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The Assembly is putting storm coverage outside of our paywall and making it free to republish in any local or regional outlet.

As locals assess the catastrophic damage left by Hurricane Helene, state officials are pushing to get response into the region.

The storm dumped between 10 and 29 inches of rain on the region, causing massive flash flooding, washing out homes, roads, and property. At least 30 people are dead in Buncombe County alone, the Citizen-Times reported Sunday. The N.C. Department of Transportation has closed major routes to the region, as many roads are impassable. 

“People are desperate for help, and we are pushing to get it to them,” Gov. Roy Cooper said at a media briefing on Sunday. “Many people are cut off because roads are impassable. They don’t have power or communications.”

Ahead of the storm, Cooper declared a state of emergency to activate state government resources. President Joe Biden did the same for federal resources, which are managed through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA.

In an Instagram post on Sunday, FEMA said it has delivered 50 ambulances, five trailers of food and water, and 50 Starlink transceivers to the region. FEMA also reported there are 260 federal search-and-rescue personnel on the ground.

Many residents who suffered property damage or loss will be eligible for federal disaster relief, in addition to claims filed through home- or car-owners insurance. While those processes can take some time, here’s what to know now. 

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The Long Road to Recovery

North Carolina has about $5.5 billion reserved for emergencies, but it will take several weeks to assess storm damage.

Applying for Federal Disaster Relief 

The White House approved a major disaster declaration for 25 counties in western North Carolina and the Eastern Band of the Cherokee on Sunday. That means federal funds and assistance to the region can move quickly, Cooper said.

For residents affected by Hurricane Helene, residents should apply through FEMA.

That can be done three ways:

To be eligible, residents and business owners must live in one of the 25 counties listed in the emergency declaration: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey, as well as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

FEMA spokesperson Michael Hart said it’s important for residents to begin the application process as soon as they can. 

Federal assistance can include money for home repairs, temporary housing, and low-cost loans to replace uninsured property loss. Residents may also be eligible for help with child care, medical, lodging, moving, and funeral expenses. 

Hart said when someone applies for federal aid, they will work with a FEMA agent to help determine what and how much they are eligible to receive. 

It’s hard to give a timeframe for when a family or resident will get federal assistance, Hart said. It often depends on whether they have important documents on hand, such as Social Security numbers, insurance cards, information about damage to property, and direct deposit account numbers. 

“As long as things move swiftly, believe me, we are working to get money in families hands to begin the recovery process,” Hart said. 

RVs in a flooded Ingles parking lot in Morganton, N.C. on Saturday, September 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)

Business owners who have property damage and economic loss may qualify for assistance for loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration. 

SBA disaster loans are for personal or business losses not covered by insurance or FEMA. The loans can also be used for business operating expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred, according to the SBA. 

Business owners, homeowners, renters, and private nonprofit organizations can apply at the SBA website.

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety also has a Hurricane Helene information and resource website which has information about resources and frequently asked questions about disaster relief. 

Filing Insurance Claims

Residents who have insurance on their homes and property will need to file claims through their insurance companies. 

The North Carolina Department of Insurance has a website with information for what residents should do after a disaster strikes. Residents can also call the state insurance department at 855-408-1212, Monday through Friday for help. 

N.C. Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey said in an emailed statement that representatives from his department are on the ground in western North Carolina and will be in the region for the next three weeks to help with insurance claims and other needs.

The state insurance department says affected residents should do the following:

  • Contact your primary homeowners insurance agent or company 
  • Make a list of the damages and take clear pictures before you make any repairs, even temporary ones
  • Stop ongoing damage. For example, if there is a hole in your roof, put a tarp over it. 
  • Keep receipts for anything you purchase to make temporary repairs. Do not make permanent repairs until you talk with your insurance company.
  • If you can’t live in your home, check with your insurance company to see if they will reimburse you for expenses like a hotel. 

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners also has a guide for what to do after a disaster strikes, including information on reporting property damage, what to do when working with an insurance adjuster, and how to avoid insurance fraud.

Watch Out for Scammers

Attorney General Josh Stein declared the state’s price-gouging law in effect ahead of Hurricane Helene making landfall. The law, activated when the governor or General Assembly declares a state of emergency, is intended to keep businesses from unreasonably raising prices during a crisis. 

As of Sunday, the N.C. Department of Justice has started to receive price-gouging complaints from across the region, mainly on gas, water, and hotel prices. 

Stein said the bulk of the complaints are coming from the Boone area, where some hotels are charging between $1,000 and $1,500 a night for a room.

The Justice Department has a hotline to call if you suspect a business of price gouging. Call the Consumer Protection Division at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM (1-877-566-7226) to leave a report. Residents can also file a price gouging complaint online.

The price gouging complaint line is a “see-something, say-something” system, Stein said. Once they receive a complaint, investigators in Raleigh will start gathering evidence to build a price gouging case. 

“The vast majority of businesses are working so hard to try to meet the needs of their community, and it’s a shame when some companies try to exploit some people’s desperation to try and make a quick buck,” Stein said. “When we identify those companies, we will not hesitate to hold them accountable.”

When it comes to repairing damage, Stein said residents should do research on contractors before they hire them to do work on their property. 

He recommends the following:

  • Call the 211 helpline to find reputable contractors.
  • Get as many quotes in writing as possible before choosing a contractor.
  • Make sure the contract is in writing, laying out the full scope of work to be done.
  • Don’t pay with cash upfront. Use a credit card when you can because you can challenge the charge later if need be.

Residents outside of western North Carolina should also be wary of charity scammers that prey on people’s benevolence, and end up stealing their money, Stein said. 

The state has activated the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, which is managed by the United Way, to get donation money to reputable organizations. 

The price gouging law expires when the state of emergency expires. The Justice Department says that is 30 days after declaration unless it is terminated earlier. If the state of emergency is extended, price gouging prohibitions remain in effect. 

Ben McNeely has practiced journalism in some form and fashion since he was 14 years old. He spent his career at local North Carolina newspapers, and 10 years as a political producer at Spectrum News 1. He currently serves as editorial advisor for student media at North Carolina State University.