Disaster Assistance & Resources
The Helene Resource Center is now open where you can find representatives with FEMA, U.S. Small Business Administration, one-on-one Helene recovery assistance with the N.C. Disaster Case Management, information on no-cost projects that can make your property more resilient known as the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, and more.
Visit us at 94 Coxe Avenue in Downtown Asheville open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can park for free across the street and transit is available nearby through ART.
You don’t need an appointment, so visit the center at a time that works for you.
While the deadline to apply for FEMA has passed, stay in communication with FEMA and provide any necessary documents.
NC Department of Health and Human Services
Hurricane Helene Recovery Resources >>
Disaster Assistance Deadlines: Residents should be aware of key upcoming deadlines:
Please note the deadline to apply for FEMA assistance has now passed. The deadline to apply for the Private Property Debris Removal program has now passed.
April 27: SBA Physical Damage Loan Deadline
June 30: SBA Economic Injury Application Deadline
NEW - Private Roads and Bridges -
Can FEMA assist with damaged private roads or bridges?
- FEMA funding is available to support repairs on private roads and bridges, even if the owner’s home is not damaged. To receive assistance for privately owned access routes, the following conditions must be met:
- A FEMA inspection determines repairs are necessary to provide drivable access to the primary residence.
- The homeowner is responsible (or shares responsibility with other homeowners) for maintaining the privately owned access route to their primary residence.
- The privately owned access route is the only way to reach the homeowner's primary residence; repair (or replacement) of a secondary route is necessary for practical use (for example, it is impossible to access the residence without a bridge or road); or the safety of the occupants or the residence would be adversely affected because state or local government emergency equipment (ambulances, firetrucks) cannot reach the residence.
- Applicants should note that if they receive between $179 - $195 after reporting damage to FEMA, this money may be intended to pay a contractor to inspect and provide a repair estimate. After getting the estimate, they would need to file an appeal. Your FEMA letter will provide more details about any additional documents you need to submit.
- The maximum amount a homeowner can receive through the Individual Assistance program for home repair and replacement is $42,500. However, homeowners in a community may combine any money received toward permanent repair costs. Individuals whose needs are not met by FEMA may be referred to voluntary agencies or longer-term recovery organizations that may have available resources.
- Homeowners may also apply for a low-interest disaster loan to permanently repair a private road or bridge through the U.S. Small Business Administration. Please note that FEMA’s Individual Assistance program benefits cannot be duplicated by other assistance provided for the same purpose, such as insurance payments.
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
FEMA
Update: As of April 7, 2025, the deadline to apply for FEMA assistance has passed.
FEMA representatives always have branded uniforms and badges. FEMA assistance is intended to support basic needs of households for uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs. Apply for assistance at disasterassistance.gov or call FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. FEMA provides assistance to all disaster survivors regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, citizenship or residency, English proficiency, or economic status.
CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA RECOVERY
FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers
County Helene Resource Center Now Open
Buncombe County is committed to supporting residents affected by Hurricane Helene. A new Helene Resource Center will open Monday, April 14, at 94 Coxe Avenue, Asheville, assisting with FEMA applications, Disaster Case Management, the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, private roads and bridges support, and more. The center will operate Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free parking is available across the street. This new center will serve as a one-stop shop for resources as FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers begin to transition out of the community.
FEMA DISASTER SURVIVOR ASSISTANCE
FEMA’s Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams provide critical, on-the-ground support, helping survivors access federal assistance programs, assess needs, and assist with registration for grants, loans, and other recovery services.
DSA teams may also be canvassing in several neighborhoods throughout the county.
Reminder: Any FEMA representatives will be clearly marked. Be aware of anyone representing themselves that do not have on any clearly labeled article of clothing.
FEMA TRANSITIONAL SHELTER ASSISTANCE
FEMA is continuing to assist Western North Carolina residents displaced by Helene through the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program, which provides temporary hotel stays while survivors work toward permanent housing solutions. TSA will continue through May 26, 2025, for those who meet eligibility. People who are able to stay in TSA do not have a safe permanent place to stay in.
Some important information regarding this program:
- Eligibility reviews are conducted every two weeks to ensure ongoing need.
