Credit union members have been more than touched by the devastation of Hurricane Helene. Whether you live and work in Western North Carolina, or you depend on goods from that area, you know the winds, rain, and overflowing rivers left little but resilient people in its wake. We hope this list of resources will help, because we know getting back to “whole” will take some time. If you need to talk about your own Civic accounts, just give us a call at 844-772-4842.
Federal and national resources
OVERALL FEDERAL & NATIONAL
The deadline to apply for North Carolina Hurricane Helene FEMA disaster assistance is March 8, 2025. Please visit DisasterAssistance.gov to apply and learn more about other resources to help you recover.
FEMA Fact Sheet for information specific to North Carolinians. FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are accessible facilities and mobile offices you can visit to learn more about FEMA and other disaster assistance programs.
HOUSING & SHELTER
Direct Temporary Housing Assistance – offered to individuals and households in North Carolina where there is a lack of available housing resources due to Hurricane Helene. This assistance is offered as an interim solution to survivors’ permanent housing needs, and is provided in three forms: Direct Lease, Multifamily Lease and Repair (MLR), and Transportable Temporary Housing Units (TTHUs).
- FEMA Direct Temporary Housing Assistance Fact Sheet
- Rental Assistance
- Moving and Storage Cost Reimbursement
- Disaster-Damaged Privately Owned Roads and Bridges Assistance
- Operation HOPE Financial Disaster Recovery
FOOD ASSISTANCE
USDA Disaster Assistance - Replacement benefits may be available for lost food purchased with SNAP Benefits in a disaster.
National Hunger Hotline - USDA National Hunger Hotline: English: 866-3-HUNGRY (866-348-6479) Spanish: 877-8-HAMBRE (877-842-6273), or text “Food” to 97779.
Feeding America has a locator tool to access the Feeding America nationwide network of 200 local food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs serving communities across the country.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Prescription Assistance - Uninsured North Carolina residents in areas impacted by Hurricane Helene can replace their 30-day supply of certain prescription medications, durable medical equipment and medical supplies from any pharmacy that participates in the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) through March 31, 2025.
Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program for Emergency Declarations
Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program Alternatives for a Tribal Nation
PROPERTY DAMAGE & INSURANCE CLAIMS
Insured and underinsured: FEMA Help for Survivors with Insurance
EMPLOYMENT & EDUCATION ASSISTANCE
Self-employed and Artists - FEMA may be able to provide funds to repair or replace disaster-damaged tools and equipment required for your job. This help is available to a wide variety of applicants, including farmers, artists, musicians, mechanics and many other occupations.
Students - If you’re a student or a federal student loan borrower who has been impacted by a federally declared natural disaster (such as a wildfire, hurricane such as Helene or Milton, flood, or tornado), visit Federal Student Aid website.
FINANCE & TAX RELIEF
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), FEMA’s federal partner in disaster recovery, offers low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, and businesses of all sizes affected by Hurricane Helene.
- Disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed personal property.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has assistance for people with FHA-insured mortgages. Call 1-800-225-5342 or visit hud.gov to learn more.
- Mortgage payments: If you are a homeowner impacted by a disaster and concerned about foreclosure or making your mortgage payments, or have questions about next steps with your home, contact your mortgage servicer immediately. Your mortgage servicer, also known as your loan servicer, is the company to which you send your monthly mortgage payments. If you have an FHA-insured mortgage, find out about HUD disaster relief options for homeowners with FHA-insured mortgages.
Understanding IRA Disaster-Related Tax Relief
AARP Foundation Tax Assistance (Free Tax Preparation)
LEGAL ASSISTANCE
Disaster Legal Assistance – free legal counseling, assistance and/or referrals are available to survivors as they recover from Tropical Storm Debby and Hurricane Helene. Call the hotline at 1-866-584-8027 or 1-404-527-8793 to access this assistance.
State resources
HOUSING & SHELTER
Please refer to Federal and National Resources in this guide for housing and shelter information.
