Helene

Community Helene Response & Rebuild Guide:

https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1ReiRLo5_ELxH86XWjj-vGGywB0QAe4hOWPeublaWKPM/mobilebasic

FEMA

DisasterAssistance.gov, 800-621-FEMA

North Carolina Emergency Management

NCDPS.gov/Helene or dial 211 for non-emergency needs or (844) 965-1386 for Crisis Clean-up

Western North Carolina Open Shelters Information: readync.gov/stay-informed/open-shelters

United Way

211UnitedWay.org, Dial 211

Red Cross Disaster Support and Shelter Information

Redcross.org/get-help, (800) 733-2767 or text GETEMERGENCY to 90999 for the app

Community Resources:

• Crowdsource Resources:
  • City of Asheville Resource map: https://www.ashevillenc.gov/helene/resource-map/
  • Buncombe County Government information: https://www.buncombecounty.org/default-hh-updates.aspx
  • Food/water/gas/internet/shelters: Crowdsourcing map
  • Extensive updated list of resources & information
• Shelters: You can bring medical needs, pillows, blankets, towels, change of clothes, toiletries, food/formula, diapers, children’s toys.
  • AB Tech Conference Center at 16 Fernihurst Dr, Asheville. Please use the Victoria Road Entrance. General population shelter. (might be full)
  • AB Tech at 10 Genevieve Cir., Asheville. For those with medical equipment requiring power.
  • 1815 Hendersonville Road, Asheville (former Gold’s Gym). For those with children, a playroom is on location.
  • WNC Agricultural Center, 1301 Fanning Bridge Road, Fletcher. Only shelter that accepts pets. (might be full)
• Free Meals: (while supplies last)
  • First Baptist Church- 63 North Main Street, Weaverville (in back parking lot).
  • 135 Coxe Avenue, Asheville
  • Groce UMC, 954 Tunnel Road
  • Tupelo Honey’s, 1829 Hendersonville Road, Asheville
  • Quality Inn & Suites, 1430 Tunnel Road, Asheville. Bring containers for water.
• Food/Water Distribution Sites: For flushing toilet water, please bring your own containers.
  • William W. Estes Elementary School, 275 Overlook Road, Asheville 12pm-4pm
  • Sand Hill Elementary, 154 Sand Hill School Road, Asheville (Please enter via Acton Circle) 12pm-4pm
  • North Windy Ridge Intermediate School, 20 Doan Road, Weaverville 12pm-4pm
  • Fairview Elementary School, 1355 Charlotte Highway, Fairview 12pm-4pm
  • Ingles Black Mountain, 550 NC-9, Black Mountain 12pm-4pm
  • Leicester Elementary School, 31 Gilbert Road, Leicester 12pm-4pm
  • Pack Square Park- 70 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801 9am-7pm
  • Asheville Middle School- 211 S. French Broad Ave, Asheville, NC 28801 9am-7pm
  • Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Road, Asheville 9am-7pm
  • At-Home Store, 980 Brevard Road 9am-7pm
  • Lucy Herring Elementary, 98 Sulphur Springs Rd, Asheville 9am-7pm
  • Oakley Elementary School, 753 Fairview Road, Asheville - 9am-7pm
  • Walmart at Airport Rd in Arden
  • Walmart at Hendersonville Rd
  • Sam’s Club at Patton Ave
  • Walmart at Northridge Commons Pkwy, Weaverville
  • Beloved Asheville at 32 Old Charlotte Hwy
  • Dream Center at 95 Smokey Park Hwy and 399 Beaverdam Rd
  • Biltmore Baptist at 35 Clayton Rd, Arden
• Diapers/Baby Formula: Beloved, 32 Old Charlotte Hwy. Also have food & water.
• Free Pet Food Distribution Site:1156 Sweeten Creek Rd, Asheville (M-F 10am-4pm)
• Showers/charging:
  • The Reuter Family YMCA, 3 Town Square Blvd, Asheville (10am-5pm daily)
  • Asheville YMCA, 30 Woodfin St., Asheville. Essential items available. (10am-5pm daily)
  • Corpening Memorial YMCA, 348 Grace Corpening Dr., Marion (2pm-6pm daily)
• Cell Phone Service: Disaster roaming is on, and users can connect with any network. Please turn the phone off and back on to connect.
  • Family Justice Center: 35 Woodfin Street, Asheville (within several city blocks)
  • Groce United Methodist Church at 954 Tunnel Road, Asheville
  • Asheville Middle School at 211 S French Broad Ave, Asheville
  • Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center at 285 Livingston St.
  • Sam’s Club, 645 Patton Ave, Asheville
  • Haw Creek Commons, 315 Old Haw Creek Rd, Asheville
• Wifi Available: Password: “readmore” (one word, lowercase)
  • West Asheville Public Library, 942 Haywood Road, Asheville
  • Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St., Asheville
  • Enka-Candler Library, 1404 Sand Hill Road, Candler
• Welfare Checks: 
  • United Way Line: Call 211 (or 1-888-892-1162 if calling from outside the state)
  • Asheville City: 828-252-1110 (non-emergency police line)
  • Bumcombe County Emergency Operations Center at: 828-820-2761 and leave a voicemail, or fill out a request form online: https://forms.gle/eP5n5zGbFauWZoy39
  • Red Cross Reunification:
    https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/contact-and-locate-loved-ones/hurricane-helene-reunification.html

