Western North Carolina Small Business Grant Initiative Information:

The Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative II (WNCSBI II) is now accepting applications for relief grants to help businesses recover from the storm's impact. For more information, please click the link: https://appalachiancommunitycapitalcdfi.org/wnscb-grant/

Disaster Response Physical Resources:

Open Shelters in your area: https://www.readync.gov/stay-informed/open-shelters

County Emergency Management Agencies: https://www.ncdps.gov/our-organization/emergency-management/county-emergency-management-agencies

FEMA Disaster Assistance: https://www.disasterassistance.gov/

Locate a pharmacy near you: http://ncbop.org/emergencyoperatingpharmacieshelene.html

Opioid Treatment Programs in your area: http://thecentralregistry.com/map/

NCDHHS Hurricane Helene Recovery Resources: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/assistance/hurricane-helene-recovery-resources

NCDPS Hurricane Helene Resources: https://www.ncdps.gov/our-organization/emergency-management/hurricane-helene

Mental Health/Behavioral Health Resources:

Crisis Services: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/mental-health-developmental-disabilities-and-substance-use-services/crisis-services

988 Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/

Peer Warmline: 1-855-733-7762, https://promiseresourcenetwork.org/get-support/

Help for Helpers Hope4NC website: 1-855-587-3463, https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/mental-health-developmental-disabilities-and-substance-use-services/hope4nc-helpline

Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990,  https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline

Disability Disaster Hotline: 1-800-626-4959, https://disasterstrategies.org/hotline/

Connections E-Recovery App: https://signup.connectionsapp.com/?token=EKwvx

Additional guidance flyers available on the NCDHHS website (printable in English and Spanish):

https://www.ncdhhs.gov/assistance/hurricane-helene-recovery-resources/hurricane-helene-recovery-communications-toolkit

Volunteer and Donation Opportunities

Recovering from Hurricane Helene will be a long-term process and volunteer help will be needed for months to come. For their own safety and to be most helpful, volunteers should work through an organization and not deploy on their own. If you are interested in volunteering, you can register at nc.gov/volunteernc or www.unitedwaync.org or by contacting one of the NC VOADS (www.ncvoad.org/members).

How to donate: https://www.ncdps.gov/how-to-donate

Executive Orders, Medicaid Flexibilities and Waivers for Hurricane Helene Response

Governor Cooper’s Executive Order for Hurricane Helene: https://governor.nc.gov/executive-order-no-318/open

Medicaid Waiver Flexibilities: https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/blog/2024/10/01/update-nc-medicaid-temporary-flexibilities-due-hurricane-helene-october-1-2024