Here’s how to help and get help after Hurricane Helene

How to report a missing loved one, get assistance clearing debris and where to donate water and money.

The destruction in the Western part of our state is hard to see, hard to believe.

Whole towns are gone, or cut off from the outside world, and while widespread rescue and response operations are underway, many roads remain impassable, or are wiped out entirely.

Cell service is limited or nonexistent. At least 35 people have died in Buncombe Co. alone, but the death toll will only rise. 

Gov. Roy Cooper has warned people not to travel to western N.C, even as people need food, water and help sorting through the mess that is only still coming into larger focus.

But there are ways to get help and to provide it. 

Here is a list of resources available for those who need them and those who want to help. Things are changing rapidly, so this is a developing list. If there’s a need that goes unlisted here or an aid organization we didn’t mention, let us know by emailing [email protected]. 

Biggest needs

Bottled water.

Money donations to verified agencies.

How to report missing loved ones

Call the American Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). “Be prepared,” officials say, “to provide as much detail available to assist operators.”

Federal financial assistance

President Biden, at Gov. Roy Cooper’s request, declared a disaster in North Carolina Saturday, allowing federal aid to flow in for people in 25 North Carolina counties, as well as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

The federal declaration also allows many North Carolinians in the hard-hit counties to request financial assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and 57,000 in the state have already done so, Cooper said Tuesday. That federal money, some of which has already been received by locals, can be used for housing, repairs, and other emergency needs.

Assistance clearing debris

Call (844) 965-1386.

“All services are free,” NC Emergency Management says, “but service is not guaranteed. This hotline will remain open through Friday, October 11.”

Welfare checks and non-life-threatening emergencies

Call 211 to get free and confidential guidance from health professionals and to learn about available resources in your community.

To report price gouging

Report illegal price gouging or other Helene-related concerns to the state justice department at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or http://NCDOJ.gov/pricegouging.

Verified places to donate

The state’s official Disaster Relief Fund:

https://pay.payitgov.com/ncdonations

The American Red Cross

https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation.html/

World Central Kitchen

Global organization is in Western NC providing free meals to people

https://donate.wck.org/give/499865/#!/donation/checkout

Hope Mill, Inc – Helicopters Dropping Relief

“We are Hope Mill Inc and we are helping rescue, donate, and make supply drops in the WNC areas that have been impacted by hurricane Helene.”

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-hope-mill-incs-hurricane-relief

The Humane Society

Helps pets separated from their owners, stranded or displaced by the hurricane.

https://secured.humanesociety.org/page/82188/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=web_ws_earf_dstr_2024_september_fl_hurricane_helene_0924_d_a

Local news organizations have also compiled detailed lists of aid groups in the area.

https://www.bpr.org/bpr-news/2024-09-28/list-ways-to-donate-and-help-flood-victims-in-western-north-carolina-after-hurricane-helene

https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2024/09/29/north-carolina-buncome-flood-victims-how-to-help-donate/75441389007/

Open Shelters

American Red Cross shelters offer food, water, first aid, help refilling lost prescriptions or replacing lost glasses, mental health services, a place to charge cell phones and medical devices and other disaster related assistance.

Ashe Co.

Ashe County High School

184 Campus Dr.

West Jefferson, NC 28694

..

Avery Co.

Avery County Rock Gym

185 Shady St

Newland, NC 28657

..

Buncombe Co.

A-B Technical Community College

340 Victoria Rd.

Asheville, NC 28801

..

WNC Agricultural

1301 Fanning Bridge Rd.

Fletcher, NC 28732

..

Burke Co.

Oakhill Methodist Church

2239 North Carolina 189

Morganton, NC 28655

..

Caldwell Co.

West Caldwell High School

300 W. Caldwell Dr

Lenoir, NC 28645

..

Cleveland Co.

Cleveland County Health Dept.

200 S Post Rd

Shelby, NC 28152

..

Jackson Co.

Jackson County Dept. On Aging Services Facility

100 County Services Park

Sylvia, NC 28779

..

Gaston Co.

Belmont Middle School

1020 S Point Rd

Belmont, NC 28012

..

Haywood Co.

Haywood County Armory

258 Armory Dr.

Clyde, NC 28781

..

Henderson Co.

Henderson County Recreation Center

708 S. Grove St.

Hendersonville, NC 28792

..

Madison Co.

Madison County Wellness Center

5734 US 25-70 Hwy

Marshall, NC 28752

..

McDowell Co.

McDowell County Senior Center

100 Spaulding Rd.

Marion, NC 28752

..

Mecklenburg Co.

Tuckaseegee Recreation Ctr

4820 Tuckaseegee Rd

Charlotte, NC 28208

..

Mitchell Co.

Mitchell County High School

426 Ledger School Rd.

Bakersville, NC 28705

..

Polk Co.

Polk County High School

1681 NC-108

Columbus, NC 28722

..

Rutherford Co.

Rutherfordton/Spindale Central High School

641 Us 221 Hwy N

Rutherfordton, NC 28139

..

Swain Co.

Swain Community College

125 Brendle St.

Bryson City, NC 28713

..

Transylvania Co.

Pisgah Forest Baptist Church

494 Hendersonville Hwy.

Pisgah Forest, NC 28768

..

Watauga Co.

Holmes Convocation Center

111 River St.

Boone, NC 28608

..

Yancey Co.

West Yancey Volunteer Fire Department

6557 US-19

Burnsville, NC 28714

..

South Toe Elementary School

139 S. Toe School Rd.

Burnsville, NC 28714