ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The deadline to apply for FEMA help for Tropical Storm Helene damage is quickly approaching.

“Some people need repairs to their homes, some people need repairs to the roads, some people lost their homes completely and need housing assistance,” FEMA Region 4 External Affairs Specialist Vincent Abril said. “We have all of those things as far as assistancewise, but the main thing that we’re really pushing, the message that we’re pushing is that people need to apply for this assistance.”

The deadline to apply for FEMA disaster assistance is Jan. 7, 2025. Eligible homeowners and renters in Buncombe County can apply for assistance, which may include:

  • Rental assistance
  • Security deposits
  • Utility coverage
  • Basic home repairs
  • Personal property losses
  • Other uninsured or underinsured disaster-related expenses

To apply:

  • Online: Visit DisasterAssistance.gov.
  • Phone: Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.
  • In-person: Visit the Disaster Recovery Center at Asheville Mall, open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
  • Even if your needs aren’t immediate, it’s advisable to apply, as some Helene-related impacts may be identified in the future.

For more information, you can also refer to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety’s page on Hurricane Helene.

“We are here to help the people,” Department of Homeland Security Public Affairs Specialist Kia Evans-Watson said.

“We are of the people. We’re not robots at FEMA. We are people who have compassion. And we want to treat people with fairness. And we do it with integrity and we do it with respect,” Abril said.

Hurricane Helene, which struck the Florida Gulf Coast in late September, devastated Asheville and Buncombe County. The storm brought unprecedented rainfall, leading to catastrophic flooding that surpassed records by several feet. The deluge resulted in widespread destruction of homes, businesses and infrastructure and left Asheville largely cut off because of power and cell phone outages. The storm’s severity overwhelmed local infrastructure, leaving nearly the entire county without electricity and water. It also caused at least 43 deaths in Buncombe County.

“Buncombe County has been tremendous to work with. The partnership that has formed with FEMA and Buncombe County is instrumental and so important in the long-term recovery efforts as we move down the road,” Evans-Watson said.

By the numbers

  • $279 million approved to 140,000+ households and individuals beginning their recovery. That includes money to help rent a home or apartment as survivors begin their recovery.
  • $307 million in Public Assistance funding approved to support community recovery.
  • The U.S. Small Business Administration is still accepting low-interest loan applications. To date more than $6.6 million in loans has been awarded.

FEMA is providing multiple temporary housing options to meet North Carolinians’ individual needs. The first step to receiving housing assistance is applying with FEMA.

  • More than 5,000 households are using Transitional Sheltering Assistance hotels and motels.
  • 75 households have been placed in travel trailers or manufactured housing units provided by FEMA Direct Temporary Housing Assistance.
  • FEMA has contracted with 10 commercial parks to be able to place units and the agency is working with more than 20 other parks for potential contracting purposes.
  • To date, more than 2 million cubic yards of debris has been removed from public rights of way by FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its contractors. Debris currently being removed includes: vegetative/woody debris, construction debris, white goods (appliances) and household hazardous waste.
  • $5.5 million in federal unemployment benefits have been provided to survivors.

Disaster Recovery Centers are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Click here or text “DRC” and a ZIP code to 43362 to find a center near you. You can visit any open center, including locations in other states.

Evans-Watson said FEMA is settling in for long-term recovery efforts.

“We did a hiring initiative at the Embassy Suites where we interviewed about 600 people. So that tells you there’s a lot of people who were going to be here to support the long-term recovery efforts,” Evans-Watson said.

FEMA has also set up a long-term recovery office for the Asheville area.

“That is, you know, another indication of the commitment to the community,” she said.

But FEMA isn’t the only group or organization that is offering help.

“We partner with a lot of other federal agencies, one of them being the SBA, the Small Business Administration, and a lot of people don’t necessarily know that you can receive a small interest loan from SBA to assist with housing repairs. But again, you have to apply,” Evans-Watson said. “A lot of non-profit organizations are also doing great work here, just amazing work.”

Evans-Watson said seeing the devastation in the area has made FEMA agents more determined

“I have driven through many of these communities. Just to see the devastation is really, you know, it impacts the people who are trying to help, as well. “You see the devastation and, you know, we’re here to help, and that just gives us more motivation to ensure that we’re doing the right thing on the ground, helping people,” Evans-Watson said.

That means making sure people get the assistance they need, Abril said.

Private roads and bridges

FEMA may be able to help pay for a road or bridge on private property when it is the only route available to reach your primary home or it is the only access for emergency vehicles. The first step in determining eligibility is to apply. Call the FEMA Helpline or visit a Disaster Recovery Center to update your application. Nonprofit organizations are also assisting residents. More information on those efforts can be found at Bridging Together. To date, FEMA has awarded more than $9 million for repair or replacement of roads and bridges to more than 3,000 families.

Assistance for people with disabilities

FEMA funding is available to eligible survivors with disabilities to make certain accessibility improvements to homes damaged by a declared disaster. Recent updates in FEMA Individual Assistance programs provide disaster support by increasing accessibility and eligibility for affected people, families and communities. To learn more, click here.

Appeal a decision

You can appeal any FEMA decision or award amount by sending additional documents, like estimates for repairs, receipts, bills, etc., that show you qualify and need more help. Each decision letter from FEMA explains why you are ineligible and the types of documents to help you appeal. For more details, click here.