HURRICANE HELENE INFORMATION &

RESOURCES

ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT:
I'm Located 2 Hours Away From Asheville
WORKING WITH LOCAL PEOPLE FROM THE REGION AND WITH DRIECT ORGANIZATIONS ON THE GROUND

JOIN OUR FRIENDS OF HELENE FLOOD SURVIVORS GROUP for more local information.

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER OR ADOPT A FAMILY through our website.

The following list includes verified local efforts and connections in the Hurricane Helene flood path region. Many of these charities are in direct contact and coordinate with our grassroots startup charity initiative, REVIVE & THRIVE. Our focus and mission is to help people and families impacted by local storm events find resources and coordinate the logistics they need to recover. We are helping people get direct assistance, aid, and healing coaching support where it may be lacking. We also have an ADOPT-A-FAMILY program and volunteer opportunities we are coordinating through our website and 501(c)(3)-pending organization: HURRICANE HELENE VOLUNTEERS.

REQUESTED DONATION ITEMS:
PLEASE WORK DIRECTLY WITH ORGANIZATIONS
THESE LISTS ARE COMPILED FROM THE ORGANIZATIONS I AM CONNECTED WITH THAT HAVE ACCESS TO THE REGION

I’ll continue adding and updating these lists as I learn more.

Amazon Wishlist for MIRACLE MOVERS and BELOVED ASHVILLE (along with Miracle Movers of Charlotte and Beloved Asheville)

Amazon Wishlist for SKYDIVE CAROLINA

  • BABY ITEMS
    • Bottles
    • Diapers (incl for adults)
    • Baby food/formula
  • CLEANING PRODUCTS
    • Cleaners
    • Dish soap
    • Detergent
    • Paper towels
  • CLOTHING/LINENS
    • Socks
    • Towels
    • Coats
  • COOKING/GEAR/FOOD
    • Camping grill/stoves
    • Coolers
    • Easy-to-prepare foods with no power
    • Fresh foods (massive crop loss in region)
    • Instant coffee
    • Hiking/Camping foods (jerky, granola bars, trail mix, nuts)
    • Shelf-stable milk
  • MISC
    • Batteries
    • Candles/lighters/matches
    • Extension cords 
    • Flashlights
    • Headlamps
    • Generators
    • Physical paper money
    • Solar-powered items (cell phone chargers)
    • Walkie-talkies/long-range radios
  • MEDICAL/FIRST AID/SAFETY
    • Antifungal creams/sprays
    • Basic medical supplies
    • Chewable Benadryl
    • CPAP battery machines
    • Respirators
    • Vitamin-C lozenges
    • Well water test kits
  • TOILETRIES/HYGENE
    • Body wipes
    • Feminine products
    • Portable showers
    • Soap
    • Toilet paper
  • WARMTH ITEMS
    • Blankets
    • Hand warmers
    • Hot hands
    • Fuel for heat-generation
    • Sleeping bags
  • WORK ESSENTIALS
    • 2-cycle oil
    • Bar oil for chainsaws
    • Chainsaw sharpening kits
    • Hiking/Camping foods (jerky, granola bars, trail mix, nuts)
    • Work boots/Rubber boots to work in toxic mud
PLEASE DO NOT VISIT
THERE ARE MANY REASONS THAT PEOPLE ARE BEING TURNED AWAY AND THEY ARE BEING ASKED NOT TO COME
WHY PEOPLE AND DONATIONS WERE GETTING TURNED AWAY:

There are a number of reasons why people were turned away during the early days of impact, including:

  • ROAD CLOSURES – Areas of the roads are completely closed down from damage. Few roads for good access without putting people at risk.
  • OVERWHELMING SUPPORT with no additional bodies needed at that location (FEMA specifically does not take volunteers). 
  • OVERABUNDANCE – Burnsville had food going bad and needed to redistribute. Get up-to-date lists before helping.
  • LOGISTICS – They have processes in place to track people and locations and move safely across the region.
  • DANGEROUS – possible future mudslides and unstable grounds. There was a plane crash of someone trying to help as some planes are too big.
  • LACK OF LOCAL RESOURCES – the more people who go there, the more those resources for food, water, and gas get stretched.
  • SOCIAL MEDIA ATTENTION – folks seeking attention to get video and bolster their views (don’t even get me started on this one).

Business Emergency Operations Center (BEOC)

If anyone wishes to travel to NC and deliver supplies, please contact the Business Emergency Operations Center (BEOC) by emailing BEOC@ncdps.gov with the following criteria:

• Subject line “LOGISTICS SUPPORT”
• Detail WHAT you are moving and WHY you need special access
• Address WHEN you plan to move items and from where
• Note WHERE you are headed
• Say when you will arrive at the border of western NC and where

If you don’t do this, you may be turned away.

FEMA and Disaster Assistance Short Cuts

FEMA WEBSITE: https://www.fema.gov

APPLY FOR DISASTER RECOVERY ASSISTANCE: http://www.disasterassistance.gov

The government has approved federal disaster assistance that is available for survivors in designated counties in North Carolina and South Carolina. Survivors may apply for assistance in three ways: 

Survivors may receive upfront funds to help with essential items like food, water, baby formula and other emergency supplies. Funds may also be available to repair storm-related damage to homes and personal property, as well as assistance to find a temporary place to stay. If you get denied, many people are finding a reversal of their original claim by CALLING and talking to a representative.

WHAT YOU NEED FOR FILING A FEMA APPLICATION:

  1. Social security number (SSN)/card 
    You can use yours OR the SSN of a qualified minor child. (Minor child must live in the household and be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified non-citizen.)
  2. Annual household income
  3. Contact information (including phone number, home address at the time of the disaster, and current mailing/email addresses)
  4. Insurance information/policies (if applicable or available)
  5. Bank account information (if applicable or available—you don’t need to have a bank account to receive assistance)
  6. Proof of residence and/or ownership (e.g., utility bill, copy of deed)