Stay Informed:

• Interactive Map of Resources: City of Asheville: https://www.ashevillenc.gov/news/tropical-storm-helene-recovery-resources/
• Safety Notices:
  • If you have no power, turn the breakers off at the main panel to prevent a power surge and risk of fire when power returns.
  • Do not use gas-powered generators inside your home or garage due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Customers who currently have water should fill bathtubs and other available containers in preparation for loss of service.
  • A boil water advisory also remains in effect for customers who have water.
  • Always keep an eye out for downed lines after a storm, especially in areas with floodwaters as dangers could be hidden by debris. Consider all lines energized, as well as trees, limbs or anything in contact with lines.
  • Burning: please wait at least 3 days to let materials dry out and remain at least 15 ft away from structures and in three-foot piles on burn days only. Please note, burning is prohibited within the City of Asheville, and the Towns of Biltmore Forest, Black Mountain, Montreat, Weaverville or Woodfin.
• Curfew: in effect from 11pm-6am until further notice
• Up-to-Date Information: visit org
• Bumcombe County Alerts: by texting “BCAlert” to 99411
• AVL Alert System, register here for City of Asheville alerts
• Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
• Public Briefings: daily at 11am, streamed live on the Buncombe County Facebook Page and broadcast on Blue Ridge Public Radio 88.1 FM and iHeart radio stations including 99.9, 104.3, 105.1, 97.3 (Spanish) and 570 AM.
• Monitor Road Conditions: Check Waze and gov for road closures and hazards.
• Travel out of Buncombe County: Highway I-26 heading East to South Carolina is open. I-40 East out of Buncombe County to McDowell County is reopened.

City/County Information:

