Hurricane Helene Recovery

The following information has been compiled from press releases, social media updates, and community outreach to provide the most comprehensive resources possible.

Please share your updates or corrections with press@tribpapers.com.

A PDF guide of resources is available here, and at locations across WNC. Help us print additional copies by donating to our GoFundMe here.

Updated on 10/7/2024

 

General Information/Region-Wide Resources

Clean Up

  • If your home has damages and you need assistance with cleanup, Crisis Cleanup can assist with finding volunteer clean up crews, call 844-965-1386

Donations

Please note many communities are requesting cash as the most impactful donation at this time. Please only donate through reputable organizations and beware of scams. Below are a selection of charitable organizations with an established connection to WNC. See county-level information for a breakdown of volunteer opportunities and more donation requests.

FEMA Funds

Legal Services

  • Implement Legal: Free legal services to WNC artists affected by Helene. (919) 536-9770
  • Legal aid of NC: Disaster assistance as it relates to information about your rights as a survivor, help with insurance and claims, housing, etc
  • Pisgah Legal Services: Free and low-cost legal services for WNC

Mental Health

  • If you or someone you know is struggling or in a crisis, help is available. You can call or text 9-8-8, or chat at www.988Lifeline.org to reach a trained counselor who can provide support in a mental health, substance use or suicide crisis.

Missing Person/Search & Rescue

  • NC Search & Rescue 888-892-1162
  • Residents trying to connect with family members may call NC 211 (or 1-888-892-1162 if calling from out-of-state) to report missing loved ones or request a welfare check.
  • Additionally, people in the impacted areas can indicate that they are safe by reporting themselves safe through Red Cross Reunification by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
  • NOTE: Please use 911 for life-threatening emergencies only.

Pharmacies

Power Outages

  • Duke Energy Power Outage Map: https://outagemap.duke-energy.com/#/current-outages/ncsc
  • Text “OUT” to 57801 or call 800-769-3766 to report a Duke Energy power outage

 

 

Buncombe County

General Info/Resources

Food/Supplies/Water

  • Food & Water:
    • Asheville City Distribution of Meals Ready to Eat (MREs), bottled water, and bulk water available at the following sites:
      • Asheville Middle School, 211 S. French Broad St, Asheville
      • Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd, Asheville
      • Lucy Herring Elementary, 98 Sulphur Springs Rd, Asheville
      • Oakley Elementary School, 753 Fairview Rd, Asheville
      • Pack Square Park, 70 Court Plaza, Asheville: Bulk Water Distribution Site (Bring your own containers if possible)
    • MANNA FoodBank distribution: WNC Farmers Market, 570 Brevard Rd, Asheville (11 AM-5 PM)
  • Pet Supplies:
    • Patton Avenue Pet Co (downtown and west locations)
    • WNC Regional Livestock Center, 474 Stock Dr, Canton. Text 828-216-4496

Shelters/Personal Hygiene/Medical

  • Shelters
    • WNC Agricultural Center (pets accepted), 1301 Fanning Bridge Rd, Fletcher
    • AB-Tech, 6 Fernihurst Dr, Asheville (use Victoria Rd entrance)
    • Old Gold’s Gym, 1815 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville (children’s play room)
    • AB-Tech (medical emergency shelter), 10 Genevieve Circle, Asheville
  • Showers
    • Reuter Family YMCA, 3 Town Square Blvd, Asheville

WiFi/Power

  • Temporary Verizon cellular satellite trailers:
    • Family Justice Center, 35 Woodfin St
    • Grace United Methodist Church, 954 Tunnel Rd
  • Temporary T-Mobile cellular satellite trailers:
    • Asheville Middle School, 211 S. French Broad Ave
    • Dr Wesley Grant Sr Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St