FOOD ASSISTANCE
Apply for regular Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) by contacting your county department of Social Services for help buying food.
Apply for WIC (if you are a pregnant woman or have children under age 5) for help buying healthy food such as milk, cereal, bread, fruits, vegetables, eggs, cheese and more, and for formula, access to breastfeeding support, and nutrition education through your local WIC agency.
United Way’s NC 211 is an information and referral service that connects North Carolinians to verified resources for basic needs, such as housing and utility assistance, food, health care, transportation and more.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Hope4NC Crisis Counseling Program provides immediate support and crisis counseling services for North Carolinians following Helene: Link
The Disability and Disaster Hotline, operated by The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies, offers critical help for those in need. Call or text 800-626-4959 or email hotline@disasterstrategies.org. This hotline provides valuable information, referrals and guidance for individuals with disabilities, their families and the organizations supporting them.
NC Board of Pharmacy has a locater that can be used to find pharmacies.
PROPERTY DAMAGE & INSURANCE CLAIMS
Visit the NC Department of Insurance (NCDOI) for more information before, during and after a storm.
- NCDOI has an Insurance Company Contact Lookup Search tool.
EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)
- Create a My NCUI Benefits account
- Click “File a New Unemployment Insurance Claim.” File for state unemployment benefits and DUA during the same claim process.
- View full process information
FINANCE & TAX RELIEF
Civic Credit Union – offers Emergency Recovery Loans and loan modifications for current member loans. Please visit the website or contact the Civic Experience Center at 844-772-4842 to discuss the recovery loan options available.
Visit the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina website to learn more about disaster recovery resources for business owners.
A partnership between DoorDash and Hello Alice, restaurants, gastropubs and bakeries with brick-and-mortar locations that have lost revenue from a disaster may apply for $10,000 grant awards from the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund (RDRF).
Mountain BizWorks is providing vital and rapid relief loans to Western North Carolina small businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene.
LEGAL ASSISTANCE
Legal Aid of North Carolina can assist with FEMA applications and appeals. Call their helpline at 866-219-LANC (5262).
Pisgah Legal Services is helping people of the mountain region recover and rebuild from Hurricane Helene.
Local resources by county
ALEXANDER COUNTY
Alexander County Disaster Energy Assistance funds or call 828-632-1080.
ASHE COUNTY
Ashe County Hurricane Helene relief resources and information
AVERY COUNTY
Avery County Hurricane Helene resources
BUNCOMBE COUNTY
Buncombe County Hurricane Helene information
BURKE COUNTY
Burke County Hurricane Helene information
CALDWELL COUNTY
Caldwell County Hurricane Helene information
CATAWBA COUNTY
Catawba County Post-Hurricane Helene information
CLEVELAND COUNTY
Call 704-484-4900
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
Call 828-497-7000
GASTON COUNTY
Visit Gaston County website and search “Hurricane Helene.”
HAYWOOD COUNTY
Haywood County disaster recovery and preparedness information
Haywood County Emergency Call Center 828-356-2020
HENDERSON COUNTY
Henderson County Hurricane Helene information
JACKSON COUNTY
Jackson County Hurricane Helene resources
Call 828-631-HELP (4357) for assistance.
MACON COUNTY
Macon County Hurricane Helene information
MADISON COUNTY
Madison County Hurricane Helene updates
MCDOWELL COUNTY
McDowell County Hurricane Helene information
MITCHELL COUNTY
Mitchell County Hurricane Helene resources
POLK COUNTY
Polk County Hurricane Helene updates
TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY
Transylvania County response to Hurricane Helene
WATAUGA COUNTY
Watauga County Hurricane Helene resources
WILKES COUNTY
Wilkes County Hurricane Helene information
YANCEY COUNTY
Yancey County Hurricane Helene relief information
Questions?
Contact the NC Association of Regional Councils of Governments for additional support, or your local Council of Government. The following regional councils may also be of help:
