Helene Recovery
WNCCHS Care Updates
FEMA Application Deadline extended to Feb 6, 2025 for FEMA Assistance for Individuals & Households.
All WNCCHS locations are back to normal operating hours! 📣
We want to take a moment to thank our incredible patients for your understanding and patience as we worked through the challenges brought on by Hurricane Helene.
A huge thank you also goes out to our dedicated staff for their resilience, compassion, and tireless efforts to continue serving our community through it all. You truly are the heart of WNCCHS! 💙
We look forward to continuing to provide the high-quality care you deserve.
Donated Goods: Toiletries, food, cleaning supplies, first aid supplies, diapers, and more are available at all locations for patients in need.
Thank you for your patience as we continue to provide services to our community during this challenging time!
Updated 1/13/25
Donations
For 30 years, WNCCHS has been dedicated to providing accessible, compassionate care to the underserved in Western North Carolina—regardless of their ability to pay. Beyond essential health services, we connect vulnerable patients with affordable medications, food assistance, legal aid, and many other resources.
Hurricane Helene has left behind significant devastation, and we are working hard to reopen and continue providing care to those who need it most. If you’re able, we invite you to consider making a donation to help our patients, staff, and community rebuild.
Your support is urgently needed and will go directly toward:
Employee Assistance – Helping our staff with food, clothing, gas, and toiletries as they recover.
Patient Assistance Fund – Providing immediate relief to our patients for their essential needs.
General Operating Funds – Assisting with our reopening efforts, such as fueling our mobile unit and restoring internet access at our health centers.
Every contribution, no matter the size, directly supports our efforts. Thank you for standing with us and helping us continue this vital work.
We are also accepting donations of goods such as toiletries, snacks, cleaning supplies, first aid supplies, diapers, etc. to give to patients in need. Please email tparkins@wncchs.org to coordinate drop off.
Apply for FEMA Assistance After Hurricane Helene
Application Deadline extended to Feb 6, 2025 for FEMA Assistance for Individuals & Households.
FEMA has declared Individual Assistance (IA) for Hurricane Helene. What does this mean for you? It means that you can apply for disaster assistance from FEMA to help offset your disaster-related expenses. You can apply online at https://www.disasterassistance.gov or by telephone at (800) 621-3362. Otherwise, you can download the FEMA weather app from Google PlayStore or the Apple Store and you can apply for assistance on the app and upload receipts.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What kind of help can I get from FEMA?
FEMA can help with things like vouchers for temporary housing, paying for storm-related expenses, and property damage (like damage to your home, car, or personal belongings). If you’ve lost income because of the storm, there’s a separate process to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. Be sure to apply for that if you’ve lost wages.
Will getting help from FEMA affect my other benefits?
No, receiving help from FEMA will not affect any public benefits like SSI (Supplemental Security Income) or food stamps.
Should I apply for FEMA help even if others have had it worse?
Yes! Everyone’s situation is looked at individually, and applying doesn’t take away help from others. In fact, more people applying for assistance can bring more resources to your community. So, don’t hesitate to list the full damage you’ve experienced.
Can undocumented people apply for FEMA help?
Yes, anyone affected by the storm can get help with immediate needs like food, water, and emergency shelter. For financial assistance, someone in your household must be a U.S. citizen or have legal status. If that person is a child, an undocumented parent can apply on behalf of their child.
Helpful Documents
En español, ver aquí:
National Dislocated Worker Grant
A new opportunity is here for individuals in Western North Carolina who have been affected by economic disruptions. Thanks to a $7.5 million National Dislocated Worker Grant, managed by the Southwestern Commission and Land of Sky Regional Council, dislocated workers in 11 WNC counties can access free education, training, and career support!
Whether you're looking to retrain for a new career, gain certifications, or enroll in an on-the-job training program, this grant can help cover the costs. It also provides financial incentives for employers to train dislocated workers.
If you've been laid off, are self-employed and impacted by local economic conditions, or are a family member of a dislocated worker, you may be eligible. Don’t miss this chance to unlock new possibilities for your future.
Contact your local NCWorks Career Center at 828-456-6061 or visit https://wncdislocatedworkergrant.com to get started today!
Hurricane Helene Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)
If you live in one of the 25 Western North Carolina counties or are a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in zip code 28719, and you were impacted by Hurricane Helene, you may be eligible for one-time assistance to help buy food through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP).
