Studies show that natural disasters can have an impact on physical and mental health due to stress from having to evacuate or from dealing with financial loss, for example. The health effects can be short-term or long-term.
Various resources are available to help victims of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. Here’s a list of some of them:
Mental health assistance
NC Department of Health and Human Services
- Free, 24/7 Disaster Distress Helpline: 800-985-5990 (Use videophone for ASL)
- NC Peer Warmline: 855-733-7762
- Behavioral health: bit.ly/NCHurricane
- Ways to cope: Emergency.cdc.gov/coping
- Tips for survivors: bit.ly/SAMHSATips
- Treatment locator: FindTreatment.samhsa.gov
- 988 Lifeline: Call or text 988, 988lifeline.org
Read our detailed list of mental health resources in North Carolina.
Information on water safety
FEMA disaster assistance
For homeowners and renters who had uninsured damage or losses in areas under a federal disaster declaration (25 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians), aid may be available to help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs. Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA App or call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET daily.
Various resources
State Department of Public Safety (Includes links to county information, power outages, shelter locations, where to report price gouging or repair scams, etc.)
How to donate to Helene victims
Here are some places to donate money to help with recovery efforts in affected communities:
American Red Cross (or donate by texting Helene to 90999)
GoFundMe — List of verified individual and nonprofit fundraisers related to Helene.
North Carolina Community Foundation
North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund
N.C. Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster — This group has a list of vetted disaster relief organizations that help victims of disasters. There are more than 50 faith-based, community, nonprofit and non-governmental organizations on their list.
United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
Page last updated Oct. 1, 2024.
This is not a complete list. If there’s a North Carolina-based resource you’d like us to consider adding to this page, please email editor@northcarolinahealthnews.org.