Recovery and relief begins after Hurricane Helene decimated much of the Southeast last Friday.
The Southeast was rocked by Hurricane Helene last Friday, with severe damage caused by high winds and flooding across numerous states. The hurricane has become the second-deadliest hurricane to strike the U.S. since Hurricane Camille in 1969, topped only by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. While the worst of the storm has passed, residents across the region are now picking up the pieces.
Uprooted and damaged trees on the campus of Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina, on September 30, 2024, following Hurricane Helene.
The damage caused by widespread flood waters is extensive — some school systems are closed indefinitely, entire towns decimated, and over 190 lives have been lost across six states — Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee.
Along with the damage caused to lives, homes, and infrastructure, information has become a critical resource as well after the flood cut off power, phone and internet services — leaving many unable to call for help or check on their loved ones. Cell phone and internet providers have begun rebuilding their damaged infrastructure while also placing emergency towers in critical areas.
President Joe Biden speaks with Mayor Esther Manheimer of Asheville, N.C., FEMA Director Deanne Criswell and Gov. Roy Cooper (D-N.C.) during an aerial tour aboard Marine One to assess areas impacted by Hurricane Helene, Wednesday, October 2, 2024, in western North Carolina (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz).
Federal, state, and local resources have begun pouring into the region, with the most critical needs like water, food, and gasoline being prioritized. For those affected by Helene who need resources and relief — or for those who want to help — see the following list provided by USA.gov:
Disaster recovery
- Find the latest Hurricane Helene information from FEMA, including post-storm safety tips and how to find shelters. This includes links to local information for those in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Finding loved ones
- The Red Cross is providing assistance with finding friends and family impacted by the storm.
- Tennessee: You can report missing persons in the areas affected by recent flooding to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation hotline at 1-800-824-3463.
Financial assistance
- Find out if you qualify for disaster financial assistance. You could get unemployment benefits, help buying groceries, and more.
Safety
- Read the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) statement on safety and enforcement during Hurricane Helene. The information is available in multiple languages.
- The U.S. Census Bureau's Hurricane Helene page offers safety information, news on emergency declarations, and more.
Health
- Mental health - Call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990. The national hotline provides free 24/7, crisis counseling for people experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing ASL callers can use a videophone or ASL Now.
- The Defense Health Agency announced temporary prescription refill waivers and help with emergency fills for TRICARE beneficiaries in states and counties affected by Hurricane Helene. Find information for:
- Check military hospital and clinic websites in areas affected by Hurricane Helene for closures and other important information.
Weather
- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hurricane Helene page features forecasts, maps, imagery, and more.
- And hurricanes.gov/#helene from NOAA's National Hurricane Center offers additional maps and advisories.
Communications
- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has activated the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) in response to communications impacted by Hurricane Helene. DIRS is a web-based system that communications providers, including wireless, wireline, broadcast, cable and Voice over Internet Protocol providers, and satellite providers use to report communications infrastructure status and situational awareness information during times of crisis. Learn more and get hurricane-related updates.
Science
- The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) shares science and real-time and interactive data related to Hurricane Helene.
Agriculture and food safety
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers food safety guidance, tips for protecting pets and livestock, and risk management and disaster assistance options for agricultural producers following a disaster.
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) shares Hurricane Helene updates.
Business, banking, and consumer information
- Visit the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Hurricane Helene page to find out if you are eligible for disaster loans for business owners, nonprofits, homeowners, and renters.
- The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) shares information for banks and consumers in areas affected by Hurricane Helene. Learn about recovering financially from a disaster, avoiding disaster-related scams, and more.
- The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is monitoring the impact of Hurricane Helene on investors and capital markets.
Government agency closures
- Visit the website of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida for information on Hurricane Helene-related office closures.
- Find out about Hurricane Helene closures for the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest in Georgia.
HEADER IMAGE: U.S. Airmen assigned to the 202nd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers (RED HORSE) Squadron, Florida Air National Guard, clear roads in Keaton Beach, Florida, after the landfall of Hurricane Helene, Sept. 27, 2024.