• NON-Emergency line for community reports of things such as downed trees and debris: 828-250-6650.
• County Call Center: to report storm damage, access resources, and find storm-related information: 828-250-6100.
• ART buses: Now providing limited free fare transit 8am-5pm. Paratransit services resuming where possible, please call 828-250-6750 to schedule transportation.
• Fire Departments: For those needing medical assistance or for those who cannot call 911, each fire station will have a firefighter available 24/7. AFD will begin canvassing neighborhoods for needs.
• Police Department: APD is at full patrol staffing. Additionally, 45 Federal and NC State agents are assisting with security and other local Law Enforcement Agency's needs. 
• Water Utility Service: Extensive repairs are required and underway, although it may take weeks to restore the full system.
  • Most of the area is still under a boiled water advisory (even if your water comes back on)
  • Black Mountain, North Fork Water and possibly other areas are still not safe for anything other than flushing toilets, even if filtered and boiled.
  • How to disinfect water wells. Phone number for home well water testing, 828-250-5016.
  • Information on the water restoration effort
  • City of Asheville is not assessing late fees for water bills, sending delinquent notices, creating new bills, or doing any cut-offs for non-payment at this time. They are still accepting payments.
• Public works/sanitation: Download the AVL Collects app to receive notifications about trash and recycling pickup.
  • Regular schedules will resume Monday, October 14
    • Residents should separate trash (bagged) and recycling into their appropriate carts. Do not put limbs, yard debris, construction debris, carpet, concrete, or other bulky or hazardous items in your trash cart. These materials will be collected separately.
    • If your road or trash was missed due to accessibility, please call 828-259-5857 to request pickup.
  • Storm debris collection started on 10/11. There will be multiple passes at collection. Please place all debris by the curb in piles, separated into these categories:
    • Household waste- (should be bagged)
    • Construction (building materials, dry wall, lumber, carpet, furniture plumbing)
    • Appliances (refrigerator, washer/dryer, air conditioner, stove, water heater, dishwasher,
    • Electronics (television, computer, stereo, phone, DVD player)
    • Vegetative (tree branches, logs, leaves and plants)
    • Hazardous (oil, battery, pesticide, paint, cleaning supplies, compressed gas)
  • Schools:
    • Asheville City Schools have announced a targeted date of Oct 28 for reopening all city-wide schools (will provide a minimum of 72 hours’ notice in order to prepare).
    • Buncombe County has not set a target date for reopening (will provide a minimum of 72 hours’ notice in order to prepare).
    • Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College has announced a tentative reopen date of Oct 28th.
    • UNC Asheville will hold a virtual Town Hall meeting on Oct 15^th at 4pm. Updates can be found at https://new.unca.edu
  • Elections: Registration Deadline is Friday, October 11th. You can get the form online or by visiting https://www.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/election/Default.aspx . If you need a photo ID for voting you can also get that for free at our office (open 9am-5pm).
    • Early voting will begin Oct. 17 (new locations have been added). Absentee voting is happening now. Election Day will take place on November 5.
  • City Offices and Parks: Closed until further notice to allow full support for recovery efforts
  • Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies

Financial/Medical Assistance:

• Medical Care: please visit your nearest hospital. Alternatively, each fire station has a medic stationed 24/7.
• Oxygen Refilling Stations: Call before going to these sites- Palmetto Oxygen LLC 828-285-0239, Blue Ridge 828-232-1110 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m. only; no deliveries, bring your old tank to 101 Caribou Road in Asheville.), Rotech 828-456-8782, Lincare 828-255-4545, Bradshaw Oxygen LLC 828-380-6287 (Can drop off, provides portables, and make repairs)
• 828-236-3100, Bradshaw Oxygen LLC 828-380-6287, East Coast Medical Oxygen 828-252-7770
• Pharmacies: https://www.ncbop.org/emergencyoperatingpharmacieshelene.html
• Emergency Prescription Assistance Program: helps people in a federally identified disaster area who do not have health insurance to access prescription drugs, vaccinations, medical supplies, and equipment. Find out which pharmacy near you is open online with this map.Veterinary Care: MedVet Asheville, 677 Brevard Road, Asheville will open October 4 from 7am-7pm, and will be open those hours every day.
• Crisis Text Line if you need free mental health support, text TOUGH to 741741, 24/7.
• Hope4NC Helpline: 1-855-587-3463 for mental health support for first responders and volunteers. 24/7.
• Vibrant Emotional Health: For more info about the DDH 1-800-985-5990 (press "2" for Spanish). 24/7 crisis and emotional support for survivors & responders of natural and human-caused disasters go to samhsa.gov/DDH. For any additional coordination / resources needs in disaster emotional care, please email DDH@vibrant.org
• Eblen Charities- Hurricane Recovery Fund assistance paying back-due mortgages and rents; pay for gasoline; assist with medical needs to help those facing a job loss.
• FEMA Assistance: FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) Teams will be out in the community (9am-6pm) at the Black Mountain Ingles, A-B Tech Conference Center, Pack Square Park, Emma Community Center, New Bridge Baptist Church at 199 Elkwood Ave., Asheville, and at the laundry use trailer at Basilica of St. Lawrence, 97 Haywood Street, Asheville.
  • Apply online DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362. "All individuals, regardless of citizenship and immigration status… are eligible for assistance”
  • Disaster Recovery Center Opened- A.C. Reynolds High School, 1 Rocket Dr, Asheville (8am-7pm M-Sat) to request FEMA assistance in person (money for basic home repairs, personal property losses or other uninsured, disaster-related needs, such as childcare, transportation, medical needs, funeral or dental expenses). Can also shower, do laundry at this location.
• Disaster Unemployment Benefits: File at nc.gov or call 919-629-3857 by Dec 2, 2024.
• US Small Business Association: Asheville Chamber of Commerce, 36 Montford Ave (M-F 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-3pm). Provides disaster relief in the form of low interest loans for businesses, nonprofits, homeowners and renters impacted by the storm

