Those in western North Carolina who had uninsured damage or losses caused by Hurricane Helene may be eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster assistance.

FEMA can help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs. Homeowners and renters in most western North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians can apply.

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There are several ways to apply:

  • Go to DisasterAssistance.gov
    • use the FEMA App
      • Call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST daily. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.

        Here's a list of what you'll need to apply:

        • A current phone number where you can be contacted
          • Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying
            • Your Social Security number
              • A general list of damage and losses
                • Banking information if you choose direct deposit
                  • If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name

                    More resources are available on FEMA's website.

                    FEMA distributes $6.2 million to Helene survivors as of Thursday

                    On Wednesday, Oct. 2, President Joe Biden made additional disaster assistance available to the state of North Carolina. He authorized an increase in the level of federal funding to 100% for emergency work undertaken in the state of North Carolina as a result of Hurricane Helene.

                    Also, Biden approved Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians for permanent work including direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program. These areas were already designated for debris removal and emergency protective measures.

                    To date, more than 40,000 people have applied for disaster assistance and FEMA has paid out more than $6.2 million in individual assistance directly to survivors.

                    Biden also directed the deployment of 1,000 active-duty soldiers to support the delivery of food, water, and other critical commodities to communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.