If you are in need of temporary housing, visit this article for guidance.

To report your damaged home to McDowell County visit this form: https://form.jotform.com/242675017557159. This may help ensure the county is aware of your situation at a time when locating lost or damaged homes is still difficult for emergency/disaster recovery responders. Because the Corps will be involved in debris cleanup and demolition, you may want to ensure the county is aware of the damage to your home.

Camp Grier is working to raise a minimum of $2 million, part of which will be earmarked to help with rebuilding and repairing damaged homes and small businesses in the community. Click here to fill out a short form about your damage to or loss of home or small business.  They will use this data in their case for support with the goal of helping as many individuals and businesses as possible.

Baptists on Mission specialize in the “muck out phase” and will shovel silt, rip out carpet and flooring, pull out drywall, carry furniture, etc.  They have been in operation for roughly 30 years, have massive teams of volunteers and are very skilled. They stay long-term until homes are restored, in some cases upwards of three years in one location. Click the logo above to be directed to their website or call 800.395.5102 ext.5596 to apply for assistance.

Their application is for those who have time-sensitive home repair needs requiring immediate attention for the health and safety and property due to Hurricane Helene. This may include, but is not limited to, roof/floor damage and eliminate imminent safety hazards. They are working on a plan to implement more permanent solutions once immediate needs have been resolved.  Click the logo above to be directed to their website or call (828)-559-9273 to apply for assistance.

Savage Freedoms Relief Operations began immediately following the storm, and continues from the home base of Harley Davidson in Swannanoa.  They've been key in rescues and supply delivery via helicopters.  They also coordinate with a large team of volunteers.  You can visit their website and submit a form for assistance or offer to help - options range from home repair, to heavy machinery needs, to welfare checks and supply needs.  Click the logo above to be directed to their website and fill out an application for assistance or call them at 888-618-0504.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency provides various kinds of assistance, including short-term financial needs for temporary housing, food and supplies, home repair, and more.

• Apply at disasterassistance.gov.
• Via the FEMA app on your phone.
• By phone at: 1-800-621-3362.
• In person at your local stations from 8 am - 7pm:
  • AC Bud Hogan Community Center at 909 E Main St, Old Fort, NC 28762 
  • Black Mountain Ingles parking lot at 550 NC-9, Black Mountain, NC 28711.
  • Lake Lure Ingles at 276 NC-9, Lake Lure, NC 28746.
• Door-to-door: FEMA officials will have a holographic photo ID badge and FEMA clothing. If someone does not have credentials to show you, please report at 828-286-2911.
  

The SBA offers disaster loans for businesses as well as homeowners and renters.  Their interest rates are extremely low, and loan terms include one year of no interest and no payment on the loan.  Loans can be used for a wide range of things including mitigation improvements such as retaining walls, metal roofs, storm shelters, etc.  Business loans include an option for Economic Injury Disaster to cover loss of business during a disaster.  Visit their site to learn about all loan options and details, and apply there or visit them at one of the three locations listed above (they are set up in conjunction with FEMA and the state).  

The USDA offers loans for rural housing.  Visit this link to see if you meet qualifications and read more about the application process.  A direct or guaranteed housing loan may be able to help those with low income get a decent, safe, and healthy home in our area.  If you qualify, loans can be used to help buy, build, repair, improve, or relocate your primary home. You may also use funds to buy and prepare sites, including water and sewer.  It can also provide a subsidy to help reduce mortgage payments for a short time.  

Other Assistance

The US Disaster Assistance site provides a link here: Forms of Assistance. Below, you can view a list of resources provided by Disaster.gov.

Banking and Financial Institutions: Banks or financial institutions that are members of the Federal Deposit

Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Reserve System, or the Federal Home Loan Bank Board may allow for

penalty-free early withdrawal of time deposits such as Certificates of Deposits (CDs). Contact your bank or financial institution for more information.