Need Cleanup Assistance:

• County Landfill 85 Panther Branch Road, Alexander is open. Transfer Station, 190 Hominy Creek Rd, will open Oct 9 for residential bagged trash drop-off only (fees waived temporarily) 8am-4:30pm M-F and 8am-1pm Saturday.
• Debris Collection: Burning trash within Asheville city limits is forbidden. Please place all debris by the curb and separate into these categories:
  • Household waste- (should be bagged)
  • Construction (building materials, dry wall, lumber, carpet, furniture plumbing)
  • Appliances (refrigerator, washer/dryer, air conditioner, stove, water heater, dishwasher,
  • Electronics (television, computer, stereo, phone, DVD player)
  • Vegetative (tree branches, logs, leaves and plants)
  • Hazardous (oil, battery, pesticide, paint, cleaning supplies, compressed gas)
• Crisis Cleanup at 844-965-1386 or submit a request, https://crisiscleanup.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new to be connected with volunteer organizations who can assist with issues like trees, debris, tarps, and mucking out.
• Farmers and Agribusiness: https://www.ncagr.gov/emergency-programs/disaster-information
• Scams: Be aware of individuals going door to door offering cleanup services. Verify with references and look for reviews online. Don’t pay in full upfront. Report suspicious activity by texting TIP2APD to 847411.

Donations:

• ABCCM- Crisis Ministries: 1845 Brevard Rd, Arden (M-F 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-2pm). Volunteers needed. Donations needed: water, canned goods, paper products.
• Eliada Homes: Volunteers needed to collect and organize donations, text name and availability (hours and days) to Shelby Clark (828) 348-4124. Donations needed: Water, diapers/wipes/formula, bread, batteries/flashlights, canned food, travel/kids food.
• Safe Shelter: Volunteers needed organizing and distributing donations between 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. each day. Donations needed: Headlmps, lanterns, solar powered lights/chargers, solar panels, large reusable water containers, water filtration, rain barrels, gutters
• Dropoff sites: 9am-4pm- 68 Haywood Street, 1298 Patton Ave, 2215 Hendersonville Rd.
• Hurricane Relief Warehouse: 6 Commerce Way, Arden. Open from 11am-2pm daily for donations.
• Bumcombe County: donations: helenedonations@buncombecounty.org, Dropoff site: Beloved Asheville, 32 Charlotte Highway, Asheville
• United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, 828.255.0696

Donation Page: https://givebutter.com/nnU5fa

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfiHB4DfLD4kaO8GvfCZBpLo8BspfjC-22azGlZjRyLNbIfUw/viewform

• American Red Cross, North Carolina Region
  Donation Page: https://www.redcross.org/local/north-carolina/ways-to-donate.html
  Donate Online: https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation.html/
  Donate by Text: Text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate
  Donate by Phone: 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669)

Volunteer

• City Volunteering: https://www.handsonasheville.org/
• Family Assistance Center, 205 College St., Asheville. Accepting donations and deploying volunteers to check on households and deliver care packages. Bumcombe County Volunteer: helenevolunteers@buncombecounty.org
• Big Ivy Community Center, 540 Dillingham Road, Barnardsville, requesting volunteers with 4-wehelers or are willing to hike are needed to help distribute supplies.
• DebrisTech, hiring Hurricane Debris Collection Monitors to assist in monitoring the debris clean up process. No prior experience needed, ability to earn up to $1,000 per week.
• VolunteerNC: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DBF2JM9
• Sign up to answer calls to Crisis Cleanup hotline. "English and Spanish volunteers ARE DESPERATELY needed for our hotline. Info is located here: https://tinyurl.com/ms3nmw53. You must be affiliated with an organization to volunteer. If you don't have an organization, contact Block@teamrubiconusa.org.
• Other volunteer sites will be posted to this website https://www.ncvoad.org/volunteer/ as they become available. NCVOAD is establishing committees for action-oriented calls. Sign up at https://www.ncvoad.org/join-a-committee
• For organizations with large numbers of volunteers or supplies, such as feeding 1,000+ people daily, contact NC Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster at sert@ncvoad.org or make an offer on https://volunteernc.app.needslist.co

