Disaster Recovery Resources

The devastation to Western North Carolina by Hurricane Helene has greatly impacted many businesses and families. If you or your business are impacted, view a list of resources below.

Small Businesses Resources

SBA Disaster Recovery Funding

Find out how to get emergency financial aid from the government if you have been affected by a natural disaster.

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Carolina Small Business Development Fund

As of 9/30/2024: The Carolina Small Business Development fund stands by ready to support those small business owners and entrepreneurial support system partners who need help, and we urge our communities to band together to help our neighbors.
Just as the Fund has done during past natural disasters and catastrophic events, it will provide small businesses with financial and technical assistance as they begin recovering from this devastating storm. The Fund will also be ready to inform stakeholders of the policy implications of supporting small businesses and organizations that help small businesses at times like these.  Call the Carolina Small Business Development Fund at 919.803.1437.

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North Carolina SBTDC

The North Carolina SBTDC can help businesses secure federal or state disaster loans and provided post-disaster counseling to aid businesses in their recovery,

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Southern Smoke Foundation

An organization that Visit NC proudly partners with is offering emergency assistance to workers in the food and beverage industry here in North Carolina who have been affected.

Apply for Assistance  Donate

 
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual and Household Program (IHP)

This program provides financial assistance to eligible homeowners and renters who suffered damage or losses due to Hurricane Helene. It can cover temporary housing, home repairs, and replacement of essential items. To apply for FEMA assistance, click the button below or call 1.800.621.3362.

Apply for Assistance

Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Program

This program offers low-interest disaster loans to businesses, homeowners, and renters affected by Hurricane Helene. Loans can be used to repair property damage, replace inventory, and cover operating expenses. To apply for an SBA disaster loan, click the button below or call 1.800.659.1755. 

Apply for Assistance
  
North Carolina Emergency Management Agency (NCEMA) Recovery Resources

NCEMA offers a variety of resources and assistance to individuals and communities affected by disasters. This may include information on grants, loans, and other recovery programs. Visit the NCEMA website for more information and resources.

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Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund

A partnership between DoorDash and Hello Alice, restaurants, gastropubs and bakeries with brick & mortar locations that have lost revenue from a disaster may apply for $10,000 grant awards from the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund (RDRF) program. The program is accepting entries this round up December 2, 2024, at 6PM EST. To read complete terms and conditions of program, click here. 

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Grant Funds Available in Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba Counties after Hurricane Helene 

United Way of Catawba County
 Burke United Way
 Caldwell County Emergency Management
 Alexander County Emergency Management
  
Note: The availability and specific details of these grant programs may change. It’s recommended to contact the relevant agencies directly for the most up-to-date information and to determine your eligibility.

Additional Resources

Note for funding resources: Often when requesting money as a grantee or as a borrower, a business plan is required. Resources listed at the bottom of the list for your convenience. 

Grants (Grants are limited) 

  • NC IDEA is a Durham based nonprofit interested in helping start-ups with funding. Two different categories of grants open for application every August and February of each year. 
    • NC IDEA MICRO awards small, project-based grants in the amount of $10K to young companies looking to validate and advance their idea. 
    • NC IDEA SEED offers early-stage companies the critical funding they need to scale faster. The $50K grants for innovative startups with a proven concept, even if they are not yet profitable. 

Loans

Federal Loans

Small Business Administration

SBA provides money to lenders who then loan money to small businesses. Often local institutions like Community Financial Institutions (CDFIs) receive money from them

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Local CDFI Loans

Much like banks, there are nonprofit lending institutions called Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) which focus on small business funding. You will want to have a business plan ready with your fixed costs along with how much money you would like to borrow. 

  • Carolina Small Business Development Fund – CSBDF (formerly The Support Center) – Helping communities by investing in entrepreneurs.
  • ICAP – Institute Capital (The Institute) – Provides debt and investment capital to affordable housing developers, community-based development organizations (CBDOs) and small businesses for community transformation. The goal is to revitalize and transform diverse communities through affordable housing, entrepreneurship, HBCU collaborations and community development.
  • Self-Help Credit Union – This is both a credit union and lender, Special programs available for Veterans and childcare.
  • Mountain BizWorks – Specializes in financing to help Western NC small businesses launch and expand, by offering non-traditional loans from $1,000 to $250,000.
  • Carolina Community Impact, Inc. – NEW CDFI which is backed by a consumer credit educational nonprofit, Community Loan Center of NC Triangle. Each loan will include credit counseling services.
  • Business Expansion Funding Corporation – Economic Development lender providing SBA 504 Loan.
  • Greater Kinston Credit Union – This is both a credit union and a lender in Kinston, NC.
  • Latino Community Credit Union – This is both a credit union and lender servicing the Latino Community.
  • Phone: 919-595-1800
  • Website: https://latinoccu.org/

NOTE: If you are attempting to borrow money, you will need a business plan. It is important to know how much money is needed and for what purpose.