Disaster Legal Services (DLS): Free legal services for low-income households to include legal counseling, advice, and representation for disaster-related issues. Examples of disaster-related legal issues include but are not limited to: landlord-tenant problems; appeals of FEMA decisions and other government benefits available to disaster survivors; insurance claims; home repair contracts and contractor issues; and replacements of wills and other important legal documents destroyed in the disaster. To request these services in your area, call the toll-free American Bar Association National Hotline at 1-888-743-5749, and when prompted, say the name of the state or territory in which you are seeking help. In addition to the hotline, you also may visit the DLS website at www.americanbar.org/groups/young_lawyers/projects/disaster-legal-services or FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs), where DLS information is available and DLS representatives may be located.

Health and Human Services: Services (like transportation, meals, home care, etc.) to meet the needs of older adults who have been directly affected by a disaster. For more information on Aging Services, call 1-800-677-1116 (U.S. Dept of Health & Human Services).

Insurance Information: Assistance and counseling for insurance issues and questions, including help obtaining copies of lost policies, claims filing, expediting settlements, etc. If you have not been able to resolve an issue with Call the National Flood Insurance Program at 1-877-336-2627 or visit www.FloodSmart.gov for flood insurance inquiries.

Personal Property Tax: Your local government may provide property tax relief for those affected by a disaster. For more information, contact your local Tax Assessor’s office.

Social Security Administration (SSA): For help with Social Security benefits or to update your mailing address if you are displaced from your home and receive your benefits through the mail, or for more information, call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778).

American Red Cross: Emergency food, clothing, shelter, and medical assistance for individuals and families with emergency needs caused by a disaster. For additional information, call 1-866-438-4636 (866-GETINFO) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish).

Banking and Financial Institutions: Banks or financial institutions that are members of the Federal Deposit

Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Reserve System, or the Federal Home Loan Bank Board may allow for

penalty-free early withdrawal of time deposits such as Certificates of Deposits (CDs). Contact your bank or financial institution for more information.

Tax Assistance: Internal Revenue Service (IRS): Offers tax deductions for certain uninsured disaster-caused losses to your home or personal property. Taxpayers may be able to file an amended return to receive an early tax refund. For more information, order the IRS Disaster Loss Kit by calling the IRS publication hotline at 1-800-829-3676. Refer to Publication #2194 for individuals, or #2194B for businesses. For more information on disaster tax assistance, call the IRS at 1-866-562-5227 (TTY: 1-800-829-4059) or visit www.IRS.gov.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency: Emergency loans to farmers and ranchers operating and managing a farm or ranch at the time of the disaster. These loans are limited to compensation of actual losses to essential property and/or production capacity. Farmers and ranchers may also apply for cost-sharing grants for emergency conservation programs. (Like debris removal from crop/pasture lands, repairs to land/water conservation structures, and permanent fencing.) For more information, call the USDA Farm Service Agency at 1-202-720-2791 or visit www.usda.gov.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Programs:

• Home and Personal Property Disaster Loan Program: Low-interest disaster loans to homeowners and

renters to repair or replace property damaged or destroyed by a disaster. The maximum available home loan

is $500,000. The maximum loan available for personal property losses is $100,000. Loan amounts are limited

to the amount of SBA-verified losses that are uninsured, underinsured or otherwise uncompensated. You

don’t have to apply for an SBA disaster loan to be considered for FEMA Assistance. For more information,

call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or visit a local Disaster Recovery Center.

 • Business Disaster Loan Program: Low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes and private

nonprofits organizations to repair or replace damaged or destroyed business property and facilities,

inventory, machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures, leasehold improvements, and provide working

capital for small businesses and most private nonprofits. The maximum loan amount is $2,000,000. For more

information, call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or visit a local Disaster Recovery Center.

Veterans Affairs (VA): The VA can expedite delivery of information about benefits, pensions, insurance settlements, and VA mortgage loans. For more information, call the VA at 1-800-827-1000 (TTY: 1-800-829-4833).