- Ineligible survivors will now receive an extended notice of 21 days from FEMA (instead of 7) before needing to vacate.
- Transitional Sheltering Assistance will end only for families who are no longer eligible due to an inspection showing their home is habitable, declining an inspection, or not reachable by FEMA after several attempts.
- Survivors must update FEMA with their current housing and contact details to avoid delays in assistance.
If you've been notified about a change in your eligibility or need further help, call 800-621-3362 or visit the Disaster Recovery Center at the Asheville Mall.
Hotels available for eligible survivors. Through Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA), FEMA pays directly to participating hotels and motels to cover the cost of room, taxes and non-refundable pet fees to provide short-term accommodations for eligible disaster survivors
TSA in N.C. has been extended until May 26. This will allow households additional time to identify another housing solution or make repairs to their home. FEMA will notify participants three to seven days before their checkout dates after determining if they are able to return to their residences. Ask about TSA at a Disaster Recovery Center or apply online at disasterassistance.gov
Important from FEMA:
If you are currently staying in a hotel through Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA), we strongly encourage you to speak with your front desk staff as soon as possible to confirm availability.
If you are unable to extend your reservation, we may be able to provide assistance for future accommodations, or you can use the TSA hotel locator to explore more options.
Call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 or call the One Buncombe Call Center at 250-6100.
ASSISTANCE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
The United States Small Business Administration has opened an assistance center at the Chamber of Commerce. The center is focusing on providing disaster relief in the form of low interest loans for businesses, nonprofits, homeowners and renters impacted by the storm. Visit sba.gov for more information or visit a SBA representative in person at the Asheville Chamber of Commerce (36 Montford Ave). Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
The Small Business Administration can also provide loans for homeowners and renters.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is extending the physical damage loan deadline for disaster declarations affected by the 2024 federal funding lapse. The new deadline to apply is April 27, 2025.
The disaster declaration covers Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Forsyth, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lee, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Nash, Polk, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, and Yancey counties, as well as The Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians.
Find more information.
PRICE GOUGING AND SCAM REPORTING
North Carolina Consumer Protection Agency lines are open to report price gouging and other Helene-related concerns. To report, call 1-877-5-NO-SCAM (1-877-566-7226).
Victims of scams, wage theft, etc., contact North Carolina Attorney General's Office.
Call (877) 5-NO-SCAM toll-free within North Carolina or file a complaint online. You can also contact the Attorney General's Office for help with a complaint about disaster repair or a contractor. Learn more about fraud and scams.
FARMERS ASSISTANCE
Please see this list of resources for farmers and agriculture lands.
UNEMPLOYMENT
UTILITY PAYMENT ASSISTANCE
Duke Energy Progress: Share the Light Fund. Accepts donations and offers financial assistance. To receive financial assistance, you must be a Duke Energy Progress residential customer and have a past due balance, unpaid deposit for utility service or unpaid reconnection charge. Call 800-662-7020 to give or get help.
Dominion Energy: energy assistance at 877-776-2427 or online for more.
Water bills
Note: Water billing has resumed as of Dec. 1. The Water Resources Department paused all billing activities at the onset of Hurricane Helene until the full system achieved a return to potable water. As customers return to regular service operations, billing will resume. The “Water Consumption Charge” for water usage on all bills has been changed to $0. This covers all water usage from the last bill, before the storm, through the meter reading for the current bill. It encompasses the full period of non-potable water from the end of September through mid November. The City of Asheville will not assess any delinquent fees for utility statements until after March 1, 2025.
Customers are encouraged to contact Water Customer Services at 828-251-1122 if they have billing questions or if additional time is needed to pay the bill. Payment plans will be made available to customers who request them.
Regular rates will resume beginning with the next billing cycle. For more information, visit ashevillenc.gov.
Disaster Energy Assistance
CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA RECOVERY
See Buncombe County's Recovery Resource Guide here.
Stay Informed
For the latest recovery updates, visit engage.buncombecounty.org/buncomberecovers.
For any Helene-related questions, contact the One Buncombe Call Center at 828-250-6100 (Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.).
Updated Apr 23, 2025 01:41 PM