Clean Up Help
Call Crisis Cleanup at 844-965-1386 to be connected with volunteer organizations who can assist with issues like trees, debris, tarps, and mucking out. Note: Crisis Cleanup cannot assist with social services such as food, clothing, shelter, insurance, or FEMA registration. Artwork to advertise the hotline is available at https://www.crisiscleanup.org/disasters.
Personal Safety/Health
Call 9-1-1 for rescue or other life-threatening situations. Call 2-1-1 for shelter and supplies.
Locating loved ones: Call 2-1-1 for reunification service.
Medication Assistance: The Emergency Prescription Assistance Program helps people in a federally identified disaster area who do not have health insurance to access prescription drugs, vaccinations, medical supplies, and equipment. Find out which pharmacy near you is open online with this map.
Food Assistance
TRACTOR in Spruce Pine (Mitchell County)
Foothills Food Hub (McDowell County)
WNC Farm to Table in Sylva (Jackson County)
Latine Community Donations
Please donate to Carolina Migrant Network’s Mutual Aid fund. All proceeds will be split among Latine-led/latine serving organizations in WNC. We will include the list of receipts as we go.
If you prefer to donate to an organization directly, you can do so to:
Centro Unido Latino Americano Marion NC
Amazon Wish list: All materials are sent to the Carolina Migrant Networks Office and will be sent to locations across WNC. In-person donation: CMN is accepting donations at our offices at 3400 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte, NC 28215. A list of materials needed is available here.
Poultry and Livestock
To request critical assistance for your livestock and animals in urgent need, complete this form or call 863-993-5460 between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. After-hours 386-397-2732.
Hay/Feed/Supplies
NC Extension Livestock Assistance Form (for those who want to assist and for farmers in need)
NC Agriculture Weather Hotline: 1-866-645-9403.
a. Livestock Assistance Form is on website (Disaster Hay and Livestock Assistance Portal)
b. Crops for mass feeding should contact sert@ncvoad.org.
- WNC has 15 farms on our list to get sheep quality hay delivered to WNC within the next 2 weeks.
- If you’d like to be added to the list, please email (dana@wncfoodjustice.com). There is no size requirement, just let them know the quantity of square bales you’re hoping for!
- *If you need tarps for storing hay, let them know and they will get them for you
- **If you can store hay for other farmers who can come to your farm to pick up as needed, please let them know
If you have an URGENT hay need and live near one of these Ag Centers, you can reach out to them directly for more info about hay AND other livestock resources.
McDowell County Agriculture Center (East Area)
188 Ag Services Drive
Marion, NC 28752
Open for donations M-Sat, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Open for distribution M-Sat, 2 – 5 p.m.
Mills River Research Station (South Area)
455 Research Drive
Mills River, NC 28759
Open: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Mitchell/Avery County Warehouse (Northwest Area)
6880 Linville Falls Highway
Newland, NC 28657
Open: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Caldwell County Fairgrounds (Northwest Area)
2461 Fairground Rd
Lenoir, NC 28645
Hours: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Additional Sites
Tryon International Indoor Complex
Mill Spring NC 28756
Open Daily, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. through Sunday, Oct. 6, with extensions TBA based on community need
Upper Mountain Research Station
8004 NC Highway 88 E
Laurel Springs, NC 28644
WNC Livestock Center (may be able to deliver: text 828-216-4496)
474 Stock Drive
Canton, NC 28716
Beam Farms – Resource Center
Open 24/7 as needed
221 Hogan Road
Forest City, NC 28043
Crop Damage
Hurricane Preparation and Recovery Resources | Farmers.gov USDA resource that provides information about disaster programs related to Helene, along with links to crop insurance details.
Crop Losses: If farmers seek assistance from the FSA and currently lack NAP (Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program), they will need to obtain NAP in the future. This will necessitate ongoing engagement with the FSA moving forward.
If insured: If a crop was harvested, insurance won’t cover. Insurance is for production. If non-insured: this is a factor in determining the reimbursement pay-out rate.
Food Safety
General information on Food Safety during emergencies
Includes guidance on:
- Safety of food crops when flood waters contacted the edible portions of the crops;
- Safety of food crops when flood waters did NOT contact the edible portions of the crops;
- Assessment of flood-affected fields before replanting; and
- Additional controls to avoid cross-contamination after flooding.
Contact: Fresh Produce Safety Western NC
Elena Rogers – Area Specialized Agent- Food Safety/Fresh Produce elena_rogers@ncsu.edu or via phone at (828)352-2519.
Personal Home Assistance
Legal Aid of NC and Pisgah Legal are ramping up their disaster legal services programs to assist with applications and appeals to FEMA, for homeowners and rentals dealing with damage and displacement, and for fraud support.
Financial
Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to businesses and residents in North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene. Fact Sheet
Mental Health/Crisis
988 Suicide prevention line
Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH): Free mental health support, text TOUGH to 741741, 24/7. Or dial 1-800-985-5990 (press “2” for Spanish). 24/7 crisis and emotional support for survivors & responders of natural and human-caused disasters go to samhsa.gov/DDH. For any additional coordination / resources needs in disaster emotional care, please email DDH@vibrant.org.