We appreciate the generosity of the community, and are thankful to be well-resourced by HCA Healthcare during this response. Mission Hospital is unable to accept donations at our facilities and ask that you coordinate drop-offs with local shelters, churches, and charitable organizations.

If you are a nurse or other clinicians that wants to temporarily work at Mission Hospital, you can apply here.

Transportation and lodging will be provided, and you'll be competitively compensated for your time.

Asheville/WNC Resources

AshevilleRelief.com/en/

1. The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina: Supporting immediate ongoing rescue and recovery needs
2. North Carolina Community Foundation: Supporting mid to long-term recovery efforts
3. American Red Cross – Western North Carolina Chapter: Supporting immediate rescue and recovery needs.
4. North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund: Supporting unmet needs of hurricane victims.

1. United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
2. Manna FoodBank
3. Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry
4. BeLoved Asheville
5. Haywood Christian Ministries
6. Hearts with Hands (Swannanoa/Asheville)

1. Diaper Bank: Babies Need Bottoms – Asheville: Amazon Supply List
2. BeLoved Asheville: Supplies needed – food, bottled water, contractor-sized trash bags, blankets, first aid supplies, menstrual hygiene products, diapers and baby clothes, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, paper towels, bleach, shovels, brooms, gloves, flashlights and batteries. Drop-off information here.
3. Manna FoodBank: Supplies needed – shelf-stable food (pop-top cans only), bottled water, baby and toddler formula and food, diapers. Drop-off information here.
4. Buncombe County Government: If you have donations, equipment, or have questions about specific needs please email: helenedonations@buncombecounty.org
5. Hearts with Hands: Supply list. For drop-off information, please email info@heartswithhands.org
6. Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry: Supplies needed – water, non-perishable food, diapers, baby food and formula. Items can be dropped off at 24 Cumberland Ave. Asheville, NC 28801
7. Eliada Homes: Supplies needed: water, food for small children, shelf-stable milk, diapers, wipes, bread, batteries, flaslights, canned beans, peanut butter, formula, jerky. Items can be dropped off at PARC Building – 49 Compton Dr. Asheville, NC 28806 beginning Oct. 2 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
8. Safe Shelter: Supplies needed: menstrual hygiene products, diapers, flashlights, candles, non-perishable foods. Email Katlyn@counterflowasheville.com

1. VolunteerNC: VolunteerNC is looking for volunteers to help serve our state with disaster services. To sign up, please complete this form.
2. Samaritan’s Purse: Volunteers with assist homeowners in the Boone area with tree work, debris cleanup, roof tarping, and mud outs. Maximum team size: 15. Sign-up and more information available here.
3. BeLoved Asheville: Volunteers are needed to help distribute and deliver supplies. Truck owners and truck drivers are especially needed. Sign-up here.
4. Buncombe County Government: If you want to volunteer, please email: helenevolunteers@buncombecounty.org
5. Baptists on Mission: Volunteers are needed to support feeding programs, shower and laundry, chain saw teams, tarping, mudding and home clean-up in Henderson, Buncombe, McDowell, Watauga, Mitchell and other counties. Sign-up here.
6. Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry: Volunteers are needed to support cooking lunch and dinner at Transformation Village (30 Olin Hvn Way, Asheville, NC 28806). To volunteer, email Shannon.paris@abccm.org
7. Legal Aid of North Carolina: Legal support is needed to assist with FEMA aid applications, legal support, long-term housing, fraud cases and more. Lawyers can sign up to volunteer here.