Eligibility: To qualify for D-SNAP, applicants must:
Have suffered losses or damages due to Hurricane Helene (such as property damage or loss of income)
Provide proof of identity and residency (if available)
Not currently be receiving Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) benefits. If you already receive FNS, you may be eligible for additional help without needing to apply for D-SNAP.
Pre-registration is available beginning Oct. 15. Income and resource limits may apply. Get Started HERE.
Community Resources
Helpful Links
Hurricane Helene Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)
National Dislocated Worker Grant of WNC
Lowe's - Job Opportunities in Disaster Recovery
Hot meals available for Hurricane Helene survivors: County-by-county distribution guide
Helene Recovery Resources By County
Guide: Where to find food, water, shelter and Wi-Fi after Asheville flooding (citizen-times.com)
Help in a hurry: Quick guide to finding essentials in Asheville after flooding from Helene
Helene updates from Buncombe: Where to refill oxygen, find non-potable water, bus service
Helene Response & Rebuild Resource List by County
Disaster Unemployment Assistance | DES
How to vote if you've been affected by Hurricane Helene (citizen-times.com)
For help locating food, water, shelter and other local resources, call 211 or visit nc211.org.
BOLETÍN DE RECURSOS NC MEDICAID
Goodwill Community Hubs
Individuals and families needing assistance recovering from Hurricane Helene are encouraged to visit community hub sites offered by Goodwill Industries of North Carolina, NCWorks, and other partners.
Haw Creek Animal Hospital–1007 Tunnel Rd, Asheville, NC, United States, North Carolina. Thursday October 3rd we will be OPEN from 11am to 4pm for food and medications.
Asheville Tool Library & WNC Repair Cafe will be offering chainsaw repair & sharpening, generator repairs, small electric work - limited to tools/machine needed to help with survival and rebuilding.
Tip: Check with Homeowner’s Insurance for reimbursement for loss/replacement of refrigerated and frozen food
Find Open Pharmacies
Healthcare Ready’s RxOpen is a mapping tool that helps patients and providers locate open pharmacies in areas impacted by natural disasters and public health emergencies.
The NC Board of Pharmacies has created a list of emergency operating pharmacies by county at ncbop.org/emergencyoperatingpharmacieshelene.html
Housing Rights
Know Your Rights: Renter Information – Pisgah Legal Housing Attorney David Bartholomew shared important information about the rights of renters with Blue Ridge Public Radio .
If tenants are confused about their rights or suspect that a landlord may be taking illegal actions against them, Pisgah Legal Services can be contacted online@pisgahlegal.org or 828-253-0406.
McDowell County-Specific
National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: just dial 988 or text them. Live chat also available at https://chat.988lifeline.org/
National Suicide Prevention Line: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Emergency substance abuse (SAMHSA) helpline: 800-662-4357
Disaster Distress Helpline (for any emotional stress): 800-985-5990 or text them (español: presiona 2).
Veterans Crisis Line: www.veteranscrisisline.net. Call 988 (Press 1). Text 838255
National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat
Women Veterans Call Center: www.womenshealth.va.gov. Call 855-829-6636
Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program: www.socialwork.va.gov/IPV.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
VA Caregiver Support Line: www.caregiver.va.gov Call 855-260-3274
Hope4NC (1-855-587-3463) is a FREE, 24/7 warm line from NC DHHS for providers affected with stress, grief, and/or mental fatigue from Hurricane Helene response efforts.
BetterHelp is offering 3 months of virtual therapy services for FREE to anyone impacted by Hurricane Helene. Go to: https://www.betterhelp.com/voucher/ and enter the code: hurricane-helene-support
SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Call or text 1-800-985-5990
List of NC mental health clinicians offering FREE therapy services (virtually or in person) to anyone whose mental health has been impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Help Hotlines
FIRE DEPARTMENT STATEMENT The fire department has confirmed that mud has hazmat toxins in it. You must wear gloves and masks! Be careful-not a good time to need the hospital. SMART to assume mud in the entire area is affected. Until state environmental regulators conduct thorough tests, assume every possible contaminant.
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Avoid ANY exposure to skin and eyes (waterproof gloves, safety goggles, water-resistant clothing + no gaps for mud to get under, and rubber boots)
MASKS: Use an air-purifying respirator (chemical cartridge/gas mask respirator, PAPR, SCBA) to prevent illness and injury. If these masks are inaccessible, the next best protection is a well-fitted, over-the-head n95 (ex. 3M Aura). While it does not protect against hazardous chemicals, it is effective protection against airborne viruses, mold, and dust inhalation.
Dangerous Environmental Health Hazards