Clean Up

  • Building Permits/Safety
    For questions regarding building safety and permitting, call 828-259-5846 or email buildingsafety@ashevillenc.gov
  • Trash Collection
    • Curbside collection will begin Monday 10/7 for City of Asheville sanitation customers
    • Temporary household trash collection sites are available on 10/5 from 8:30 AM-12:30 PM at:
      • 1616 Patton Ave, Goodwill
      • 1001 Patton Avenue
      • 81 Charlotte St
      • 130 Charlotte St

Donations/Volunteers

 

Henderson County

General Info/Resources

Food/Supplies/Water

  • Family Resource Center
    • Hands On! Children’s Museum has established a free family resource center, 318 Main St, downtown Hendersonville
      Hours are 9 AM-7 PM. Resources include baby & nursing supplies, canned food & water, internet & charging zone, work area with printer and telephone access, and licensed counselors.
  • Resource Hubs-drive through providing water and one day’s meals per family unit. Open 10 AM-4 PM.
    • Etowah Elementary, 320 Etowah School Road Etowah, NC 28729
    • Rugby Middle, 3345 Haywood Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28791
    • East Henderson High, 150 Eagle Pride Dr, East Flat Rock, NC 28726
    • North Henderson High, 35 Fruitland Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792
    • Mills River Town Hall, 124 Town Center Drive. Mills River, NC 28759
    • Fletcher Town Hall, 300 Old Cane Creek Rd Fletcher, NC 28732
  • Diaper distribution: Children & Family Resource Center, 851 Case St, Hendersonville. Open 12-3 PM, 10/5-10/11
  • Salvation Army: serving breakfast at 9 a.m. and dinner at 4 p.m, 239 Third Avenue East, Hendersonville, NC 28792.

Shelters/Personal Hygiene/Medical

  • WNC Ag Center, 1301 Fanning Bridge Rd, Fletcher (Pet friendly)
  • Edneyville Elementary, 2875 Pace Rd, Hendersonville
  • Henderson County Athletics & Activity Center, 708 S Grove St, Hendersonville

WiFi/Power

  • Optimum WiFi trailer and charging station is available at 717 S Grove St, Hendersonville, NC

Clean Up

  • Henderson County is providing free storm debris pick up; push debris to right of way. See graphic for more details.
  • The Henderson County Transfer Station is open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fees are waived for all Henderson County residents.

Donations/Volunteers

 

McDowell County

General Info/Resources

Food/Supplies/Water

Shelters/Personal Hygiene/Medical

  • Camp Grier offering laundry, showers and hot meals, 10 AM-1 PM & 4-7 PM daily, 985 Camp Grier Rd, Old Fort. 828-668-7793

WiFi/Power

Clean Up

Donations/Volunteers

 

Polk County

General Info/Resources

  • Missing persons: For welfare checks, contact 828-722-5025 or 828-722-5026
  • Information hotline: 828-722-5086
  • Post Office open Wed-Fri 8AM-11AM. Visit post office at 95 Pacolet St, Tryon, NC for assistance with mailed medications

Food/Supplies/Water

  • Polk County food distribution has been centralized at Tryon International Equestrian Center, 25 International Blvd, Mill Spring, NC
  • Tryon Town Hall, 301 N Trade St, Tryon, NC
  • Rosalind Community Center, 56 Peake St, Tryon, NC

Shelters/Personal Hygiene/Medical

  • Public Shelter: Polk County High School, 1681 NC-108, Columbus, NC
  • Bring Medical Devices to be Charged to Polk County High

WiFi/Power

Tryon Town Hall, free wifi and opportunity to make calls and charge devices, 301 N Trade St, Tryon, NC

 

Clean Up

  • Landfill open daily, 8 AM-4 PM. Fees waived through October 8. 322 Landfill Rd, Mill Spring, NC

Donations/Volunteers

  • Small donations can be taken to Thermal Belt Outreach, 134, Columbus, NC

 

Rutherford County

General Info/Resources

Food/Supplies/Water

Shelters/Personal Hygiene/Medical

WiFi/Power

Clean Up

Donations/Volunteers