Resources put together 10/5 by the NC Inclusive Disaster Network. Will update as needed. 

1. 1. WHAT’S GOING ON – Headlines. [updated for 10/5]
      1. Blue Ridge Public Radio: “Misinformation and hoaxes about Helene cloud the recover … Asheville water system update: Still no timeline for restoration”
      2. Wall Street Journal: “Homeowners Hit by Helene Are in for an Insurance Claim Shock – Harsher policy terms mean damages might not be covered”
      3. NC Health News: “In Helene-ravaged Buncombe, even ‘gray water’ is tough to find – As the Asheville municipal water system undergoes extensive repairs in the Helene aftermath, residents search for water they can use for toilets and other household needs.
      4. News & Observer: “Helene fact check: Here are the rumors and the reality in Western North Carolina
      5. Updates from NC Emergency Management: www.ncdps.gov/helene

      WHAT INFORMATION SHOULD I BE SHARING?

      1. Hotlines: Rescue, Resources, Reunification; Clean Up, Disability Integration
      1. 1. Call 9-1-1 for rescue or other life-threatening situations.
         2. Call 2-1-1 or 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) for shelters, supplies, and reunification resources.
         3. Reunification: Red Cross, County by County
         4. 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.
         5. Disability & Disaster Hotline – The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies: Call/Text: +1 (800) 626-4959, Email: hotline@disasterstrategies.org.
         6. The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is the first national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. Call or text 1-800-985-5990. Español: 1-800-985-5990 presiona “2.” ASL: Call or text 1-800-985-5990 using your Relay provider.
         7. Crowdsourced map of resources across western NC: https://helenehelpasheville.ushahidi.io/map.
      2. Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC) is asking for individuals to share any legal needs they are seeing in the communities affected by Helene by calling LANC’s Hotline at 1 866-219-LANC 5262 or visit https://legalaidnc.org/tropical-storm-helene-disaster-assistance/.
      3. FEMA: The Individual Assistance Program includes money for emergency housing at hotels, immediate recovery needs and more. Call 800-621-3362 or visit DisasterAssistance.gov for more information or to get started on an application. In-person sites will be set up soon.
         1. Share these tips to navigate the application in a pre-written Facebook post.
         2. Immigrants and undocumented persons: emergency benefits accessible to all individuals, regardless of citizenship and immigration status; minor children eligible to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance for their household.
      4. Disaster Unemployment Assistance. “DUA eligibility is much broader than regular Unemployment Insurance…” En español.
      5. “What to know about renters’ rights after Helene’s impacts.” Confused or suspect that a landlord may be taking illegal actions? Contact online@pisgahlegal.org or 828-253-0406. (Source: Blue Ridge Public Radio).
      6. “The stated policy of the US Department of Homeland Security is that ICE and CBP do not conduct immigration enforcement activities at protected areas of emergency assistance. But our grassroots and advocacy partners are clear: even when they stay in-bounds on their policies, the very fact of ICE being there in uniform with marked cars creates a chilling effect and is contrary to the spirit of the protected areas policy. Please take photos of any issues or violations of this policy and send to npatton@nlihc.org to be escalated to federal advocates.” (Source: National Low Income Housing Coalition)
      7. The Emergency Prescription Assistance Program helps impacted people 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.
      8. Farmers and Agribusiness: https://www.ncagr.gov/emergency-programs/disaster-information, https://www.farmaid.org/blog/farmer-resource-network/resources-for-farmers-affected-by-hurricane-helene/
      9. Noticias en Espanol: Enlace Latino, Blue Ridge Public Radio, ReadyNC.gov (“Select Language”), FEMA

      GRANTS FOR IMPACTED ORGANIZATIONS [new section]

      1. The NC Disaster Relief Fund, managed by United Way of North Carolina, is open. Impacted nonprofit organizations can apply for up to $10,000. Apply: https://www.unitedwaync.org/nc-disaster-relief-fund-helene.
          
      2. The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina has launched the Emergency and Disaster Response Fund. “Grant requests should be for frontline human service needs … Priority will be given to agencies in WNC serving those most significantly affected.” https://cfwnc.org/grants/emergency-and-disaster-response-fund

      HOW CAN I JOIN ADVOCACY EFFORTS? [new section]

      1. Appalachian Voices: Tell Congress: Strengthen FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund for Hurricane Helene recovery: https://appvoices.org/actions/tell-congress-fund-fema/.
      HOW CAN I VOLUNTEER?
      1. Individuals: Sign up as a volunteer with American Red Cross, Triangle Mutual Aid, NCVOAD, United Way NC, or VolunteerNC.
          
      2. Organizations: Use NeedsList to coordinate your needs and offers for support. https://volunteernc.app.needslist.co/issues/storm-helene and click on “Sign up.”
      3. Sign up to answer calls to Crisis Cleanup hotline. “English and Spanish volunteers ARE DESPERATELY needed for our hotline. Info is located here: https://tinyurl.com/ms3nmw53. You must be affiliated with an organization to volunteer.” If you are affiliated with the NCIDR Network and you cannot convince your organization to sign up, contact sabrina.mcgee@mdcinc.org. The hotline will be open at least through late October, so lots of volunteers will be needed, especially as attention fades.

      HOW CAN I DONATE?

      1. Cash donations are best. Look for local mutual aid, voluntary organizations, or philanthropies who are setting up disaster relief funds both for immediate needs and for medium/long-term recovery.
         1. Appalachian Voices: https://appvoices.org/helene-relief/
         2. Asheville Relief
         3. Blue Ridge Public Radio: List: Ways to donate and help flood victims in Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene
         4. Hispanic Federation: Support Latino Communities
         5. NC Network of Grantmakers: NC Grantmakers | Disaster Relief and Recovery Resources
         6. NC Community Foundation: NCCF encouraging donations to support western North Carolina
         7. https://bit.ly/wncheleneguide
      2. If you do want to collect supplies: 
         1. Look online for a drive near you. Here’s a list for ENC.
         2. Make an offer on Needs List.
         3. “Disaster hay” and other needs/offers can be coordinated through https://www.ncagr.gov/emergency-programs/disaster-information or call 1-866-645-9403.
      3. Do NOT collect donations of clothes or furniture yet. (Source: FEMA and National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.)
      HOW CAN I JOIN COORINDATION CALLS?
      1. Join volunteer and donations response coordination calls daily at 12:30 p.m. (time may change) hosted by NC Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. Simultaneous Spanish-English interpretation is available. On Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/96954774349?pwd=b4HofOoZZ8NekO7dVsLRb8kp4Ye4pz.1, or call 646-931-3860, Meeting ID: 96954774349, Password: 744752.
      2. NCVOAD is establishing committees for action-oriented calls. Sign up at https://www.ncvoad.org/join-a-committee/.
       
      Programming Notes: 
      1. Please feel free to forward/copy, no credit needed. You can access past messages here.
      2. As the situation in wester NC evolves, so will the frequency and format of this email. We are in the process of revamping our Living Resource Guide, which will have more comprehensive information to keep the length of these messages short.
      3. If this message was forwarded to you and you want to receive it directly, fill out this short form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NCIDR-Membership. 

I am supposed to travel to Western NC what should I do? 

1. Visit NC will keep updates on the latest travel information.