  • EDPNC – Business Plan Resources
  • Small Business Administration – Business Plan
  • SCORE is another great resource that offers classes for the Small Business Owners – Business Plan
  • NC Small Business Centers also offers a wide range of classes for the Small Business Owner – Business Plan
  • Operation Hope offers help with creating business plans to make your business fundable. – Business Plan

Chamber of Commerce Updates

  • US Chamber Foundation – National Disaster Help Desk – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation manages the National Disaster Help Desk. They activate to support disaster-impacted communities and their businesses, if needed in your recovery effort. They support (not supplant) existing systems and communications between chambers, businesses, non-profits, local/state/federal governments and fill gaps when needed. The Disaster Help Desk can be reached at 888.692.4943. The Help Desk will provide coordination of information among businesses, local chambers of commerce, nonprofits, government, and disaster recovery specialists. The purpose is to support and enhance existing systems, and facilitate information sharing where there are gaps. You should call if: 
    • You want information about what to do and/or recovery best practices. 
    • You are in the impact area and want help navigating FEMA, SBA, and other assistance programs. 
    • You are in the impact area and are not sure who to call for a particular need or assistance. 
    • You want to support the recovery process and connect with chambers or businesses in the impacted area.    
    •  They also have disaster quick guides that may be helpful. These guides provide local chambers and small businesses with practical tools and resources to help your chamber and businesses better understand what steps to take after an event occurs.
  • Black Mountain/Swannanoa Chamber – From Bryan Moore with the Caldwell Chamber: I spoke with Melinda Hester at the Black Mountain/Swannanoa Chamber…she is on the ground helping her community in amazing ways.  She brings her coastal experience to this area, and she is working with her community around the clock to support and take action.   
  • Boone Area Chamber – From David Jackson: The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation is accepting donations to help with community and business relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s impact on the High Country. Gifts can be made at this link and the Chamber will distribute funds locally to businesses and community efforts as needs are further assessed throughout Watauga County over the days and weeks ahead. Boonechamber.com/foundation is where we are concentrating our business support resources, and we will look to this fund to help deploy dollars for business community stabilization until larger dollars can get here. Physical supplies can be delivered to The Summit Pickleball at 178 Industrial Park Drive in Boone. They can take any type of vehicle there, including tractor trailers.  
  • Greater Statesville Chamber – The Chamber has added a resource page to their website.
  • Asheville Area Chamber – If anyone is inclined to provide financial assistance for businesses in Asheville and Buncombe County, donations can be made through PayPal to payments@ashevillechamber.org. Please mark them Hurricane Relief. These donations are tax deductible. When we are able, we will follow up with donors with a 2024 charitable contribution letter for their donation.  
  • McDowell Chamber – Our team is stationed at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), where we are gathering and disseminating relevant information as quickly as possible. Suppliers who are bringing in supplies or coordinating transportation into Marion should deliver them to the central drop-off location at the Universal Building, McDowell Technical Community College: 634 College Dr., Marion, NC 28752. Please note that there will be no private pick-ups or individual distributions at this location. For those interested in volunteering, please call 828.559.9731 to learn how you can assist. While our Chamber office is currently without power, we are making every effort to respond to emails and phone messages promptly. We are also working diligently to gather a list of resources from our partners that can specifically support our member businesses as they begin recovery efforts. More information will be shared as soon as it becomes available. For those of you who have asked to donate, please follow this link: DONATE HERE. 
    • From Kim Effler, President & CEO: “We are shifting to search and getting water and food to those who urgently need it.  Much of our communities have been cut off from the community and cannot access critical supplies. I am working the command center and expect to be here as long as I can. If you’ll watch and share my posts on the Chamber Facebook page, I’m sharing the most credible information possible.” Visit their Facebook page.
  • Randleman Chamber – The Randleman Chamber has confirmed a tractor & trailer from our local furniture manufacturer to be loaded with supplies and sent to our friends in the NC Mountains, working through Samaritans Purse. If there are specific needs, please let us know at 336.495.1100 or chamber43@northstate.net. We will also have a drop off site at our 36 NASCAR Day Festival in Randleman on October 5 from 9am to 6pm. 

State Resources

ReadyNC

Information and resources for North Carolina residents and visitors impacted by Helene.

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North Carolina Emergency Management

Information and resources for North Carolina residents and visitors impacted by Helene.

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County Emergency Management

Information and resources for North Carolina residents and visitors impacted by Helene by county.

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Visit NC

A travel advisory is in effect for Western North Carolina. Please avoid unnecessary travel to this area.

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DriveNC

Live updates on road conditions in North Carolina.

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North Carolina Department of Insurance

Information about prescriptions, insurance, filing claims, and more.

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North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

Medicaid information. Some people on ACA may now be eligible for Medicaid.

