Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the devastation of Hurricane Helene, including Appalachians in at least seven states. We have reached out to state partners offering our support and stand ready to assist as they recover and rebuild. 

Below are resources organized into federal, regional, multi-state and state levels. We hope this list will help direct you to local organizations and efforts that are meeting the specific needs of communities. More resources will be shared as they become available. 

This has been said many times, but is worth saying again: the resilience, compassion and community care shown by Appalachians – especially in times of crisis – will help the region rise up stronger than before. The resources below are integral to that process.

Federal Resources & Updates

• White House Fact Sheet on Biden-Harris Administration Response (as of October 2).
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – As of October 3, disaster assistance is currently available to select counties in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, as well as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.  
• FEMA National Flood Insurance Program 
• Federal Communications Commission – This page provides public notices, updates, orders, communications status reports and more.
• Department of Transportation – First responders can call the 24-hour toll-free Routing Assistance Hotline by dialing 511 from their mobile phones or 833–99-ROADS (833-997-6237); view their latest response sheet (as of October 1).
• Housing and Urban Development – Anyone whose home has been destroyed or severely damaged is eligible to apply for HUD mortgage insurance. HUD is also enabling homeowners to finance rehabilitation and repairs for damaged homes.
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Disaster Tax Relief
• National Park Service – Severe weather response and updates on road closures in GA, NC, SC and TN.
• Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance 

Regional & Multi-State Resource Guides

• Appalachian Voices Resource Guide – State-by-state breakdown of emergency management resources, shelters, donation drop-off locations, verified organizations accepting donations and more. (KY, NC, SC, TN, VA) 
• Appalachians for Appalachia – County-by-county breakdown of local resources, travel advisories and more. (NC, TN) 

Regional & Multi-State Funds

• Appalachian Helene Response Fund via Appalachian Funders Network and Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky.
• Appalachian Highlands Economic Aid Directory (A.H.E.A.D) (TN and VA) 
• Samaritan’s Purse 
• Appalachia Service Project 

State Government and Emergency Management Resources

• Georgia 
  • Georgia Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency 
• North Carolina 
  • North Carolina Department of Emergency Management  
  • North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) 
  • North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund 
  • North Carolina Department of Commerce Disaster Unemployment Assistance – Application deadline is currently December 2, 2024.
  • North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services – They are seeking State Medical Assistance Team (SMAT) / Medical Reserve Corp (MRC) Personnel to indicate any availability to provide staffing assistance for medical sheltering operations.
  • North Carolina Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NCVOAD) Volunteer Opportunities – Several opportunities for anyone interested in volunteering.
  • READYNC.gov 
• South Carolina 
  • South Carolina Emergency Management Division 
• Tennessee 
  • Tennessee Emergency Management Agency 
  • Hotline for Missing Persons: 1-800-824-3463 
• Virginia 
  • Virginia Department of Emergency Management 
  • Virginia Disaster Relief Fund (online donation portal forthcoming) 
  • Virginia Department of Social Services Disaster Assistance 

State & Local Resource Guides

• North Carolina 
  • Asheville/WNC Relief – Open, crowd-sourced document of communication, donation, transportation, healthcare and other resources.
  • Blue Ridge Public Radio 
  • Mountain Bizworks
  • NC Rural Health Association – County-by-county breakdown of resources. 
  • North Carolina Community Health Center Association 
  • WNC Helene Resources – County-by-county breakdown of resources.  
  • NCDHHS Operations Specialist Justin Kearley (an alum of ARC’s Appalachian Leadership Institute) – This includes 14+ local resources for WNC. Justin is sharing regular updates on his social media platforms.
• Tennessee 
  • Johnson City Press 
  • WATE News 

State Foundations & Nonprofits

• Georgia 
  • Food Bank of Northeast Georgia 
• North Carolina 
  • North Carolina Community Foundation 
  • The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina 
  • United Way of North Carolina – UWHelpsNC Helene Recovery Fund 
  • WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund (via Mountain Bizworks)
• South Carolina 
  • Central Carolina Community Foundation – One SC Fund   
  • United Way of Greenville  – Community Relief Fund 
• Tennessee 
  • East Tennessee Foundation 
  • RISE Erwin 
• Virginia 
  • United Way of Southwest Virginia