Hurricane Helene State & Local Emergency Resources

Catholic Charities has been helping hurricane-damaged communities by providing immediate emergency aid and long-term recovery since September 2024. Our case management services include offering financial assistance, providing essential items, and working with survivors to give 360 care on their journey to recovery.

This page provides information and resources to western North Carolina residents affected by Hurricane Helene. Updated information and resources will be provided as they become available.

NC211

The state’s 211 service (accessible by calling 211 and pressing 1 or visiting nc211.org) provides information on obtaining food, water, and shelter, locating loved ones, checking road conditions, and filing damage and insurance claims. Use 911 only for emergency situations.

211 also has been providing resources for those in North Carolina who rely on SNAP benefits. Visit https://www.211.org/food to research further.

Disaster Relief Resources

There are a lot of resources and grants available to Hurricane Helene survivors. Look through the resources below for more information.

Long Term Recovery Groups

Long term recovery groups and disaster coalitions are cooperative bodies of community organizations that coordinates resources to help people recover from disasters after short-term emergency aid ends
. They address “unmet needs,” such as home repairs, temporary housing, and other essential services, and work to restore a community’s “new normal” by pooling resources from non-profits, faith-based groups, government agencies, and businesses. Find your local LTRG here.

LTRGs and COADs

Road Conditions

To avoid unnecessary travel and potentially dangerous road conditions in western North Carolina, it is recommended that people stay off the roadways unless there is an emergency. Those who do need to travel can stay updated on the current roadway conditions by visiting DriveNC.Gov, which is regularly updated by the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

Fact-Checking Amid Hurricane Helene Rumors

NC Emergency Management warns against false information on Helene and urges people to trust only reliable sources. In light of this, the state agency has set up a website to counter rumors and provide accurate information on relief and recovery efforts.