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The NC Hospitality Worker Relief Fund

Managed by the NCRLA Foundation, the NC Hospitality Worker Relief Fund is accepting contributions. 100% of funds raised will go directly to help support restaurant and hotel employees in Western NC that are facing significant financial hardship in the aftermath of the storm. You may donate directly to the fund or consider establishing fundraising efforts in your business and remitting proceeds directly to the NC Hospitality Worker Relief Fund. To learn more, please contact Courtney Hamm at chamm@ncrla.org or 919.844.7883.

NC Board of Pharmacy

Emergency refills, open pharmacies, and more. To assist patients and emergency response coordinators, Board staff are compiling a list of pharmacies in Helene-affected counties that have reported they are able to provide patient services. Any pharmacy that is open in these counties is encouraged to send in a notice. A short, fillable form requesting basic information is found here. Please save the form after completing and email to: emergency@ncbop.org. The list of responding pharmacies is found here.

NC Department of Agriculture

Disaster Information for Farms and Agribusinesses, animal welfare.

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NC Board of Elections

Information regarding voters Affected by Helene.

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North Carolina Department of Commerce – 10/1/2024 – Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)

DUA benefits are available for residents of the following counties: 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 as well as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina. Additional counties may be added to the list of those eligible for DUA at a later date.  

People in the above-listed counties who are unemployed as a direct result of Hurricane Helene may be eligible for unemployment benefits under the DUA program. Business owners and self-employed individuals affected by the storm may also qualify for benefits.  

People in the 25 counties as well as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina have 60 days from Oct. 1 to file an application for DUA. The deadline to apply is Dec. 2, 2024.  

Apply Now

 

Federal Resources

FEMA Hurricane Helene

FEMA and the federal family are closely working with governments and communities to respond to Hurricane Helene. Follow directions from local officials to stay safe, as rainfall and flooding continue through multiple states.

Learn More   Apply for Assistance

How to Help Survivors After a Disaster

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Donate Blood

Blood donations are always needed, especially after a disaster. Find a blood donation center near you.

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International Revenue Service (IRS)

The Internal Revenue Service today announced disaster tax relief for all individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Helene, including the entire states of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina and parts of Florida, Tennessee and Virginia. Taxpayers in these areas now have until May 1, 2025, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments. Among other things, this includes 2024 individual and business returns normally due during March and April 2025, 2023 individual and corporate returns with valid extensions and quarterly estimated tax payments.

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Resources for Artists & Arts Organizations

Arts NC

With significant support from Arts AVL, Arts NC has created a guide to Emergency Support Resources for Artists & Arts Organizations which includes Rapid Damage Assessment Forms for Cultural Institutions, Artists, and Arts Organizations from the National Coalition for Arts Preparedness and Emergency Response (NCAPER)

They encourage everyone to give to the NC Arts Disaster Relief Fund that is being run through the North Carolina Arts Foundation to provide funding and assistance directly and to artists and arts organizations affected by Hurricane Helene. When you donate enter the word “RELIEF” in the description for your gift.

Emergency Pro Bono Legal Services for Western NC Artists and Arts Organizations

Many services available.

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General Information

North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund

To donate to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, visit nc.gov/donate.

Donations for the fund will go to nonprofits working to meet the immediate needs of people needing food and water, cleaning supplies and other emergency supplies.

“There is a massive effort underway to get help to the people of Western North Carolina including state and federal relief, but we know there will be additional needs,” Governor Roy Cooper said. “If you’re able to give, please consider a donation to help North Carolinians as they clean up and recover from Helene.”

World Central Kitchen

The World Central Kitchen has set up operations in Asheville and is serving free meals to those in need. Donations to their efforts can be made here.

Some Things to Remember When Donating

Disaster officials remind you  to donate through a disaster relief organization or the government if you want to donate. They publish lists of needed items.

  • Only give items when they are requested.
  • Only give items that are on the list of requested items.
  • Do not send items directly to the affected area.

DisasterAssistance.gov provides information about finding loved ones. You can also get information on this through the Red Cross.

Seeking Shelter or Financial Assistance After a Disaster

If you need assistance following Helene, go to USA.Gov for information about financial assistance and housing following a disaster.

The Red Cross also has a list of shelters that are open and so does the website ReadyNC.gov.

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety has a website with information about emergency declarations, power outages and crisis cleanup for those affected by Helene.

Who to Call if You Need Help Locating Someone

NC 211 is an information and referral service provided by United Way of North Carolina and supported by local United Ways and public and private partners.

North Carolina leaders mentioned the service as the western part of the state deals with flooding, no water, no power, and no cell service in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

People trying to connect with family members can call NC 211 or 1.888.892.1162 if calling from out-of-state. People can also call those numbers to report missing loved ones.

WRAL News has begun compiling a list of people who are safe. You can view the full list here.

Additional Resources and Donation Options 

  • American Red Cross: 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word “HELENE” to 90999 to make a $10 donation; DONATE HERE