Western North Carolina is facing catastrophic damage in the wake of hurricane Helena. Our staff are all safe and we’re focusing our work toward supporting our community through this challenging time. All Just Economics meetings and events are canceled until further notice. We are compiling a list of resources here that we will keep updated. You can also follow us on social media for resources and updates.
We need you to take action for a WNC rent, mortgage and eviction moratorium!
Regional Resources:
Here are three incredibly comprehensive resource lists for WNC:
- Helene Response & Rebuild WNC Resource Guide
- WNC Response and Recovery Resources
- Disaster Relief Project at Legal Aid NC
Eblen is providing the following services:
- Rent and mortgage assistance
- Medical needs (prescription cost, copays, eyeglasses)
- Gas vouchers – One per household, Once a month
- Utility assistance on a case-by-case basis
- Warm winter clothing, blankets, food, diapers, menstrual products, cleaning supplies, etc.
LIEAP, CIP and EA (heating) programs are being administered by Buncombe County. Contact them at 828-250-5500.
Learn more: https://www.eblencharities.org/programs/
FEMA Assistance:
You can apply for FEMA assistance at https://www.disasterassistance.gov or call (800) 621-3362.
FEMA DISASTER DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER
A new location for the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC), where you can receive support from FEMA and the Small Business Center, is now open at Buncombe County Sports Park (Parking Lot) 58 Apac Dr., Asheville, NC 28806 and Cane Creek Pool – 590 Lower Brush Creek Rd., Fairview, NC 28730.
To avoid delay, please follow the following tips:
1. One of the questions that FEMA will ask when you register is “Do You Have Emergency Needs”? This means during your evacuation or since staying at home during the disaster, do you need help with Gas, Medication, Food (meals, water, had no power and everything spoils), Shelter (you are staying with friends, family or in a hotel); Clothing; or Durable Medical Equipment (oxygen, walkers, cane, glasses, all major equipment, etc). If this is true, say “YES” to this question. That will result in your receiving Displacement / Critical Needs Assistance, which is $750.
2. When asked if your home is/was accessible, answer “NO” if there was debris, tree branches, continued flooding, loss of power, damage or destruction that prevented you from staying there after Helene. This question is asking whether you can stay at your home or apartment and will trigger the ability for you to receive assistance to pay for hotels or provide funding to use while you stay with family or friends.
3. When asked if utilities are out, say “YES” even if your utilities were out for a few days. This triggers assistance $ to stay somewhere other than your home or to buy fuel to power a generator.
4. When asked “Are you willing to relocate” say “YES” if you cannot live in your home due to damage, loss of power, etc. This question means you are willing to stay in a hotel or apartment temporarily, and triggers that funding for you. It is not asking if you are willing to move away from your home permanently.
5. If you bought or buy a generator, FEMA will reimburse you up to $629, but you must submit the receipt. If you bought a chainsaw, FEMA will reimburse you up to $219. Again, you need to provide the receipt.
Para evitar retrasos, siga los siguientes consejos (en español)
If you are denied FEMA assistance, the city of Asheville is asking that people report it via this link. You can also appeal by calling FEMA directly.
Apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance: www.des.nc.gov
Mental Health Resources:
- Mental Health ProBono Referrals for WNC Survivors
- 24/7 Crisis Counseling Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990, DisasterDistress.samhsa.gov
- BetterHelp, an online therapy platform, is offering three months of free counseling to those impacted by Hurricane Helene. Survivors can redeem the free counseling by visiting betterhelp.com/voucher and using the code hurricane-helene-support
Support for Small businesses:
- Mountain BizWorks Helene Business Recovery Fund
- SBA Disaster Loans
- Explore Asheville Always Asheville Emergency Grants
- Emergency grants for craft artists from Craft Emergency Relief Fund
Buncombe County Resources:
City of Asheville: Regular updates are here and you can sign up for AVL alerts here.
Water Safety: On October 13th, the City of Asheville Water Resources Department issued a Boil Water Notice for Asheville water customers.
A Boil Water Notice means there is contamination due to impacts from Hurricane Helene. This water IS NOT SAFE FOR DRINKING. The city says this water is safe for laundry, showering (do not swallow water while showering), handwashing, washing dishes and flushing toilets. Your water may look cloudy and/or have a chlorine odor.
The City of Asheville is not assessing late fees for water bills, sending delinquent notices, creating new bills, or doing any cuts-offs for non-payment at this time.
Buncombe County: Regular updates in English and Spanish here. Sign up for Buncombe County alerts by texting “BCalert” to 99411 then follow the link.
Asheville Transit Service
ART bus services resumed regular scheduled hours for most bus routes. The N2, 170 and WE1 Eastbound routes will resume with modifications. Buses are no longer offering flag stop service. ART bus service will continue to be free of charge to all community members until further notice. Please visit www.ashevillenc.gov/service/transit-service-alerts/ or text “NextART” to 41411 for more info. Paratransit services have resumed where possible. Call (828) 250-6750 to schedule Paratransit transportation.
FOOD & WATER DISTRIBUTION
Food, bottled drinking water, and bulk water for flushing (please bring your own containers, like ½ gallon buckets and water totes) are being distributed throughout the area. Please see below the City of Asheville and Buncombe County at the locations and times:
- Sky Lanes Bowling Alley, 1477 Patton Avenue, Asheville – 9a.m. – 7p.m.
- Black Mountain Ingles, 550 NC-9, Black Mountain, 28711 – 12p.m. – 4p.m.
- Ingles, 225 Charlotte Highway – 12p.m. – 4p.m. (relocating from Fairview Elementary and AC Reynolds Middle)
- Swannanoa Ingles, 2299 US 70, Swannanoa – 7a.m. – 7p.m.
- Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Road, Asheville – 9a.m. – 7p.m. (no bulk water for flushing)
- Pack Square Park, 70 Court Plaza – 9a.m. – 7p.m.
- Buncombe County Sports Park, 58 Apac Dr., Candler – 7a.m. – 7p.m.
- 980 Brevard Rd in the At Home store parking lot – 9a.m. – 7p.m.
- 85 Tunnel Rd in the Innsbruck shopping center parking lot – 9a.m. – 7p.m.
COMMUNITY CARE STATIONS
Community Care Stations are set up across Buncombe County, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily, offering hot showers, laundry, wi-fi, bathrooms, charging stations, water, and meals. All amenities are free to the public. Please bring your own towels and toiletries for showering. Sites noted with an ‘*’ have an ADA accessible shower and restroom.
AC Reynolds High School, 1 Rocket Dr *
Ingles, 225 Charlotte Hwy *
At Home Store (Parking Lot), 980 Brevard Rd*
Big Lots/Innsbruck Mall, 85 Tunnel Rd
Buncombe County Sports Park, 58 Apac Dr*
Bethel United Methodist, 1050 Riceville Rd*
Owen Pool Comfort Station, 117 Stone Dr*
Ingles, 2319 US Hwy 70
Morgan Hill Baptist Church, 594 Barnardsville Hwy*
