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.
- Operation Airdrop
- Cajun Navy Relief
- Samaritan’s Purse
- Mercy Chefs
- Crowd Source Rescue
- World Central Kitchen
- Sirens Project
- American Red Cross
- Beloved Asheville
FEMA Funds
- Apply for FEMA Disaster Funds: http://www.disasterassistance.gov BEWARE OF SCAMS; this is the official FEMA relief website
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
- List of operational pharmacies: https://www.ncbop.org/emergencyoperatingpharmacieshelene.html
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
- A Boil Water Advisory remains in effect for Asheville City customers with water access. If you cannot boil water, add 8 drops of bleach per gallon of water.
- A curfew is in effect for the City of Asheville from 7:30 PM to 7:30 AM
- Missing Person
Report a missing person: https://forms.gle/ovyjJ9zfdUcJVHDw6 - Bus Service
Limited bus service in the City of Asheville will begin on October 7. View routes: https://www.ashevillenc.gov/service/transit-service-alerts/
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)
- Asheville City Distribution of Meals Ready to Eat (MREs), bottled water, and bulk water available at the following sites:
- 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
- Donations
- Small donations accepted at Harrahs Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood St, Asheville
- MANNA FoodBank donations, 99 Breakpoint Dr, Mills River (9 AM-4 PM Mon-Fri) or donate.mannafoodbank.org
- Volunteers
- Submit your information at www.handsonasheville.org
- MANNA FoodBank volunteer sign up at mannafoodbank.org
Henderson County
General Info/Resources
- Henderson County has implemented a curfew from 10 PM to 7 AM until conditions improve.
- Road Closures: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZJYXkWRzsMccdVzwjSkZaTFDdUFP1sGPWJMEPfJxkqs/edit?gid=0#gid=0
- FEMA application assistance: Children & Family Resource Center, 851 Cast St, Hendersonville. Open 12-3 PM, 10/7-10/11. Call 828-698-0674.
- Missing Persons/Welfare Checks: call 828-771-6670 to request a welfare check.
- A list of missing persons is available at https://hendersoncounty.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/dcfccde36fe148dd9c8db98d72fb611f
- For non-medical, non-emergency requests or questions, contact the EOC Call Center at 828-771-6670 or email helene-info@hcem.org.
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.
- Hands On! Children’s Museum has established a free family resource center, 318 Main St, downtown Hendersonville
- 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
- Donations
- Interfaith Assistance Ministry: https://www.iam-hc.org
- A list of requested donation items and volunteer sign up: www.visithendersonvillenc.org/helene-relief
- Volunteers
- United Way of Henderson County: https://bit.ly/HeleneVolunteers
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
- 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