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Disaster Assistance & Recovery
Disaster Recovery Assistance Center
Applications and Legal Aid (FEMA, etc.)
Buncombe County Disaster Reporting
For Food & Beverage Workers and Artists/Creatives
Recovery - Recovering from impacts of disaster
BEWARE of Scammers!
Asheville Fire Department spokesperson warns the public they are starting to see both SCAMMERS offering to help locals clean up their properties and LOOTERS. {Updates 10/2 Source WLOS News}
Disaster Recovery Assistance Center
AC Reynolds Elementary, 1 Rocket Drive, will open 10/9 at 1pm as a disaster recovery assistance center where people can apply for FEMA and SBA assistance. This center will be open daily from 8am to 7pm
Applications and Legal Aid (FEMA, etc.)
FEMA assistance are NOT loans, they are grants that you do not have to pay back. FEMA personnel are out in the community and have branded equipment and badges.
FEMA Disaster Assistance (DSA) Team
Locations for Tuesday, October 8, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
DSA teams will be able to register survivors for FEMA assistance. Alternatively download the FEMA app or call toll free 800-621-3362. The below sites may change daily, in coordination with local Emergency Management, in order to accommodate the areas of greatest need.
- Black Mountain, 550 Hwy 9
- Park Square Park, 80 Court Plaza
- Community of Emma (Spanish Speaking), 528 Emma St
- New Bridge Baptist Church, 199 Elkwood Ave
- Laundry Use Trailer, Basilica of St. Lawrence, 97 Haywood St
- Walmart, 60 Airport Rd
FEMA Disaster Assistance Application deadlines says 11/27
Legal aid of NC is offering disaster relief (insurance policies, recovery appeals, proving property ownership) https://legalaidnc.org/tropical-storm-helene-disaster-assistance/
Flyer provides tips on how to effectively apply for assistance Legal Aid Helene Disaster Flyer - Sp and Eng.pdf - Google Drive (added 10/8)
Legal Aid Helpline: Call (866)219-LANC (5262) during open hours: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM Monday – Friday and 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM Monday & Thursday
Asheville - 10/7, 10am to 4pm. Pisgah Legal Services. 62 Charlotte St. In-person assistance with filling out FEMA applications. Walk-in; first come/first served. (Source: 10/4, pisgahlegal.org/fema)
Hendersonville - 10/7, 10am to 4pm. Pisgah Legal Services. 440 S. Church St. (Hendersonville) In-person assistance with filling out FEMA applications. Walk-in; first come/first served. (Source: 10/4, pisgahlegal.org/fema)
Disaster Unemployment Assistance
- www.des.nc.gov/dua
- DUA phone number: English/ 919-629-3857; Spanish/ 919-276-5698
- FEMA Fact Sheets (information about qualifying, etc): Document Bank
- 10/4 and ongoing, every day. Pisgah Legal Services. Apply online at www.pisgahlegal.org or call 828-253-0406. FEMA applications and appeals, Disaster Unemployment Benefits (Source: 10/4 pisgahlegal.org)
Buncombe County Disaster Reporting
The Buncombe County Emergency Management Agency is asking the public to document property damage from Helene. You can report using report.buncombecounty.org.
This information will be used to assist Buncombe County officials as they collect impact information and will be provided to other state/federal agencies as they assess the damage.
For Food & Beverage Workers and Artists/Creatives
Asheville Food and Beverage United is working on a how-to guide to applying for disaster relief for everyone (not just our workers) - keep an eye on our instagram for updates @avlfbu
Asheville Independent Restaurant Association (AIR) https://airasheville.org/storminfo/
From their website (added 10/9): Members: if AIR can assist you in any way during this recovery effort, please reach out to us at [email protected]. Stay safe!
AIR is hosting a meetings with Buncombe County Health Department officials:
- Virtual: Wednesday, October 9 at 3pm via Zoom, meeting link here (this meeting will be recorded) https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88527880898?pwd=0ij1mTSmxVwHRdffZUwJJg9fHJrZH4.1
** both meetings will have Spanish language support
At these meetings, you will receive information on permit suspension notices and emergency operations plans (A very short process that Environmental Health has developed that will help you to open in a limited capacity if you are able to meet requirements). You will also be able to ask questions of Environmental Health Supervisor, Felissa Vazquez.
IMPORTANT: Permit suspension notices mean you must cease “normal” operations (i.e. food for pay) if you are without running water. It does NOT mean that you can’t give away food/meals to support your community. Here is some best practice guidance for meal giveaway (Key Steps for Donating Food https://www.fda.gov/food/retail-food-industryregulatory-assistance-training/key-steps-donating-food-retail-food-establishments and Safety Steps for Community Meals https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media_file/2021-02/7_Steps_Community_Meals.pdf)
**The NC Environmental Health Department has activated its staff to assist with the volume of calls. Restaurants may call or email with questions:
Phone line: 919-707-5999
Email address: [email protected]
Relief for Asheville's RAD Artists & Employees Go Fund Me (link to apply for funds in description)
Emergency resources for artists and art organizations. These new online assessment forms will help identify where assistance is sought, provide assistance where needed, understand critical needs, and inform recovery efforts moving forward.
- Cultural Institutions: Rapid Damage Assessment Form
- Arts Organizations: Rapid Damage Assessment Form
- Individual Artists and Performing Groups: Rapid Damage Assessment Form
Call for WNC Artists: The Flood Collection: for artists who lost originals in the flood. ALL proceeds split between participating artists (source is the creator of the collection) https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeXrbWOZ0mCHXHjsz4J22XhwczFXcW4bKblFrOVYfWIi10PBg/viewform
Other Legal Assistance:
10/4 and ongoing, every day. Pisgah Legal Services. Apply online at www.pisgahlegal.org or call 828-253-0406. Benefits, housing issues, consumer issues and domestic violence protections. (Source: 10/4 pisgahlegal.org)
Support for Small Businesses
The United States Small Business Association has opened a small business assistance center at the Chamber of Commerce. The center is focusing on providing disaster relief in the form of low interest loans for businesses, nonprofits, homeowners and renters impacted by the storm.
Visit sba.gov for more information or visit SBA representatives in person at the Asheville Chamber of Commerce (36 Montford Ave). Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
- Post Helene Support for Small Businesses –includes SBA Loan, Employee Assistance, Insurance help and more
- If you are a WNC based produce business that sells online–join this database to help support you through your business: https://airtable.com/appnsmntWdARtEfhn/pagonIpvztM2ZRFHd/form
- Mountain Bizworks is launching a rapid recovery loan program to assist Western North Carolina small businesses in recovering from the devastating impacts of Helene. https://www.mountainbizworks.org/helene/fund/
Resources for Farmers
- The United States Department of Agriculture is beginning to put together a list of resources for farmers and other agricultural industry members. If your agriculture operation has been impacted by Hurricane Helene, you can review this link, farmer.gov for emergency and disaster assistance programs.
Recovery - Recovering from impacts of disaster
After The Flood: How to inspect, purge, and disinfect your well. Complete Guide to Preventing Mold & Healing After Flood Damage - Document (A4) (canva.com) courtesy of KimberlyRush.com |
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