TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY RESPONSE TO HURRICANE HELENE
Transylvania County Response to Hurricane Helene
SPECIAL NOTE- NC Emergency Management and FEMA have notified of false information being spread on hurricane response on social media and this is happening locally as well. Be advised to read releases provided from trusted sources carefully. State EM has issued a state level fact v rumor info sheet: Hurricane Helene: Fact vs. Rumor | NC DPS
FEMA Housing Presentation 10/28/24
FEMA Disaster Recovery Center
FEMA has opened a Disaster Recovery Center in the Community Services Building at 106 E Morgan St in downtown Brevard, open 7 days a week, 8am-7pm. DRCs provide information from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Disaster survivors can get help applying for federal assistance, learn about the types of assistance available, learn about the appeals process and get updates on applications.
You can also apply for assistance by online at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/, by telephone at (800) 621-3362, or using the FEMA weather app. The FEMA Helpline at (800) 621-3362 may be able to provide additional referrals not available through FEMA.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
Water, Food, and Other Resources
Housing Assistance Application
Solid Waste Disposal Fee Assistance: Regular household or business waste does not quality for FEMA assistance or fee waiver. Vegetative storm debris is accepted at the landfill for free. Convenience sites are open at normal hours for household trash with stickers as usual.
Transylvania County Facebook: Follow the county Facebook page for daily media briefings and other updates.
Transylvania Public Health: Information about water and food safety and other health-related resources.
Transylvania County Building Permitting & Enforcement: Contact 828-884-3029 or email [email protected] for inspections of flood-damaged buildings.
FEMA Disaster Assistance: FEMA has declared Individual Assistance (IA) for Hurricane Helene. This means residents can apply for disaster assistance from FEMA to help offset disaster-related expenses. Apply online at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/, by telephone at (800) 621-3362, or using the FEMA weather app. (For help completing this application, see these tips from the NC Department of Insurance.)
Disaster Unemployment Assistance: People in Transylvania County 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. You have 60 days from Oct. 1 to file an application for DUA at des.nc.gov or call (919) 629-3857. The deadline to apply is Dec. 2, 2024. Be sure to select "federally declared disaster" as the reason for unemployment in the application.
D-SNAP Benefits: People in Transylvania County who are not currently receiving SNAP benefits can apply to receive a one-time benefit to help buy food through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP). Call 844-453-1117 weekdays 8am-4pm or weekends 9am-12pm. (People receiving FNS can also get extra help to buy food but do not need to fill out a D-SNAP application.)