FEMA to apply for assistance by phone and online.
Operations continue to provide food, water and critical supplies to affected areas. Progress is also being made to improve access and telecommunications in communities damaged by the storm as the state steps up recovery services in collaboration with federal and local partners across North Carolina.
“Hurricane Helene has caused unprecedented devastation across Western North Carolina and we are leading an unprecedented response to surge food, water and needed supplies into these communities,” Gov. Roy Cooper said in a statement. “This will be a long and difficult recovery and we must use every state, local and federal resource at our disposal to save lives, restore communications, and begin critical repairs to roads and infrastructure.”
Cooper traveled to Western North Carolina where he was joined by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, NCDOT Secretary Joey Hopkins, NCDPS Secretary Eddie Buffaloe, NCDHHS Secretary Kody Kinsley, and NC Emergency Management Officials to assess storm damage and ongoing response efforts to Hurricane Helene.
The Governor received an aerial tour of damaged areas, visited Mission Hospital to thank staff, stopped by local businesses providing support to the community and spoke with volunteers at a water distribution operation at Biltmore Baptist Church.
Twenty-nine shelters have been opened in affected areas, housing a total of 1107 people. A list of shelters can be found at www.readync.gov.
FEMA may be able to help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs. Homeowners and renters in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians can apply.
For more information, click the link: www.disasterassistance.gov. FEMA helpline: 1-800-621-3362.
